Given his at times lack of an offensive game, it may have been a bit of a divisive decision when Wizards head coach Brian Keefe slotted fourth-year wing Bilal Coulibaly into the starting 5 in place of the number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa, whose injury in previous seasons would have been the nail in the coffin on the season before it even began.
However, from the roster that general manager Will Dawkins built, headlined by All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, this temporary loss for the Wizards is not as much of a death blow.
Outside of Dybantsa, these Wizards have an impressive group of wings, including starter Kyshawn George and very good young players such as Will Riley and Justin Champagnie. They also have veteran, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton, who would have been all more than serviceable selections in place of Dybantsa in the starting five.
This makes the inclusion of fourth-year forward Bilal Coulibaly from France in the lineup a big show of confidence from Coach Keefe and his staff.
Bilal’s offensive game looks like it has taken another step forward
On the surface, Coulibaly finishing with 11 points could look pretty pedestrian as he averaged this last season. Still, the fluidity of getting that in the flow of the team’s offense, as well as a few moments when he turned his All-Defensive caliber play into offense, he more than held his own in place of Dybantsa.
Going four-for-six from the floor, including one-for-three from three, and finishing with a positive plus-minus showed stability at a time in this franchise where it is very needed for them to seriously compete.
The players behind Coulibaly in the rotation should make him better
The aforementioned Champagnie, who had the team’s highest plus-minus, or Will Riley, who did not even see the floor but is an incredibly impactful player when given chances, are there every day getting better. It isn’t like Coulibaly won’t have to keep showing growth to remain a constant in the lineup, even when Dybantsa returns.
The benefit of having this much talent and viable options for the Wizards is that it can pressure everyone to keep improving each day, without resting on their laurels, knowing that someone is ready and willing to take their spot if they slip.
So while Coulibaly, Wizards staff, and fans should be pleased with his performance through the first game, it’s important to remember it is just a first game. This cast, whether it is young players he’s competing with in practice, or vets he’s learning from, fans will see the best of Coulibaly this season.
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