Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: 2021-22 season goals for the starting five

By Caleb Sarvis

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 09: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks at Capital One Arena on October 09, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 09: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks at Capital One Arena on October 09, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) – Washington Wizards
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) – Washington Wizards /

Season goals for the Washington Wizards starting shooting guard and small forward:

Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard
50-40-90 Club

Two years ago, Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics became the first player in WNBA history to shoot 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line over the course of an entire season. She’s now part of an exclusive club that includes only NINE players from the NBA.

Could Bradley Beal follow in her footsteps?

Beal has hit 40% from beyond the arc three times in his career (2014, 2015, and 2017) but has yet to hit 50% from the field, though last season he finished with a career-high at 48.5%. His free throw percentage has gotten better every season since 2017, including a career-high 89% last year.

He’s right there. A deeper roster should lead to smarter shot selection, and more opportunities to get to the foul line.

We’ve seen Beal score 60 in a game. We’ve seen him average over 30 a game in back-to-back seasons. Can he make history again this season?

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Small Forward
Keep Opponents Under 43% from the Field

Caldwell-Pope was brought in to play a very specific role for the Wizards: reliable 3-and-D on the wing. However, last season for the Lakers, opponents shot 48% when defended by KCP, including 39% on three-pointers.

Not exactly what we’re looking for.

If Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to be the defender the Wizards need him to be, he’ll have to play something closer to the year before, when the Lakers won the NBA Championship. That season, opponents shot 43.9% from the field and 32.5% on three-points when he was the primary defender.

If he can be just a little better on the defensive side than that 2019-2020 season, that could unlock a lot of good for the Wizards this season.

Home/Wizards News