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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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Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard Brandon Jennings (7), guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard Brandon Jennings (7), guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Live by the Bench, Lose by the Bench

Everyone knew that Washington had one of the weakest benches in the NBA. Bogdanovic was a good addition, but not enough.

Whatever sizable lead the starters built up, the second unit would lose it. The starters hardly ever saw garbage time, and had to play practically every minute throughout the entire season.

Wall is not a machine, he needs rest like everybody else. The bench can’t sit back and expect him to go into turbo mode and carry them every day.

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Wall shouldn’t have to put on a cape, which he literally did in the Atlanta series.

People will argue that Wall and Brandon Jennings are friends. Don’t you think LeBron James as GM could surround himself with only his friends if he wanted? Ok, bad example, because his friends are good.

The point I’m trying to make is that Jennings is not a good backup to Wall. Jennings plays scared, and is afraid to attack the rim. If Wall wants to keep him around because of team chemistry that’s fine, but not at the cost of the Wizards not having a true, backup point guard.

Obviously Rajon Rondo’s stock has gone up. But if Washington can’t get him, then they should look throughout the league, because there are good point guards to be had.

Then there’s Kelly Oubre. I hope he’s in the Summer League again. He will be one of the best defensive players in the league one day, but that day is not today. He’s not a true 6th man. The Wizards do not even have a 6th man.

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