3 Takeaways from Game 2 of the Preseason

The Washington Wizards finished playing game two of their preseason series with the Golden St. Warriors in Japan. The game did look like a typical Wizards performance over the years, with them executing all-around, which is followed with blowing a double-digit lead to lose the game. Luckily, it does not count on the record and future rotation pieces weren’t in the game during that stretch.

Unfortunately, the Wizards lost both games in tightly contested games. Losses in the preseason do not tell the overall picture for an organization. That is the case in this situation with the Wizards.

Now we are halfway through the preseason. The regular season is fastly approaching. Before we set our sights on the 82 games, we need to settle in and focus on the present.

Johnny Davis might have Found a Role

In the beginning of the off-season, the Wizards were headed to the draft aiming for some potential guard/wing help. They took Johnny Davis with the 10th overall pick to help in that respect. However, the young guard’s play in the Summer League was disappointing to say the least.

The preseason was his next chance to prove the doubters wrong and show improvement from the Summer League to now. From an offensive standpoint, he is still dismal. In game two, Davis went 0-7 from the field, including 0-2 from three. That is now 0-12 from the field over the course of two games in the preseason.

That is genuinely alarming for a top ten pick. However, that is only one side of the game. Davis looked really good on the defensive end. His rebounding and hustle was impressive. Furthermore, he is able to laterally move as a defender, while knowing where to be off the ball on that end.

Davis’ offense needs a LOT of improvement, but as of now his role can be a defensive guard off the bench.

Daniel Gafford does Everything

The first big man off the bench was the fourth-year center, Daniel Gafford. From the moment he stepped on the floor, Gafford was determined to contribute in every which way possible.

Gafford has always been a good rebounder, who never gives up on a play. That was in full display once again, but there was a different element he brought against the Warriors; his passing.

Gafford had some beautiful dimes to cutters, with the one above being the most eye-popping. He didn’t score from the field on any pick-and-rolls, putbacks, or lobs, but the big man showed what he can bring to the team.

The one thing we want from Gafford is just consistency. We would love to see the hustle, along with this top of the key passing, on a consistent basis. That isn’t guaranteed all the time with him, but this is definitely an encouraging start.

Rui wants the Starting Spot

The one starting spot that wasn’t filled heading into training camp was the other starting forward spot next to Kyle Kuzma. There were a few players vying for that position in the lineup. One was Deni Avdija, who has not suited up in the preseason yet due to an injury. The other is Will Barton, who made his preseason debut in the second game, but off the bench. Lastly, there was Rui Hachimura.

This past week has been monumental for Rui, as he gets to play in his home country of Japan. He truly felt like a star there, and he wanted to deliver to his fans in attendance. And deliver he did in the second game.

Rui was able to compile a double-double, while having some nice finishes on a top tier defense in the Warriors.

In this game, Rui stamped himself as the frontrunner for the final starting gig with the Wizards. That would be a welcome sight, after years dealing with injuries and personal issues. Furthermore, this is contract year. If Rui plays like this for the entirety of the year, he should start and play more years in the nation’s capital.