Mo Swag

[nate33]

It should be noted that drawing a charge doesn't show up in a players stats but is a very valuable play. Wagner had 2 in the first half and almost had a 3rd until they reversed it because his foot was on the line.

Yes, Wagner is an absolute savant with drawing charges. He's leading the entire NBA in total charges drawn despite his limited minutes:

https://stats.nba.com/players/hustle/?Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=CHARGES_DRAWN&dir=1&PerMode=Totals

He's even drawn more charges than the rest of the team combined - he's not even far from doubling them:

https://stats.nba.com/players/hustle/?Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=CHARGES_DRAWN&dir=1&PerMode=Totals&TeamID=1610612764

Great stuff, Mojo!

Here's how Wagner looks on a per-36 minute basis (100 minutes minimum)
https://stats.nba.com/players/hustle/?Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=CHARGES_DRAWN&dir=1&PerMode=Per36&CF=MIN*G*100

Only Cody Martin and Ersan Ilyasova are in the same stratosphere as Wagner when it comes to drawing charges. Wagner draws them at twice the rate of everyone else in the league.

[nate33]

He's even drawn more charges than the rest of the team combined - he's not even far from doubling them:

https://stats.nba.com/players/hustle/?Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=CHARGES_DRAWN&dir=1&PerMode=Totals&TeamID=1610612764

Here's the same chart on a per-36 basis, with low-minute players weeded out.

https://stats.nba.com/players/hustle/?Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=CONTESTED_SHOTS&dir=1&PerMode=Per36&TeamID=1610612764&CF=MIN*G*40

Wagner is at the top of the list in nearly every hustle category. He is just behind Bryant in screen assists, he's 3rd in deflections, 3rd in loose balls recovered, 1st in charges drawn, and 2nd just barely behind Bryant in contested shots.

[nate33]

Just an unbelievable night by Wagner against Minnesota:

Watch on YouTube

[nate33]

According to fivethirtyeight, Mo Wagner is the best defensive player in the league:



Anthony Davis BTFO!

[Mojo Amok]

Does the Mortician have the ability to play any power forward? Even for like, maybe 8 minutes a game? That would open a lot of things up with the playing time for both him and Bryant.

[nate33]

Does the Mortician have the ability to play any power forward? Even for like, maybe 8 minutes a game? That would open a lot of things up with the playing time for both him and Bryant.

I really think he does. He's surprisingly mobile out there. And he can definitely shoot it.

The only issue is I'm not sure if it's feasible for Bryant or Mo to play all that many more minutes than they already play given their foul rate.

[nate33]

I'm looking forward to basketballreference updating their stats to incorporate tonight's games. Mo is going to have PER of about 30. LOL

[queridiculo]

I was pumping up Wagner before the draft last year, but I was shocked by how poorly he looked playing for this team in preseason, he didn't look like a NBA guy to me.

Just goes to show you how meaningless these games are.

Love his grit and energy out there.

[Eli Babak]

According to fivethirtyeight, Mo Wagner is the best defensive player in the league:

https://i.imgur.com/Q9mrpxA.png

Anthony Davis BTFO!

That's nuts! He was so horrible before the season! Good for him (and the Wiz)!

[BigA]

If Wagner and Beal both make All-NBA, would the Wizards have to supermax both?

[tontoz]

Per 36 his averages are 25/11.5. His TS of 73% leads the NBA.

[bgroban]

At what point do you consider starting Mo and bringing Thomas in as an energy guy off the bench? Or would that totally disrupt team chemistry? Offense doesn’t seem to be an issue for the Wiz right now; it is their D. Frankly, I like Mo’s D better than TB.

[nate33]

At what point do you consider starting Mo and bringing Thomas in as an energy guy off the bench? Or would that totally disrupt team chemistry? Offense doesn’t seem to be an issue for the Wiz right now; it is their D. Frankly, I like Mo’s D better than TB.

Tough call.

First of all, it doesn't really matter all THAT much. I don't think Mo can play more than maybe 24-28 minutes a game because of his foul rate and his effort level. He can get those minutes coming off the bench just as easily as he would as a starter.

Secondly, we can't be sure how much of Mo's success has to do with him playing against second units and teams that haven't scouted him yet. His production could decline if he was named a starter

For now, I think Brooks can just play Mo a bit more by going to him a bit earlier and keeping him out a bit longer if he is playing well. But damn, if this play continues, it's going to be hard to justify bringing him off the bench.

[FAH1223]

At what point do you consider starting Mo and bringing Thomas in as an energy guy off the bench? Or would that totally disrupt team chemistry? Offense doesn’t seem to be an issue for the Wiz right now; it is their D. Frankly, I like Mo’s D better than TB.

Tough call.

First of all, it doesn't really matter all THAT much. I don't think Mo can play more than maybe 24-28 minutes a game because of his foul rate and his effort level. He can get those minutes coming off the bench just as easily as he would as a starter.

Secondly, we can't be sure how much of Mo's success has to do with him playing against second units and teams that haven't scouted him yet. His production could decline if he was named a starter

For now, I think Brooks can just play Mo a bit more by going to him a bit earlier and keeping him out a bit longer if he is playing well. But damn, if this play continues, it's going to be hard to justify bringing him off the bench.

I’d keep Mo on the bench. TB really has to become consistent defensively. He’s been awful this past week. Of course, IT in the starting lineup doesn’t help matters.

[nate33]

When comparing Mo versus Bryant, one thing I've noticed is that Mo is much more active with his hands.

In pick-and-roll defense, both guys seem like they're in the right place for the most part, but what often happens to Bryant is that he rotates to challenge the guard's shot but then he can't get back into the play on the defensive glass. The rolling center is usually there to clean up the guard's miss with an easy putback. Mo is much better about challenging the guard and then quickly shifting over to the big to bat away the offensive rebound before he gets it, or to challenge the big on his putback. Mo is just quicker to react and is better at swatting at the loose ball before the opposing big can grab it.

[Darko Miliminutes]

No surprise here. Watched him at UofM (ticket holder) and nba stretch big was written all over him. Got crickets in here after he came to Was. saying to be patient and enjoy once he gets nba comfort. Real vocal with real leadership qualities too which should happen with a bit more seasoning. So again, enjoy.

[youngWizzy]

In the entire NBA Moe Ranks:

1st in TS percentage
2nd in EFG percentage
2nd in 2-pt field goal percentage
15th in block percentage
17 in defensive rebound percentage
11th in 3 point percentage
5th in FG percentage
#1 in charges drawn

Spoiler:

He's been impressive

[Illmatic12]

When comparing Mo versus Bryant, one thing I've noticed is that Mo is much more active with his hands.

In pick-and-roll defense, both guys seem like they're in the right place for the most part, but what often happens to Bryant is that he rotates to challenge the guard's shot but then he can't get back into the play on the defensive glass. The rolling center is usually there to clean up the guard's miss with an easy putback. Mo is much better about challenging the guard and then quickly shifting over to the big to bat away the offensive rebound before he gets it, or to challenge the big on his putback. Mo is just quicker to react and is better at swatting at the loose ball before the opposing big can grab it.

Great observations.. Wagner has good mobility, hands and reflexes for a big man. This gives him an advantage particularly when the team is playing zone, because he's able to play in space as the roving 5-man and take away easy angles around the basket. When the shot goes up, he can quickly get in position for the rebound.

Thomas Bryant has been absolutely dreadful as the center in the middle of the zone, because he isn't as mobile in contesting shots and the zone D also takes him out of position on the defensive glass.

In my opinion, if we had a better defensive PG we wouldn't be forced to play zone and could utilize a scheme that puts Bryant in better position. If we had a strong point of attack defender who could fight around the screen, we could play TB in a drop scheme and all he'd have to do is backpedal and put his hands up to protect the rim. It would be much easier for him to get in position for rebounds that way as well.

[Illmatic12]

I was pumping up Wagner before the draft last year, but I was shocked by how poorly he looked playing for this team in preseason, he didn't look like a NBA guy to me.

Just goes to show you how meaningless these games are.

Love his grit and energy out there.

One thing I remember Wagner saying is that he was still flustered from the trade, and hadn't had time to familiarize himself with his teammates + coaches during Summer League. I think the amount of time the team spent together over the summer playing pickup and practicing (and even the off-court time hanging out) made a huge difference for Wagner and Bonga.

It's easy to forget but Wagner was a first-round grade prospect. He was considered a better NBA prospect than Bryant easily. It's very rare that a player of that caliber is just discarded for free after only 1 season.

[nate33]

Mo also ranks 3rd in the league in on/off differential:

https://stats.nba.com/players/traditional/?sort=PLUS_MINUS&dir=-1&Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Per36&CF=MIN*G*175