It is no secret. In the John Wall era, which is now entering it's eighth season, the Washington Wizards have been unable to find their franchise point guard a suitable backup to allow him reasonable rests during the course of a game or season. In six of Wall's seven years in the NBA, he has played at least 35.9 minutes per game. During the playoffs, he averages 38.7 minutes and he admitted that when he had to play the entire second half of last year's Game 7 in Boston, he asked for a break and was denied by Scott Brooks.
Brandon Jennings, Trey Burke, Eric Maynor, Shelvin Mack, A.J. Price, and Jannero Pargo were quite frankly busts. Ramon Sessions and Andre Miller were a class above the rest, while Shaun Livingston was inexplicably cut. Washington now turns to former D-League MVP and second-round pick investment Tim Frazier to answer their nearly decade long issue of a quarterback off the bench. His new teammates and coaches are confident that he will be.
“We’re excited to add the pieces that we added this offseason,” Scott Brooks said about Washington’s quiet offseason. “We added also, Tim Frazier, who I consider as tough as a competitor as there is in the league. Small in size, but he has a big heart.”
Standing at just 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Frazier does not fit the typical NBA build, but do not think that he will not bring an edge to the second unit, which Marcin Gortat already picked up on in just a handful of pick up games with the soon to be 27-year old.
“I definitely love Tim,” Gortat immediately responded when asked about the perimeter additions. “Tim Frazier [is] definitely a great addition to the team. … I love everything about the kid. He’s humble, hardworking kid, he’s very aggressive, he’s got this dog in him like Keef. I’m hoping these two play on the same team because if they go against each other, we may never finish practice.”
Frazier, who has already said he will do whatever it takes to help this team win, has a history of adapting to any situation he is asked to whether it be backing up All-Star Damian Lillard or starting for New Orleans, while Jrue Holiday took care of his family. Such a track record in a short three-year NBA career is why Otto Porter Jr. says Frazier has "great experience" and will "do great" as a backup for Wall.
“I’m a very competitive person,” Frazier self-evaluated. “I think the biggest thing I tell people all the time is I have a ‘little man syndrome.’ I’ve always been one of the smallest guys so I’ve always had that toughness and that edge that I want to compete and beat guys and be the best and I use that to fuel my fire. I’m going to try and use that with our second unit as well.”
Accountability will likely never be an issue with the former Penn State star as he subscribes to the Bill Belichick school of philosophy. Wall, his former AAU rival and now good friend, will certainly appreciate such a mentality.
“I don’t know if there is any pressure. This is the game of basketball. Guys have been playing it for their entire life. The rules haven’t changed as much so just go out there and have fun and compete and try to do your job. I’ve been a firm believer of ‘do your job.’”
If Washington can keep Wall's minutes down, even if he is better conditioned this year with offseason biking and boxing, with a bench that can stay afloat, they have a real chance to have a special season. Frazier, however, is aiming much higher than average.
“There’s not drop off this year,” Frazier said. "We will continue to do what the starting five has done."