Well, the news is finally here, Washington Wizards fans! After a lengthy process in which the Wizards interview a bevy of candidates, they have finally decided on who will be leading the bench next season. It’s a name that Washington sports fans should definitely recognize.
Wes Unseld Jr. is the son of Hall of Famer and former NBA champion Wes Unseld, the greatest player in Wizards franchise history. After his illustrious playing career, Unseld coached the Washington Bullets from 1987-1994. And now his son, Wes Unseld Jr, will follow in his footsteps as the next head coach of the Washington Wizards. Darren Hayes of WUSA9 was the first to break the news. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the two sides are expected to reach an agreement very soon.
https://twitter.com/DarrenMHaynes/status/1416105578443808768?s=20
Unseld comes to the Wizards after six seasons with the Denver Nuggets, the last five of which he was the lead assistant for the team. But for Unseld, it all started with the Wizards, for whom he was an assistant from 2005-11 after working as an advanced scout from 1997-2005. He then spent three seasons in Orlando before joining the Nuggets.
After a nearly month-long search for their next head coach, the Washington Wizards have found their man, Wes Unseld Jr.
First things first, I must applaud the Wizards for their approach to this hire. There have been many reasons to be critical of this franchise over the last few seasons. However, this is not one of them. During this search, the Wizards took their time and interviewed numerous qualified coaches, many of whom would have been solid choices. They didn’t stress out and quickly hire a coach with ties to a superstar like they did with Scott Brooks.
The Wizards did their due diligence. Even if Unseld, who, as a top assistant around the league with existing ties to the organization, seemed like the obvious choice, the Wizards made sure he was the right one. So for once…I have to give them some credit.
Make no mistake. Unseld was not hired simply because of his last name. The idea that he may have gotten the job for that reason alone is laughable. He certainly has a connection to the organization, but he also has the chops to deserve a head coaching gig in Washington and anywhere else.
There is a lot to like about Unseld as a coach, and he has done nothing but impressively pay his dues as an assistant up to this point. Now that he has a chance to run the show, here are three reasons why Wes Unseld Jr. is a great hire for the Washington Wizards.
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.
Wes Uneseld Jr’s coaching demeanor will help the Washington Wizards
The last two head coaches for the Washington Wizards have been on opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Randy Whittman brought a no-nonsense, ‘my way or the highway’ type of coaching that sometimes rubbed players the wrong way. Scott Brooks, on the other hand, was a player-coach who seemed to hold players a bit less accountable, to put it lightly.
With Unseld, it appears that he can bring a balance. When the Wizards were reportedly down to a handful of finalists, Fred Katz of The Athletic examined the pros and cons of the remaining candidates. What stuck out about Unseld was his receptiveness. He seems open to listening to anything that anyone on the team has to say and will take all of this into account when making his final decisions. In the end, he will make what choice he thinks is correct but is always open to suggestions.
At the same time, Unseld means business. Don’t expect him to defer to superstars. He will hold guys accountable in the process of implementing the best system for success, all while trying to keep Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook happy. It’s no easy task, but Unseld seems to have the right demeanor to reach this team.
Wes Unseld Jr. is ready for anyting
The Washington Wizards find themselves in a win-now mode with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook still on the roster. However, they could be faced with an inevitable rebuild at any time. Beal currently has a $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, and the Wizards will soon be able to offer him an extension that could keep him in Washington well beyond that. But Beal could decide not to sign the extension. He could decide to turn down the player option in hopes of a payday with a team on the cusp of a championship. There’s a real chance the Wizards could be forced to (or choose to) blow it up at any moment. With that in mind, they needed a coach up to the challenge of coaching either type of team: a team ready to compete in the playoffs or a team rebuilding.
We will not know what type of team Unseld will ultimately end up with, but it is clear from his track record as a coach that, regardless of the situation, he will adapt. Whether with a rebuilding team like the Orlando Magic or a perennial championship contender like the Denver Nuggets, Unseld has found success. He’s inheriting a roster full of talent as he gets his first head coaching job. Now, he needs to make the most of it.