With the long tradition and legacy of the Skins, a Capitals team whose popularity stretches far into the MD/VA suburbs and the fresh-faced and finally-fun Nationals, it’s easy to forget DC is among the best basketball cities in the world. Some of the NBA’s most compelling players, players such as Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, Delonte West, Ty Lawson and further back, Dave Bing and Elgin Baylor, honed their skills in the DC-area. Even Allen Iverson could be considered by some as an adopted DC-baller.  And any true hoops-head would be remiss to not catch at least one Goodman League game this summer. All this might explain the gathering at last night’s Washington Wizards Draft Party which was held on the floor of the Verizon Center. It was a surprisingly energetic and optimistic group who arguably saved their biggest cheer for the #5 pick, Thomas Robinson, another highly likable DC native with an incredible back-story. It was clearly a heady basketball crowd but mostly, they came for the Wiz.

It feels like a long time ago that the team lucked into the #1 pick in the 2010 lottery and selected John Wall. Within the last 6 months, the Wizards have effectively jettisoned all the bad eggs (except for one), who they perceived as potentially stunting the growth of some of their younger players. In turn, they’ve taken on a number of (slightly overpaid) veterans to turn the team from daily sports blog fodder to somewhat respectable. They’ve taken on these contracts partly to appease Wall and the fans but also because it seemed highly unlikely that any truly helpful free agent will have any interest in coming to DC this summer. With Emeka Okafor and Nene (and a personal favorite, Trevor Booker), the Wiz has an imposing front line of rebounding and defense. With Ariza, they have a consistent, if not flashy, rotation wing.

Which brings us to last night. After being inside the party for only 15 minutes, two things were clear. First, the team had strategically placed scantily-clad Wizards dancers all over the arena. Like everywhere you turned. You sly dog, Ted Leonsis. Second, the fans wanted Bradley Beal with the #3 pick. Beal, who turned 19 yesterday (born in 1993…), gives the Wiz exactly what they need: a premiere shooter with range. A highly touted recruit last year, the shooting guard played out of position at small forward with Florida last year and also played with two of the most selfish guards in the country.

All that being said, the real tipping point for Beal was his 10 of 19 from three performance in the NCAA tournament and his draft workouts. Scouts gushed at a legendary shooting performance he put up in one official workout. Some described his ceiling as an Eric Gordon/Ray Allen blend. These comparisons can be fun though a bit ridiculous on occasion(Perry Jones, who fell to end of first round has been described as Josh Smith meets Rudy Gay which, if true, probably would be the greatest player of all time). But these comparisons are more to how Gordon/Allen were when they came out of school and less to how they play now.

While the crowd’s reaction to the Beal pick was enthusiastic, the response to the team’s 2nd pick, Tomas Satoransky, did not illicit such joy. The Wizards’ beat writers were quick to describe the pick as more than just a token Euro-stash. We were told Satoransky would likely work out with the team this summer and maybe even attend camp. One reporter said that he worked out with John Wall this summer and is good friends with Jan Vesely. Eh. This is an ownership and management group in for the long haul and it appears they’ve gone all in on the former 6th overall pick Vesely. The Czech showed flashes in the 2nd half of the season last year but he also proved to be among the worst shooters in the league who needs to add rebounding and toughness to his length and dunking ability.

Leonsis said last night that making the lottery next year would be a disappointment. Is an 8 seed within reach? An optimist would say it’s not impossible. Besides Miami, every team in the East is in some degree of flux. If the Wiz can make a leap, John Wall will need to lead the way. And if he does, it’ll be a good thing for both the NBA and DC.

Guest Sports Contributor, Brad Rizza

Featured photo courtesy of Flickr user Keith Allison