Washington Wizards Mailbag Monday: Cleveland Cavaliers Still Too Deep For Washington Wizards

https://twitter.com/imdancarillo/status/838761963064717313

Let’s see:

1. Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams
2. Kyle Korver, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith
3. LeBron James, Richard Jefferson
4. Kevin Love, Channing Frye
5. Tristan Thompson, Andrew Bogut

The Cleveland Cavaliers are probably the deepest team in the NBA, including the Golden State Warriors. LeBron cried and asked for him, and he got it.

Ty Lue has starters coming off his bench. Williams and Bogut both started for the Dallas Mavericks this season. Shumpert, Korver and Smith are all interchangeable. For some teams – albeit losing ones – Frye can start, too.

Let’s break down the Wizards’ rotation:

1. John Wall, Brandon Jennings
2. Bradley Beal, Kelly Oubre
3. Otto Porter, Bojan Bogdanovic
4. Markieff Morris, Jason Smith
5. Marcin Gortat, Ian Mahinmi

See the difference?

Washington’s starting group has been super productive, but the bench has been horrid. They’re almost last in scoring and assists, so the offense is nonexistent. For other contending teams, Oubre wouldn’t be in the rotation. And for now, Jason Smith hasn’t been in the rotation, either.

There’s a difference on paper and there’s going to be a difference on the court. Beating LeBron is a massive hurdle in and of itself. Now add two more All-Stars (Irving and Love) and four other starting-caliber players.

Their depth is almost unfair.

The evidence points toward the Cavaliers being too deep for any team in the East, despite not being ahead by much in the standings.

Next: Why Jennings Is Better Than Burke

Washington improved. The Jennings and Bogdanovic additions will certainly help. But the Wizards’ second unit cannot compete with Cleveland’s.