Inside The Wizards

Wizards Have Clear Reason for Lack of Recent Success

Why haven't the Washington Wizards been able to find success over the years?
Tyrone Montgomery|
Apr 9, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on from the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Apr 9, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on from the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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To have success with any life business, you have to produce a good business or product. That requires a special talent that many people don’t have. Patience is also required. For any business to flourish, your staff must be capable and reliable as well. You have to have individuals on your staff who are willing to go the extra mile. These individuals must be willing to put in the extra work even when that isn’t asked of them. They must be willing to do these things even when it isn’t a requirement. When they do so, they typically tend to separate themselves from the rest of the bunch. In the NBA, with the Washington Wizards, it is hard to identify any individuals who separated themselves from the rest of the players in the league.

Longevity is also important for businesses to thrive. Anyone can start a business of their own on any given day and at any moment. The real question is, can they keep the business going? Can they keep the good employees around long-term to help keep the business thriving? When we think about the Wizards, John Wall wasn’t around very long due to injuries. Availability is the best ability. Bradley Beal also suffered injuries. Gilbert Arenas' time with the Wizards was cut short due to injuries and off-court issues. Players who have played at a high level for the Wizards were Dwight Howard and Russell Westbrook. However, they only played in Washington for one season. Westbrook and Howard have been named to CBS’s Top 25 players of the 21st century. That one year isn’t enough for the Wizards. That is why the Wizards have struggled over the years.

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington
Apr 11, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips (15) defends Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (8) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

To be the best team, you have to have the best players. You have to have them for a long period of time so you can have multiple attempts at winning a championship. The Wizards simply simply haven’t been able to acquire and keep great players over the years. While they have added many talented players through the draft, they haven’t been able to keep some of them, while others just haven’t been able to develop into top-tier players. If the Wizards are to be great and become a contender again, they will need to find a generational talent and retain them for many years to come, rather than have them as a rental.

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Tyrone Montgomery
TYRONE MONTGOMERY

Tyrone Montgomery Jr has covered the NBA, NFL, and NCAA Sports since 2017 where he has engaged in color commentary, writing articles, interviewing of both players and coaches, photography, videography, and even the recording of multiple podcasts as well. This has shown to be a strong passion of his as he continues along this path covering the Washington Wizards

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