Washington Wizards: Rockets beat the Wizards, but all is not lost

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 03: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets brings the ball down the court defended by Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Toyota Center on April 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 03: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets brings the ball down the court defended by Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Toyota Center on April 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 22: Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards passes around LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Wizards defeated the Cavaliers 110-103. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 22: Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards passes around LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Wizards defeated the Cavaliers 110-103. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

There’s still time

I may be in the minority. But I don’t believe that it’s set that the Wizards are going to have a first-round exit.

If they can remember how they played against the Hawks and Boston last season. If they can take a moment and remember who they are, then they can see past their fears.

They just have to come together. Beal is one of the best shooters in the league. For him to get second and third chances, Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi have to pull down those rebounds. Either a putback or kick it back to Beal.

Even a post-surgery Wall is faster than 99.99 percent of the players in the NBA. Whether it’s his legs or his passing, he can get the ball to his teammates. They just have to always be ready. Because Wall sees into the future of where they are going to be and throws the ball there.

If his teammates are always ready for his pass, they will be rewarded.

Mike Scott can knock down jumpers that no one sees coming. He looks like he’s about to turn around to pass it, and he pivots knocking down the shot.

The only player who appears to have more energy than Kelly Oubre is Russell Westbrook.

Oubre just has to bottle and contain that energy on both the offensive and defensive end. Stop with the push-ups Oubre, not while the game is still going on. If you get fouled, then have your Rocky moment.

Satoransky just has to keep doing what he’s been doing all season long, and run the offense. In the postseason that will be for the second-unit. He did a good job of slowing the game down tonight when he pushed the ball up the floor.

Markieff Morris is the X-factor. If he’s consistent in the postseason than the Wizards can be unstoppable in the East. There can be no off nights for Keef.

Then there’s Otto Porter. When Porter is hot than the tide is on the Wizards side. His catch-and-release three is the most beautiful sequence on the court.

Not everyone has Wall’s gift of speed. The other teams will be faster (Boston and Cleveland), but every Wizards player can control the pace of the game when the ball is in their possession.

Also, keep moving off the ball. Tire your opponents out, let them chase you.

If Porter is running around, of course they’re going to chase after him. Scott also. Keep moving. Then Wall or Beal can cut inside. There should be a lot decoys on that floor.

Then there’s the secret weapon–Ramon Sessions. I’m only partially joking. When you really want to slow the game down, put him in. But Session has to protect the ball better when passing. Don’t whip it at any cost. The Wizards are still getting reacquainted with Wall’s football passes.

The Wizards have all the ingredients of a winning formula, they just have to put it all together.

I didn’t think Wall should have returned in the fourth quarter against the Rockets. I also don’t think he should play on Thursday in Cleveland. Since he can’t play back-to-backs, he should play Friday against the Hawks.

A rested Wall for the postseason is what the Wizards need. It’s the same thing they needed last season. Please don’t make that same mistake twice.

There were some moments of levity in the game. Wall’s coordination on the balance beam:

On Thursday, the Wizards head to Cleveland.