3 Washington Wizards we want to see in All-Star Weekend
By Ethan Smith
Skills Competition: Ish Smith
Ish Smith might not be the starter in Washington, but he’s without a doubt the team’s top point guard. Early in the season, the scales were tipped in Isaiah Thomas‘s favor. But recently, it looks like Coach Scott Brooks has grown to lean on Smith.
Over the last 17 games – since Isaiah Thomas returned from his two-game suspension – Thomas has been absent from all but two fourth quarters. Smith hasn’t missed one. More times than not, Smith is out there for all of the final twelve minutes.
And Smith hasn’t won the job by accident. He’s been playing some of the best basketball of his journeyman career. He even earned MVP chants from hometown fans during a scorching hot streak back in December.
During his first season in Washington, Smith has shown off an impressive display of passing.
He’s proven to be an incredibly crafty scorer.
And he’s just an all-around likable guy. This is why we want to see Ish Smith in the skills competition. He’s deceptively quick and always has the ball on a string. His skillset (like most point guards) is perfect for the skills competition.