The Washington guides lost 119-114 to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. Here are five examples from the following …
Not a lot of guys
The Wizards missed three of their best players and other key figures in the three exhibition games prior to the 2020-21 season. Bradley Peel, Russell Westbrook and Davis Bertens all sat down due to rest, while Ish Smith (hip) and Jerome Robinson (stomach) came out with minor ailments. However, they put up a good fight against the mounted Brooklyn Nets and made it interesting despite dropping 26 points in the first half.
It would have been nice to see Peel and Westbrook in particular, especially since they have some chances to develop some chemistry before the season starts. But the guides wanted to play it safe with their health, and with some star treatment they could do a favor for those individuals.
Sure, we’ll see them in action soon, but it will be interesting to see if the decision to skip the pre-game for them backfires. In a disconnected, 72-game season, every game is big. That means slower starts – as well as warmer starts – will be even bigger for the season.
You can’t punch in advance and then stumble out the gate. This is not a good look.
Strong introduction of Avtija
Without Peel and Westbrook there, this game would not have given us a great read of what the guides would be like this season, but the rookie ninth overall pick that started at three gave us a good overview of Denny Avtiza. He was comfortable, determined, and like he belonged to, which may have been the result of a few seasons already playing professionally under his belt abroad.
Avtija was able to cut 15 points (6 for 6 FG) in 24 minutes, including four rebounds and two assists. Most notably he went from three to 3-to-3. This matches the most triples he has made in a single game in the Euro League.
Avtija entered on the right and tapped them on the soft release. Mentors have insisted he is a better shooter than his ugly percentage in the Euro League. They point to his dynamics and what they saw behind closed doors. It was only a game, but he supported it.
Avtija’s best play came at the end of the first half, when he grabbed the reins and took the length of the court. It was in this play that you saw that one day you could make him a star. His speed is special with the ball in 6-foot-9.
This was enough to change the look of the very strong first scene and the opening three matches for Avtija. If he is ready for NBA action, he may have a better chance of winning the job than he first thought.
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Torrent still holds it
The main topic of the game throughout the league was the return of superstar Kevin Durant following his recovery from a broken Achilles. It was his first game in 552 days, and he picked up where he left off.
Starting with a powerful two-handed slam in the opening seconds, Durant easily scored. No matter what they tried, the protection of the witches did not suit him. There were plays, which defended him well, and he still scored.
In one play Rui Hachimura was all over him and Durant turned it right in his face. There was also this line of bully inside solid defender Isaac Ponga paint.
Rui was aggressive
Like Avtija, Rui Hachimura made a promise with his outdoor shootout, knocking down three points and hosting a solid effort of 18 points and four restarts. As we saw last year, Hachimura was aggressive around the edge. If anything, he looked strong and had some muscle in the office.
Although Hachimura excels at spreading the floor, he continues to look like a boy. It has been a debate with fans and the media in DC since he was drafted, but he has shown some signs of being a faction.
Hachimura is in his best attack in the middle and around the edge. In turn, he’s fast, but not as active as your modern NBA division. In defense, he has a long way to go to switch on quick, small soldiers, especially guards. Hachimura’s best defensive character has long been a drug for stretch-fours with his length and wide frame.
Until we see any change, we will stop talking about him being a little forward.
Matthews did some plays
We never saw Garrison Matthews for a while because he didn’t appear in the bubble for one obvious reason. It was created for his first game since March at nine-month intervals.
Despite all that Matthews came out sharp and finished with 10 points, including 2-for-3 in the third. Matthews made his trilogy out of quick-release jumpers. He has a knack for paying to secure the smallest amount of daylight.
He also has the unique ability to create shots when he is unbalanced, and his legs are not square towards the edge. Head coach Scott Brooks has said in the past that he is not a fan, but Matthews continues to make those shots. If you can create them, eventually the coaches will allow you to carry them. Ask Kyle Gore, who has built a career out of that type of trinity.