Fansided

30 biggest answers for the 2017-18 NBA season

By Jeremy Lambert

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 8: Zaza Pachulia
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 8: Zaza Pachulia /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

11. Can anyone save the Washington Wizards bench?

What I Said Then: But that’s why the Wizards should sign five of the aforementioned players to come off the bench. Because you’re not turning away if Scott Brooks trots out a Marbury-Ellis-World Peace-Smith-Hibbert lineup. Not only are you not turning away, you’re texting and tweeting all of your friends, “TURN ON THE WIZARDS GAME!” I don’t care what I’m doing in life. If the Wizards play that five man unit, I’m tuning in.

What I’m Saying Now: Aside from Kelly Oubre Jr., Washington once again got very little production from their bench. Tomas Satoransky turned into a serviceable backup thrusted into the starting role when John Wall was injured. Hopefully those minutes alongside Bradley Beal payoff for Washington in the postseason.

In the end, Scott Brooks saved the Wizards bench. Yes, Scott Brooks.

He saved the Wizards bench by finally going small. The same guy who played Kendrick Perkins in the Finals against a Miami Heat squad trotting out Chris Bosh as their center, finally went small. He moved Markieff Morris to center for stretches and, for the most part, it paid off.

Brooks made this switch following the injury to Wall. We haven’t seen enough of it in the regular seasons. Numbers indicate it doesn’t work. They had a net rating of -3 in 87 total minutes. But just the fact that Brooks used that lineup for 87 minutes showed some progress.

The Wizards still screwed up by not signing Stephon Marbury, Monta Ellis, Metta World Peace, Josh Smith, and Roy Hibbert. They would have been better than Jodie Meeks.

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