Wiz of Awes
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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 /
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May 10, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) drives the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first quarter in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) drives the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first quarter in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Markieff Morris

Keef is a bit of a conundrum. He’s our strongest and weakest link at the same time.

Strong in the sense that he brings toughness to Washington. He’s not afraid to attack the rim, reliable, crunch-time outside shooter, and alley-oop partner to Wall’s lobs.

But his weakness has literally cost the Wizards games. Game 1 of the Celtics matchup wasn’t his fault, because Horford injured him. Whether Horford did it intentionally or not, only Horford knows.

But I believe planting your foot underneath where your opponent’s foot is going to land, should be an automatic technical. Just like when you hit a player above the neck, the league doesn’t look at intent, it looks at the action. Horford should have received a technical, but I digress.

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So when Keef had to leave Game 1, his toughness walked off the court with him, and the Wizards lost their sizable lead and the game. Completely not Keef’s fault.

But in Game 2, when Keef got into foul trouble, albeit it wasn’t early as is custom, again that hurt the Wizards. Opponents know that Keef is foul-prone and use that weakness to their advantage.

What’s the sense of being good if you’re not on the floor? Keef is hurting the team when he gets into foul trouble.

Keef’s temper is within his control. Therefore, he should make sure that he doesn’t get technicals because of his temperament. He must also learn how to play the game without getting into foul trouble.

Keef plays like a rookie racking up ticky-tack fouls. It’s as if the Wizards got three-fourths of a player when they acquired Keef, because you can rest assured that he’ll be there the first – three quarters of the game. The rest of the game is anyone’s guess.

Keef’s a great player, yet he has to spend the offseason to learn how not to make rookie mistakes.

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