At this point, the Washington Wizards should give Thomas Bryant more playing time. The lack of current production from big men has given the team no other option.
The Washington Wizards were handed another beat down Sunday night. This time by the Los Angeles Clippers, losing 136-104. We could focus on so many problems that the team is currently facing, but for now we will hit the select button on the center category.
I’ll start by saying that the Wizards big men have played absolutely terrible. As of now, the team is praying that Dwight Howard returns sooner rather than later, which he most likely will be doing once the team returns from their road trip.
The lack of interior presence has been frustrating to watch. In the off-season the coaching staff and the team wanted to focus more on 3-point shooting and spreading the floor. This changed up their offense a little bit and so far it hasn’t panned out.
Of course it’s going to take time. However, just because more 3’s are being attempted doesn’t mean that the team has to suffer inside the paint. Scott Brooks has experimented with Jeff Green, and Otto Porter Jr. at the 5 position, but it hasn’t worked out to well. They’ve been destroyed down low and given the team no defensive presence.
Ian Mahinmi has been disappointing to say the least. In the first 5 games he’s averaged 4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. There was so much excitement surrounding the big man in this off-season as he lost 20 pounds and started developing an outside shot, at lease so we thought. He’s failed to live up to any of those expectations, but also failed to earn more playing time.
Jason Smith has averaged 4.3 points and 5 rebounds per game. So, he’s in the same boat as Mahinmi. The experienced veteran has done nothing but get man-handled down low and provide no offense spark at that position.
Which leads me to my point, Thomas Bryant should receive more playing time. We finally got to see the season debut of he talented, young big man, who produced 7 points, 3 rebounds, and went 3-7 from the floor in 11 minutes of time.
Granted this was at the end of the game, but in the reduced amount of time he almost scored as much as Green (12), Kelly Oubre Jr. (9), and Austin Rivers (9). All these individuals play 20 minutes or more per game. Take it with a grain of salt, but it is interesting…
If Howard continues to miss games, then Brooks should give Bryant a larger role. Now is the time to start developing and providing him with experience. Especially when the centers in front of him on the depth chart haven’t proven their worth whatsoever.
It’s fine if the Wizards want to continue with their small-lineups in order to perfect it. But if the coaching staff has to choose another big man to hit the paint besides Markieff Morris, then it should be Bryant.
Bryant looked good in preseason and should be given the opportunity to be the back-up for Howard when he returns. All Smith and Mahinmi have done is earn themselves a comfortable spot at the end of the bench. Besides, Washington is sitting at a record of 1-5, maybe a switch up could benefit the team.
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