It’s been gratifying over the past week to see both national and local press acknowledging how much the Wizards have accomplished and how much promise they have for the future. And we’re feeling it from the fans, too: we are in the mid-90 percent range for season ticket renewals – the highest renewal percentage we’ve had in years. And we’re on pace to sell 3,000 new season tickets – higher than our usual annual average. It’s just another reminder of what great, loyal fans we have here in Washington — and the excitement about what’s ahead for Wizards basketball. And we’re not the only ones who think so:
USA Today: What’s next for Washington Wizards after missing conference finals?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/wizards/2017/05/16/whats-next-washington-wizards-eastern-conference-finals/101754520/
“The Wizards had one of the best starting lineups in the league. That group averaged 82.2 points (third-best in the NBA), shot 48.3% from field (tied for fourth-best) and 38.4% on three-pointers (third-best).”
CBS Sports: The Wizards’ best days might be in front of them, if they can keep their core intact
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/the-wizards-best-days-may-be-in-front-of-them-if-they-can-keep-their-core-intact/
“The Wizards had a terrific season, rebounding after a terrible start, and had a top-five record for most of the season. They made the second round, and lost a coin-flip game to a team where their starting center, after shooting 35 percent this season from 3-point range, shot 58 percent from deep. They have nothing to apologize for.”
CBS DC Grant Paulsen: How can you say the Wizards’ season wasn’t a success?
Grant Paulsen: How can you say the Wizards’ season wasn’t a success?
“So for [John Wall] to get better, for Bradley Beal, who got a max contract before he was a max contract player and to make good on it, for [Otto] Porter and Kieff, and even Marcin Gortat who was up and down, for all of those guys individually to have the years that they had under Scott Brooks in year one in this system, to become one of the most exciting teams to watch in this sport, to have protected the Verizon Center home floor the way they did from start to finish, this year was a success,” Paulsen said. “How can you view it as anything other than that?”
And, of course, as a DC fan, it was it was great to see Bryce Harper recognize John Wall’s game six heroics – the camaraderie of our DC family on full display.
The Washington Post D.C Sports Bog: Bryce Harper said he was channeling John Wall’s heroics for walk-off HR, and Wall loved it: “Just trying to be like John Wall, walk them off a little bit”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/05/14/bryce-harper-said-he-was-channeling-john-walls-heroics-for-walk-off-hr-and-wall-loved-it/?utm_term=.39ec842fba31
The organization has made some smart moves to put together this core group of players who have gelled into a winning team, who play with energy and are exciting to watch. We have a lot to look forward to.
