Wiz of Awes
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Johnny Davis’ shooting form raises alarm bells for the Washington Wizards

By Cem Yolbulan

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Johnny Davis #1 of the Washington Wizards shoots against the Cairns Taipans during the second half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 10, 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Johnny Davis #1 of the Washington Wizards shoots against the Cairns Taipans during the second half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 10, 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards’ first preseason game was generally a triumph. The team looked good and played a fun style of basketball in a dominant win. However, there was one issue that could be a real problem for the Wizards going forward: Johnny Davis’ shot looks broken.

The Wizards’ lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Davis struggled with his shot all of last season. Perhaps, the organization is trying to rework the form on his jump shot, but it currently doesn’t look promising, as pointed out by one X user.

This was the only three Davis took last night. It was wide open with plenty of time to load. However, it just doesn’t look right. The shot is not in one fluid motion, the release point is too far from his body and the elbow completely pops out to the side. That is basically textbook “how not to shoot.”

The signs of trouble were evident in a post on X at the beginning of training camp. The uncomfortable glitch on Davis’ shot is already there when he is going through a shooting drill in practice.

https://www.twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1709267095895023660?s=20

This could be a work in progress and the shot could look better once he gets more comfortable with the new form. It could also be that Davis is in his own head about his shot after hitting only 24.3% of his NBA threes last season. The two-motion jump shot could be a result of him overthinking about his form. If it’s indeed a mental or psychological issue, it could be a major problem going forward.

For reference, this is what the Wisconsin product’s jump shot looked like before his rookie season:

https://twitter.com/chasedcsports/status/1580264619842494464?s=20

The change in form is crystal clear.

If Davis continues to be uncomfortable with his shot, this will seriously lower his ceiling as a prospect. Succeeding in the NBA as a shooting guard who can’t shoot is difficult. Doing so without having elite size, athleticism, or playmaking like Davis, is close to impossible.

Hopefully, for both Johnny Davis’ and the Wizards’ sake, this is just a bump in the road and Davis gets his confidence and shooting touch back soon. The Wizards need Davis to get as close to his potential as possible to feel better about their future. This will be something the Wizards fans need to keep track of all season.

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