The NBA is back, and the first week of action has wrapped up. The Washington Wizards underwent a massive reshuffling in the offseason, and it was finally time for the team to hit the court. They currently sit at 1-1, losing on the road to the Indiana Pacers before beating the Memphis Grizzlies in the District. The two games had stark differences, and there were many talking points. Now, let’s go about breaking down week one for the Wizards.
Breaking Down Week 1 for the Washington Wizards
Green Light from Deep
During the offseason, Wizard’s head coach Wes Unseld Jr. spoke about changes to the offense. He wanted to focus on pushing the pace and shooting more threes. These focuses were evident through the first week, and the importance is seen in both box scores. Across the first two games, the Wizards are shooting 35.7% from behind the arc, right around the league average. However, the team averages 35 attempts per game, already up from last season’s mark of 31.7.
Furthermore, in their game against Memphis, the team launched 46 attempts from deep. In the loss to Indiana, they only shot 24 three-pointers. The math seems simple: shoot more threes and win. One thing is certain: the team has been given the green light, and hopefully, there are more barrages from downtown in store for this season.
Protecting the Point of Attack
One of the main concerns for the Wizards was the defensive capacity of their starting backcourt. Tyus Jones is a solid defender but remains undersized in the modern NBA. Jordan Poole has the tools to be an excellent defender, but his effort level lapses from play to play. This vulnerability was laid bare in the season opener against budding All-Star PG Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton scored an efficient 20 points and recorded 11 assists on the night. Another concerning factor was that the Pacers’ other rotation guards, Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, and Andrew Nembhard, scored 12 or more points. In Nembhard’s case, he recorded 10 assists off the bench. The defense at the point of attack was borderline nonexistent, allowing Indiana to run their offense without resistance. The result was that Indiana scored 143 points against a capitulating Washington defense.
The game against the Grizzlies offered further insight into this predicament. Playing without franchise cornerstone Ja Morant, the Grizzlies lack a true point guard. For this reason, the Wizards were able to defend much more efficiently at the point of attack. Much of this credit should go to Deni Avdija, who took the assignment of Desmond Bane. While Bane scored 26 by the end of the night, nearly all of them came in transition or after getting a screen and switch. It was obvious that Avdija made the Grizzlies’ number-two option uncomfortable in the half-court. One concern for Unseld Jr. and his coaching staff going forward is that opposition backup guards regularly post positive minutes against the Wizards. In fact, Derrick Rose and John Konchar were two of the only Grizzlies to finish with positive PERs.
Winning the Free Throw Battle
Last season, the Wizards were one of the league’s bottom-feeders when it came to free throws attempted. As a whole, the team attempted 22.4 per contest, good for 22nd in the NBA. In the two games to open this season, the team has flipped this narrative, averaging 25.5 each night. This mark would be tied for third in the rankings from last season. The adjustments made by the coaching staff have helped with this, as the focus on getting out on the fast break has opened up driving lanes. More importantly, they have outshot both their opponents from the line, pointing to an understated discipline around the team. Winning the free throw battle on a nightly basis will give this young team a building block to take into the next couple of years, so it will be something to monitor throughout the season.
Examining the Star Duo
Much of the discourse around the Wizards this offseason surrounded their new star duo of Poole and Kyle Kuzma. The output from the Wizards’ leading men is a mixed bag through two games. On the surface, both are averaging more than 22 points per contest, with Kuzma contributing seven rebounds per night and Poole throwing in 3.5 assists. Unfortunately, the underlying statistics show the struggle both have had through the first week. Poole’s eFG% is 41%, with Kuzma slightly higher at 46%, yet both are well below the league average from last season. Kuzma is shooting 14.3% from behind the arc, dragging him down. Poole is also struggling from behind the line, shooting 22% from three. Kuzma and Poole are posting around three turnovers per night as well, something that will worry Unseld Jr.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, as they have each had shining moments. For Kuzma, when the Memphis game was getting close down the stretch, he took over with an 11-point final quarter to send the Grizzlies home. Poole also had a big second half in the Memphis game, and off the floor seems to be the character core of the team, always laughing and smiling with teammates. Both players are adjusting to being the go-to option on the floor each night, and growing pains are normal. There will be an improvement as the team gels and adapts to new circumstances. Certainly, their coaching staff will be active with them between games, both on the practice court and in the film room.
This Team Will Be Fun
The Wizards are only two contests into an 82-game marathon. They set off with a team full of new players who need time, reps, and patience to come together. The team’s style is modernizing on the court at a rapid clip. While off it, the front office seems to be preparing for the road ahead. Like any team early in the season, there are worrying and promising signs abound. After breaking down week one for the Washington Wizards, one thing is for sure. This retooling feels like it is off to a promising start.
