With a core of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, jr., the Washington Wizards have had high expectations. They had hoped to compete for an Eastern Conference championship. However, this current era has been disappointing for the Wizards. So far they have not lived up the expectations that have been set for them.
The Wizards are in the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference. They will play the Toronto Raptors in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Making the playoffs is a minimal accomplishment in the NBA, where half of the teams qualify for the post season. In order for this season to be a success for Washington, they need to advance.
Despite their mediocre play this season, the Wizards have the talent to advance in the playoffs. However, several things need to happen for the Wizards to advance.
Wall, the team's point guard, needs to fully recovery from his injury and play well. Wall is one of the best passing point guards in the NBA. He is fast, skilled and athletic. He needs to create opportunities for his teammates by driving into the lane and dishing off to teammates.
Secondly, Wall needs to limit turnovers, While he plays quickly and athletically, he needs to play within control of himself. He needs to make good decisions with the basketball. His assist to turnover ratio needs to be good in the playoffs.
Additionally, Wall needs to make his jump shots. When Wall entered the NBA, he was not a good jump shooter. He worked on his game and developed a decent jump shot. Wall needs to shoot a high percentage in the series. He needs to make opposing defenses respect his ability to drive and shoot.
Beal, one of the best pure shooters in the NBA, needs to be on his game. Beal needs to come off screens and hit open shots. He also needs to create his own shots. He needs to be consistently good in the playoffs.
Porter, Jr., needs to be good from beyond the arc. His ability to hit three point shots stretches the defenses of the Wizards' opponents. Porter's three point shooting adds versatility to the Wizards' game. Porter's ability to make three point shots means that Washington does not have to exclusively rely on Wall and Beal for offensive strength.
Marcin Gortat needs to make shots close to the basket. Gortat also needs to be a force on the offensive and defensive boards. He needs to rebound the basketball and give the Wizards second chance opportunities and limit the Raptors' second chance opportunities.
Gortat needs to be a strong interior presence for Washington. When the Wizards play well, Gortat seems to be a big part of their success. While there is great emphasis on the perimeter in today's NBA, a team's interior play can often make the difference between winning and losing.
Wall and Gortat could also implement the pick and roll, which is a play that they run very well. This is an effective part of their offense and it gives the Wizards an important option in their half court offense.
In this scenario, Gortat sets a pick for Wall, who often draws a double team. When a team double covers Wall, Gortat is open. Sometimes Gortat moves towards the basket and Wall throws it over the defense, so that only Gortat can get it. At other times, Gortat trails Wall and gets the pass and then drives to the basket and finishes strong.
The pick and roll is difficult to defend in part because the defense does not know where Wall will dribble to and where Gortat will be. The Wizards run variations of the play which keeps the defenders guessing. In any event, it is a very effective play, and the Wizards need to run it well in order to advance in the playoffs.
Additionally, Gortat needs to be a strong defensive presence in the interior. He needs to play tough defense and get his share of offensive and defense rebounds as well.
Marquis Morris can make mid range jump shots. He needs to be a consistent option for the Wizards in this area. He needs to be able to move to the area around the foul line and consistently make jump shots. If he can be consistent in this area, then the Wizards can have another option to go along with Wall, Beal, Porter and Gortat.
Ian Mahinmi can make a difference off the bench as well. He can score close to the basket. He is adept at scoring with his left or his right hand close to the hoop. His rebounding ability can help the Wizards' second unit. If Mahinmi can rebound and score off of misses, that will help the Wizards' bench to be competitive. Additionally, Mahinmi has a strong move to the basket and can dunk well. Also, if Mahinmi can play well, that will allow the Wizards to rest Gortat.
Kelly Oubre can also provide help off the bench. Oubre is athletic and he can shoot well beyond the arc. He is also good in transition. Oubre needs to be a dynamic presence for the Wizards' second unit. If he plays well, that would allow the Wizards to rest Porter, jr. at times.
Additionally, Tomas Satoransky can lead the second unit as a point guard. He's an adept handler of the basketball with passing skills. If Oubre, Saroransky, Mahinmi and the other reserves play well, then the Wizards will be able to maintain leads when the starters are resting.
Playing good defense will also be key. Each Wizards' player needs to play tough defense for the entire game. They need to observe the fundamentals of strong defensive play. They need to stay between their man and the basketball, deny passes to the interior, constest shots, play with grit and toughness and be in good position to get offensive and defensive rebounds. There is simply no substitute for strong defensive play.
The Wizards also need to do their best to not allow points in transition. Wall, because of his quickness, can get back in transition. His speed even allows him to block lay ups during a fast break. It's essential that the Wizards do not concede points. Every shot must be contested.
Perhaps, above all, the Wizards need to be mentally strong. They need to play hard on every play and limit their mistakes. They need good shot selection and a strong commitment to offensive and defensive rebounding. They have to avoid mental lapses and they have to give maximum effort on every play.
During the playoffs, a team shows how much pride it has. The playoffs reveal how badly a team wants to win. The playoffs show the character of a team.
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