The expectations were high for the Washington Wizards with the offseason additions of Russell Westbrook and Deni Avdija coupled with mainstays Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura, Thomas Bryant, and Davis Bertans. It makes sense that there would be growing pains but no one was prepared for an 0-5 start. So, what is the problem?
Turnovers, fouls, and fourth quarter meltdowns are a few of the culprits but as Bradley Beal admitted, it’s not just one issue. However, lack of defense has been a continuous problem for the Wizards over the past few seasons.
“Defense is about your will,” Beal said. “You have to want to stop the other team. We have to channel that individually as a team. It’s on us to get out there and get the job done.”
Nonetheless, the Wizards have managed to drop back-to-back games to the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls. In their second game against Orlando, the Magic overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Wizards 120-113. In both instances, Terrence Ross dominated with 25 and 26 points respectively.
Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) told me that the Magic are "resilient and fighters" which contributed to their 4th quarter comeback over the Wizards.#WizMagic #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/rojcsxYT0r
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 28, 2020
Another issue that plagued the Wizards was the absence of Rui Hachimura. Due to a contagious eye infection, Hachimura missed the first four games of the season opener. Brooks found some success starting Raul Neto in his place but the overall lineups and rotations never seemed to stay consistent which hurt the Wizards, especially down the last stretch of the games.
In Hachimura’s return for the second Bulls game, he logged 15-points along with Beal’s 28 points and another Westbrook triple-double. It still wasn’t enough to overcome Zach LaVine (22 pts.) and former Wizard Otto Porter, Jr. (28 pts.) who were major contributors in Chicago’s victory. The Bulls were winless before playing the Wizards but they changed that with two wins during their trip to Washington.
Now at 0-5, the Wizards are grappling with the reality that they need to win but they also don’t want to get too down on themselves.
“We’re not going to point fingers,” Coach Brooks said after the Bulls game. “We’re going to keep fighting and playing for each other.”
After the Wizards lost their sixth game in a row to Orlando, Coach Brooks acknowledged that the season is long and it is too early for the team to give up.
Asked Coach Brooks about keeping the Wizards confidence up after an 0-3 start which is clearly not where they expected to be: “There’s alot of season left.” #WizMagic #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/OFRDwzdjzX
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 28, 2020
The Wizards desperately need a win. According to Beal the team is “pissed off” but in a way that motivates them. They’ll have to channel that energy towards the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road tonight as they fight for a confidence booster. Tip-off begins at 8 p.m.