nate33 wrote:I noted some interesting team Offensive Rating, Defensive Rating and Net Rating rankings for the Wizards this year.
For the season, the rankings look like this:
Net: 28th
Off: 25th
Def: 28th
I'm going to focus on two key inflection points:
The first took place on December 29th when Wes finally abandoned the Gallo at backup center experiment. For the first 30 games, the strategy was clearly to try and outscore the opposition with pace and space. Defense was an afterthought. But they could only take so many blowout losses before their eyes started to bleed and the finally went with a more conventional rotation.
First 30 games (pace and space)
Net: 27th
Off: 25th
Def: 30th
Next 8 games (no Gallo)
Net: 24th
Off: 25th
Def: 23th
It's a relatively subtle distinction, but you can see that the defense improved to at least a passable competence. The offense was the same, or rather, it was probably a bit worse as a team, but that was offset a bit by Poole no longer being quite the disastrous train wreck he was in the first 20 games or so.
The next inflection point took place after the Bagley trade. Muscala was doing his best to play like a professional NBA center, but let's face it, he's really not that guy anymore. Replacing him with a genuine NBA center has done wonders for the defense. The offense would probably be a bit better too, but this stretch has coincided with Kuzma going into an offensive funk (TS% of just .507 over this stretch).
Last 10 games (with Bagley)
Net: 24th
Off: 26th
Def: 15th
For what it's worth, there does not appear to be a significant change under Keefe. I think, generally speaking, the team shift to focus on playing professional NBA defense actually happened about 18 games ago and was subsequently boosted by the talent infusion of Bagley. The recent games with Keefe have also benefitted from a pretty easy schedule featuring Detroit, San Antonio and the not-really-that-good Heat:
Last 5 games (since Keefe took over)
Net: 21th
Off: 26th
Def: 12th
Overall, I'm very happy with the development. I think it's a better developmental strategy to focus on being competent on defense and just living with whatever you can muster on offense. The offense will get better as the individual offensive talent improves, while the defense is much more dependent on the culture. You want the young guys to be indoctrinated into a good defensive culture.
Yep, the Bagley trade was a good one. I think the coaching change as well. Now, have Poole come off the bench and our offensive rating will come up as well (IMO). I would be really happy with that change.
Now, who should start in his place? I would think it would be Kispert but... I wouldn't fight if it was Bilal or Shamet.