Washington Wizards: 3 Reasons why Wes Unseld Jr. is a great hire

Wes Unseld  Jr. will help the Washington Wizards improve their defense

It is no secret that the Wizards’ biggest downfall over the last few seasons has been their defense. They ranked 19th, 30th, and 28th, in defensive rating over the past three seasons. Bringing in a defensive-minded coach was a must, and Wes Unseld Jr. is just that.

While in Denver, Unseld was the main man who ran the defense. Under his tutelage, the Nuggets finished eighth in points allowed last season and second in defensive rebounding. It doesn’t stop there either, as the Nuggets finished in the upper echelon of defensive rating for multiple seasons under Unseld.

What’s more impressive is how Unseld achieved those rankings with the Nuggets roster, a roster led by star players like Nikla Jokic and Michael Porter Jr., who have never been known for their defense. The fact that Unseld was able to orchestrate a strong defense with guys that many don’t consider strong defenders is incredible.

In recent seasons, the Wizards have not looked too enthused on the defensive end. As those defensive rating rankings will tell you, that needs to change. Under Unseld, it will.

With firepower like Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook on the roster, offense should not be an issue. However, defense proved to be a different story last season. Beal and Westbrook are what make this team go. If Unseld can get them to at least show some interest in playing defense, we could be looking at a completely different team. By prioritizing defense and scheming against weak spots in the lineup, Unseld is the type of coach who could flip a switch for this team.