When the Washington Wizards selected Otto Porter (small forward) with the number three pick in this year’s NBA draft, there was reason to believe that the young team had just acquired a building block to go along with the already emerging John Wall (point guard) and Bradley Beal (shooting guard). The three were seen as the potential “Big Three” for a franchise that has been trying to develop top young talent as a way to become a competitive franchise.
In Porter, the Wizards got a versatile do-it-all type of player who compliments the ultra quick, athletic Wall and the sharp-shooting Beal.
At nearby Georgetown University, the tall and lanky Porter showed his overall game when he earned last year’s Big East Player of the Year designation and was a finalist for the Wooden Award (awarded to the nation’s best player). Add his game to the aforementioned young talents and the Wizards have solidified their backcourt and wing positions for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately for Washington, the injury bug that has befallen this team in the past has reared itself yet again. Porter was out virtually all of the preseason, is now again with the start of the regular season and it’s with a mystery injury that seems to be a hip flexor of some sort. Is this injury the kind that derails talented players for a year or more or a just brief stint on the injury list?
Whatever it may be, this team is, without question, missing the chance to have their young, core players gaining valuable time playing together. Porter’s injury is another setback that will hinder their attempt to get out of the rut that has plagued their 2-7 start.
If indeed the Wizards are a playoff team — and most in the organization feel that they are — the rotations that will carry them ahead will have to be on display at some point this season. If not, their fans will have to keep thinking about only the possibilities of a “Big Three”.