Wiz of Awes
Fansided

John Wall: Wizards also a favorite to reach conference finals

By Jen Julie Smith

John Wall of the Washington Wizards celebrates. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
John Wall of the Washington Wizards celebrates. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  APRIL 22: John Wall #2 helps up Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards during the game against the Toronto Raptors on Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  APRIL 22: John Wall #2 helps up Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards during the game against the Toronto Raptors on Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Boston looks great on paper, but

This was something that struck me, when Wall talked about Boston’s chemistry.

"“On paper, everybody looks great,” Wall continued. “We look great. Boston looks great on paper. But how are all those young guys going to mesh with Kyrie [Irving] being back? Or Gordon Hayward being back? Nobody knows how that’s going to work. Now, they’ve got a hell of a coach in Brad Stevens, and [with GM and president] Danny Ainge, they’re going to figure it out. But you still got to put it all together. You’ve still got to make it work on the court. We don’t know how Kawhi is going to work. We know what Simmons and Embiid are going to give you, but it’s a new year.””"

I agree that you have to make it work on the court. But that’s what I argued last season, when it came to minutes for Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, Jr.

Back in February, I wrote about Beal’s heavy minutes that Wizards Should Not Repeat Boston’s Game 7. Wherein this time around it would be Beal’s arms that are tired when the postseason rolls around, versus Wall’s legs.

As for Porter, back in January, I wrote that the Wizards should trade for Dwight Howard:

"“What wasn’t expected was Washington losing to sub-.500 teams and not playing with any sense of urgency. Not playing like the team that was just 12 minutes away from their conference finals, and coming into this season to right that wrong. Nonetheless, here Washington stands on the precipice of not reaching their goal. It’s not too late to late right that ship, if they’re willing to go all in. The main area that is hurting the Wizards is their frontcourt. There are nights when Porter, Keef, and Marcin Gortat are clicking on all cylinders. But those nights have been far and few between this season. Although Porter has had hip problems prior to even the start of his NBA career, the extent has been a bit of a concern. If Washington could rest the small forward for a few games until the playoffs, put him on ice literally and figuratively, so he’s fresh for the postseason that would help.”"

The Wizards looked good on paper as well, but the minutes weren’t well-managed. I could see it back in January that the Wizards were headed in the wrong direction, if they chose not to change course. Even if no trades were made, at least take a risk and have some variety with the lineup.

Some nights coach Scott Brooks would talk about taking a big risk, “play the guys that want to play”. But the next night was business as usual, with the same tepid results.

I never compared the two coaches, Stevens and Brooks, and I still won’t.

However, I didn’t understand why Brooks was reluctant to sit Markieff Morris or Gortat when they weren’t playing well. But since Wall opened the door with Stevens…

The only time the Wizards played “next man up” was when a man was down with injury. They didn’t have a choice.

But they never went to the “next man” during the game, when a player was having an off night.

Brooks never inserted Michael Scott early in the first quarter, when Keef or Gortat got off to a slow start.

Instead Brooks waited to go small in the fourth quarter, to try to erase a deficit that was caused in the first. A lot of times that was too late.

I believe the reason behind Brooks not benching Keef, was to protect the power forward’s ego. Even though it was hurting the team.

Keef got a pass last season. I also thought Wall gave Keef a pass as well.

When Wall was sidelined, he didn’t believe that he had a right to say anything about what was going on during the game.

Boston will be okay with their rotations, they did it when they were short-staffed.

When the Wizards last season had a full team, they chose not to rotate out of fear of hurting someone’s feelings.

It’s a new season and a clean slate. The Wizards have more to play with when it comes to rotations with their deep bench. But they have to put team first and feelings last.

I’m not going to predict who will be a better team. But I disagree with Wall that Boston will have a hard time of putting it together.

The Wizards have the pieces. However, it is Brooks who has to make it all work. That means managing minutes and managing rotations.

Now let’s hear what Wall has to say about the Wizards’ chemistry:

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