We are days away from the start of the NBA season and little-by-little, tweet-by-tweet, the Washington Wizards are roping me back into hopeful optimism.
I’ve started thinking about Bradley Beal-Corey Kispert pick and rolls. I’ve been daydreaming about Spencer Dinwiddie lobs to Daniel Gafford. Hell, we have enough shooting now to challenge the history books.
The Wizards are motivating me. My daughter will be here any day now. I’ve set goals for myself, so I’d like to set goals for them as well.
Below you’ll find a realistic and achievable goal for each member of the Wizards’ projected starting five (assuming Rui Hachimura makes his way back to the starting unit). One that would not only elevate their game but could help this team reach the playoffs.
Season goal for the Washington Wizards starting point guard:
Spencer Dinwiddie, Point Guard
6:1 Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
Dinwiddie’s career averages are 5 assists and 1.7 turnovers a game, putting his assist-to-turnover ratio somewhere around 3:1. Not bad, but when you’re talking about your starting point guard for the foreseeable future, you’d like to see that range grow a little bit wider.
In 2019-2020, Dinwiddie averaged a career-high 6.8 assists per game, but it also took a usage rate of almost 30% to get there, resulting in a career-high 2.7 turnovers as well.
If the Wizards are serious about becoming a better defensive team, limiting turnovers on the offensive end is a good place to start. Dinwiddie is a truly capable passer and a 6:1 assist-to-turnover ratio would mean doubling his assist numbers without increasing his turnover rate. Sounds lofty, but as long as he trusts his teammates and develops a little more patience, he can get it done.