Coming into the 2019-2020 NBA season, one thing was clear: The hierarchy of the NBA had been restructured with the fall of the Golden State Warriors and a busy off-season which saw many stars transition to new teams.
Many teams have taken advantage of this opportunity, with teams such as the Heat, Suns and the Raptors (without reigning Finals-MVP Kawhi Leonard) impressing many early on.
In Washington D.C., however, not much has changed from the previous season. Despite showing promise just three seasons back, the Washington Wizards are more displaced than ever, with no clear plan as to whether they want to rebuild or reload.
Bradley Beal is still in town, as management failing to find a suitable trade offer, and still without much of a supporting cast to consistently win games. John Wall was declared out for the season once again, and Otto Porter Jr. had been traded in the season prior. With the signing of the struggling Isaiah Thomas and the pick of Rui Hachimura in the 2019 NBA Draft, it was clear that the Wizards were playing for the future.
Player Analysis:
Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard: Following his first All-Star appearance in 2018, Beal excelled once again and averaged a career-best 25.6 points per game (PPG). He has continued his hot streak this season, as he’s 4th in the NBA in scoring with 28.9 PPG. Don’t expect him to stay put for long, however; another team is sure to make a trade offer for him.
Rui Hachimura, Forward: Following an outstanding campaign at Gonzaga the previous season, Hachimura was taken by the Wizards to help build a new foundation for the team. He has shown flashes in his rookie season, with back-to-back 21-point performances against the Cavaliers and Celtics. His efficiency has been superb, but his lack of 3-point shooting early on may raise some concerns. While he’s far from consistent, his development is key for the future of the Wizards.
Isaiah Thomas, Point Guard: Listen, I love Isaiah Thomas as much as anybody. The man has a great story and his work ethic is impeccable. While I appreciate the Wizards giving him an opportunity to be a starter again, it’s clear that Thomas is a shell of his former self. The hip injury he suffered in 2017 has caused his agility and speed to severely deteriorate, and it shows in his rapid fall from being a 30-point scorer to barely scraping 10 each game. His inconsistency and below-average defense (mainly due to his size) is a problem for the team, but without John Wall, the team just doesn’t have a better option at this point.
Thomas Bryant, Center: Bryant has been a solid option for the Wizards since the team signed him. He is a young, talented player, who has the potential to put up double-digit scoring and rebounding numbers on any given night. Continuing his development on defense, however, is key if the team wants to fix its defensive woes.
Troy Brown Jr., Shooting Guard/Small Forward: Drafted in 2018, Brown has seen an increase in minutes and has been bumped up to the starting rotation. His increase in playing time hasn’t led to any significant development for his numbers, however. While he has barely entered his sophomore season, he has much to do in order to prove his worth for the Wizards and stick around for the future.
The Supporting Cast:
Ish Smith, a solid backup, has filled the same role as Isaiah Thomas while acting as a better passer. His defensive woes are just as evident, however, and the Wizards’ lack of size at the guard position has been detrimental thus far. Moritz Wagner, after seeing limited minutes with the Lakers in his rookie season, has shot at an outstanding 64 percent from the field (4th best in the league) and has shown promise for the team moving forward. The addition of Davis Bertans adds to the team’s versatility on the offensive side of the ball, but it decreases the Wizards’ defensive consistency. This bench is far from the worst in the NBA, but it isn’t good enough to serve as a supporting cast to win games.
Season Analysis thus far (as of Thanksgiving):
The Wizards have played far better than their 5-10 record may suggest. The offense has been outstanding, with the second-highest offensive rating in the NBA, and scoring over 120 points in seven games further proves their dominance on offense. However, the team’s defense has been atrocious as a whole, with one of the worst defensive ratings in the entire league. This was especially evident in their Oct. 30 game against the Houston Rockets, where the team put up an astounding 158 points but gave up 159 points as well. Although the offensive intensity may spark up some fan excitement, the team does not inspire any confidence when it comes to winning games. Four of their victories came against other struggling teams–the Pistons, Thunder, Hornets and Spurs–while their blowout victory against the Timberwolves came against a team without its leading scorer. Given their weak competition in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards may sneak into the playoffs if they are able to improve on the defensive side of the ball. If they do sneak in, however, a quick exit will surely follow.
Fan Opinion:
“Personally, I’m not really expecting much from the Wizards this season. This season should really be more about developing the future and gaining assets for the draft. It’s not the most ideal place as a fan, but the front office should really take a page out of the Hawks’ book and work with what they have.” – Richard Montgomery High School junior Abhinav Karthikeyan
“Rui Hachimura is a beast. If I’m watching the Wizards, it’ll be because of him.” – Montgomery Blair High School sophomore Shar Mizui
“At this point, without John Wall and a lot of other supporting pieces, the Wizards aren’t gonna get anywhere this season. There’s simply too many better teams in the league, and their lack of a second option really puts them behind. Bradley Beal can’t do it all.” – Winston Churchill High School sophomore Rohin Garg
Article by Kevin Zhang of Richard Montgomery High School
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons