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Washington Wizards: Out with the old, Unleash Otto Porter

ByJen Julie Smith|
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Otto Porter, Jr. is one of the best shooters in the NBA. The Washington Wizards need to unleash Porter, if they want to be the best in the East, to rattle the best in the West.

There were times last season, where Otter Porter Jr. was the most effective player on the floor. In other words, the best all-around player.

Porter did it all. Hustle, rebounding, diving for lose balls, you name it. Most importantly he was clutch when he had the rock in his hands. Porter would lay it all on the line each and every night.

Although Washington lost both games to the Golden State Warriors last season, they were very close. Nonetheless, Porter was the MVP on the floor on both ends.

In the October 27, 2017 matchup, while live tweeting the game, this is how I saw Porter:

The Wizards would have won the February 28, 2018 matchup with the Warriors, because Porter again shot lights out, but for rotations. The small forward finished with  29 points,10 rebounds, 2 steals, and was perfect from the free throw line shooting 5-for-5.

But as I wrote back then, (Porter best on floor, Wizards still fall to Warriors):

"“The second-unit of Kelly Oubre, Jodie Meeks, Ian Mahinmi, Mike Scott and Tim Frazier gave Washington life in the second quarter and back in contentionHowever, it was a terrible mismatch. While Washington went with an all-bench lineup to start the second quarter, Golden State had Klay Thompson and Draymond Green running with their bench.”"

What if Washington tried a new formula? Not the stale one that they have been using in seasons past.

All other teams knew the Wizards rotations last year. Go with the starters to start the game. If Markieff Morris gets into early foul trouble, sub him out in the first stanza. Keef then sings on the scorers’ table or the sidelines.

Next comes the all-bench lineup in the second. Finally, go small in the fourth quarter to make up for losing ground in the first. Rinse and repeat, which was a big reason why the Wizards got bounced in the playoffs.

What if Porter naturally started the first, but also the second. Let’s see a Tomas Satoransky, Austin Rivers and Porter trifecta. All three players can bring the ball up the floor.

Instead of the bench not trying to squander the lead, that the starters built up in the first, why not let the Trifecta come out guns blazing in the second?

No more talk of Porter needing to be aggressive. Unleash him from the shadow of John Wall and Bradley Beal, and let him help run the offense in the second quarter.

The Wizards have weapons, why not spread them out? Why make it easier for the opponent, and show them mercy to start the second? Washington is helping other teams and hurting themselves by always clustering their three best players in one segment of the game.

Porter this message is for you.

Porter is a max player, but he’s not being played to his superstar potential. Washington is going to continue achieving the same results if the coaching staff keeps having the same rotations. The formula needs to change in order to be more successful.

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