The Washington Wizards hoped point guardTim Frazierwould be the answer to back up superstarJohn Wall, but he’s yet to impress.
Washington Wizardsfour-time All-Star John Wall missed two games this season due to injuries. Wall, who first missed the first meeting between the two teams in Toronto on Nov. 5, missed the second meeting with a knee injury, per Wizards head coachScott Brooks.
As a result, backup point guard Tim Fraizer made his second start of the season in place for Wall. Although Frazier recorded eight assists in each of his two starts, points come at a minimum. In his two starts, Frazier scored a combined 10 points.
Most recently, Frazier attempted just four field goals in 35 minutes with four turnovers, second highest for the Wizards toBradley Beal. However, Frazier isn’t the only person at fault though for the Wizards cringeworthy defense.
According toHoopsstats.com, the Wizards bench holds a -6.2 efficiency recap difference (deff), which ranks No. 24 among NBA benches entering Friday’s slate of NBA games.
Consequently, the Wizards bench ranks near the bottom of other NBA statistical categories including:
- 23rdin NBA efficiency recap (33.8)
- 22ndin minutes (16.9)
- 21stin points (30.8)
- 24thin rebounds (14.6)
- 26thin assists (5.8)
- 20thin steals (2.7)
- 27thin blocks (1.2)
- 10thin personal fouls (9.8)
Evidently, the Wizards second team of Frazier,Jodie Meeks,Kelly OubreJr.,Mike ScottandIan Mahinmihas not generated much production thus far this season. However, the Wizards backup center Ian Mahinmi is arguably the biggest reason for the bench struggles thus far in 2017.
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Mahinmi, 31, signed to a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Wizards during the 2016 offseason, averages just three points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 turnovers per game in 18 games played. Even more mind-boggling is the fact that Mahinmi has played 18 games, while proven veteran forward/centerJason Smithhas appeared in just seven games.
Smith, 31, continues to ride the pine as of late and hasn’t been called upon to play by Wizards coachScott Brooksin five of the last six games. Furthermore, the 7-foot center has appeared in consecutive games just twice this season. It’s difficult for any NBA player to produce when you don’t get any type of consistent playing time.
Certainly, Oubre Jr. shines brightest of the second unit in the midst of his best NBA season since the Wizards drafted him No. 15 overall in the 2015 NBA draft. On the other hand, Meeks is suffering his worst three-point shooting percentage (27.6 percent) of his eight-year career.
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Ultimately, if the Washington Wizards bench proceeds to generate lackluster results, Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld will have his hands full leading up to the NBA trade deadline. The Washington Wizards bench woes remain unsolved.
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