Jamie Mottram's Sports Blog - www.misterirrelevant.com

Two weeks ago my short-sighted conclusion was this year's Wizards aren't any better than those of the past two years that only won one out of three playoff series; the thought being that this year's model is basically the same high-scoring, no-defending bunch that's loaded with perimeter scoring and no bigs. What I missed on, however, is that this roster is also a fun-loving one, and team personality goes a long way.

Exhibit A: Free Darko's Elie Seckbach Roundtable

While talking about every blogger's favorite new NBA correspondent the subject of reporter-player locker room interaction came up, and Agent Steinz shared the following behind-the-scenes insight ...

DS: caron butler is amazing. amazingly underrated, too. gilbert overshadows him, but he's a huge part in making that locker room what it is.
DS: the guys on the wiz (at least the stars) are, above all, polite, which changes the whole dynamic
DS: the wizards i am in no way giving a false impression. they're the best.

Exhibit B: Leaf v. Agent Zero, Round Two

When Arenas hit that game-winning dagger with phenomenal swag, we all discovered that "swag" is a term the Wizards use habitually with one another. It reminded me of the teams I've played for that really got along well -- on the bench, after the game, whenever, wherever -- and developed their own kind of kinship. Gil, Caron, Andray Blatche, Antawn Jamison, etc. seem to genuinely have that going on. It was evident last night when Butler led the team in swag as well as scoring and Arenas had this to say afterwards ...

Leaf: "Gil, how wouldrate your swag tonight?"
Gilbert Arenas: [laughs] "It was a mellow swag until the end."
Leaf: "Is there a scale? Can you get better than phenomenal or is that the top?"
Gilbert Arenas: "No, phenomenal is the top. Phenomenal swag is the top swag."
Leaf: "So mellow swag is in the middle?"
Gilbert Arenas: "Yeah, you're just chilling."

With Caron playing Boy Wonder to Gil's Batman, Darius Songaila and Michael Ruffin mending and the rest of the East middling, it's possible (and maybe even likely) that this team of close-knit characters can win 50 and make it to the Conference Finals for the first time in damn near 30 years.

And One: The '95-'96 Bullets video that Wizznutzz posted is fantastic, and the Hype couldn't be happy that Gil is holding their t-shirt.

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