HoopWatch

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They have been called many names lately, but what amply fit them are the labels, “Streak Busters” and “Giant Slayers.” Yes, they have been breaking streaks as of late, and not just any four-game winning streaks, but huge ones.

For instance, when the Dallas Mavericks have gained confidence, placing things together, and have bounced back from a horrible 0-5 start. They went on a blistering 13-game tear, and went ahead of the erstwhile league-leaders Utah Jazz. Then they faced Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards. Arenas immediately wore his invisible “superman” jacket, scoring a season-high 60 to put a halt to the Mavericks 13-game fiesta.

Then came the Phoenix Suns, who also rebounded from a disappointing 1-5 opening, then went on to win a franchise-record 15 straight games. But then again, they went face-to-face with Arenas and the Wizards. And with a little help from a snow storm which rendered the Suns unprepared, Arenas put on a magnificent show, pouring in 42, and hitting the big banked three-pointer to give the Wizards the win in overtime, again halting the Suns’ 15-game run.

Phoenix and Dallas were on huge double-digit streaks, and both of them are giant teams. They dueled in a six-game Western Conference Finals postseason war. They are currently the top two teams in the league. Even giants as they are, they still fell prey to the mighty Wizards.

Well, the Wizards aren’t that spectacular really. They just happen to slay giants, but they also lost to struggling teams. In their last five games, the Wizards lost to Milwaukee and Toronto. And one big factor is, as always, Arenas. Arenas is a single-man wrecking army. He can win games for you, and lose them too, all by his lonesome. They lost to the Cavaliers by a single point thrice in last year’s first round. Arenas missed four crucial free-throws at that. Much to every Wizard fan’s disappointment.

But Arenas is carrying the load for the Wizards this year, which will continue to be this season’s dark horse. Their goal is no less than the Eastern Conference Finals! And he has recently been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. After a poor 0-7 start, the Wizards are fifth in the East at 19-14, and second in the Southeast, just behind Orlando’s 21-14. They have won seven of their last ten games. Arenas is averaging 30.6 points and shooting 39.3% from rainbow country, (hitting at least 2 an outing).

If Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison will join Arenas in the offensive fray, and Brendan Haywood, Darius Songaila and Etan Thomas will hold their own in the paint, the Wizards will be one of the big surprises this season. Perhaps, even the biggest surprise, especially in the postseason.