At 3-1, and on a three game winning streak, the Washington Wizards look to keep the victories coming with a home win over the Indiana Pacers. Even though only four games are in the books and the NBA season is just days old, there have still been some noticeable adjustments and improvements from last season. Let’s extrapolate!

Marcin Gortat Is Going To Earn That Contract

Over the Summer, after the Washington Wizards’ first playoff run in quite some time, Marcin Gortat was given a new five year $60 million contract. Many believed that the dollar amount and length of time was high on both counts, however Gortat has shown his worth these first few games.

Albeit a small sample size, Gortat has improved in contrast to last season. He is currently averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds in 38 minutes per game. With Nene’s absence due to suspension in game one and Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair‘s early injuries, Gortat has been consistent and, thankfully, healthy. What has been the most striking has been his increased rapport with, point guard, John Wall. Whenever the ‘Zards need a big bucket, the go-to play has been a 1-5 pick and roll between Wall and Gortat–via Mike Prada YouTube Channel.

Building off of last season, this pick and roll is deadly for a multitude of reasons. Wall’s speed allows him to gain separation from his defender. In turn, this forces Gortat’s man to help on Wall. Were the big man to just stay on Gortat, Wall would have an easy lane towards the basket.

Gortat utilizes his defender’s help by attacking the rim while keeping his distance from Wall. Once Gortat’s man is close enough to the ball, Wall usually bounce passes it between the two defenders. Most importantly, Gortat’s hands and ability to finish around the rim allows the play to work consistently. As evidenced by his days on Phoenix with Steve Nash, Gortat has always been a good big man in the pick and roll scenario, and Wall’s speed is just a bonus which gives Gortat more time to separate and elevate.

Paul Pierce Is The Truth

Even though Pierce was decent last year on the Brooklyn Nets, his spot on the Washington Wizards is more conducive to his age and where he is in his basketball career.

Pierce no longer has the ball in his hands every possession which makes him more dangerous when he does. Pierce has been able to be a spot-up shooter with Wall dishing the ball, but in late game scenarios, he has been given the ball and asked to make something happen. Pierce has always been able to make the dagger, which he has brought to Washington. Also, Pierce’s limited playing time will allow him to stay fresh while also being an important factor from night to night. Also, Otto Porter‘s ascendance also may have something to do with the veteran leadership of Pierce as, so far this season, he has taken better shots and been a better part of the offense.

Get Rid of The Bench Five

Every game this season, Randy Wittman has throw a lineup onto the court which only consisted of bench players. Usually, early in the second quarter, Wittman will give all of his starters a rest, in exchange for the backups.

It seems that this strategy has grown stale as it has been the weakest part of the Washington so far. The injury to Bradley Beal may have been a precursor to these lineups, however it’s time to stagger the lineup. Without Wall, Nene, Gortat or Pierce on the floor, scoring is nearly impossible and the speed that the Wizards should be relying on is thrown out the window. Andre Miller is a good change-of-pace guard but he should have either Nene or Gortat on the floor with him, in order to run an actual offense.

Otto Can Do Stuff

Yeah, his summer league was great, but did we really expect his game to improve this rapidly?

Wittman has given Porter the green light and with Pierce playing limited minutes and being booted from the Milwaukee game at halftime, Porter has dramatically improved from last year. The Milwaukee game was probably a microcosm of everything Porter has been doing well so far this year. In the third quarter, the fans were chanting his name but it wasn’t due to a lack of playing time, like last year, but instead because he was leading the Washington Wizards to a victory.

Porter had 19 of his 21 points in the second half, but it was his energy that was most impressive. His defensive intensity was palpable and his cutting off of the ball gave him open shots and provided Wall with more room to maneuver.

John Wall Is Really, Really Good

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