Opening Statements: Knicks at Wizards, Preseason Game 1

For the first time in 166 days the Washington Wizards will play an organized basketball game when on they take on the New York Knicks Monday night at the Capital One Arena. And while many of the main characters of this drama-comedy are the same, the Wizards made a few personnel changes that will hopefully take this team to the proverbial promised land–or at least the Conference Finals. Yes, that next level for a franchise that has not advanced beyond the Conference Semifinals in four decades is a low bar to exceed, but they have to start somewhere.

Washington traded franchise staple Marcin Gortat for backup combo guard Austin Rivers and Dwight Howard was signed as Gortat’s replacement. The…