30 Teams in 30 Days: Washington Wizards

We are hitting up the "Nation's Capital" on Day 29 of our "30 Teams in 30 Days" series of previewing all 30 NBA teams leading up to the start of the 2014-15 NBA season tomorrow, and we'll be taking a look at a team that many thought wasn't good enough last season, the Washington Wizards, who is looking to build upon last year's playoff appearance with another good year this upcoming season in Washington.

Last season's record: 44-38(2nd in Southeast Division and 5th in Eastern Conference; Def. CHI 4-1 in Eastern Conference First Round; Lost to IND 4-2 in Eastern Conference Semi-finals)

Head Coach: Randy Wittman(9th season, 191-329 overall; 4th season with Washington)

Arena: Verizon Center(20,308)

Website: WashingtonWizards.com

The Washington Wizards were coming off a tough 2012-13 season, which saw them finish the year with a 29-53 mark, and many of the fans in D.C. were wondering what the Wizards were going to do entering the 2013-14 season with a new outlook and agenda for a franchise that was looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

If you thought Washington was going to struggle during the season, then, you didn't pay attention to the surprising season the team was about to embark on, with the play of Bradley Beal and John Wall, Washington came out of nowhere to finish the year with a astonishing 44-38 record, and that elusive trip to the Playoffs for the first time since 2008, where they knocked out the Chicago Bulls in 5 games, before bowing out in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals to the Indiana Pacers 4-2.

Now, can the Wizards build upon last year's surprise run and turn it into another strong season this year?  It depends on how well they play each night, and to have Wall and Beal continue to have good ball control and good scoring capability, while the rest of the Wizards have to step up their game and to play 110% night in and night out.  Washington is indeed a team on the rise, and they want to pick up where they left off with a good 2014-15 campaign this season.

Upcoming team previews in the "30 Teams in 30 Days" series:

• Tuesday: Charlotte Hornets