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Washington Wizards: For the Wizards, Actions Speak Louder than Words

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC -  FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards have learned that action speaks louder than words, in their quest for the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Washington Wizards struggled a little bit to start the season. However, in the midst of their troubles, they have remained confident. Some would argue too confident.

It all started with Bradley Beal‘s proclamation during training camp, that the Wizards are the best team in the East.

His backcourt mate added:

"“I feel like I am the best point guard in the Eastern Conference,” John Wall said. “Maybe people didn’t get to see me on national TV as much last year, but they will this year.”"

According to Wall’s stat line, he is in fact the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. This year’s GM Survey also ranked Wall as the best in the East.

Also, the way that Beal has started this season, and even last season, shows that he is the best shooting guard this side of the Mississippi.

Returning to Beal’s comments. Actually, he repeated those comments a few hours before they played their first regular season game against Cleveland. “I feel like we’re the best team”.

Those comments came after the Wizards gave up a 22-point lead to the Suns, and a loss in overtime to a young Lakers team. They came right before LeBron James dropped 57 points and steamrolled over the Washington Wizards.

They came after the Wizards forgot to play defense, allowing opponents take circus shots as if it was practice instead of a real game.

Washington has the best backcourt in the East, but they have to lead by example and not by words.

It’s almost as if the Wizards have decided to take their trash talk off the court, instead of during the game. The comments before games are motivating the opposition. This is basketball not a heavyweight bout, where the fighters are expected to trash talk to sell a match.

Marcin Gortat has recently become the voice of reason. According to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post after their win against Toronto, Gortat reflected upon their off-court theatrics.

"“Just because we won this game today here, it doesn’t mean that everything is fine and we back on the right track. There’s a lot of things we’ve got to work on,” Gortat said. “First of all, we’ve got to become a more humble team and we just got to work harder.”"

Both Beal and Kelly Oubre, Jr. agreed with the Polish Machine’s sentiments. Beal said, that it “starts with humility”, and right now “we’re not the team we need to be”.

While Oubre who keeps it real at all times, and maybe too real, added:

"We’ve got to be humble. We’ve got to stop going to the media and doing things and saying things. We kind of got to let our game do the talking.”"

Beal’s game has done the talking, as he’s been shooting lights out. While Otto Porter has emerged as one of the league’s best players. The Wizards have one of the best starting lineups. They just have to put it all together, and focus that same offensive energy on defense.

Now whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t want to see them in the playoffs last season? That’s for you to decide.

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