Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards Must Capitalize On “Now” Moment Against Atlanta Hawks

By Jen Julie Smith

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 109-101 and lead the series 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 109-101 and lead the series 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards lacked energy and decisiveness against the Atlanta Hawks in Game-3. For the team to finish strong, they must recognize the moment.

Losing 8 of their first 10 games of the season, the Washington Wizards looked like a team destined for the NBA Lottery. People – their fans – gave up on the team and some weren’t even disappointed with their abysmal record. It was just the Wizards being the Wizards.

But the Wizards, with Coach Scott Brooks, didn’t give up on themselves.

Coach Brooks reminded the Wizards that they’re not just playing for themselves, they’re playing for the name on the back of their jersey. They’re playing for their family’s name.

The Wizards then started competing and playing with a renewed enthusiasm. As the Wizards began to rise, so did the attendance in the almost empty Verizon Center.

The team made some adjustments to the once weak bench with the addition of Bojan Bogdagnovic and Brandon Jennings. Otto Porter became a legitimate threat behind the arc and for a time was the number one 3-point shooter in the league.

John Wall, well, he kept being John Wall.

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And Bradley Beal, who before was plagued with injuries, stayed healthy and became the knockdown shooter that the team hoped he’d become.

Marcin Gortat was getting double-doubles, Markieff Morris was clutch in critical moments, knocking down threes to seal wins, and Kelly Oubre became a shutdown defender off the bench.

The Wizards were not only in the conversation to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but also the Finals.

The Wizards beat Atlanta at home on Wednesday to take a 2-0 series lead. But those were not decisive nor dominant victories. It took John Wall to go into overdrive to secure those wins.

There was some trash talking on both sides. Although trash talking is part of the game, it doesn’t win games.

Then, a funny thing happened on the way to Atlanta on Saturday. The Wizards forgot how to play basketball.

Gortat, who recorded double-doubles in the first two games, only had 2 points and 8 rebounds in their loss on Saturday.

Morris only scored 9 points, while Beal, with 12 points, was 0 for 6 from the 3-point line.

The second unit showed up on both the offensive and defensive end; Bogdanovic had 11 points and Kelly Oubre had 13 points.

The Wizards, plain and simple, did not compete on Saturday.

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They did what they did during the regular season –  play from behind, then try to play catch up for the rest of the game.

That lazy strategy may have worked during the regular season, but this is the playoffs. There is no room for error or resting on your laurels.

The Wizards have no excuses.

The Wizards must get those rebounds and 50/50 balls. Don’t assume Beal’s 3-pointer is finding its way home; there should be at least two Wizards underneath the basket for the offensive rebound.

The intensity the team played with, particularly Morris, should be carried over to Atlanta as well.

Carelessness, too, has been a problem. The core of the roster has been playing with Wall long enough to know that he whips the ball. Dropping passes might be acceptable in preseason, but it won’t cut it during the playoffs.

Bradley Beal and Bojan Bogdanovic, the team’s two best shooters, have to keep shooting confidently, otherwise they will never find their way out of the slump.

And if an open shot can’t be found, the Wizards have to keep attacking the basket – not settling for outside looks.

On the opposite end, the Wizards can’t play lackadaisical defense, allowing the Hawks to get uncontested shots and layups. Defense wins games, so conversely, the lack of defenses loses them.

Right now, it’s as if only Wall, Jennings and Oubre understand the enormity of this moment.

There are no do overs. This is it.

If the Wizards lose on Monday and the series is 2-2, the Wizards are once again playing from behind.

Playing from behind may have served the Wizards well during the regular season, but not against teams who are playing as if they want it more.

Next: Individual Player Awards for the Wizards

The Wizards need to return to basic basketball fundamentals: guard your man, interior and perimeter defense, grab rebounds, protect the ball and play with energy from tip-off to finish. If not, they can return to making their vacation plans.

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