The Washington Wizards' decision atop the NBA Draft wasn't an easy one, though many believed the answer was obvious all along.
There's no secret that the debate leading up to the draft was whether AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson should be the No. 1 overall pick.
Both players had their own sets of strengths that could help create an argument for why they were the best selection in the top spot, but the pros and cons between the two were drastically different.
Dybants and Peterson were both considered explosive scorers in their own right, but the concerns about their fit at the next level were drastically different.
For Dybantsa, there were little to no concerns about how his game would translate to the NBA, and it's fair to say there wasn't much, if any, worry about the player off the court either.
As for Peterson, though, his questionable work ethic and mentality caused Washington to eventually pass on him with their top pick.
After Thursday's head-to-head battle between Dybantsa and Peterson, it's safe to say that not only did the BYU standout prove he was worthy of the top selection, but he also put the spotlight on the weakness that scared Washington away from the guard.
AJ Dybantsa cares more about team success than individal stats, does Peterson?
Dybantsa was a walking highlight during his first game as a Wizard, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in his debut.
Although the star forward finished with an unreal stat line, he proved early in the game that he wasn't out there to chase individual stats, but instead he was more than willing to do what the team needed from him to win.
Dybantsa brought the ball up on several occasions; he made the right reads time and time again (although his two assists won't show that), and he locked in on the defensive end, which shouldn't be overlooked considering not all stars in the league are committed enough to do that, especially in summer league.
On the flip side, Peterson's squad quickly faced a double-digit deficit that they were never able to overcome, and a major reason for this stems from the fact that the Jazz playmaker seemed to have his mind locked on outplaying Dybantsa and making a statement rather than making plays that could put his team in position.
And don't get me wrong, on the stat sheet, Peterson put together another impressive Summer League showing, finishing with 24 points, three assists, and three rebounds, but between his efficiency and costly mistakes, Utah fell short.
Obviously, winning summer league games doesn't mean anything, but Dybantsa has made it clear even before joining the Wizards that winning is his top priority, and if Peterson's is individual success, it proves he wasn't the right player for Washington.
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