Moral Victories Mean More

For the second game in a row, the Wizards gave up a sizeable lead to lose the game in the second half. These losses have hurt the fans more than any other game during this season because this team is finally starting to find its groove in the first half, but just cannot find a way to close out these crucial games.

Since Nene has hit the floor for the Wizards, the team has looked like a completely different team on the court. They're hustling, playing defense, and getting back on transition. To be up by 16 against the fast-paced Atlanta Hawks is impressive for a team that is still only 11-36 on the season, but ultimately meant nothing without a closer to win the game.

As a fan, these losses have been extremely frustrating, but I've got some solace in knowing that it's, dare I say again, a "moral victory".

The Wizards seem to be the NBA champion of moral victories this season, with many games showing improvement and promise, but without the "W" in the game column.

But these two games have been different. Yes, they're moral victories, but they're much different than the moral victories that the team got before the trade deadline.

When Javale and company were still with the team, the moral victories led the fans to think the following:

"Okay, well they look better, and once they make the right moves through trades or the draft, the team is going to have pieces like Booker, Singleton, Mack and more to solidify some great starters."

Now that the Wizards have acquired Nene and got rid of two of the three players who seem to have been bringing this team down all season, it's a completely different thought process.

"Okay, we've got Nene in there working hard along with Jordan Crawford, and because of that the rest of the guys are showing up. Now they just need that one closer and this team could seriously contend."

That statement is something I believe in. I truly think that the Wizards are one player away from being a very good team in the Eastern Conference, instead of three or four like they were earlier in the season.

That's a moral victory I can hang my hat on.