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Washington Wizards: The Discipline of Kelly Oubre, Jr.

By Jen Julie Smith

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 23: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards and Otto Porter Jr. #22 celebrate in the fourth quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggets during an NBA game at Pepsi Center on October 23, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 23: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards and Otto Porter Jr. #22 celebrate in the fourth quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggets during an NBA game at Pepsi Center on October 23, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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What the Washington Wizards’ Kelly Oubre, Jr. can do to reach the next level for next season.

It was an up-and-down season for Kelly Oubre of the Washington Wizards. He started the season as a starter per se, filling in while Markieff Morris was recovering from hernia surgery.

He ended the season as a starter, filling in for Otto Porter in Game 6 of the Raptors series.

In the early part of the year, Oubre’s energy of the bench in the second quarter would bring the team back to life.

Then there were those times after his defensive struggles, where the team looked like it was in need of life support.

Oubre belongs in the NBA there’s no question about it. But what’s preventing him from being where he should be?

For his exit interview, he had this to say about his third year in the league:

"“I would’ve never thought I would still be here. This season was a learning experience for me, because I got a chance to feel confident and that I belong in this league. I could be great in this league”."

He also added his need for “consistency, and how he fell off in the last couple of months in his jump shot.

That’s right the sky is the limit, if you know what’s limiting you. Fair to say, Mr. Oubre does:

“It’s not that I’m not a good shooter, I’m honestly a great shooter. I’m undisciplined”.

Therein lies the crux of what prevented Oubre from being a reliable player off the bench–lack of discipline.

Oubre plans on putting the time in the gym and getting better during the offseason.

He has grown over the year. Before when Oubre was fouled, he would be on the court doing push ups. None of that display occurred towards the end of the season.

He is a bottle of energy that just didn’t know how to bottle it up sometimes.

The 2018-19 season is another chance for Oubre to prove that he has what it takes to step up in crunch time.

However, improving one’s shot is only half the battle. Allowing another team to get more shots because of a silly foul during crunch time, is the other half.

Oubre needs more help on the defensive end.

Porter made the jump last summer. Maybe Porter should take Oubre under his wings.

One of the key strategies to success sometimes is to emulate another successful person.

Porter is disciplined, has focus, is an excellent defender, and knows what it takes to make that jump to the next level.

However, Porter needs to be more aggressive because he can create his own shot.

Therefore, the two can learn from each other. In turn, Porter can take the fearlessness of Oubre and take that last shot.

While Oubre can take Porter’s discipline and make defensive stops.

Not saying the two have to change their summer plans and go snorkeling together off of Exuma. Just saying, if Oubre’s really wants to build discipline, why not look to Porter?

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