GT #5: Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards 12/31

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I said going into this season that with the likes of Bryant/Hachimura/Bertrans as our bigs it was going to be a losing year, not because they aren't talented offensively but because that's a big man rotation that neither rebounds nor plays anything approaching NBA defense. Bryant and Hachimura were the worst defenders in the league last year at their position and Bertrans may actually be a downgrade. Beal hasn't gone back to trying on defense either but is playing star scorer on that end.

Deni Avdija has been a pleasant surprise, Bonga has been a bit better than I expected too.

I disagree.

When Bonga has played on the court, the team is +15.9 per 100 possessions. (71 minute sample size)
When Hachimura is on the court, they're +29.2 per 100 possessions (25 minute sample size).
When Avdija is on the court, they're +5.0 per 100 possessions (130 minute sample size).

These aren't on/off differentials. This is how much they are outplaying the opposition when they are on the floor!

When Avdija and Bonga are on the court together, they're +39.7 per 100 (46 minute sample size)
When Avdija and Hachimura are on the court together, they're +77.3 per 100 (15 minute sample size)
Avdija alongside Bertans hasn't been good (-11.1 per 100 in 45 minutes) but it's still less awful than smallball lineups.

Our forwards look pretty darn good to me. The problem is that Brooks isn't playing them. Whenever two of them are on the court together, we do fine.

We have four, legitimate forwards on the roster in Hachimura, Avdija, Bonga and Bertans. Theoretically, we should be able to play all 48 minutes of every game with at least two of those guys on the court. If you factor that Hachimura has been out, then maybe we can only get about 40 minutes a night with at least two of those guys on the court for the first 4 games. So, over 5 games, we should have seen two of those guys together on the court for a total of 208 minutes. Instead, we've had 2 of those guys together on the court for a total of 107 minutes. We've had 101 minutes of unnecessary small ball - nearly half of the 240 total minutes we have played! We've never even seen a Bonga/Bertans combination, a Bonga/Hachimura combination, or a Hachimura/Bertans combination!

Yes brilliant post Nate...

Now that Hachimura is back, some combination of this 4 should always be on the floor. I can see a small ball unit with Hach at the 5, with TBJ at the 3... But it should primarily be Hachimura & Avdija, backed up with Bertans & Bonga. When Beal comes out the 2 should be Troy Brown Jr. If it's not TBJ then Mathews.

When Bonga has played its been out of position at the 4 where he is undersized. His best position is at the 3 where his length is an advantage, his skill as a versatile wing defender is his biggest attribute. At the 4 his length and size are nuetralized, his lack of strength is exploited.

TBJ should be at the 2, where his length and perimeter defense can be utilized, his playmaking and passing can shine, instead of being used at the 3 and even the 4, where he is overpowered defensively and relegated to a spot up shooter offensively. Instead of Bonga at SF we are getting TBJ, Neto, Robinson, and even Beal.

The small ball units we are playing have speed, without the shooters, and lacking the size and length to defend and rebound. We have players who have skills and physical advantages at their natural positions being used out of position where they are at physical disadvantages and put in situations not suited to their skills.

I know this concept of "positionless basketball" is the new trend, but Brooks' lineups seem to have no method to their madness. Putting 3 PG with TBJ at PF, guys running around passing and dribbling and missing shots and no rebounding and turnovers and no defensive resistance. And then these press conferences where he says things like the rotation didn't come back to him when a guy playing well never gets back on the floor, or it has to be somebody when he explains why Bonga gets a DNP, because apparently he can't play if Troy Brown Jr plays. But yet Ish can play if Neto plays, he'll just put Ish at SG and Neto at SF and Beal at PF ...

[nate33]

Yes brilliant post Nate...

Now that Hachimura is back, some combination of this 4 should always be on the floor. I can see a small ball unit with Hach at the 5, with TBJ at the 3... But it should primarily be Hachimura & Avdija, backed up with Bertans & Bonga. When Beal comes out the 2 should be Troy Brown Jr. If it's not TBJ then Mathews.

When Bonga has played its been out of position at the 4 where he is undersized. His best position is at the 3 where his length is an advantage, his skill as a versatile wing defender is his biggest attribute. At the 4 his length and size are nuetralized, his lack of strength is exploited.

TBJ should be at the 2, where his length and perimeter defense can be utilized, his playmaking and passing can shine, instead of being used at the 3 and even the 4, where he is overpowered defensively and relegated to a spot up shooter offensively. Instead of Bonga at SF we are getting TBJ, Neto, Robinson, and even Beal.

The small ball units we are playing have speed, without the shooters, and lacking the size and length to defend and rebound. We have players who have skills and physical advantages at their natural positions being used out of position where they are at physical disadvantages and put in situations not suited to their skills.

I agree with every word here.

I still think this whole notion that the Wizards should play really fast is a flawed premise. The Wizards are actually really big and strong. And they have skilled players at many positions. If anything, they should play slower than average. That would probably help the defense too because they wouldn't be defending in transition so much and having to deal with cross matching on the fly.

[J-Ves]

Just want to point out that Westbrook has a better 3pt% than Beal.

[W. Unseld]

Just want to point out that Westbrook has a better 3pt% than Beal.

Yikes!1Ive been noticing for a while that I no longer expect the ball to go in when Beal shoots an open 3 but didn’t realize it was that bad.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Scott Brooks theme song...

Watch on YouTube

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Nice to see Otto just absolutely torch us for 28 points and 12 rebounds on 14 shots. Played elite defense ontop of that.

He might be one of the best late bloomers. It took awhile but he ended up being really good.

Late bloomer?

Otto's 2016-17 & 2017-18 seasons were absolutely tremendous. That's why he got a max deal!

His body gave out on him, & he went way downhill. He's back, but the question is whether he holds up physically. But, at his best, Otto Porter is a really great basketball player.

Based on what you point out (Otto 2016-2018) I considered Porter to be even better than Bradley Beal. Salary and later injury issues made Porter odd man out.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

As much as I criticize, Beal, Porter and likely both Hachimura and Advidja are all good draft picks by the Wizards. Every one of them belong.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I said going into this season that with the likes of Bryant/Hachimura/Bertrans as our bigs it was going to be a losing year, not because they aren't talented offensively but because that's a big man rotation that neither rebounds nor plays anything approaching NBA defense. Bryant and Hachimura were the worst defenders in the league last year at their position and Bertrans may actually be a downgrade. Beal hasn't gone back to trying on defense either but is playing star scorer on that end.

Deni Avdija has been a pleasant surprise, Bonga has been a bit better than I expected too.

I disagree.

When Bonga has played on the court, the team is +15.9 per 100 possessions. (71 minute sample size)
When Hachimura is on the court, they're +29.2 per 100 possessions (25 minute sample size).
When Avdija is on the court, they're +5.0 per 100 possessions (130 minute sample size).

These aren't on/off differentials. This is how much they are outplaying the opposition when they are on the floor!

When Avdija and Bonga are on the court together, they're +39.7 per 100 (46 minute sample size)
When Avdija and Hachimura are on the court together, they're +77.3 per 100 (15 minute sample size)
Avdija alongside Bertans hasn't been good (-11.1 per 100 in 45 minutes) but it's still less awful than smallball lineups.

Our forwards look pretty darn good to me. The problem is that Brooks isn't playing them. Whenever two of them are on the court together, we do fine.

We have four, legitimate forwards on the roster in Hachimura, Avdija, Bonga and Bertans. Theoretically, we should be able to play all 48 minutes of every game with at least two of those guys on the court. If you factor that Hachimura has been out, then maybe we can only get about 40 minutes a night with at least two of those guys on the court for the first 4 games. So, over 5 games, we should have seen two of those guys together on the court for a total of 208 minutes. Instead, we've had 2 of those guys together on the court for a total of 107 minutes. We've had 101 minutes of unnecessary small ball - nearly half of the 240 total minutes we have played! We've never even seen a Bonga/Bertans combination, a Bonga/Hachimura combination, or a Hachimura/Bertans combination!

Yes brilliant post Nate...

Now that Hachimura is back, some combination of this 4 should always be on the floor. I can see a small ball unit with Hach at the 5, with TBJ at the 3... But it should primarily be Hachimura & Avdija, backed up with Bertans & Bonga. When Beal comes out the 2 should be Troy Brown Jr. If it's not TBJ then Mathews.

When Bonga has played its been out of position at the 4 where he is undersized. His best position is at the 3 where his length is an advantage, his skill as a versatile wing defender is his biggest attribute. At the 4 his length and size are nuetralized, his lack of strength is exploited.

TBJ should be at the 2, where his length and perimeter defense can be utilized, his playmaking and passing can shine, instead of being used at the 3 and even the 4, where he is overpowered defensively and relegated to a spot up shooter offensively. Instead of Bonga at SF we are getting TBJ, Neto, Robinson, and even Beal.

The small ball units we are playing have speed, without the shooters, and lacking the size and length to defend and rebound. We have players who have skills and physical advantages at their natural positions being used out of position where they are at physical disadvantages and put in situations not suited to their skills.

I know this concept of "positionless basketball" is the new trend, but Brooks' lineups seem to have no method to their madness. Putting 3 PG with TBJ at PF, guys running around passing and dribbling and missing shots and no rebounding and turnovers and no defensive resistance. And then these press conferences where he says things like the rotation didn't come back to him when a guy playing well never gets back on the floor, or it has to be somebody when he explains why Bonga gets a DNP, because apparently he can't play if Troy Brown Jr plays. But yet Ish can play if Neto plays, he'll just put Ish at SG and Neto at SF and Beal at PF ...

Two brilliant posts!

I think Brooks is too close to the situation and that he does have someone pointing out his early season mistakes. Great input nate33 and SUPERBALLMAN. I hope that he adjusts (like he has not playing Robinson at all, and moving with playing Neto more than Ish.). Perhaps he will do as you guys have suggested.

After reading nate’s post I AM ENCOURAGED! Also, good points by SUPER.

Big team with good, young forwards. Speedy small players (who need to be paired with shooter). TBJ at guard (not PF). These are slight adjustments that will give better outcomes.

This is a playoffs roster team. Coach Brooks can still get it done (if he follows up on suggestions).