Coming off a 19-63 record in the 2008-2009 season, the Washington Wizards look primed for a bounce back season in 2009-2010. Injuries derailed the 2008-2009 Wizards as point guard Gilbert Arenas (knee) and center Brendan Haywood (wrist) played a combined eight games, and guard DeShawn Stevenson (back) missed more than half the season. Last season ended in disappointment, but the 2009-2010 Wizards have high expectations after a productive off-season.

The Wizards hit the off-season with a bang hiring Head Coach Flip Saunders, who guided the Detroit Pistons to three straight Eastern Conference Finals from 2005-2008 and acquiring proven veterans Mike Miller and Randy Foye from Minnesota and free agent Fabricio Oberto. With the additions of Miller, Foye and Oberto to the current roster, which still consists of All-Stars Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, many believe the current Wizards have the deepest and most talented team in recent franchise history.

Flip Saunders likes the way the roster is put together because there are “no duplicate players” on the team. Each player possesses a different skill set that separates him from the other players on the team. Whether it’s Gilbert Arenas scoring from anywhere on the court, Caron Butler knocking down shots consistently, Antawn Jamison grabbing rebounds, Brendan Haywood blocking shots, Mike Miller shooting the three, DeShawn Stevenson glued to his opponent’s hip, Fabricio Oberto setting solid screens, or Nick Young running off screens looking to shoot, each player’s skill set represents a piece of the puzzle. It is Flip Saunders’ job to take each piece and find a way to complete the puzzle.

Flip Saunders is known as an offensive mastermind able to devise schemes to put his players in the best position to score. In Detroit, Saunders’ players bought into the concept of team ball. The Pistons' offense was a thing of beauty; they moved the ball with precision playing the game with an unselfish, team-first approach. Saunders does not believe he will have a problem getting his Wizards to buy into his philosophy: "They want to win. All they want to do is win. Team success beats individual glory. Individual glory doesn't mean team success. I think they understand what it's really all about."

Under the tutelage of Saunders, the Wizards should light up the scoreboard. However, the team's goal is to improve on defense. Saunders insists his team will emphasize defense: “You have to be able to defend, a lot is talked about my huge playbook. About 60 percent of that is defense, 40 percent is offense. Players will know when we walk in that gym, that defense is the priority.” The Wizards ability to improve their defense, combined with their offensive firepower, could make for a dangerous combination.

"We have higher expectations than a lot of other people because we know the type of players we have," Saunders said. "Our players have put in as much time or more than anybody else. The year that we had last year stung and they want to make up for that." If the Wizards bring this attitude to the court every night, look for them to regain their status as one of the top tier teams in the Eastern Conference.

Off-Season Additions: G Randy Foye (via trade with Minnesota), G/F Mike Miller (via trade with Minnesota), C/Fabricio Oberto (free agent), C/F Paul Davis (free agent)

Off-Season Losses: C Oleksiy Pecherov (trade with Minnesota), F Darius Songaila (trade with Minnesota), C Etan Thomas (trade with Minnesota), G Juan Dixon (free agent)

GUARDS

Gilbert Arenas - After playing in a combined fifteen games over the past two seasons due to a knee injury, three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas is now healthy and looks to return to his old form. When Arenas is healthy, Flip Saunders believes he is “one of the top five best players in the league.” Arenas is a potent scorer who can create his shot at any time, whether it is driving by defenders or pulling up to shoot. The last time Arenas played a majority of the season occurred in 2006-2007, when he averaged 28.4 ppg, 6.0 apg, and 4.6 rpg. In Flip Saunders’ system, Arenas should continue to fill the box score, but expect Arenas to distribute the ball more because of the weapons he has around him.

DeShawn Stevenson - DeShawn Stevenson played in thirty-two games last season due to a back injury that required surgery. A healthy Stevenson will improve the Wizards defense. Stevenson is one of the best perimeter defenders on the team. On a team that knows how to score, Stevenson’s ability to defend will be a major asset for the team. Offensively, with Gilbert Arenas healthy expect Stevenson to get open looks and improve his shooting percentage as opponents attempt to contain Arenas.

Randy Foye - Drafted seventh overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2006 NBA draft, Randy Foye was traded to Portland and then to Minnesota on draft night. Last season for Minnesota, Foye averaged 16.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, and 3.1 rpg. He has improved his scoring average each season. He is a tough-minded guard who can create his own shot. He will be asked to facilitate the offense when he plays the point guard and look to score when he plays the two-guard. At 6-4 Foye will pester guards with his tenacious defense.

Nick Young - Nick Young was the only Wizards player to play in all eighty-two games last season. Coming into his third year in the league, Young will be counted upon for instant offense. Young averaged 10.9 ppg last year, but in the 2009 Summer League in Las Vegas, he was unstoppable as he averaged 23.8 ppg. Because Young is a great shooter, look for him to play the role of Richard Hamilton in Flip Saunders’ offense by running off screens to free up his shot.

Mike James - As an eight-year veteran, Mike James is one of the most experienced players on the Wizards. After being traded from New Orleans last season, James played in fifty-three games for the Wizards where he averaged 9.6 ppg, 3.6 apg and 2.4 rpg. James is a good shooter who will provide leadership and depth at guard.

Javaris Crittenton - Javaris Crittenton played in fifty-two games last season for the Wizards after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Wizards he averaged 5.3 ppg, 2.6 apg and 2.9 rpg. Crittenton can create his own shot and use his speed to penetrate the lane. He is a young player who will provide quality depth at guard.

Mike Miller - Acquired from Minnesota before the 2009 NBA Draft, nine-year veteran Mike Miller is the three-point shooter the Wizards have been missing. A career 40.1% three-point shooter, Miller will force defenses to cover him tightly opening driving lanes for Gilbert Arenas, Randy Foye and Caron Butler and allowing big men Brendan Haywood, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee space to operate in the post. Not only is Miller a great shooter, he is also a good rebounder and passer. Last year in Minnesota he averaged 6.6 rpg and a career-high 4.5 apg. Miller adds versatility to the Wizards roster because he can play forward or the two-guard.

FORWARDS

Caron Butler - Many believe Caron Butler is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He averaged a career-high 20.8 ppg last year and was one of two players in the league, the other being LeBron James, to average 20+ ppg, 6+ rpg and 4+ apg in each of the past two seasons. Butler can do it all on the court. He is a good shooter, scorer, passer, rebounder and defender. Butler plays with aggression and gives it his all night in and night out.

Antawn Jamison - Entering his 12th season in the NBA, Antawn Jamison has the most NBA experience on the Wizards. With the injury to Arenas, the Wizards counted on Jamison to score last season and he did not disappoint. Playing in all but one game last season, Jamison led the Wizards in scoring, as he averaged 22.2 ppg. With Arenas back in the picture, the pressure won’t be on Jamison to score as much. Besides his scoring ability, Jamison is a good rebounder. He averaged 8.9 rpg last season.

Fabricio Oberto - After playing for four years along side Tim Duncan in the frontcourt with the San Antonio Spurs, Fabricio Oberto was signed this off-season as a free agent. Oberto has a high basketball IQ and plays physically. He is willing to do the little things that make teams better. He brings toughness and size to the Wizards and provides depth at forward and center.

Andray Blatche - Entering his fifth season, Andray Blatche is ready to take the next step. He is a versatile player with great size and athleticism. He is match-up problem for his opponents because he can take big men off the dribble and post-up smaller forwards. Blatche will also provide depth at the center position. With his array of talent, Blatche will be a key contributor both on offense and defense.

Dominic McGuire - Entering his third year in the league, Dominic McGuire will bring athleticism, energy and aggressiveness to the Wizards lineup. With a roster filled with offensive firepower, McGuire’s strength is his defense. He is an asset to the team as a defensive stopper and usually will guard the opponent’s best player when he is on the court.

Paul Davis - Paul Davis played his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers where he averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.0 rpg. The addition of Davis will add size and depth to the frontcourt. He has a high basketball IQ and consistently knocks down the mid-range jump shot. Davis sets good screens and is productive running the pick-and-roll offense.

CENTERS

Brendan Haywood - After playing six games last year due to a wrist injury, Brendan Haywood is healthy and ready to be the force in the paint for the Wizards. In the 2007-2008 season, Haywood averaged a career-high 10.6 points and shot a career best 73.5 % from the foul line. Haywood is a force defensively blocking and altering shots and grabbing rebounds. His return to the lineup will improve the Wizards defense.

JaVale McGee - JaVale McGee could be the wildcard of this year’s team. As a rookie last season, McGee averaged 6.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.0 bpg. However, after a phenomenal summer league in Las Vegas where he averaged 17.3 points, 4.0 blocks and 6.3 rebounds, expectations are high. After his 2009 Summer League performance, McGee was invited to USA basketball mini-camp. McGee has freakish athletic ability and can be a force defensively. His ability to block shots will have opposing teams thinking twice before entering the paint when McGee is on the floor. He will improve the Wizards defense, and if he can develop his offense game, he will see more minutes on the court.

The Wizards finished with a 4-4 record in the preseason and enter the regular season relatively unscathed. They are expected to be at full strength upon the return of Antawn Jamison who is expected to miss between 8-13 games, and Javaris Crittenton. The Wizards tip-off the regular season tonight against the Mavericks in Dallas at 8:30 pm. The Wizards first home game is on Halloween night on Saturday at 7:00 pm against the New Jersey Nets at Verizon Center.

If the Wizards are up to the task set forth by Flip Saunders, the organization will add a fourth C to their brand: Character, Commitment, Connection…Championship.