Otto Porter - Part 3

[FAH1223]

I keep thinking we were up 5 with 8 mins left in the 4th in Game 5. That was with a badly dinged up Otto.

A healthy Otto, a healthy Wall and a coach that would have some sort of awareness about managing a guy's minutes would indeed make us very good in spite of our many flaws. I just have a hard time seeing this happen.

It's a good bet Otto gets dealt. Neither the front office, the coach or Wall/Beal seem to know what they have.

The fans on Twitter and some on here who only look at PPG are going to get that reality check when Otto balls out in NOLA and we have a diminished 28 year old Boogie who can’t defend the rim and won’t be as efficient....

Wiz get worse as a team. Oubre ain’t ready. Still lack of wing depth probably to boot.

[youngWizzy]

The more and more I see what Boston is doing with Tatum, the Wizards need someone to complement Wall and Beal just like Tatum.

Might just be me but I see soo much of Otto in Tatum and it's sad we cannot morph Otto into a role similar to that of Tatum's.

The only difference is Tatum is being given the green light in Boston while Otto is being told to lay back and be a spot up shooter.

Otto at Georgetown was essentially what Tatum is now. Both are not the most athletic players themselves but have a variety of moves that they can use to score.

Unfortunately, Otto is not being encouraged to take more shots and use moves we never seen typically on a game to game basis like Tatum is.

For example, see his draft video from Georgetown and tell me he doesn't play like Jason Tatum.

Watch on YouTube

If Otto does in fact get traded somewhere else this season, I will be watching closely as to how he plays. There's no doubt in my mind he can be utilized better in any other system. Just imagine him on the Spurs!

[queridiculo]

There's similarities, down to the body type, but Tatum's got the sort of assertiveness that Porter is lacking.

Otto not being a bigger part of this offense may in part be scheme related, but it's also part Porter himself. I'd also say that Tatum is a far more polished ball handler, something Otto either isn't quite capable yet or doesn't have the confidence to utilize.

[Illmatic12]

The more and more I see what Boston is doing with Tatum, the Wizards need someone to complement Wall and Beal just like Tatum.

Might just be me but I see soo much of Otto in Tatum and it's sad we cannot morph Otto into a role similar to that of Tatum's.

The only difference is Tatum is being given the green light in Boston while Otto is being told to lay back and be a spot up shooter.

Otto at Georgetown was essentially what Tatum is now. Both are not the most athletic players themselves but have a variety of moves that they can use to score.

Unfortunately, Otto is not being encouraged to take more shots and use moves we never seen typically on a game to game basis like Tatum is.

For example, see his draft video from Georgetown and tell me he doesn't play like Jason Tatum.

Watch on YouTube

If Otto does in fact get traded somewhere else this season, I will be watching closely as to how he plays. There's no doubt in my mind he can be utilized better in any other system. Just imagine him on the Spurs!

It’s not about coaching..

If Tatum was on the Wizards, I have no doubt he would be balling out and demanding shots from John & Brad. And if Otto were on the Celtics, I have no doubts that he would be his usual low usage, high efficient self playing 4th fiddle behind Marcus Morris.

Tatum is simply a more skilled and aggressive scorer than Porter. There are certain things that can’t be taught or coached.

[NatP4]

LOL yeah Brad Stevens and Scott Brooks are equal and people forsure didn’t say the same things about Durant when Brooks was in OKC.

[DCZards]

Tatum and Porter are very different in some respects, especially when it comes to attacking the basket, which Tatum looks to do pretty much every time he touches the ball.

I too want to see Otto get more shots and Brooks and OP's teammates need to help make that happen. But Otto also needs to step up, including improving his ball handling and being more assertive.

Otto is certainly not being told to "lay back and be a spot up shooter." I've heard both Brooks and Wall say that OP needs to be more aggressive and look for his shot.

[NatP4]

I’ve heard wall say we need to play defense a million times and then proceed to not even cross halfcourt forcing his team to play 4 on 5 on D.


They run the same set every single play, Porter and Beal run in circles and flair out to the wing, Otto pops off wide open and wall looks him off and throws it to Beal EVERYTIME.

That is our offense

[80sballboy]

Tatum and Porter are very different in some respects, especially when it comes to attacking the basket, which Tatum looks to do pretty much every time he touches the ball.

I too want to see Otto get more shots and Brooks and OP's teammates need to help make that happen. But Otto also needs to step up, including improving his ball handling and being more assertive.

Otto is certainly not being told to "lay back and be a spot up shooter." I've heard both Brooks and Wall say that OP needs to be more aggressive and look for his shot.

Otto is a very good player but Tatum's upside is gigantic because he's so much more athletic. He's still growing and is just 20 years old. One thing they do have in common aside from their size (6-8, 205) is that they are both from St. Louis.

[DCZards]

Tatum and Porter are very different in some respects, especially when it comes to attacking the basket, which Tatum looks to do pretty much every time he touches the ball.

I too want to see Otto get more shots and Brooks and OP's teammates need to help make that happen. But Otto also needs to step up, including improving his ball handling and being more assertive.

Otto is certainly not being told to "lay back and be a spot up shooter." I've heard both Brooks and Wall say that OP needs to be more aggressive and look for his shot.

Otto is a very good player but Tatum's upside is gigantic because he's so much more athletic. He's still growing and is just 20 years old. One thing they do have in common aside from their size (6-8, 205) is that they are both from St. Louis.

Otto is not from St. Louis...but he is from Missouri.

[DCZards]

I’ve heard wall say we need to play defense a million times and then proceed to not even cross halfcourt forcing his team to play 4 on 5 on D.


They run the same set every single play, Porter and Beal run in circles and flair out to the wing, Otto pops off wide open and wall looks him off and throws it to Beal EVERYTIME.

That is our offense

So are you saying that the problems are Wall, Beal, the offense and coaching...and that Otto doesn't have any shortcomings?

[80sballboy]

Tatum and Porter are very different in some respects, especially when it comes to attacking the basket, which Tatum looks to do pretty much every time he touches the ball.

I too want to see Otto get more shots and Brooks and OP's teammates need to help make that happen. But Otto also needs to step up, including improving his ball handling and being more assertive.

Otto is certainly not being told to "lay back and be a spot up shooter." I've heard both Brooks and Wall say that OP needs to be more aggressive and look for his shot.

Otto is a very good player but Tatum's upside is gigantic because he's so much more athletic. He's still growing and is just 20 years old. One thing they do have in common aside from their size (6-8, 205) is that they are both from St. Louis.

Otto is not from St. Louis...but he is from Missouri.

He was born in St. Louis. So I'm saying he's from St. Louis. Check Wiki.

[NatP4]

I’ve heard wall say we need to play defense a million times and then proceed to not even cross halfcourt forcing his team to play 4 on 5 on D.


They run the same set every single play, Porter and Beal run in circles and flair out to the wing, Otto pops off wide open and wall looks him off and throws it to Beal EVERYTIME.

That is our offense

So are you saying that the problems are Wall, Beal, the offense and coaching...and that Otto doesn't have any shortcomings?

Otto has zero issues in the way he approaches the game. People who blame him for being passive are deflecting. He shoots open shots he passes to open players.

Have you EVER in your life seen Otto take a dumb shot or make a selfish play? Nope. How many times do you see Wall do one of those things? Maybe 5-6 times per game.

most of the blame should be on Brooks though, it could be such a simple fix. Maybe call a post up at the elbow for Otto, maybe play him at small ball 4 more (instead of never at all) where he can pick and pop a little bit or drive it against bigger less athletic players. Maybe stagger the starters and let Otto takeover with the bench which he does from time to time when you aren’t subbing him out for Kelly Oubre and only playing him 31 damn minutes a game

It’s simple ****, Otto would be a star on the spurs or the Celtics. He’s just not an isolation one on one player. Coaches have to get these guys in the right spots to utilize their scoring ability. Coach Pop had to adjust to get Kawhi more offensive opportunities.

Two things I promise you, without looking them up because I don’t know how to or want to:

1. Otto takes more shots per 100 possessions when he plays power forward

2. Otto took more shots per 100 possessions when Wall was out injured.

[NatP4]

Otto is a very good player but Tatum's upside is gigantic because he's so much more athletic. He's still growing and is just 20 years old. One thing they do have in common aside from their size (6-8, 205) is that they are both from St. Louis.

Otto is not from St. Louis...but he is from Missouri.

He was born in St. Louis. So I'm saying he's from St. Louis. Check Wiki.

He’s from Scott County. Morley, Missouri. Sikeston area playing in a small town, NOT AAU in St Louis.

Major reason why he is the player he is today

[DCZards]

I’ve heard wall say we need to play defense a million times and then proceed to not even cross halfcourt forcing his team to play 4 on 5 on D.


They run the same set every single play, Porter and Beal run in circles and flair out to the wing, Otto pops off wide open and wall looks him off and throws it to Beal EVERYTIME.

That is our offense

So are you saying that the problems are Wall, Beal, the offense and coaching...and that Otto doesn't have any shortcomings?

Otto has zero issues in the way he approaches the game. People who blame him for being passive are deflecting. He shoots open shots he passes to open players.

Have you EVER in your life seen Otto take a dumb shot or make a selfish play? Nope. How many times do you see Wall do one of those things? Maybe 5-6 times per game.

most of the blame should be on Brooks though, it could be such a simple fix. Maybe call a post up at the elbow for Otto, maybe play him at small ball 4 more (instead of never at all) where he can pick and pop a little bit or drive it against bigger less athletic players. Maybe stagger the starters and let Otto takeover with the bench which he does from time to time when you aren’t subbing him out for Kelly Oubre and only playing him 31 damn minutes a game

It’s simple ****, Otto would be a star on the spurs or the Celtics. He’s just not an isolation one on one player. Coaches have to get these guys in the right spots to utilize their scoring ability. Coach Pop had to adjust to get Kawhi more offensive opportunities.

Two things I promise you, without looking them up because I don’t know how to or want to:

1. Otto takes more shots per 100 possessions when he plays power forward

2. Otto took more shots per 100 possessions when Wall was out injured.

I agree with a lot of what you say here. Porter is indeed unselfish (maybe to a fault) and rarely, if ever, takes a bad shot. I too would like to see Otto post up more and possibly look to pass more out of the post like he did very well at G'Town.

But Otto has to become a better ballhandler and become much better at putting the ball on the floor and taking opponents off the dribble. That's pretty obvious, imo. Those are skills that are absolutely essential for a perimeter player in today's NBA.

[NatP4]

So are you saying that the problems are Wall, Beal, the offense and coaching...and that Otto doesn't have any shortcomings?

Otto has zero issues in the way he approaches the game. People who blame him for being passive are deflecting. He shoots open shots he passes to open players.

Have you EVER in your life seen Otto take a dumb shot or make a selfish play? Nope. How many times do you see Wall do one of those things? Maybe 5-6 times per game.

most of the blame should be on Brooks though, it could be such a simple fix. Maybe call a post up at the elbow for Otto, maybe play him at small ball 4 more (instead of never at all) where he can pick and pop a little bit or drive it against bigger less athletic players. Maybe stagger the starters and let Otto takeover with the bench which he does from time to time when you aren’t subbing him out for Kelly Oubre and only playing him 31 damn minutes a game

It’s simple ****, Otto would be a star on the spurs or the Celtics. He’s just not an isolation one on one player. Coaches have to get these guys in the right spots to utilize their scoring ability. Coach Pop had to adjust to get Kawhi more offensive opportunities.

Two things I promise you, without looking them up because I don’t know how to or want to:

1. Otto takes more shots per 100 possessions when he plays power forward

2. Otto took more shots per 100 possessions when Wall was out injured.

I agree with a lot of what you say here. Porter is indeed unselfish (maybe to a fault) and rarely, if ever, takes a bad shot. I too would like to see Otto post up more and possibly look to pass more out of the post like he did very well at G'Town.

But Otto has to become a better ballhandler and become much better at putting the ball on the floor and taking opponents off the dribble. That's pretty obvious, imo. Those are skills that are absolutely essential for a perimeter player in today's NBA.

Well that’s what I’m saying, he’s not really that player, he’s a power forward, especially in today’s NBA. He always talks about playing the 4 in interviews, he’s one of the few players that loves it. He did it at G-Town and high school. At the 4, he doesn’t have to take guys off the dribble, and if he does, it’s a lot easier against bigs.

AND, it benefits everyone, Wall and Beal get more spacing which helps the iso game, having a 44% 3pt shooter at the 4 opens the court for everyone, it gets Oubre on the court, who NEEDS to play with Wall and needs to play starters minutes and be treated like a core player instead of another backup. We are at our best when we do play small.

He can get shots when he sets a screen and teams switch because he can post up PGs and score over them, he can roll to the basket, he can pop and hit 3s, we know he can spot up and when you play small, Oubre and Porter get WIDE open looks.

Sorry to rant about the same thing so much, but this is the actual player development stuff Brooks was supposed to be good at. He shouldn’t be underutilizing anyone.

[nate33]

For the first 63 games of the season (up to the point when Porter got hurt), Otto averaged 20.1 points per 100 possessions with a TS% of .610 when he shared the court with John Wall. His USG% was 15.5.

When Wall was not on the court with Porter, Porter averaged 25.0 points per 100 possessions with a TS% of .580. His USG% was 20.7

Porter clearly has the capability of getting more shots up while maintaining good efficiency, even with lesser point guards distributing the ball. Wall's presence detracts from the number of shots Porter takes. I don't know whether to blame Wall, Porter, or Brooks, but it's something that needs to change. If Porter can maintain a USG% of nearly 21 without Wall on the floor, he should get that same USG% with Wall on the floor, if not more. Wall should either take shots from somebody else, or, preferably, take less shots in general.

[DCZards]

Well that’s what I’m saying, he’s not really that player, he’s a power forward, especially in today’s NBA. He always talks about playing the 4 in interviews, he’s one of the few players that loves it. He did it at G-Town and high school. At the 4, he doesn’t have to take guys off the dribble, and if he does, it’s a lot easier against bigs.

AND, it benefits everyone, Wall and Beal get more spacing which helps the iso game, having a 44% 3pt shooter at the 4 opens the court for everyone, it gets Oubre on the court, who NEEDS to play with Wall and needs to play starters minutes and be treated like a core player instead of another backup. We are at our best when we do play small.

He can get shots when he sets a screen and teams switch because he can post up PGs and score over them, he can roll to the basket, he can pop and hit 3s, we know he can spot up and when you play small, Oubre and Porter get WIDE open looks.

Sorry to rant about the same thing so much, but this is the actual player development stuff Brooks was supposed to be good at. He shouldn’t be underutilizing anyone.

This is where I disagree with you. I don't see Otto as a full-time 4. He simply does not have the size and strength to do what's required in that capacity, including taking the pounding. OP can get away with playing some (maybe even a lot) at the 4 but not on a full-time basis. Playing PF in high school and college and playing it in the NBA are two VERY different things.

It would be a disservice to Otto--and the Zards--to suggest that he shouldn't be working on improving his ballhandling and his ability to take opponents off the dribble. It would make OP a MUCH better all-around offensive player.

[Dat2U]

The more and more I see what Boston is doing with Tatum, the Wizards need someone to complement Wall and Beal just like Tatum.

Might just be me but I see soo much of Otto in Tatum and it's sad we cannot morph Otto into a role similar to that of Tatum's.

The only difference is Tatum is being given the green light in Boston while Otto is being told to lay back and be a spot up shooter.

Otto at Georgetown was essentially what Tatum is now. Both are not the most athletic players themselves but have a variety of moves that they can use to score.

Unfortunately, Otto is not being encouraged to take more shots and use moves we never seen typically on a game to game basis like Tatum is.

For example, see his draft video from Georgetown and tell me he doesn't play like Jason Tatum.

Watch on YouTube

If Otto does in fact get traded somewhere else this season, I will be watching closely as to how he plays. There's no doubt in my mind he can be utilized better in any other system. Just imagine him on the Spurs!

Otto needs to realize a tough shot by him is better than an open shot for a lot of guys.

[TGW]

Tatum is Otto Porter with balls.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Otto is the best all around player on this team and a budding star. For some reason Wall and Beal think only they are the cornerstones of the franchise and their play reflects that. Wall probably should be traded so Porter can blossom. It’s time we play high IQ team ball. A poor scorer like Wall shouldn’t be top 2 on our team every season in shot attempts.