Wizards 2012-13 player capsules

Head Coach …

Randy Wittman (second season, 18-31 with Washington; seventh season overall, 118-238)

Players …

Trevor Ariza, F

Ht/Wt: 6-8, 220

Last Year: 10.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg

Ariza is a good perimeter defender but just an average shooter. He’s been inconsistent during the preseason and is struggling a bit to fit into the lineup. Still, he is the probable starter at small forward.

Earl Barron, C

Ht/Wt: 7-0, 250

Last Year: 2.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg

Barron likely earned his roster spot in the team’s final preseason game against San Antonio. He started and totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds playing well against Tim Duncan. The injury-plagued front line makes Barron a good fill in at the five. The 31-year-old journeyman has played for seven teams, including Washington.

Bradley Beal, G

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 207

Last year: Rookie

Beal has already shown maturity well beyond his age, 19, during the preseason, and pretty good consistency, although he struggled in the two final preseason games. Beal is a talented shooter and a good ball handler and he and John Wall both like to get out and run in the open court. They should complement each other well. The question is how soon Beal cracks the starting lineup for good.

Trevor Booker, F

Ht/Wt: 6-8, 235

Last Year: 8.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg

Booker has been injury-prone during his first two seasons, but when he’s on the court, his energy and hustle translate to the rest of the team. He’s a strong defender and an efficient shooter, and if his continued corrective work with the team trainers can nip the injury bug, he’ll be one the team’s most reliable players.

Jordan Crawford, G

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 198

Last Yr: 14.7 ppg, 3.0 apg

Crawford is a good shooter when he’s on, but lacks consistency and has a tendency to make poor shot selections. His supreme confidence in his ability to score never wanes but can be a detriment if he’s having an off night. He’s versatile enough to play the point if necessary, but his game is better suited as a two-guard.

Cartier Martin, G

Ht/Wt: 6-7, 220

Last Yr: 9.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg

Martin signed a one-year deal in the offseason after having played for the Wizards on a series of 10-day contracts since 2010. He’ll be used as a spot-up shooter off the bench to provide energy and instant offense. He’s also better than average as a defender and 3-point shooter.

Nene, C

Ht/Wt: 6-11, 250

Last Year: 14.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg

Nene started the Wizards’ culture change. A good defender and rebounder who can score in the paint, he also brings veteran savvy and a high basketball IQ. However, he’s been hobbled by foot injuries and it’s unknown when he’ll return. The team needs him to be healthy to have a chance at the playoffs.

Emeka Okafor, C

Ht/Wt: 6-10, 255

Last Year: 9.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg

Okafor is a solid post player known for his defense and shot-blocking, but he is just an average shooter. The former Rookie of the Year is now 30, but he’s a viable starter until Nene returns. Okafor also has had health issues and missed 39 games last season with a knee injury. He’s a decent backup at the five.

Jannero Pargo, G

Ht/Wt: 6-1, 185

Last Year: 5.6 ppg, 1.9 apg

At 33, the journeyman is the oldest player on the roster, brought in for insurance when John Wall went down. Pargo was slowed in training camp by a rib injury, which helped put him behind A.J. Price at point guard. Pargo is a basic combo guard who is a serviceable shooter and playmaker.

A.J. Price, G

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 185

Last Year: 3.9 ppg, 2.0 apg

Price is a solid player who has struggled on offense the past couple of years, but he is a decent playmaker and had a couple of good outings in the preseason. Price looks like the front-runner to start at point guard while John Wall is out.

Kevin Seraphin, F/C

Ht/Wt: 6-10, 278

Last Year: 7.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg

A light bulb went on for Seraphin the moment he found himself backing up Nene instead of JaVale McGee. Nene’s IQ has rubbed off on Seraphin, who has improved every aspect of his game since last season, especially his defense.

Chris Singleton, F

Ht/Wt: 6-9, 228

Last Year: 4.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg

Singleton’s best asset is his ability to play pressure defense and to defend multiple positions. He’ll have a big challenge if injuries make it necessary for him to spend a lot of time at power forward instead of his normal position at small forward. Last year, Singleton often lacked the same aggressiveness on offense as he displayed on defense. He’ll need to step that up.

Jan Vesely, F

Ht/Wt: 7-0, 242

Last Year: 4.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg

Vesely still is making the adjustment to the NBA style of play, has a tendency to get in foul trouble and often lacks confidence in his shot. He needs to become more consistent and more aggressive on both ends of the floor.

John Wall, G

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 207

Last Year: 16.3 ppg, 8.0 apg

Wall will start the season on the bench with a left patella injury but still looks at his third season as make-or-break. By the end of last year, he had learned how to be a coach on the floor and no longer had to look to the bench to call plays. He still needs to improve his shooting percentage and cut down om turnovers.

Martell Webster, G/F

Ht/Wt: 6-7, 235

Last Year: 6.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg

Webster has been slowed by injuries, but he says he’s as healthy as he’s been in five years and looks good so far. He’s another veteran with a high basketball IQ and should provide offense, rebounding and smart defense off the bench.