The NBA is back! Just like your favorite superhero story, the league brings fun, entertainment, and a lot of uncanny subplots to unpack. That’s why NBA.com Philippines decided to preview the new season comic-book style. We pick out fantastic characters that will take the stage and new amazing arcs to watch out for. Bang! Pow! Boom! Let’s go!
What’s their superpower?
The 2023-2024 Wizards are still in the process of discovering their superpower. The offseason saw the influx of new assistant coaches, new players, and a new front office.
Michael Winger was hired as the new President of Monumental Basketball, handling the Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Capital City Go-Go of the G League. Will Dawkins is now the new general manager. Change came swiftly as franchise player Bradley Beal was sent to Phoenix and Kristaps Porzingis went to Boston. They are a franchise reborn and this is their origin story.
What’s their kryptonite?
Since the departure of John Wall, Bradley Beal established himself as not just a No.2 guy, but a franchise player who can be the focal point of the team. With him gone, the Wizards don’t have the “guy.” Can Kyle Kuzma fit the bill? Maybe. But until the Wizards figure out collectively how to win, not having a star will hurt especially early in the season.
Who is their biggest hero?
Despite the massive roster shakeup, there is excitement in Washington surrounding its new one-two punch Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole. We’re talking buckets - a lot of them. We’re talking jumpers, dunks, fallaways, and-1s, contested 2s and 3s, twirling layups, and tough finishes. Every kind of bucket that has ever been invented in the game’s 132-year history, they got it. We’re also talking about memes, audacious arena fits, eyebrow-raising quotes, and more. They’re elite content creators and we’re here for it.
Who is their biggest villain?
Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole. Sometimes your biggest weapon can be your biggest folly. If you have them on your fantasy team, you’ll be good in points, 3-pointers, and maybe field goal shooting or free throws, but not much else. This is not a direct shade at them. It’s just that scoring is what they do. And if these two are your best players, can you really win? Maybe this is the beginning of their superstardom. Maybe they’ll shatter all the expectations set for them and develop into two-way studs. But until then, they have to work their way into getting wins.
How does their story play out?
Washington actually has a lot of solid rotation players like Deni Avdija, Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, Johnny Davis, and the veteran Taj Gibson. However, they lack the star power to take down the other beasts of the East. Still, they can scour a few wins throughout the season and maybe even end up in the Play-In Tournament.
