It is Thanksgiving 2017 and the Hoop District Staff is here to explain what each of us are grateful for with the Washington Wizards. Share what you are most grateful for about the team on Twitter at @HoopDistrictDC.
I️'ve been a lifelong lover of shooters and their shooting forms. It’s the reason I️ grew up a die-hard Allan Houston and Ray Allen fan. And to know that our beloved Panda, Bradley Beal, has one of the best (or subjectively speaking THE best) shooting forms in the league today, there little else I️ could be more grateful for. For years Beal’s shot selection was questioned. Why did he shoot so many long 2s? Why did he dribble in to shoot mid-range jumpers when he had the 3? There’s no question that as an adolescent in the league he didn’t take bad shots. But Brad knew where his development and learning curves would take him. To be the youngest player in league history to reach 700 threes and one of the league’s best shooters at his position at the age of 23.
Washington has a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. John Wall's loyalty to sign an extension with the team, Bradley Beal's increased offensive versatility, Otto Porter Jr.'s improvement after signing a max contract, Kelly Oubre Jr.'s improved shooting, and spurts of greatness from the second unit, which was non-existent last season.
First, I am grateful for Drew Hanlen and all the hard work this past offseason he put in with Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre Jr. who are both averaging career highs in points.
Second, I am grateful for Wizards management for matching the Brooklyn Net’s four-year, $106.5 million max offer sheet to Otto Porter Jr. who has been nothing but #Ottomatic this year.
Finally, I am grateful for Olympic boxing medalist Janusz Gortat for instilling a strong work ethic, incredible discipline, and mental/physical toughness, into his son Marcin aka the “Polish Machine”, who has served as the team's anchor down low for the last four seasons.
Erwin Go
With the holidays just around the corner, there are a couple things that the Wizards should be grateful for so far this season. First and most important: the fact that Bradley Beal is a two-way player. This season has been an incredible season for Bradley Beal so far, as he has shown that he is not only a shooter for this team, but has been driving in the lane for easier shots or going to the line.
Second, I am grateful for experience. The Wizards have players that have been in the playoffs and know how to rest throughout a long season. Their experience will help younger players such as Tim Frazier on how to keep focused and determined throughout the season.
Finally, I am gratefultheir health. Yes, even though we have had some injuries to John Wall and Jason Smith, these injuries help other players rally together and keep being a force in the East. In addition, at least these injuries are happening early in the season. As long as the Wizards are able to utilize healthy players, this will help them grow in team chemistry which can help contribute to a deep playoff run.
I am grateful for a much better bench this season compared to last season. The additions of Mike Scott and Jodie Meeks over the summer certainly helped. Ian Mahinmi is healthy this season after being out for a good amount last season with a knee injury. Jason Smith has been reliable. Kelly Oubre Jr. is having a breakout year and his dab he does before the games never fails to get you juiced.