Washington Wizards: 3 Things To Improve Before 2017 NBA Playoffs

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BENCH CONSISTENCY

The trade deadline and buyouts coming after the All-Star break brought Washington guards Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings. With their arrivals came an immediate increase in bench scoring.

Washington, still second to last in the league in bench scoring, now has a player who can score 20+ off the bench, and a pesky backup point guard with experience who can score, even though he’s been reluctant so far.

Brooks still doesn’t seem to know what his bench rotation is and that will be important to establish down the stretch.

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Jason Smith has begun getting minutes again, after five DNPs in seven games, Satoransky has earned the backup shooting guard role, and Mahinmi is now playing almost as many minutes per game as Gortat.

Still, Kelly Oubre Jr., who showed great flashes earlier in the season, has played one minute combined in the last two games prior to Friday.

The playoffs usually limit a team to eight man rotations, so it will be interesting to see how Brooks eyes that.

An eight man playoff rotation with Jennings, Bogdanovic, and Mahinmi is to be expected, but will the other players establish themselves down the stretch?

Additionally, Wall is averaging almost 37 minutes a game, with Beal at 35.

If the bench can be consistent, hold leads, and play defense, the starters would get a chance to rest, while bench players could grow their confidence.

Next: Why the Wizards Could Get To the NBA Finals

Scott Brooks has coached in the playoffs six times, advancing to the conference finals in four of those six, so it’s safe to say he’s experienced. Now it’s almost time to see it in action.

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