Washington Wizards: Should Wizards Fans be Excited for Next Season?
Bench Production
If the Wizards’ bench production, or lack thereof, did not show how desperately they need help, nothing will. They scored a grand total of five points – all in the first half – and 43 less than their Boston counterparts scored.
The Wizards starting five carries this team. Both John Wall and Bradley Beal average 23 points per game (PPG) and will continue to broaden their skillsets.
Otto Porter, who shoots over 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from deep, is developing into a “Three ‘n’ D” player.
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Markieff Morris is a physical stretch-4 and I discussed Gortat’s value earlier.
Washington’s bench finished second to last in NBA bench points with 26.9, painful to say the least.
There is no identity.
When the starters are in, the ball moves and the offense runs smoothly. When the bench takes over, it’s either isolation basketball or a less-efficient pick-and-roll.
The type of players who come off the bench have different play-styles than the starters. Wall is a strong, lengthy, pass-first point guard (PG); Brandon Jennings is a smaller scoring PG.
Beal is a versatile scorer who can handle the ball, create space with and without the ball and get buckets; Bojan Bogdanovic is a spot-up shooter who sometimes, scores from the block.
The Wizards need to establish who they are. Then, find players who fit that style.