2007-2008 NBA Season Preview: Washington Wizards

After coming off knee surgery and missing the 2007 NBA Playoffs, Gilbert Arenas is preparing for the battle of his NBA life. With the Washington Wizards poised to compete in the East, with health and the core of the roster in place, the D.C. organization is looking to cast spells on the entire league. Arenas seems ready, having earlier embarked on a mission to make 50,000 jump shots, though only to have abandoned that goal as it was taking away from his overall conditioning.

All-Star swingman Caron Butler is also returning from last season's injury woe of an injured hand, and shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson re-signed over the summer to stabilize the backcourt further. Forward Antawn Jamison is looking to also build on a terrific playoff series that he had against the Cleveland Cavs in May.

The Wizards also have youth as on their side. Oleksey Pecherov, the team's 2006 first-round pick from Europe, will be helping to add more scoring in the frontcourt. Andray Blatche will be looking to do the same, as both forwards will be sharing time at small forward and power forward, as well as center.

Nick Young, the exciting shooting guard from Southern California, will also be looked upon to make an impact. A dynamo from the Pac-10, Young was taken with the 16th pick in the 2007 Draft with the forecast being Arenas' future backcourt mate. Young will help pep up the bench with veteran guard Antonio Daniels.

The main concern of the team will be in relation to the team's centers, Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood and head coach Eddie Jordan. Being the team's delegator of playing time, Jordan has had to weather the relationship storms of the two big men. With fisticuffs and verbal assaults being a huge part of the past with Thomas and Haywood, sense and sensibility will be necessary tools are resolving any other problems.

Also, Arenas has to show that he can return to his old self. Being a threat to drive down for the layup or pull up from 35 feet away from the baskets, Agent Zero is the key for the offense to open up. It is said that with the injury that resulted in his torn meniscus in his right knee can actually result in a stronger joint, which may make Arenas that much dangerous in the future.

With all things considered, Merlin himself might not dare forecast a troubled future for these Wizards.