Washington Wizards fans knew when their team acquired Cam Whitmore how talented of a scorer he was. But in showing off his explosive downhill finishing as well as the other intricacies of his game, the fanbase is beginning to see that Whitmore is not only a fun guy to watch, but he's becoming a true difference-maker.
“He’s really acclimated well to our culture and our environment,” Brian Keefe said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him as a person and, obviously, as a player. You can see the stuff that he does well: attacking the rim. You’ve seen the defensive progress guarding individual players, his ability to get in the paint and the shooting ability.”
It's been the increase in opportunity for Whitmore that has led to people beginning to see the vision with him. It's fair to say that Washington probably hasn't had a true high level downhill threat since the peak Bradley Beal days. Cam's ability to make hard drives to the hoop and finish in transition give the Wizards a new dimension that makes it easier for others on the roster to thrive.
Whitmore's scoring is collapsing defenses with consistency. This is something Washington has been desperately needing to create easier shots for everyone else. There's not a ton of wings Cam's age that can put pressure on the rim the way he does. Defenders have no choice but to respect his first step, and that helps to pull the defense away from shooters and change opposing defensive schemes.
Cam Whitmore continues to develop, and he's just scratching the surface
Wizards fans have been having a ball watching Whitmore shift defenses so far this season. His athleticism makes him a constant cutting threat, which forces defenses to stay honest off the ball as well. And on top of his physical attributes and the way he immediately impacts the game when he checks in, it's clear that Cam has also made an effort to fit in with the team's culture, and that's no small thing. Maturity and buy-in is everything when you're starting out with a new team.
Keefe's words hint at Cam's improved individual defense and growing feel for the game. We always knew that Whitmore's physical tools would give him the potential to become a great defender. Now, we can see that he's begun to apply some of that potential, making progress with his individual defensive assignments.
If Whitmore can become a consistent two-way presence for Washington, the ceiling is going to rise dramatically not just for him but for the team as a whole. The Wizards' roster it's only growing when it comes to athleticism, versatility, and two-way potential. Cam continuing to develop in this way would add another wrinkle to this young core's identity.
At the end of the day, Cam Whitmore is really only scratching the surface when it comes to what he can become. There is still plenty of room for him to grow as a playmaker, shooter, and overall decision maker. He's already a problem for defenses, and this is nowhere close to his final form. Should he continue to develop at the trajectory he's been on, he could accelerate Washington's trajectory much faster than expected.