Washington Wizards Player Grades: Week 5

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Marcin Gortat: 11.3 PPG (43.8 FG%), 8.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 BPG

Gortat is the Washington Wizards’ best defensive player, and I think his tremendous performance on that end goes consistently unnoticed. He’s not the explosive rim protector Emeka Okafor was and he rarely swats shots into the fifth row like JaVale McGee did, but Gortat’s positioning and mobility is consistently superior – and all told, opponents are shooting 5% below their averages against Gortat on two-point shots.

Gortat was great on that end last year, and so far, he’s been great again this year. His offensive output has been lessened somewhat so far, however, and I think we’d all like to see the Wall/Gortat pick and roll become more of a focus for DC – it seems like that play has fallen by the wayside somewhat.

Grade: B-

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Kris Humphries: 7.3 PPG (39.1 FG%), 7.3 RPG

With Nene gone, Kris Humphries was the logical choice to step up and start in his place – but I personally would rather have seen Humphries stay on the bench with the second unit that has gelled so well over the last couple weeks, and Drew Gooden start as he did in the second half against Milwaukee.

Humphries stayed steady, crushing the boards as usual, but we saw Hump be abnormally inaccurate on those midrange shots that have been his absolute bread and butter this year. Something to watch: Humphries, who shot 77.6% from the line over the last three years, is shooting just 65.5% there this year. Humphries has only taken 29 foul shots, so hopefully it’s just a blip.

Grade: B-

Next: Otto and Rasual