John Wall’s return to the Washington Wizards as the playoffs are around the corner may be the biggest storyline for D.C.’s NBA franchise. However, the slump of Kelly Oubre is close by. The Wizards swing has struggled mightily since Mar. 25.
The 22-year old has hit a late-season brick wall in his third season. His three-point shot has been the glaring area of struggle. Starting with the Mar. 25 game against the New York Knicks, Oubre has not been able to find his stroke beyond the arc. He missed 14 treys in a row over a three-game stretch from Mar. 25-Mar. 29. Wall return on Mar. 31 against Charlotte did not help Oubre find his shot, as he made just one-of-nine threes.
In total, Oubre is just 2-of-33 (6.1 %) from three in the past six games. He is settling for the outside shot as defenses are sagging off the former Kansas product. Not even Wall and Beal’s dribble drives have created necessary windows for him to make a three. His confidence appears rattled as he pointed out after a Mar. 29 loss against Detroit.
Kelly Oubre has some harsh criticism … for himself #WizPistons
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) March 30, 2018
His confidence has affected his defense as well. Once thought to be a good defender, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks has been critical of Oubre’s efforts on the defensive end lately.
“Yeah, you know what? He hasn’t shot the ball well, but I’m more concerned about him getting blown by on defense,” Brooks said, per Candace Buckner of the Washington Post. “Seems like every time his man is scoring on him. He has to step up and start playing some defense if he wants to continue to play.”
Oubre countered saying he thought to be playing good defense but he would have to look at film. Whether or not he is getting scored on in one-on-one settings is debatable. What’s not is his foul on Trey Burke, weakly reaching around the driving Burke instead of getting in front of him, allowing the Knicks guard to score a relative easy And-1. Or him failing to close out properly on an opened Bobby Portis for a three on the wing in Chicago.
He has a net rating of minus-4.6 per 100 possessions going back to Mar. 25, per NBA.com. While Markieff Morris (-5.3) is no better, it’s Oubre who prides himself on defense. It’s Oubre that is in a whirlwind of a slump shooting. His 30.9 percent shooting from the field is the worst on the team during the same period. The Wizards’ shoot seven-percent better from three when Oubre is on the bench.
Oubre had seemed to overcome his past deficiencies much of the season. It was last May when Oubre’s minutes declined during the postseason following a Game 3 ejection and a Game 4 suspension in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston. Between his on-court play and lack of focus, he lost the trust of his coach by Game 7, as he did not play a minute in the Wizards’ season-ending loss. That motivated him to improve all aspects of his game over the summer. However, his recent struggles have presented a new set of challenges at a pivotal point in Washington’s season.
The Wizards have four games remaining to the regular season before they embark on their fourth trip to the postseason in five years. Oubre must improve his shooting, defense, and most importantly regain his confidence during the last quartet of games. How he reacts from there could go a long way with regaining the trust of Brooks and how far the Wizards go in the playoffs.
