Wiz of Awes
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3 things Johnny Davis has to do in year 2 to prove he is not a bust

By Cem Yolbulan

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Johnny Davis #1 of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2023 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Johnny Davis #1 of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2023 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Defensive playmaking

Johnny Davis’ strongest NBA skill currently is his individual defense. He has good size and strength for his position, helping him stay in front of perimeter players and guard multiple positions. He doesn’t get pushed around easily and he works hard on the defensive end, making him a tough matchup. He needs to continue working on his defensive building blocks and embrace his role as a defensive stopper.

The calling card for Davis’ game is the defense. If he is going to get consistent minutes for the Wizards, it will be for his defensive chops. He showed his upside on that end in the Summer League as well. He is aggressive, can pressure the ball, and likes to bother shots.

One area he needs to show improvement at the NBA level is defensive playmaking. Despite being an engaged defender, he can still be more active as a help defender. He needs to get into the passing lanes, bother drivers, and protect the rim as a weakside defender. He had 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks per game for the Capital City Go-Go last season. Those numbers are decent but if he can add a little more help plays to his game, his defensive potential will hit another level.

This is especially important since Davis is a good transition player. If he can force more turnovers and missed shots, this will give him an opportunity to run the floor and get easy buckets on the other end. For a player who struggles in the half-court, going on fast breaks to help boost his efficiency is a great way to gain his confidence.

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