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Washington Wizards: Kelly Oubre is the Key to the Wizards’ Death Lineup

By C. Denton Day

WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 20: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 20: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  OCTOBER 20: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  OCTOBER 20: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With the return of Markieff Morris to the Washington Wizards’ lineup, it means that someone’s minutes will be cut, and it shouldn’t be Kelly Oubre’s.

Markieff Morris will be returning to action after missing the Washington Wizards’ first seven games of the season. With Morris returning to the lineup, that means there’s a  high chance someone else’s minutes are going to get cut. That someone cannot be Kelly Oubre.

With the absence of Morris, the Wizards have found their own variation of a “death lineup.” The name is self-explanatory – it is a lineup that is deadly to opposing teams.

The lineup consisting of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Oubre and Marcin Gortat is the Wizards death lineup. Through the first seven games the lineup is not only one of the best in the NBA, it has become the best.

Oubre has been a bright spot in Morris’ absence, and is playing the best basketball of his career. Averaging 11 points per game and nearly six rebounds per game (5.6), is a fantastic start to the season. Even better he is shooting 45.2 percent from the three.

Trailing Otto Porter, who is shooting a ridiculous 51.7 percent from 3-point range, Oubre has been a reliable threat from deep. With both Wall and Beal struggling to find success in the long ball, Oubre has made up for it.

It is not hard to see that Oubre has put in his work in the offseason to get better. In fact we saw him working out with Wall and Lebron James in No Offseason Episode 5.

Now we are starting to see that work come to fruition.

SMALL BALL

Wall is known across the NBA as one of the league’s fastest guards. Because of this the Wizards like to play fast and run the floor.

A lineup with Wall, Beal, Porter, Oubre and Morris seems intriguing. All five men are not only capable of producing on the offensive side of the court, but defensively as well.

From a defensive perspective all five can guard James if necessary in a playoff series. There is not one guy who can lock him down but all can try their hand at it. Throwing as many bodies as possible at him will at times confuse him, the Warrior have proven that.

At this point we have to face the fact, Cleveland is the beast in the East. Their slow start does not matter. They start slow every year and finish strong every year.

Oubre would be a matchup nightmare for Kevin Love. Love is known for lackluster defense and a guy that hustles like Oubre will run circles around him.

The inner motor that is inside Oubre is second only to the chip on Wall’s shoulder. Oubreis always up for a challenge. Just in the seven games so far this season he has taken on those challenges much more intelligently.

Not to say that he was not intelligent last season but he was emotional. This year he has used his emotion in his favor instead of letting it blind him.

At time his eyes will still glaze over and he will lose some of control of himself. Just ask Klay Thompson’s face and the back of Wall’s head.

Through seven games Oubre has earned the opportunity to play as many minutes as possible. And more importantly, Oubre being on the floor gives the Wizards the best chance to be successful.

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