Kevin Seraphin was one of the real bright spots in an otherwisedisappointingseason for the 20-46 Wizards. The second-year centerforward was far and away the most improved player in the NBA after the All-Star break, averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds in 21 starts. It was an amazing turnaround from a player who was so far down the Wizards' bench at one time that he didn't evenplay in eight games in the first two months of the season.
But when Flip Saunders got fired, interim coach Randy Wittman gave the burly 6'-9" French Guyana native a chance to show what he had and Seraphin responded. In one of the team's biggest upsets of the season against the Lakers in early March, Seraphin was sensational, scoring 14 huge points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the surprising win. That performance certainly gave Seraphin confidence for the rest of the season.
In that month of March, Seraphin averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds but he would be even better in April. Withrecentlyacquired center and starter Nene missing time with a foot injury, Seraphin stepped in and more than filled his shoes, showing dynamic footwork and low-post moves that made him a tough stop defensively.
Seraphin averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds in the final month of the season, including a career-high 24 points and 13 boards in a win over Orlando. Seraphin followed that up with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks in a win at Chicago in mid-April.Seraphin closed out the season with 16 straight games in which he scored in double figures.
Seraphin is a strong player who can bang with the best down low but he seems to be carrying a few extra pounds and he would be even more effective in all areas of his game if he is able to shed some weight this off-season.
Seraphin's emergence as a solid front-court player makes the Wizards even more likely to take a shooting guard this summer in the draft rather than a power forward, which was a need until Seraphin showed he could play.
If Nene can stay healthy, the Wizards starting five next year would likely have Seraphin penciled in at the power forward spot.
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In just a short span, Seraphin shed the project label and he now has the look of a player who will be a contributor to the Wizards for many seasons to come. It was quite a season for Seraphin, especially the second-half.