SLAM DUNKS: G Gilbert Arenas (29.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 2.0 spg) was the driving force behind the Wizards' attack. As the fourth-leading scorer in the league, Arenas averaged the most points in franchise history since Walt Bellamy's mark of 31.6 for the Chicago Packers during the 1961-62 season. ... The combined scoring efforts of Arenas, F Antawn Jamison (20.5, 9.3 rpg) and G-F Caron Butler (17.6, 6.2) established them as the NBA's highest-scoring trio last season at 67.4 points per game.

AIRBALLS: Washington was eighth-worst in opponents' field-goal percentage last season, allowing foes to shoot nearly 47 percent. The Wizards also gave up 99.8 points per game - tied for ninth-worst with Golden State. The shortcomings really haunted them in the postseason since they surrendered game-winning layups by LeBron James in Games Three and Five. ... F-G Jarvis Hayes (9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg) suffered his second straight knee injury, causing him to miss 61 games. GUESSWORK: This will not be the season the Wizards develop a more balanced offense. The addition of Songaila was great for Jamison, who should see less time at power forward. However, Songaila does not bring a low-post game and is just another forward with the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers. So, Arenas, Jamison and Butler will take a majority of the shots from the perimeter, while Brendan Haywood and the other bigs gobble up scraps for follow shots.

THINKING CAP: Following this season, Butler's contract expires and Jamison can opt out of his deal. Arenas is signed through the 2009 but has indicated he may opt out after 2008 if the team has not improved.

D-LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Veremeenko

THE COACH SAYS: "We have to close out games at both ends of the floor. Gilbert is a heck of a player, he carries us a lot, and he gets it done at the end of every game. I just remember two years ago where we finished atop the NBA in winning games in the last possession or under a certain time mark, but last year we lost a lot of close games. We have to focus on getting it done."