NBA » Bulls at Wizards, Friday, 7 p.m., CSN-HD
Phil Chenier has spent 25 years as the color analyst for the Wizards, and the team and network are hosting “Phil Chenier Night.” He is one of the classiest acts in broadcasting and is half of one of the best telecasting duos in the NBA along with partner Steve Buckhantz.

 — Jim Williams

BOLD PREDICTIONS

1. Ted Leonsis will bring good luck » With new ownership and perhaps a new name, the Washington Wizards will have an immediate change of luck in the 2010 NBA Draft, landing one of the top three picks and charting a fresh course for the franchise. Currently the Wizards have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, but if their recent horrendous play continues, they should zero in on the No. 3 slot. This time the Wizards at worst will hold their position in the lottery, giving them a chance to pick John Wall (Kentucky), Wesley Johnson (Syracuse) or Evan Turner (Ohio State). The consolation prizes — DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky), Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech), Patrick Patterson (Kentucky) or Greg Monroe (Georgetown) — wouldn’t be bad, but getting in the top three would allow the Wizards to grab a player ready to contribute immediately. This may be the low point in franchise history, and Gilbert Arenas’ contract remains problematic, but in the NBA things can turn around quickly, especially with a little luck. — Kevin Dunleavy

2. Leonsis will clean house in the Wizards’ front office » With reports of an agreed-upon selling price for the Washington Wizards surfacing last week, it’s now a matter of time before the end of the Pollin family’s ownership and the end of Ernie Grunfeld’s tenure in Washington. Although Grunfeld cannot be blamed for the Gilbert Arenas gun fiasco, he tied the franchise’s fate to Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, the core of a team that was only pretty good at its best and was falling apart well before Dec. 21. Grunfeld finally disassembled the group with scary efficiency in February, garnering a chunk of cap flexibility in the process. But he was supposed to have a playoff contender this season, not a roster with zero worthy NBA starters — Andray Blatche included. Leonsis will recognize that the only way to exact a true change in franchise philosophy will be via regime change from the top down. — Craig Stouffer

3. The Redskins will draft Russell Okung » The player they probably want more is Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. Washington wants a quarterback for the future, and Jason Campbell does not seem to fit what the new coaching staff wants. But Bradford will be gone (No. 1 overall to St. Louis). Next up on the wish list: a left tackle, the second most important position on offense. It’s also a spot the Redskins have no one to fill. The only question is whether Detroit will draft Okung at No. 2. We say no. The Lions can’t stop the run, and the two best players in the draft are defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy. They can’t pass them up, and Tampa Bay will select whichever tackle they don’t. That leaves Okung to the Redskins, which will thrill them. The other tackle options either project to the right side or have character issues. Okung has none of those. He can adequately replace Chris Samuels. — John Keim

PLAYER TO WATCH

Sergio Santos, White Sox, RP
Unlike in other sports, first-round picks in baseball are an iffy proposition. Many “can’t miss” prospects don’t make it to the majors. It’s even more rare for one to get a second chance by moving from the field to the pitcher’s mound. The 27th overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Diamondbacks never did make it to the majors as a shortstop (.248 average). But the White Sox gave him a chance to take the mound in the minors and found a flamethrower — he hit 98 mph this spring. This spring has been solid (11 strikeouts in 6.2 innings), but he would be the 12th pitcher on Chicago’s staff. The 26-year-old has been around long enough to be out of options, and if the White Sox don’t keep him in the bigs, waivers await. You can’t teach someone to throw 98, and there is no doubt some teams (possibly the Nats) would be willing to take a chance on Santos. — Leon Saffelle

FIVE UP & FIVE DOWN


UP

1. Jason Heyward » Braves 20-year-old rookie was so good in spring training they couldn’t keep him off the team. He’ll start in right field.

2. Gus Johnson » It’s not an NCAA Tournament without a classic call from Johnson. He made Xavier-Kansas State even better.

3. NHL » Quickly installed new rule on blind-side hits to head to protect players. Didn’t wait until 2010-11.

4. Craig Stammen » Nats second-year pitcher pain-free after elbow surgery last fall and has made the starting rotation.

5. Charlotte Bobcats » Ownership stabilized, first playoff berth in sight. Still with outside shot at No. 5 seed.


DOWN
1. George Karl » Sad news for Nuggets coach, who had a setback in cancer treatment and won’t coach until the playoffs.

2. Ronnie Brown » Police say Dolphins running back had blood alcohol level nearly twice legal limit in failing field sobriety test last weekend.

3. NBA tanking » Thought lottery prevents this? Wizards, Clippers and Timberwolves all had double-digit losing streaks this week.

4. Urban Meyer » Dogging a reporter for accurately quoting a player is unprofessional. These are young men, not kids.

5. Philadelphia Flyers » Goalie situation in chaos and star forward Jeff Carter out with broken foot. Flyers slipping in playoff chase.

— Brian McNally