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Washington Wizards: What To Be Excited About for 2014-15 Season

By Joe Atmonavage

Oct 17, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) holds the ball as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Hornets won 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) holds the ball as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Hornets won 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards
Oct 12, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) dribbles the ball past Detroit Pistons forward Caron Butler (31) in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason #1 to be excited: Fourth quarter Paul Pierce

Throughout his 16-year NBA career, you could always rely on Paul Pierce to want to take big shots and often knock them down. He has earned a reputation as one of the clutchest players over the last decade.

I am excited to see him bring that attitude to the nation’s capital.

Not since Gilbert Arenas in the mid-2000s have the Wizards really had a player they could hand the ball to late in games in key situations. Even with the up-and-coming backcourt of John Wall and Beal, it just isn’t there yet. Wall is not a great shot maker and Beal is still maturing as a player.

With Pierce on the roster, the Wizards will look for him late in games to take big shots. Of course, he is not the shot maker at his age that he was earlier in his career in Boston, but he still was effective in the clutch last season.

In five point games with under five minutes to go last season Pierce shot 46.9 percent from the field and 55.2 percent on three-pointers. He was the only player in the entire league who played more than 140 “clutch” minutes and shot the three-ball that well. Pierce still had it late in games last year and I am excited to see him do it as a Wizard.

After all, this is why we brought you here, Paul.

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