Washington Wizards: 4 players to watch when NBA season resumes
By Ethan Smith
Washington Wizards Player to Watch: Troy Brown Jr.
What’s the deal with Troy Brown Jr? The 20-year-old, 6’6″ wing brings a lot to the table for the Wizards. He can handle the ball well. He’s got great vision as a passer. He’s one of the team’s best rebounders (although that’s not saying much). And he’s a strong and versatile defender.
A skill set like that should easily help any team, but it’s not clear if the WIzards have yet figured out how best to use their 2018 first-round draft pick.
This season Brown has primarily played as a small forward, bouncing between the starting unit and the bench. For what it’s worth, Brown seems to play best when he has the ball in his hands and is able to create on the offensive end. He’s a very skilled passer which comes in handy in the halfcourt, where he can facilitate, and on the fast break, where he can push the ball up the court and still find open teammates.
But Brown isn’t often used as a facilitator. If he plays with the starting unit, he’ll have to rightfully defer to Beal. He’ll only be pushed back further on the pecking order when Wall returns next season. So instead he’s emerged one the defensive end as one of Washington’s stoppers alongside Isaac Bonga.
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But is Brown a ‘Three and D’ wing? The Wizards might want him to be, but his outside shot needs more work if he’s going to effectively fit that role. However, instead of trying to force Brown into a role that his diverse skillset doesn’t exactly lend itself to, why not find a role that suits him a bit more.