Washington Wizards: 4 things the Wizards will be better at this season
By Ethan Smith
The Washington Wizards will be better on the boards
The Washington Wizards had more than one weakness last season, but one of their biggest holes was on the boards. During the 2019-20 season, the Wizards ranked 28th in total rebounding and dead last in rebound percent.
However, there’s reason to be hopeful that the Wizards won’t get bullied on the boards all season. For one, Thomas Bryant should be better this year. He was hampered by injury throughout the regular season. In 38 games before the season was suspended, Bryant averaged 6.8 rebounds per game. A marginal increase over the 6.3 he averaged the season prior despite having a larger role on the team. In the bubble, however, a healthier Bryant showed he could be better. During those final eight games in Orlando, Bryant averaged 8.9 rebounds per game.
Bryant’s new frontcourt backup, Robin Lopez, is a rebounding upgrade, as well. Although his raw averages from last season aren’t great (5.1 rebounds per game), Lopez led the NBA in box-outs per 36 minutes.
Russell Westbrook, one of the greatest rebounding guards in NBA history, will also help in the rebounding department. Westbrook’s rebounding rates from last season are nearly identical to those of Troy Brown Jr and Rui Hachimura.
- Westbrook: Offensive: 5.1; Defensive: 18.1; Total:11.5
- Hachimura: Offensive: 5.7; Defensive: 17.0; Total: 11.1
- Brown Jr: Offensive: 4.5; Defensive: 19.6; Total: 11.7
Although neither are prolific rebounders in the NBA, they among the best on the Wizards. Hachimura and Brown ranked second and fourth, respectively, in rebounds per game for the Wizards last season.