fishercob wrote:On the defense: Wizards now sit 8th in defensive efficiency. They held Portland to an ORtg of 96.4. On the season their Ortg is tops in league at 112.7. They held OKC to an ORtg of 86.7; on the season OKC's is 109.8 (5th in the NBA). LAC posted a 107.6, but still 3 pts/100 possessions below their average. They are third in the league in offense. We smothered Golden State (Ortg of 83.6), played poor D at Utah on the second night of a B2B, and also held PHX, the league's 8th best offense, 3 pts below their season efficiency.
On the culture change: I have noticed John Wall's suffocating on-ball pressure of late. He has always reminded he of Gary Payton, and now even more so with this defensive intensity. It's a real tone-setter. I love John's in-your-face "F you"-ness and think that as his confidence grows (and his game is catching up with his confidence too), it's starting to filter down through the roster.
I'll always remember this about John. He won't back down to anyone:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wou_X6cBMqY[/youtube]
I was at that game. Too bad it got him tossed. I liked his intensity in the game
at GSW last year when he also got tossed. Him talking mess to Klay Thompson.
Came back to DC the next game and dropped 47 on the Griz. Saw that one too.
Kev may be right about what the stats say re where Wall ranks. But Docs on point
in pointing out how you gotta love the attitude and work ethic. Stay hungry and humble
young man.