Wizards impress again in Game 1

ByNICK FRIEDELL
May 6, 2014, 2:34 AM

— -- INDIANAPOLIS -- The basketball world didn't care much about the Washington Wizards before the postseason began. They were a newcomer on the scene -- a young team that hadn't made the playoffs in several years. Bradley Beal wasn't a household name. Trevor Ariza wasn't a memorable one. John Wall was an All-Star, but up until this season he hadn't delivered a playoff victory of note. The Wizards were a team full of promise and potential that had never delivered on the hype.

In the span of two weeks, that has changed in a hurry.

They dismantled a veteran Chicago Bulls team in five games in Round 1. On Monday night, they toppled another playoff-tested Indiana Pacers team in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Doubters should no longer be looking for a reason not to believe in the Wizards -- the reality is that they're just better than their opponents and playing the best basketball of their season.

"Everybody realized that we can't really trip in playoffs," Wizards center Marcin Gortat said after chipping in with 12 points and 15 rebounds. "It's all about giving 110 percent. Here you can play your best basketball. You fight for your name, for your respect. At the end of the day, the whole world is watching you."