Washington Wizards: Will Marcin Gortat Step Up in 2017-18?

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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 28: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on November 28, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Gortat must add perimeter defense

No one is telling Gortat to start shooting from the three-point line, like DeMarcus Cousins and Al Horford. But he must now defend the perimeter just as easily as he defends the paint. The league is now a pace and space era, and if he doesn’t pick up his pace, he is going to be left behind.

Against Boston, Horford crushed Gortat on the perimeter. And he shouldn’t have been chasing Horford from behind, he should always be in front of his man.

This is not a prediction – if the Wizards meet Boston in the playoffs, they are not going to win if Horford’s primary defender is Gortat.

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And Kelly Oubre Jr. is not yet an option. Although, Jaylen Brown is now the starting shooting guard for Boston next season, in just his second-year in the league, Oubre is not ready for prime time. He is definitely quicker than Gortat, so he would be able to provide the much-needed perimeter defense. However, he’s still making rookie mistakes and committing lazy fouls.

And there are some players, such as James Harden, who are fouled in the “act” of shooting. That’s Harden’s bread and butter, and he lives at the free throw line. He should be paying rent at Capital One Arena, because I once saw mail getting delivered to him.

Although, Oubre and Gortat won’t be defending Harden, they will be defending Cousins and Horford. And because they may not be quick enough, they will chase behind, and may try to poke the ball out of their opponent’s hands. Or Horford may pull a “Harden” and jump into Gortat.

It doesn’t matter how the foul occurs, that’s 3 free throws. And the Wizards can’t afford to be donating to charity at any stage in the season. Therefore, Gortat must try to pick up his speed. And if that’s not possible he should anticipate that centers are now playing outside the paint.

How can Gortat improve defensively

Because of Mahinmi’s contract the Wizards’ hands are tied financially, and are unable to make any sudden moves. Hopefully, Mahinmi is perfectly healthy next season or close to it, because the center position is the Wizards’ weakest link.

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Too bad Markieff Morris didn’t have a twin, because Morris is a good perimeter defender. But all joking aside, it’s unclear what the Wizards can do to shore up the middle.

Right now the best course of action is for Gortat to improve his scoring. Two points in a playoff game is unacceptable. And if he can’t get his numbers up, he must prevent his man from getting theirs. Otherwise, Gortat is both an offensive and defense liability for Washington.

Everyone knows what Gortat has to offer, but bigs are now playing faster on and off the ball. The only question that remains is whether he can keep up?

Just because NBA2K listed Gortat as one of Washington’s all-time greats doesn’t make it so (I did a “Bradley Beal Flop” once I saw that, and had to leave work early.)

Washington is in line to make the playoffs, but how far they go depends on whether they have a reliable man in the middle. Gortat with his strong work ethic has the ability to step up, but can isn’t going to cut it, he must.

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Otherwise, the Wizards will be in the same position as last season – just one game away from tasting victory, only to spend their offseason with the bitter taste of defeat.

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