Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: The Team Will Return Next Season – Faster, Stronger and to the Eastern Conference Finals

By Jen Julie Smith

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrate while leaving the court after their game against the Atlanta Hawks 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) and Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrate while leaving the court after their game against the Atlanta Hawks 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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) defends in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) defends in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Speaking of Otto Porter and His Potential Max Contract

Ottobots can roll out, because I’m about to argue that Porter is streaky, and is not a knockdown, reliable shooter.

Whether or not Porter gets the max here in Washington or elsewhere is not the issue. The only issue is – why does he disappear during crucial moments and do or die games.

In the 2015-2016 season, right before I sat down in my seat, I would say to myself, I wonder which Otto is going to show up today. Some games Porter is hot, and other games he’s cold. This lack of consistency really hurt the Wizards chances down the stretch.

More from Wiz of Awes

There was a time this season, when he was the number one three-point shooter in the NBA. We all witnessed Porter light up Golden State when they came to the Verizon Center.

But then there’s streaky Otto, who stopped attempting as many threes, and made even less. He disappeared in Boston when Washington needed him the most.

Even though we’re not here to win friends and influence Ernie, team chemistry is still important. Porter fits in great with Washington, and I believe if he spends his offseason wisely, and becomes a consistent and reliable threat from deep, that the Wizards will do whatever they can to keep him.

I don’t believe Porter is going anywhere, because there’s room for improvement, and Porter knows what areas he needs to develop.

Porter should start about 70% of the games, and the Wizards should pick up another small forward who will start the remaining 30%. Porter will also help Washington’s weak bench. If the Wizards want to win, they must pick up another starting small forward.

You’re asking again, why pay Porter the max, when he’s going to be coming off the bench. See Exhibit A: Ian Mahinmi’s contract.

More from Wiz of Awes

Wings in the league don’t fear Porter, and Porter was hesitant in taking his shot, which also cost the Wizards.

Why does Washington need another small forward, when they have Bojan Bogdanovic?

Bo Buckets was an excellent pick up by Wizards’ President Ernie Grunfeld. He was raining threes when he was initially traded to Washington at the trade deadline. But he also disappeared, although he was the only bench player that showed up in Game 7 in Boston.

I don’t know if Buckets is streaky, or was going through a shooting slump the latter part of the season and postseason. It doesn’t matter, his quality of play showed that he is not a solid backup to Porter.

Has the bloom fallen off the Beauty of Bogdanovic, which I wrote about early? Too early to tell, and too late to find out.

Home/Wizards News