The Washington Wizards are now 0-2 to start the season with losses to Miami and Toronto at home. There are multiple issues with the team that’s led to their disappointing start, however, one of its biggest is the lack of production by forward Otto Porter.
Porter is the Wizards’ third option of its Big Three behind all-star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal. However, Porter has not produced as expected.
In two games, Porter is averaging 10 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting. He has a total of 16 shots. The low volume of shots is alarming and a stark contrast to head coach Scott Brooks’ intentions as he previously stated the goal was to increase Porter’s shots.
While Wall and Beal are ball-dominating guards, Porter has not exactly made himself available. Against Toronto, Porter went scoreless in the second half taking just two shots in the half. Following the Wizards’ 117-113 loss to the Raptors, Brooks called out Porter when asked about the Georgetown products’ lack of production.
āI donāt know. You got to ask ā you got to get yourself open. Got to get yourself open,ā Brooks said to reporters per Candace Buckner of the Washington Post.
Porter played just 25 minutes as Brooks opted to go with Kelly Oubre Jr. more down the stretch. Oubre finished eight points and took eight shots in 19 minutes. His biggest being a putback dunk off a missed Wall layup that lead to a three-point play after drawing a foul. Porter finished 4-of-9 with 11 points. With the Wizards having depth on the roster this season and multiple players who can play the same role Porter plays, Brooks will lean on the more aggressive and productive to give minutes.
“Because weāve got some really good players,” Brooks said on Porter’s minutes being shorten per Buckner. “We got good players. I want guys to play hard. We got to play hard. You donāt need extra minutes to play hard. Got to play hard. Everybody.ā
With Porter’s lack of shots and production being the lead narrative to the Wizards’ season early on, Brooks did his best to possibly silence the questions and put the onus on a player that has struggled throughout his NBA career to be the aggressor and command the basketball as a lead wing should.
āYou got to move, you got to move,ā Brooks finally unloaded on Porter per Neil Dalal of Hoops District. āYou got to set yourself up, you got to run the floor. We got a fast point guard, I donāt know if you guys know that, but heās fast and if our wings arenāt running, what good is it when you are going to have a one-man break. What makes team run with pace is guys running. I love Otto, I love Otto, you guys know that, but he has to play faster. He has to. Heās physically not going to jump anybody and dunk on anybody, but he has to get himself into position. Heās a big-time player for us, heās a glue guy, he makes winning basketball plays. He has to do that consistently for us. You canāt do it a half, he has to do it for the entire game. The guy can do it, Iāve seen it. He didnāt do it tonight, but heāll bounce back.ā
Even Wall has grown tiresome of the constant narrative and questioning of Porter’s shot opportunities. The Wizards star said while talking to reporters it’s the last time he was answering questions on Porter’s shots.
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Porter’s lack of aggression on the offensive end has often times been a focal point of analysts and critics. While he ranks behind Wall and Beal in offensive looks, Porter has to be aggressive and find ways to be assertive to take the load off of the backcourt and give Washington a strong third scorer that is capable of dropping 20 points in a game.
Brooks made a strong assessment of Porter. The fact he made it public is surprising, yet a possible ploy by the head coach to motivate his player to step up his game. Only time will tell if Porter reacts positively or negatively to his coach’s approach.
