Wizards Making 1st Playoff Appearance Since 2008, So Naturally a Columnist Calls for John Calipari

The Washington Wizards are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and who cares if they’re quickly dispatched by the Miami Heat in the first round? At least they made the postseason! Led by a young, dynamic backcourt of John Wall and Brad Beal, the Wizards figure to be a playoff fixture in the East for years to come. Perhaps even a contender – with the right offseason moves and 2014 draft. [Ed. The Wizards have the 47th pick in the draft, but lost their 1st round pick in the Marcin Gortat deal.]

It’s a time of celebration and joy in Washington, especially on the heels massive disappointments from the Nationals and Redskins in 2013.

But Thom Loverro of the Washington Times wants to pump the brakes. He has another idea: Let’s bring in John Calipari to coach this team.

"No, it’s time for Citizen Ted to wake up a zombified franchise and be bold enough to tell long-suffering Washington sports fans that they are long overdue for real shot at glory, with some glitz mixed in as well. Leonsis needs to convince John Calipari to come to Washington – to be the next coach and team president of the Washington Wizards."

Forget about improving the roster through free agency, or the 2014 draft, or building on positives from this season … Loverro is skipping all of that and going right to swapping out Randy Wittman (not a coach I’m enamored with, but I’m also not ready to boot him) for John Calipari.

Right.