After rubbing elbows with the NBA's elite, the Washington Wizards still find themselves on the outside looking in.
Back-to-back playoff runs have yielded consecutive second-round exits, though their most recent venture displayed an approach that could provide better results down the road.
After limiting themselves with an antiquated offensive system during the regular season, they entered the 21st century with a spread-out attack during the playoffs. Armed with both good shooters and top-shelf slashers, the Wizards finally seem ready to embrace the style they were built to play.
But if they're going to take their next playoff run any further than their last ones, they'll need banner years from their blossoming stars and someone to fill a massive leadership void.