2018-2019 Second-Round
If it’s to just reach the second-round, then the team can remain as is. Everything that happened this season to prevent a first-round exit is correctable:
1. Manage Beal’s minutes: He could have still played all 82 games but some minutes were unnecessary. I know that it should be standard that players play a full season.
Although I don’t believe in comparing the past and present, there has been a change in that area.
2. Markieff Morris. There was a stretch in the season, where Keef would show up one game, and not show up the next. If he doesn’t show up one game, then he should sit the next.
The “finding five guys” or “playing the players that want to play” fell on deaf ears. Fair or unfair, who was really coaching the team during those times?
3. Marcin Gortat. Similar to Keef, there were games that he disappeared as well. Although small ball basically meant he didn’t start in the fourth quarter. However, the damage was already done in the first. His slow tempo and lack of aggressiveness let other teams run roughshod to start the game.
Between Keef and Gortat not showing up to start the game, the Wizards played from behind.
4. Otto Porter was the weapon to put the Wizards over the top. However, he played games that he shouldn’t have played. He was clearly injured during the season. Porter should have been put on ice with reduced minutes in the regular season, so he could be hot in the postseason.
5. Wall. I’m not pointing him out because readers have told me I didn’t in my postseason analysis. But Wall sets the tempo. He played to start the season with injury. His team followed his cues, and lost games that they should have won.
So if the Wizards simply want to reach the second-round then Wall has to limit his turnovers, Beal should manage his minutes, and both Keef and Gortat have to start the game aggressive.