Washington Wizards: 3 reasons Scott Brooks should be on the hot seat

3. Rotations & use of talent

I’m sure some of you are out there thinking that Brooks deserves a break, and there’s undoubtedly some truth to that. But even if you look at how he’s managed the available talent, it’s frustrating.

The perfect example, and likely the largest supporter of this argument, is Thomas Bryant. Since he’s returned from injury, which is a slightly small sample size of eight games, he’s been started in the frontcourt next to, not in front of, Ian Mahinmi.

There’s no telling where the influence comes from. Could it be tape from New Orleans’ short-lived success with the much more talented Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins? Neither Bryant or Mahinmi are as big or as diverse on offense as the former Pelicans frontcourt.

Is Washington simply showcasing Mahinmi, in the last year of his deal, to garner interest ahead of the NBA’s February 6th deadline? Possible, but still not a viable excuse.

Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, Brooks is attempting to match the size of opposing teams, and open up minutes down to the end of the bench:

"“Coach Scott Brooks has given a few reasons why he’s started Bryant and Mahinmi. Both Chicago and Toronto start two large guys at the 4 and 5, and Brooks wanted to match their size. He also wants to make sure current third-string center Anzejs Pasecniks continues to receive playing time. Sliding some of Bryant’s minutes to power forward — especially while Bryant is on a minutes limit, himself — does that.”"

Which, hey, maybe justifies it to a certain extent. But Mahinmi is about to enter free agency and his role with this team, for all intents and purposes, is over the hill and through. Washington did convert Anzejs Pasecniks‘ two-way contract to a three-year deal.

So while they do need to see what they have in their 24-year old big man, does it have to be at the expense of Bryant’s development? Seems suspect.

Especially after what fans saw on Tuesday, in the loss to Milwaukee.

Bryant played almost the entire fourth quarter, at the center slot, and dominated. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists–yet another reason to have him play the five next to someone who can stretch the floor at power forward. (Rhymes with Batvian Bazer)

No one is saying Scott Brooks should be fired.

But his performance this season, even with the poor hand he was dealt, does not inspire confidence for what he’ll do next year. The Wizards should be better than 15-31, and next year they’re going to embark on what will be one of the most pivotal years in franchise history.

Is Brooks the guy you want steering that ship?