The Washington Wizards had a first-round exit for the 2017-18 season. Consistency and core have been the buzzwords for this franchise. However, doing the same thing consistently and producing a product that was nowhere as good as the last is not a recipe for success.
The Washington Wizards had a first-round exit for the 2017-18 season. Consistency and core have been the buzzwords for this franchise. However, doing the same thing consistently and producing a product that was nowhere as good as the last is not a recipe for success.
John Wall is correct in that he shouldn’t have to recruit other players. His game should speak for itself. He went through a lot this season with his knees, surgery, inside and outside noise. In addition, he’s returning to school this summer. Coupled that with his conditioning, his summer plans are booked.
So here goes.
The Wizards were consistent about being inconsistent. If money wasn’t an issue, this is how the team should look.
Marcin Gortat wanted to retire in Orlando, he should play his last season there. Unless he’s willing to take a salary cut and come off the bench. Otherwise, instead of just the summer, he can work on his tan year round.
Markieff Morris shouldn’t feel comfortable as well. All that talk about being tough, but if coach Scott Brooks were to really bench him one game, that bravado would melt away.
Wall does have a turnover problem, but how he was able to return to the postseason as if he never walked into a doctor’s office a day in his life, is nothing short of a miracle.
The Wizards need rim protection. The fact that Bradley Beal was getting rebounds shows that he expanded his game, while other players’ game retracted.
If Washington wants to continue with its core value of trying to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, then they have to shed part of their core– Gortat.
There’s a market for Mr. Morris and a home for Gortat. Most likely Keef stays in the picture, because he’s also had his share of injuries. But for Gortat there was no excuse.
In addition, Wall said, a ‘leader doesn’t take a day off’. That was part of the problem as well, when Wall was sidelined, he didn’t lead from the bench. That’s when his leadership was needed the most.
So there’s hope if Keef returns to taking “days off” next season, that there will be no idle threats about “playing the players that want to play”.
However, like I wrote back in August, if Gortat is the Wizards starting center then they can start making their Summer 2019 plans now. Will Marcin Gortat Step Up in 2017-18?
Yes, as some of my faithful readers have commented, I’m optimistic about this team. But the center has been their weakest link.
If Keef is consistent and the Wizards have a reliable center who is fast and can block shots instead of relying on the point guard to do so, then they will have a better season than last.
But if the Wizards want to start making changes it starts with Gortat. Of course, he’s not the sole cause but in no way is he any part of the solution.