Washington Wizards: Records are being set, but not the right ones

The Washington Wizards have had some pretty impressive feats this season. But they’re not winning, so who cares?

If you were only looking at early-season accolades or individual box scores, you might think the 2020-21 season has gotten out to a wonderful start for the Washington Wizards. A few record-setting performances might have you hopping on or even leading the Wizards bandwagon. But the news of new records doesn’t tell the whole story, not by any means.

Take the early season performances from Russell Westbrook, for example. The guy has been doing unprecedented things for the franchise and the season isn’t even two weeks old.

Westbrook’s first game — 21 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds vs. the Philadelphia 76ers — was classic Westbrook. He did a little bit of everything and became the first Wizards/Bullets player to record a triple-double in his debut. His third game, another triple-double vs. the Chicago Bulls (21 points, 11 assists, 15 rebounds), made him the second player to ever record three triple-doubles in his first three games of the season. Oscar Robertson is the only other.

Westbrook has now played four games. Four triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal are doing everything except winning for the Washington Wizards.

Despite missing two of the Wizards’ games already, Westbrook is among the league leaders in several categories. As of January 2, his 49 total assists rank third in the league. Westbrook is averaging 12.3 dimes per game, second to only Nikola Jokic.

On the boards, Westbrook is ranked third in rebounds per game, eighth in total defensive rebounds, and twelfth in total rebounds. Only Andre Drummond and Rudy Gobert are pulling in more than Westbrook’s 12.8 rebounds each game.

Westbrook is not done setting records this season. The current franchise leader in triple-doubles is Darrell Walker. Walker recorded 15 triple-doubles in 283 games for the Washington Bullets. I’d be surprised if Westbrook doesn’t eclipse that mark by the end of February. Westbrook has also come just two rebounds shy of tying the franchise’s single-game rebound record for a guard: 17, done by both Darrell Walker and Earl Monroe.

And Westbrook isn’t the only record-setting Wizard this season. Bradley Beal‘s stellar start has also earned him a place in the record books and among the league leaders. After his performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves (31 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds), Beal ranked first in the NBA in minutes played (211), field goals attempted (134), two-point field goals attempted (101), two-point field goals (55), and total points (187). He ranked second in total field goals (64). He’s also getting to the foul line with great frequency, ranking second and third in total makes and attempts, respectively.

While many thought Russell Westbrook’s arrival would hurt Beal’s rarely seen individual numbers from the past two seasons, that doesn’t seem to be the case. After scoring 31 vs. Minnesota, Beal became the first player in franchise history to score at least 25 points in each of the season’s first six games.

It all sounds pretty great, right? Well, the Wizards have little to show for these historic starts to the season. It wasn’t until Beal’s sixth 30-point game (a game Westbrook missed) that the Wizards were able to convert some of these all-star stat lines into a win. The records are great,  but the Wizards’ record, 1-5, is not. So who cares.

Another way you can look at Westbrook’s triple-double streak? He’s now the first player ever to record a triple-double in six consecutive losses, dating back to last season. And while Beal ranks near the top of the NBA in a ton of impressive scoring stats, he’s also top ten in total turnovers. He’s next to a familiar name, too. Russell Westbrook ranks just above Beal in total turnovers.

The Washington Wizards haven’t had a pair of players like Westbrook and Beal ever. The unprecedented numbers speak for themselves. By season’s end, the two will likely have a laundry list of feats never previously done in franchise history. But what’s the point if the Wizards can’t win anything along the way?

The records are impressive, sure. But the most important record, the win-loss record, is unimpressive. And the Wizards need to fix that fast of they’re to end their playoff drought.