We need to talk about Otto popping off about freedom

[Dark Faze]

Read on Twitter

https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-otto-porter-jr-had-a-rocky-relationship-with-scott-brooks/

A few weeks later, Porter had a game with 29 points on 12-of-15 shots. And while he would’ve likely been force-fed at least 20 attempts to see how hot he could get, the Wizards took little notice of it, feeding the mouths of the usual suspects.

Porter and Brooks soon met to iron out details on how he was being utilized within the system, which concluded with Brooks telling Porter, “Do your job,” according to Michael Lee of The Athletic.

The Georgetown product was forced into a bench role soon after an injury caused a short-term absence, and while he was eventually placed back in the starting lineup, that rocky relationship never fully healed, as he was soon shipped to the Chicago Bulls for Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis in a salary dump move.

The issue I'm having is reconciling some of these statements with periods where everybody was basically screaming for Otto to be more aggressive, including the infamous pre-season "i'ma be more aggressive" statement by Otto, followed by averaging 10 shots a game in October to start the year, and seven shots in the first game of the season. A huge blanket of games with John not in the lineup. Etc.

What are we to make of this?

[nate33]

All I know is that the offense essentially had Otto Porter playing the exact same role as Beal. Both guys were getting a lot of pin-down screen to get free at the elbows. Beal managed to get up 20 or so shots per 36 minutes with this setup, I don't understand why Otto only launched 14. Granted, Beal got a few more isolation plays, but Otto isn't any good at isolation.

Also, let's not act like Otto is somehow getting a ton more looks in Chicago. He averaged 17.5 FGAs per 100 possession in Washington this year and 18.2 last year. In Chicago, he is averaging 19.8 FGAs/100.

The main difference in Chicago is that he is averaging 4 more minutes per game.

[Dat2U]

Horrible chemistry with Wall. Horrible chemistry with Brooks who made him his whipping boy for the lack of effort Wall & Morris were displaying.

And Nate33, you cannot run the same stuff for Beal that you do for Porter and expect similar results.

Porter needs a change of scenery. So do the Wizards.

[nate33]

Horrible chemistry with Wall. Horrible chemistry with Brooks who made him his whipping boy for the lack of effort Wall & Morris were displaying.

And Nate33, you cannot run the same stuff for Beal that you do for Porter and expect similar results.

Porter needs a change of scenery. So do the Wizards.

Fair enough. I'm just saying that the offense was designed to get Porter his share of looks. Porter turned down too many open looks, and often failed to decisively attack an off-balance defender.

I agree that Porter inexplicably became Brooks' whipping boy when Morris and Wall were clearly much worse.

[Eli Babak]

Porter simply isn't aggressive scorer by nature, he wants to take good shots and be a team player. Also that max contract status haunts him but again, it's not his fault Brooklyn offered him that deal. Blame Ernie for signing 3 bigs for 27M/year in 2016, signing Brooks for 5 years and throwing away draft picks.

I'm happy Porter got traded to Chicago because my man Markkanen plays there and he's terrific fit next to him. WCJ is a good young center and LaVine has surprised me positively this season. They really have a nice future there whereas in Washington it's gonna be rough - again.

Edit: I admit Porter could've worked harder but it's just too easy for me to sympathize him because when I play basketball I'm usually too humble.

[queridiculo]

The issue I'm having is reconciling some of these statements with periods where everybody was basically screaming for Otto to be more aggressive, including the infamous pre-season "i'ma be more aggressive" statement by Otto, followed by averaging 10 shots a game in October to start the year, and seven shots in the first game of the season. A huge blanket of games with John not in the lineup. Etc.

What are we to make of this?

This.

Oubre has never been shy about getting his shots up, nor has anybody else been really.

For years fans, coaches and teammates have implored Porte to be more aggressive, to be more assertive, did it ever stick?

Nope.

The Wizards haven't exactly been blessed with stellar coaching, but Porter needs to own this instead of deflecting blame.

[DANNYLANDOVER]

He ain't lying. I'd wanna get away from an organization led by Brooks, Ernie, and Terd, if I were a basketball player. He was not utilized properly, simple as. Happy for him!

[Illmatic12]

Read on Twitter

https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-otto-porter-jr-had-a-rocky-relationship-with-scott-brooks/

A few weeks later, Porter had a game with 29 points on 12-of-15 shots. And while he would’ve likely been force-fed at least 20 attempts to see how hot he could get, the Wizards took little notice of it, feeding the mouths of the usual suspects.

Porter and Brooks soon met to iron out details on how he was being utilized within the system, which concluded with Brooks telling Porter, “Do your job,” according to Michael Lee of The Athletic.

The Georgetown product was forced into a bench role soon after an injury caused a short-term absence, and while he was eventually placed back in the starting lineup, that rocky relationship never fully healed, as he was soon shipped to the Chicago Bulls for Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis in a salary dump move.

The issue I'm having is reconciling some of these statements with periods where everybody was basically screaming for Otto to be more aggressive, including the infamous pre-season "i'ma be more aggressive" statement by Otto, followed by averaging 10 shots a game in October to start the year, and seven shots in the first game of the season. A huge blanket of games with John not in the lineup. Etc.

What are we to make of this?

Let's just call it what it is . Otto shrunk under the pressure of his contract. He was never a max player and he knew it, he had to get away from DC to escape the heat. Social media is really tough on young athletes in this generation , and it's no secret that a lot of people locally began to turn on Otto over the past few years (esp in playoffs)

In Chicago he's on a 14-win team with no pressure , and playing with a bunch of kids who aren't expected to win . Their fanbase doesn't have any residual feelings of him being a disappointment.

All parties involved needed a divorce.

[TheBabyMaker]

Is he going to get any healthier playing for the Bulls?

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I think Otto learned and thrived under JT3 in the Princeton system built on passing, moving, and getting the best shot possible. He really lead the team as a point forward in that role. In his mind, you pass the ball, move, and the ball comes back to you for an open shot.

He struggled in Brooks' offense of Jack a shot anytime you get your hands on the ball.

[Jimmy Recard]

He ain't lying. I'd wanna get away from an organization led by Brooks, Ernie, and Terd, if I were a basketball player. He was not utilized properly, simple as. Happy for him!

Yep. Couldn’t be happier for Otto. And they love him in Chicago, good for him. Same with Kelly in PHX.

[payitforward]

Sigh...

Otto Porter was absolutely tremendous last year & the year before. I don't know what caused his problems this year -- tbh, who cares? -- but the idea that he underperformed as a Wizard is ridiculous.

Otto was our best player both last year & the previous one -- comfortably our best player. Better than Wall. Better than Beal. Both years. Look at the numbers.

But, no, don't look at the numbers. After all, what role do numbers play in basketball? You know you're right about Otto Porter, b/c you know you're right about Otto Porter -- who needs facts when you were born with such great opinions, right?

[prime1time]

I'm happy for Otto. He's a good player. Wiz never used him properly.

[payitforward]

Anyway, the real issue here has nothing to do with Otto Porter.

We picked a guy at #3 in the 2013 draft, then a few years later we traded him for... nothing. For players we have no way to keep.
A few months after picking him, we traded our 2014 R1 pick for a C with an expiring salary!
Then we traded two extra picks to move our 2015 R1 pick up 4 slots, picked Kelly Oubre & then traded him for an expiring veteran.
A few months after making that pick, we traded our 2016 R1 pick (a lottery pick) for a journeyman whom we later traded for a R2 pick several years down the road.
A few months after that, we traded our 2017 R1 pick for an expiring salary in order to hide a ridiculously bad FA signing.

That's 5 R1 picks in a row (including 2 lottery picks, 1 of them a #3 pick) turned into absolutely nothing.

We don't need to talk about Otto Porter; he's no longer with us.

We need to talk about Ernie Grunfeld; he's still around, & we may never ever ever get rid of him!!

[nate33]

Anyway, the real issue here has nothing to do with Otto Porter.

We picked a guy at #3 in the 2013 draft, then a few years later we traded him for... nothing. For players we have no way to keep.
A few months after picking him, we traded our 2014 R1 pick for a C with an expiring salary!
Then we traded two extra picks to move our 2015 R1 pick up 4 slots, picked Kelly Oubre & then traded him for an expiring veteran.
A few months after making that pick, we traded our 2016 R1 pick (a lottery pick) for a journeyman whom we later traded for a R2 pick several years down the road.
A few months after that, we traded our 2017 R1 pick for an expiring salary in order to hide a ridiculously bad FA signing.

That's 5 R1 picks in a row (including 2 lottery picks, 1 of them a #3 pick) turned into absolutely nothing.

We don't need to talk about Otto Porter; he's no longer with us.

We need to talk about Ernie Grunfeld; he's still around, & we may never ever ever get rid of him!!

You think?

Are you telling me that Ernie Grunfeld isn't a good GM? Man, you learn something new on this board everyday.

[Ruzious]

Anyway, the real issue here has nothing to do with Otto Porter.

We picked a guy at #3 in the 2013 draft, then a few years later we traded him for... nothing. For players we have no way to keep.
A few months after picking him, we traded our 2014 R1 pick for a C with an expiring salary!
Then we traded two extra picks to move our 2015 R1 pick up 4 slots, picked Kelly Oubre & then traded him for an expiring veteran.
A few months after making that pick, we traded our 2016 R1 pick (a lottery pick) for a journeyman whom we later traded for a R2 pick several years down the road.
A few months after that, we traded our 2017 R1 pick for an expiring salary in order to hide a ridiculously bad FA signing.

That's 5 R1 picks in a row (including 2 lottery picks, 1 of them a #3 pick) turned into absolutely nothing.

We don't need to talk about Otto Porter; he's no longer with us.

We need to talk about Ernie Grunfeld; he's still around, & we may never ever ever get rid of him!!

You think?

Are you telling me that Ernie Grunfeld isn't a good GM? Man, you learn something new on this board everyday.

Bombshell alert! Perhaps we should consider EG as part of the... problem? Whoa, everything's illuminated, as Jonathan Safran Foer would say.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Anyway, the real issue here has nothing to do with Otto Porter.

We picked a guy at #3 in the 2013 draft, then a few years later we traded him for... nothing. For players we have no way to keep.
A few months after picking him, we traded our 2014 R1 pick for a C with an expiring salary!
Then we traded two extra picks to move our 2015 R1 pick up 4 slots, picked Kelly Oubre & then traded him for an expiring veteran.
A few months after making that pick, we traded our 2016 R1 pick (a lottery pick) for a journeyman whom we later traded for a R2 pick several years down the road.
A few months after that, we traded our 2017 R1 pick for an expiring salary in order to hide a ridiculously bad FA signing.

That's 5 R1 picks in a row (including 2 lottery picks, 1 of them a #3 pick) turned into absolutely nothing.

We don't need to talk about Otto Porter; he's no longer with us.

We need to talk about Ernie Grunfeld; he's still around, & we may never ever ever get rid of him!!

You think?

Are you telling me that Ernie Grunfeld isn't a good GM? Man, you learn something new on this board everyday.

Bombshell alert! Perhaps we should consider EG as part of the... problem? Whoa, everything's illuminated, as Jonathan Safran Foer would say.

You forgot to include 2011 2 1st round picks wasted on Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton.

[montestewart]

Is Otto popping off or are other people? I didn't see a damning quote from him, did I miss it? He never really seemed like that type.

Regardless of who's to blame (and I don't think he shoulders all the blame, he was pretty good before the injury), it didn't seem like he was going to work out here. I can understand him feeling relieved to be out of DC.

[Induveca]

Good riddance mostly to his contract, but I actually enjoy watching the team far more since he’s been traded.

[Ruzious]

Otto's MRI showed "rotator cuff strain". No time-table on when he'll be back - could be shut down for the rest of the season. Otto will rest up and work on his grimaces.