Washington Wizards Playoffs 2015: Shortening the Rotation

It might seem like the 2014-2015 NBA regular season started just a few months ago, but the Washington Wizards have just two games remaining on their schedule before heading to Chicago or Toronto.

With that said, Randy Wittman has been experimenting with his rotation in preparation for the NBA Playoffs. The starting five consisting of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Paul Pierce, Nene and Marcin Gortat will remain the same, but there’s still some questions surrounding the bench.

Guard Rotation

Wall has gotten a much needed break at the end of the season, resting two consecutive games. Like most teams, the Wizards are expected to increase their key players’ minutes during the playoffs. Without Wall on the floor, the Wizards have been lost at times.

Last year, Wall played over 38 minutes per game during the playoffs. He’s played just under 36 minutes per game during the regular season this year, so you could expect him to play more during the playoffs. Given that Wall will take up most of the minutes at point guard, Ramon Sessions could end up playing a different role in the playoffs.

Sessions has been the team’s primary backup point guard, but we’ve also seen him play some shooting guard along side Wall. Garrett Temple is out for the remainder of the season and we could assume that he won’t play during the playoffs.

Rasual Butler‘s minutes have also decreased over the past several games. If Butler is out of the rotation during the playoffs, Sessions might end up taking most of his minutes.

Randy Wittman also has to figure out whether or not he wants to play Will Bynum in the playoffs.

Although he hasn’t gotten a ton of minutes, Bynum has been productive when given the chance.

Washington struggles against smaller guards and Bynum has the capabilities to counter some of their deficiencies, especially on the offensive end of the floor.

If the Wizards end up playing against the Bulls in the playoffs, Bynum could become a factor against Aaron Brooks.

Bradley Beal also played an increase role in the playoffs, averaging over 41 minutes per game.

He’s had a few weeks to get into a rhythm following an injury and his minutes should increase during the playoffs as well. Washington’s offense tends to get stagnant when they play their bench, and staggering Beal’s minutes with the second unit will become extremely important.

The guard rotation is essentially set before the NBA Playoffs.

Wall and Beal will continue to play major minutes, and Wittman has to figure out which bench guys to actually play. Sessions has done enough to solidify a spot in the rotation, and it will basically come down to Bynum and Butler.

We could also see Otto Porter play some minutes at shooting guard, like we did last night against the Atlanta Hawks, but Wittman will likely opt to play him more at the forward spot.

Forward Rotation

This is probably the most difficult rotation to figure out.

Randy Wittman hasn’t been consistent with his rotations this season, and he certainly hasn’t stuck to playing just a pair of forwards. Nene was fantastic against the Bulls during last year’s playoffs, and given the amount of rest he’s gotten recently, you could expect his minutes to increase.

After Nene, it becomes somewhat unclear.

Kris Humphries‘ role has decreased over the past several weeks, while Drew Gooden has seen increased playing time.

Gooden has played out of his mind in spurts, but it’s not sustainable. Instead, Wittman has to lean towards playing Humphries, who’s consistently been solid on both ends of the floor.

The Bulls are third in rebounds per game and Humphries is the team’s best rebounder.

If Wittman can’t solve this problem, he could decide to play both Gooden and Humphries at the same time.

Both players are capable of spacing the floor with their shooting, but Humphries is a better defensive player than Gooden.

Washington acquired way too many big men last off-season and the only player who clearly won’t get any playing time is DeJuan Blair.

Paul Pierce is well-rested and he’s played well since returning to the lineup.

Last year, the Wizards struggled to score in the playoffs during the final moments of the game. In theory, Pierce should help solve that problem. He knows what it takes to succeed in the playoffs, and I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for Playoff Pierce.

Porter has done enough to secure a spot in the rotation and he should remain Pierce’s backup. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Wittman decides to play Pierce and Porter together, especially if Washington meets Toronto in the playoffs.

Center Rotation

Gortat was tremendous during last year’s playoffs, which helped earn him the $60 million contract extension he received during the off-season. He’s finally become featured in Washington’s offense and they’ve been more successful in scoring the ball as a result.

He won’t be a go-to option in the playoffs, but he has to continue doing what he’s been doing lately: Staying active on the glass and finding his own shot without commanding the ball in the post.

Even if Gortat’s offensive production dips in the playoffs, he’ll remain the one of the team’s best rebounders and rim protectors. Simply put, he needs to be out on the floor. Please don’t give him the Carlos Boozer treatment, Wittman.

As for Gortat’s backup, well, that could be solved if Wittman decides to play Gooden and Humphries together. Otherwise, Kevin Seraphin will get playing time at the backup five spot, which will reduce the minutes Wittman could give to Gooden and Humphries.

Surprisingly, Seraphin has been respectable on the defensive end of the floor. He’ll still have lapses of poor judgement, but he’s got good size and he’s become better at protecting the basket. Washington’s bench still struggles offensively and Seraphin has been a spark at times.

These next couple of games remaining in the regular season might seem meaningless, but they will help the coaching staff determine which players will get playing time during the NBA Playoffs. Gooden, Humphries and Seraphin are all competing for minutes, so the final two games will still have some importance.