Five Games Into Season, The Wizards Dumpster Fire Has Started

by
Former Writers
October 27, 2018

The finger pointing in the Washington Wizards locker room has already begun. It started after the Wizards lost 116-112 to the Sacramento Kings last night. Bradley Beal commented after the game to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post about their 1-4 start:

“It’s talking. After the game, you hear it be loud as [expletive] in here, but during the game, it’s church mice,” Beal said, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post.

“So we got to figure out — get out [of] that comfort zone. Sometimes we have our own agendas on the floor whether it’s complaining about shots, complaining about playing time, complaining about whatever it may be. We’re worried about the wrong [expletive], and that’s not where our focus needs to be and it’s just going to continue to hurt us.”

John Wall Speaks About The Wizards Struggles

In Beal’s comments after the game, he basically said that some on the Wizards roster have their own agendas. For a team that definitely has enough talent to make the playoffs, this isn’t a good sign. To add more fuel to the “dumpster fire” that is the Wizards right now, John Wall also spoke to reporters after the game. He pretty much echoed Beal’s sentiments.

“That’s the proof in the pudding. Everybody on their own agenda,” Wall said. “We showed glimpses when we do stuff as a team. We show how good we can be and then we go back to trying to do it individually, and that’s mostly on the defensive end. Not helping each other out, not team rebounding, and that’s what’s killing us.

Wall spoke more about the struggles the Wizards are going through.

“It’s just communication. Just putting effort. We got guys who’s worried about who’s getting shots, where the ball is going on the offensive end. We should never worry about that,” Wall said. “No matter if we’re missing or making shots, we got to be able to compete on the other end and if you can’t do it on both ends of the floor, you don’t need to be playing.”

It’s Time For Wall and Beal To Step Up And Lead

It’s understandable that both Wall and Beal are frustrated about the Wizards 1-4 start. However, during struggles like this, calling out players through the media isn’t a good look. They’re the Wizards two best players, and they have to lead by example. What they both said should’ve been discussed behind closed doors. It’s simple time for Wall and Beal to rally the troops and step up and lead.

It’s going to take effort and dedication from every single player on the roster to turn this around. In their 1-4 start thus far, they’ve only been dominated in one game. That game was on Wednesday night on the road against the Golden State Warriors. When you think about it, the Wizards could easily be either 3-2 or 4-1 right now. They’ve lost games to the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings due to bad late game execution.

The Wizards Need More From Otto Porter Jr.

Otto Porter Jr, who’s the Wizards highest paid player, is struggling right now. So far this season in five games played, Porter Jr. is averaging 10.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 29.6 minutes. His three point shooting is way down from last season in which he shot 44.3% from three point range. As of right now, Porter Jr. Is shooting 23.8% from three point range.

Obviously, Porter Jr. isn’t the blame for all of the Wizards’ problems, but the Wizards need more from him. His four-year, $107 million max offer sheet he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2017, which the Wizards matched, elevated expectations. To make things worse for Porter Jr, Kelly Oubre Jr. has been great this season. Oubre Jr. is averaging 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.4 minutes played off the bench.

If Wizards Don’t Turn Things Around, They Should Consider Blowing Up The Roster

The Wizards still have plenty of time to turn things around. They’re still waiting on their big man, Dwight Howard, who hasn’t played this season yet due to what they are describing as “gluteal soreness”. They would like to see just how good they can be with a healthy Howard at their disposal. But if the struggles continue for the next two or three weeks, they should start making changes.

If changes were to be made, expect Wizards coach Scott Brooks to be fired. Brooks was brought in to help coach this team to contending status. So far, he hasn’t done that. Also, if things don’t get better, they really should consider fielding calls for either Wall or Beal. Most Wizards’ fans won’t like that, but the core of this roster has been together for the past few seasons and haven’t got the job done.

Plus, the future of the Wizards right now isn’t bright. They don’t have the flexibility to get drastically better to contend with the NBA’s elite. Also, the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors (especially if Kawhi Leonard re-signs), Philadelphia 76ers, who are the top three teams in the east, have brighter futures and aren’t going anywhere.

You can even add the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets to that list due to a star wanting to play in a big market. At best, the Wizards are in the middle of the pack in the east. To sum it all up, whether the Wizards like it or not, the clock’s ticking on them to right the ship. Next up for the Wizards is a showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Sunday night.