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Hardwood Paroxysm presents: 2015 NBA playoffs – Did that really just happen?

By HP Basketball Network

May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) makes the game-winning shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in the fourth quarter in game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Clippers won 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) makes the game-winning shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in the fourth quarter in game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Clippers won 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) reacts to a foul call against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) reacts to a foul call against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Otto Porter Becomes Otto-Matic

by Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) — Mid-Level Exception

Six months ago, if you told someone the Wizards’ hopes of advancing deep into the playoffs would depend on Otto Porter Jr., they’d tell you to put down the bong.

Heading into the 2014-15 season, Porter appeared to be careening toward Bust Town. The No. 3 overall pick from the 2013 draft scored a whopping 78 points in 37 regular-season games as a rookie, making Evan Turner look like Michael Jordan by comparison.

Once the Washington Wizards signed Paul Pierce to a two-year, $11 million contract in the offseason, Porter figured to be buried deep on the team’s bench once more. For much of the 2014-15 regular season, that’s exactly what happened.

Thus, if anyone tells you they foresaw Porter’s postseason eruption coming, they’re a bold-faced liar. Not even the most ardent Wizards supporter could have predicted this.

Through six games, Porter has nearly matched his 2013-14 regular-season scoring total, having already racked up 63 points. His per-game averages of 10.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists are smashing his regular-season numbers, and his postseason mark of plus-49 leads all Wizards through six games.

With Randy Wittman suddenly relying upon a four-out look with Paul Pierce at the 4, Porter’s emergence as a legitimate threat in small-ball lineups is a game-changer for Washington. Though the Wizards aren’t likely to advance past the Atlanta Hawks if John Wall’s wrist injury proves to be a long-term concern, Porter’s playmaking ability, particularly in pick-and-rolls, may help alleviate some of the burden on Ramon Sessions and Bradley Beal in the interim.

Porter likely won’t ever be a 20-point-per-game scorer in the NBA, and frankly, that’s OK. He always figured to be best suited as a do-it-all Swiss Army knife rather than a top-tier scorer, which he’s proving this postseason. Given where he was at the start of the year, he’s already wildly outperforming any realistic expectations. It’s all gravy for Porter from here.

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