Hello readers, if there are still any left. I'm back and better than ever, writing from my dorm room at the University of Dayton. Not being home in the DC area is tough, not because of missing home cooked meals or sleeping in my own bed, but solely for the fact that I cannot watch my beloved DC sports teams play every night. Regardless, no distance can take my fandom away, and I have noticed some things about the teams that call the Nation's Capitol home. It may be a bold prediction (okay I know for a fact it's a bold prediction) but I have a gut feeling that by this time in 2016 we will be discussing one of DC's teams being champions of their respective sport.
I'm going to go into more detail about what it will take for each team (excluding DC United) to win a championship THIS YEAR.
Starting with the most likely candidate, the Washington Capitals.
Washington Capitals: The Capitals seem to do this every season, give fans high hopes for the upcoming year. Everyone says it is just a matter of time before Alex Ovechkin gets his shot at the Stanley Cup, and although it is said every year-- this could be the year. With a solid core of returning talent and leadership, as well as acquiring playoff proven Justin Williams and American hero TJ Oshie, the Caps look to get over their playoff woes. Replacing DC mainstays like Mike Green, Joel Ward, and Troy Brouwer looked like a tough task, but the Capitals have responded phenomenally thus far racing out to an 8-2 start and if they can keep up this pace they will be atop the Eastern Conference this spring. The team is a complete playoff built squad, and they are playing great team hockey for head coach Barry Trotz. The team's success come playoff time will ultimately rest on the stick of Alex Ovechkin and between the pipes as Braden Holtby looks to add onto his incredible postseason numbers. Of all the DC teams, the Capitals are my most likely candidate to win a championship in the next 12 months.
Washington Nationals: The Nats were very nearly my choice for most likely, but then contract issues led the club to hire Dusty Baker over Bud Black to replace Matt Williams as the manager. In my opinion Baker is not the right fit for the team, he is similar to Williams in how he views the game. Both men are great clubhouse personalities and a true "players manager", but Black is far better at the x's and o's and situational managing which was the team's downfall last season. The team that was everyones favorite to win the World Series, failed to make the playoffs trailing the overachieving Mets in the NL East standings. Although the team was rarely healthy in 2015, the amount of talent especially in the pitching rotation, should have propelled the team to the postseason. Bryce Harper played like an MVP all year and it looks as if he is about to fully hit his prime for the next 5-6 years. The Nationals need to capitalize on Harper's incredible talent and star studded rotation, even with the loss of Jordan Zimmermann. With Ian Desmond leaving for free agency, Denard Span likely gone, and JZimm virtually already in a Brewers jersey, it will be a different looking Nationals team when spring training rolls around. The change is a necessary move, all the talent in the world cannot replace chemistry and playing team baseball with timely hitting and consistent defense, look at the Royals. Look for the Nats to play with a chip on their shoulder this season as they look to avoid back-to-back let downs.
Washington Wizards: The Wizards are an interesting team this season, no Paul Pierce and the talk of Durant2DC will follow the team all season but this is a true complete team. They have one of the best backcourts in the league with John Wall and Bradley Beal who will carry a huge load of the offensive production this year. Complementing the young guards will be Otto Porter, Marcin Gortat, and NeNe. The team is a close knit group with great chemistry and a good coach in Randy Wittman which are two major factors for successful teams. The Wizards made a solid playoff run last season showing visible improvement and Paul Pierce's veteran leadership should help Wall and Beal play big minutes in the postseason. The biggest obstacle for the Wizards this year will be themselves, if they can stay healthy and play smart basketball they can hang with any team in the eastern conference. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of this season is and if KD actually comes to DC next year but for this year, the Wizards look to be a playoff team and with some quality play, could face the Cavs in the Eastern Conference I'm just not sure they are capable of winning a title just yet.
Washington Redskins: You have a better shot winning the lottery, I'll leave it at that.
I'm going to go into more detail about what it will take for each team (excluding DC United) to win a championship THIS YEAR.
Starting with the most likely candidate, the Washington Capitals.
Washington Capitals: The Capitals seem to do this every season, give fans high hopes for the upcoming year. Everyone says it is just a matter of time before Alex Ovechkin gets his shot at the Stanley Cup, and although it is said every year-- this could be the year. With a solid core of returning talent and leadership, as well as acquiring playoff proven Justin Williams and American hero TJ Oshie, the Caps look to get over their playoff woes. Replacing DC mainstays like Mike Green, Joel Ward, and Troy Brouwer looked like a tough task, but the Capitals have responded phenomenally thus far racing out to an 8-2 start and if they can keep up this pace they will be atop the Eastern Conference this spring. The team is a complete playoff built squad, and they are playing great team hockey for head coach Barry Trotz. The team's success come playoff time will ultimately rest on the stick of Alex Ovechkin and between the pipes as Braden Holtby looks to add onto his incredible postseason numbers. Of all the DC teams, the Capitals are my most likely candidate to win a championship in the next 12 months.
Washington Nationals: The Nats were very nearly my choice for most likely, but then contract issues led the club to hire Dusty Baker over Bud Black to replace Matt Williams as the manager. In my opinion Baker is not the right fit for the team, he is similar to Williams in how he views the game. Both men are great clubhouse personalities and a true "players manager", but Black is far better at the x's and o's and situational managing which was the team's downfall last season. The team that was everyones favorite to win the World Series, failed to make the playoffs trailing the overachieving Mets in the NL East standings. Although the team was rarely healthy in 2015, the amount of talent especially in the pitching rotation, should have propelled the team to the postseason. Bryce Harper played like an MVP all year and it looks as if he is about to fully hit his prime for the next 5-6 years. The Nationals need to capitalize on Harper's incredible talent and star studded rotation, even with the loss of Jordan Zimmermann. With Ian Desmond leaving for free agency, Denard Span likely gone, and JZimm virtually already in a Brewers jersey, it will be a different looking Nationals team when spring training rolls around. The change is a necessary move, all the talent in the world cannot replace chemistry and playing team baseball with timely hitting and consistent defense, look at the Royals. Look for the Nats to play with a chip on their shoulder this season as they look to avoid back-to-back let downs.Washington Wizards: The Wizards are an interesting team this season, no Paul Pierce and the talk of Durant2DC will follow the team all season but this is a true complete team. They have one of the best backcourts in the league with John Wall and Bradley Beal who will carry a huge load of the offensive production this year. Complementing the young guards will be Otto Porter, Marcin Gortat, and NeNe. The team is a close knit group with great chemistry and a good coach in Randy Wittman which are two major factors for successful teams. The Wizards made a solid playoff run last season showing visible improvement and Paul Pierce's veteran leadership should help Wall and Beal play big minutes in the postseason. The biggest obstacle for the Wizards this year will be themselves, if they can stay healthy and play smart basketball they can hang with any team in the eastern conference. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of this season is and if KD actually comes to DC next year but for this year, the Wizards look to be a playoff team and with some quality play, could face the Cavs in the Eastern Conference I'm just not sure they are capable of winning a title just yet.
Washington Redskins: You have a better shot winning the lottery, I'll leave it at that.
Love it! Great breakdown!
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