Injury woes. Key players being pulled late in games. And of course, losses.
Finding something to be positive about has been difficult for Wizards fans, sitting at 16-40 with 26 games left.
It’s likely to be yet another disappointing season for Washington, as the team looks to solidify their draft position for next season. However, even amidst the team’s current woes, Washington have shown flashes of life over their recent stretch of games.
From up-and-coming young players providing contributions, to key developments across the league, there’s been increased reason to believe for Washington fans over the past week. Even amidst a bumpy season, the franchise may be headed down a positive path at the right time.
Bilal Coulibaly’s offensive emergence
A “difference maker around the rim.” An “upper-level athlete”. When Bilal Coulibaly was coming out of the draft, such comparisons were commonplace, as NBA teams envisioned the Wizard as a two-way guard.
So far, that hasn’t totally been the case. Coulibaly has struggled to put it together offensively early in his NBA career, just a 28% shooter from 3-point range, and a 41% shooter from the field. Teams are able to leave him open beyond the arc, creating a liability on offense.
Of late, however, Coulibably seems to have found some footing. The 25-year old is averaging 14 ppg on almost 54% shooting from 3-point range over the last four games, well above his season averages.
The guard’s improvement in recent games has stemmed from his development working away from the ball. Coulibaly has shown flashes of ability to be a great cutter, allowing him to create open 3-point opportunities for himself.
By forcing teams to defend him from the perimeter, Coulibaly has also been able to better tap into his threat as a driver. We’re now seeing him tap into the explosiveness around the basket that made him such a popular prospect, as NBA defenses begin to respect him as a shooter.
It’s only been a small sample of this type of offensive output for Coulibaly. But if he can continue to stay hot, he could become a much more intriguing piece for the Wizards’ future.
Alondres Williams’ arrival
Coulibaly isn’t the only young Wizards guard who has broken through in recent games. 26-year old Alondes Williams, fresh off of signing a 10-day contract with Washington, has been a surprising spark for the Wizards on offense of late.
Williams isn’t the most talented shooter, or the most physically gifted driver. But what he lacks in traits, he makes up for with his physicality. The guard has proved to be a force of nature around the rim, charging down the lane on backdoor cuts, and out-muscling fellow guards on tip-ins.
Where Williams has helped the Wizards the most, however, has been his rebounding. Washington has struggled mightily on the boards all year, ranking near the bottom of the league in contested rebounding rate.
From offensive rebounds to putbacks, the guard has given Washington a better chance on every possession,. His ability to create second opportunities, from tip-ins to offensive rebounds, has been crucial with key rebounders like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George out.
As the season rolls on, expect Williams to remain a part of the rotation, providing the Wizards with some much-needed toughness and physicality.
A schedule fit for a tank
Given the team’s desire to develop young talent, the key developments from young Wizards are certainly incredible news. But with Washington’s likely objective being a shot at the #1 overall pick, the Wizards’ optimism should lie in their upcoming schedule.
Per Tankathon, the Wizards have an upcoming strength of schedule of 0.527, ranking third in the NBA. Their competitors to be the odds-on favorite for the top pick, the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Utah Jazz, rank 5th, 10th, and 19th in remaining strength of schedule respectively.
The Wizards have a chance to put themselves in prime position for a bright future, adding another young talent to fit alongside their core. Even as the losses pile up, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, with Coulibaly, Williams, and hopes of a new young star giving reason to believe in the future.