This season was supposed to be different for the Washington Wizards, however, six games in the Wizards look like a broken record. Sunday’s embarrassing 32-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers dropped Washington to a record of 1-5. They’ve had losses to the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings as well. Losses against the Raptors and Warriors are not frowned upon, but losses to the Heat, Kings, and Clippers given the expectations of the team, certainly are.
That leads to head coach Scott Brooks. Brooks is in his third season of a five-year deal. After reaching one game from the Eastern Conference Finals two seasons ago, the Wizards under Brooks have been on a free fall. And while there is chatter among the Wizards fan base for a change at coach, Brooks is not on the proverbial hot seat, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Despite the Washington Wizards falling to 1-5 following an embarrassing 32-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, head coach Scott Brooks continues to have the full support of the franchise, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
At the core of the Wizards issues is their defense. They are allowing an NBA-high 125 points per game. Washington has struggled mightily with its switch defense leading to open looks for opponents. They are also being dominated on glass, allowing a league-high 15.2 offensive rebounds and 19.8 second-chance points per game.
Their All-Star guards, John Wall and Bradley Beal called out their teammates Friday night after a loss to the Kings, saying the Wizards were on their “own agendas” and not getting back on defense. Following Sunday’s loss in Los Angeles, Wall was seen with a concern look speaking to a seemingly dejected Beal in the fourth quarter.
Teammates ✊ pic.twitter.com/k54dHuknMx
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) October 29, 2018
With the Cleveland Cavaliers recently firing Tyronn Lue, attention has shifted to Brooks. The Wizards revamped their bench this summer adding Jeff Green and Austin Rivers. They also signed Dwight Howard to a two-year deal to man the starting center position vacated by Marcin Gortat, who was traded to the Clippers for Rivers. Howard has yet to play in a game this season due to a buttocks injury. Green has struggled defensively while Rivers has not been able to fit with the system in place.
Otto Porter, who is currently the highest-paid player on the roster, has struggled with asserting himself on the court. He is taking just 9.3 shots per game while shooting 41.1 percent from the field, including 21.7 percent from three. All of which are his lowest since becoming a full-time starter in the 2015-16 season.
Ian Mahimni, who has started in the place of Howard, has averaged a pedestrian 16.2 minutes per game in large due to him averaging 10.1 fouls per 48 minutes.
Despite all the unfavorable issues, it appears Brooks will be allowed an opportunity to right the ship. Washington will complete it’s five-game west coast road trip Tuesday night at Memphis.
