When the Wizards traded away a sluggishly inept Rashard Lewis to New Orleans for Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, they were hopeful for at least some speckle of veteran leadership and modest production in return. Like many transactions driven by Ernie Grunfeld, this one was initially considered a typical front office hiccup given the nature of the inflated incoming contracts matched against the subpar talent. But to the pleasant surprise of just about everyone, the two players have since managed to establish significant roles on the team, roles that I would personally welcome for at least one more year.

Former Wizards player Javaris Crittenton was formally charged with murder on Tuesday in his home city of Atlanta.  The indictment stems from the August 2011 killing of a mother in Atlanta, in which Crittenton allegedly opened fire on the woman as retaliation for being robbed for his personal belongings a short time before.

The nature of Crittenton’s crime is staggering.  Following the August 2011 murder, a few individuals from his past, including his former coach Paul Hewitt, remarked on how stunned they were that such a seemingly nice person could be linked to such a heinous crime.

Crittenton’s indictment is the latest blow in his precipitous fall since being involved in the infamous gun incident with Gilbert Arenas, which arguably ruined both players’ careers.  While Arenas was able to re-gain some of his playing form, Crittenton slid from his 2010 suspension into relative obscurity, save a brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.

At the time of the incident, the Wizards organization was rumored to be more concerned about consequences involving Crittenton than they were with Arenas.  While Arenas may have been taking a lighthearted approach, many believed that Crittenton, due to his purported affiliation, could have caused a true stir.

Crittenton has been tied to the Crips, a Los Angeles-based gang, for the past several years.  He allegedly joined the Crips for protection after being drafted by the Lakers in 2007.

During the 2008 playoffs, Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics was fined $25,000 for flashing what appeared to be a gang sign during a playoff game with the Atlanta Hawks.  NBA Commissioner David Stern was disturbed by the action, flagging it is inflammatory and “menacing”, but Pierce flatly denied such claims.

"I one hundred percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it," Pierce said. "I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way at Saturday's game."

Former Celtics and current Milwaukee Bucks player Marquis Daniels faced similar gang accusations in 2010 when social network pictures showed him posing with a red bandana making gang signs.  Daniels also was seen replacing the letter “c” in his typed words with a letter “k”, a common display of disrespect to rival Crips.  Similar to Pierce, Daniels vehemently denied any sort of affiliation; however, circumstantial evidence to the contrary appeared strong.

The case of Crittenton, as well as Pierce and Daniels highlight a trend in professional sports that deserves more scrutiny.  What may have initially been a remote issue now demands more attention and safeguarding from teams’ player personnel departments.  This commands a necessary step, too, in vetting draft prospects.

Crittenton’s trial date has not yet been set.  He maintains his innocence.

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4/3/2013 - Air Canada Center, Toronto, ON
ESPN Boxscore  -  NBA.com Game Highlights

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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
7:00 PM ET
TV: Comcast SportsNet HD
Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier  
Radio: 106.7 FM/1500 AM
Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor

Randy Wittman tells us that the Wizards have and will continue to play hard, not just while they vaguely remain in playoff contention, but more importantly, for the future.

The Wizards managed to outlast a depleted, yet feisty Chicago Bulls team last night at the Verizon Center thanks to a "gutty" defensive performance late in the game. Yes, the Bulls did everything THEY could in the last 4 minutes to help the Wizards by missing seven of their final nine shots, missing four consecutive free throws, and not to mention Kirk Hinrich's tough-boy double-tech ejection. But more importantly, the Wizards themselves didn't shy away from the moment as A.J. Price and Emeka Okafor each had their own tie-breaking baskets in that final stretch, once again proving the Wizards' resilient and tough-nosed prowess.

Even Martell Webster went bold enough to confirm that the Wizards are "better defensively" than the Bulls, and that Chicago is "more physical, but [the Wizards] are more team-oriented."

Ultimately for most of us, these "meaningless" victories serve as no other purpose but instilling the same recurring late-season hope that better times are forthcoming.

Whether or not you're buying into that hope is up to you, but the fact of the matter is the improved shape and positive direction of the Wizards has been on full display since the team has become healthier, and yes, for me that DOES instill hope for a brighter future.

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4/2/2013 - Verizon Center, Washington, DC
ESPN Boxscore  -  NBA.com Game Highlights

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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
7:00 PM ET
TV: Comcast SportsNet HD
Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier  
Radio: 106.7 FM/1500 AM
Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor

As the Wizards season once again approaches it's end before the month of May, fans have no other choice but to begin the recurring process of bracing for the future. Usually, this entails another summer of skepticsm and/or outrage over a consistently mislead franchise with no clear direction, however, that doesn't entirely seem to be the case this time around, thanks greatly to the presence and uprise of John Wall and Brad Beal. In this week's 3-on-3 segment, we round up Wall and Beal's conversations with Grantland's Zach Lowe and discuss how their ultimate success as a backcourt duo could shape the future of the franchise. We also touch up on Stan Van Gundy's recent comments regarding the coaching job Randy Wittman has done this season, and lastly...what the hell is up with Kevin Seraphin's Instagram uploads? Abdullah Sharif, Trevor Jackson, and Mike Andrews give us the scoop....

1. Zach Lowe of Grantland.com conducted some very intriguing interviews with the Wizards’ soon-to-be elite backcourt. When you combine the responses from both Wall and Beal, how tingly and excited does it make you feel about the future of this team and its potential for success?

Abdullah: First of all, Zach Lowe did a tremendous job conversing with the two individual players that basically have the keys to reshaping the sport of professional basketball in Washington, DC. Lowe drew some great responses and brought out the best in these guys, especially from a mental standpoint... and ESPECIALLY when pertaining to the chemistry between the two. That was what really stood out to me the most, like when Bradley Beal says:

"I know whenever he runs, he’s going to do a great job of finding me. We have good eye contact. He knows where I am, and I know where he’s going to be. That connection is always there."

And we all know John's prowess as a leader. The guy is a bona fide floor GENERAL. You see it night in and night out the way he fiercely, yet smartly manages each game. You see it in his post-game interviews the way he addresses questions about the game like a scout. Combine Wall's basketball intellect with Bradley Beal's incredible skill set, and consider the chemistry building between the two, and whoa nelly...you've got something really special brewing in DC, and I don't think half of these people know it.

Trevor: It gives me very happy pants to think about the John Wall/Bradley Beal backcourt for potentially the next 10 years. Zach Lowe's interviews were great to read. It is probably just coincidence, but Wall's interview with Grantland seemed to set him off on the recent tear he is on. I love the confidence out of each of them. They both have what it takes to be a leader on the court through their play, and through their mentality off the court as well. My favorite part of the interviews is when they both allude to working out together this summer and doing what they can to make each other better players. That is music to a Wizards fan's ears and makes me believe that the DC backcourt is in good hands for some time to come.

Mike: Beal and Wall as the backcourt gets me just as excited as the prospect of Nene and Martell being on the team. For once, I'm seeing players on this team who are legitimately going to be here longer than a year or two. No more Al Thorntons, Morris Almonds, Jannero Pargos or any other 10-day contract players. This is a team that has a solidified backcourt that can provide, at its best, an average of 40 or more points a game. Washington hasn't seen that in a very long time, and to have a full season of this next year gives me no doubt that they will be a playoff team if they can stay healthy for more than 3/4 of the season.

A tournament season that demolished brackets worldwide, and more importantly, ousted half of our exclusive 'top 10 players to watch' before they even reached the Sweet 16, has finally come to it's final quad of teams, and with none of them being a 1 seed. For those remaining from our list, this past weekend was more or less a success for them, individually of course. Despite their games ending up in losses, Ben McLemore bounced back from his first two horrible games, while Mason Plumlee reminded everyone why he's an AP All-American. Cody Zeller was an unfortunate victim against a suffocating Syracuse defense, but his teammate Victor Oladipo remained efficient. But unfortunately for both, they'll be back to being dorm buddies next week when they watch Syracuse, Wichita State, Michigan, and Louisville battle out in the Final Four.

Here is the player roundup from the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 for the remaining prospects...

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3/31/2013 - Verizon Center, Washington, DC
ESPN Boxscore  -  Wizards vs. Raptors Photos  -  NBA.com Game Highlights