Flip Saunders’ confidence was high when preseason play started, and it is even higher today as the regular season begins against the Dallas Mavericks.

Saunders is setting the teams expectations high, making it clear that this team will not settle for mediocrity. He has set forth the ambitious goals to “advance in the playoffs, Conference Finals, NBA Finals.” The team and the front office put the offseason work he believes will elevate all aspects of their game, on offense, on defense and in transition play.

A key to the teams’ success will be the budding relationship between Saunders and Wizards star Gilbert Arenas. The two are already building trust and confidence in each other. As Saunders notes, “We’ve talked a lot, weekly, daily, we have had long conversations about the upcoming season.” Saunders expects Arenas to handle the ball 80 percent of the time. He also sees Arenas contributing to the team by being “a leader, and a mentor for the younger players at his position.” He followed this with a smile and said, “I have not been around a player that has the competitiveness that he has to play the game 24/7. I know he is anxious to get going, as well as our whole team.”

The whole team should be excited to get things under way as they are healthier than they have been in years. The team made it through preseason play relatively unscathed, with the exception of Antawn Jamison who is only expected to miss eight to thirteen regular season games. One of the offseason additions, Mike Miller will be looked upon to pick up some of the slack in early season play. Miller has averaged over six rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons and has averaged 13.9 points per season over his career. The team also added Randy Foye who led the Wizards with 100 preseason points over the eight games. While Fabricio Oberto's numbers don’t light up the scoreboard, the team is quick to note that he provides the intangibles that make teams better. All three players should make an instant impact when the regular season gets under way.

The rest of the Wizards roster isn’t going unnoticed. Saunders has confidently said that he’s “never had the weapons that (he has) on this team” and with a playbook significantly bigger than most teams he intends on showcasing all of his weapons.

Saunders’ calm and cool demeanor has been on display throughout the preseason. When asked about the highly contested shooting guard position, he responded with, “We’re thinking of going on reality TV and letting the viewers decide.” Preseason play has allowed Saunders to see which lineups have the most chemistry. He indicated that he will put lineups on the court that play the best together, not just the players with the best statistics. Saunders is looking to create lineups that are stronger and more effective than the sum of their individual parts.

Teamwork is just as important on the defensive side of the ball where Saunders has a track record that speaks for itself, but just in case anyone forgets, he is quick to note, “my teams have always been in the top two defensively.” He plans on extending his excellent track record with the Wizards from the first day they step foot on the court during regular season play.

Flip Saunders and the Washington Wizards look prepared for the regular season and the work that lay ahead of them.