Wiz of Awes
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The State of the Washington Wizards

By Jen Julie Smith

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 10: Bradley Beal #3, John Wall #2, Otto Porter #22 and Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards huddle up during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 10: Bradley Beal #3, John Wall #2, Otto Porter #22 and Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards huddle up during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 22: Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2017 at Philips Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Liles/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 22: Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2017 at Philips Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Liles/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tomas Satoransky

First, Tomas Satoransky will no longer be back up to Wall at point. Enough, with the “Free Sato” signs. I believe Satoransky was given ample time to showcase his point guard skills. I even wrote about the excellent job he did last season against the Bulls, when Sheldon Mac and himself, both rookies (although Sato played for years overseas), started when both Wall and Bradley Beal were out.

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At the same time, when it comes to playing teams like Boston or Cleveland, who play faster, both on and off the ball, Satoransky was too slow. He’s slow bringing the ball up the floor, which allowed the defense to gauge what sets the Wizards are about to run. Satoransky was both an offensive and defensive liability.

Satoransky was scrappy last season, and showed a lot of hustle, and for that reason I believe he can be versatile on both ends of the floor. And, therefore, could flourish at the 2, playing back up to Beal or even as a back up to Marcin Gortat. I know Gortat is also slow, but we’ll get to the Polish Machine in a second.

If Satoransky improves his inside game, he could be a reliable backup center, until Mahinimi returns. So, Satoransky embrace your new role, I believe you will thrive.

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