Ruzious wrote:NatP4 wrote:Yep, since 2/3 (17 games) they have the 9th best defense in the league.
10-7 in that stretch (should be 11-6 with a win over Boston). That’s 50% of the season at a 42 win pace in a 72 game season with a top 10 defense.
The on/off numbers in that stretch are insane:
1. Lopez 8.3
2. Neto 7.2
3. Bonga 6.9 (limited minutes)
4. Bertans 6.3
5. Wagner 4.2
6. Avdija -0.8
So the bench has been really good in that stretch. The defensive rating is 9 points better when Lopez is on the court. Actually turning out to be a great signing by Sheppard.
If anything, at the deadline, they need some offensive help and some rebounding help. The biggest weak spot on the roster, according to the numbers, are the 30 minutes a night going to Rui Hachimura.
The player who's defense I think has been overlooked is Bertans. He's been doing a great jop of double-teaming opposing stars while still getting back to his man on time. In the past, he'd often fail getting back to his man in time, but he seems to have fresher legs now and gotten in better shape.
Fully agree. Bertans is a decent defender. Wiz defensive rating is only 1.4 points higher when he is on the court in that stretch. Compare that to a player that we pretend is some on ball stopper, Rui, the defensive rating is 7.5 points higher. Bertans also has a 68.9% TS in his last 15 games. Shooting 45% from 3.
Bertans was money well spent IMO. Once he got his legs under him, he’s been a huge plus.
I’ve said this before, but the wiz would be much better if they just started Bertans and gave most of Rui’s minutes to the better prospect in Bonga. *ducks*
