Wizards’ Bryant: ‘I feel like we are going to be fine from an offensive standpoint’
Goforitradio Staff
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Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant is back with the team after he tested positive for COVID-19 two weeks ago. Fortunately for Bryant and the Wizards, he is healthy.
Bryant, like the rest of his teammates, has a great opportunity in Orlando. No Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans mean guys will have chances to show what they got.
The first test for this unit will be on Wednesday in a scrimmage against the Denver Nuggets.
“We have so many unselfish guys that make plays that people really haven’t seen make plays before until now,”Bryant said on Sunday. “You’re gonna see those guys make plays; you’re going to see me make plays. Obviously, Rui(Hachimura) making plays more often as well. Guys have more of an open opportunity they have to capitalize on. So, I feel like we’re going to be fine from an offensive standpoint.”
Washington will have to make up 45 points a game without Beal(30.5 ppg) and Bertans(15.4 ppg). Beal had the ball in his hands quite often this season, and not only was he a volume scorer, but he also got other involved, as he averaged 6.1 assists per game.
How Wizards head coach Scott Brooks manufactures points should be interesting. Bryant(12.1 ppg) is going to get his touches. Rookie Rui Hachimura(13.4 ppg) will be counted on heavily, and many have been impressed by what they have seen out of him in practice. Ish Smith, Shabazz Napier, and Troy Brown Jr. will have an opportunity to have the ball in their hands a lot in Orlando and will have to try to pick up the slack. Washington played fast throughout the season and scored many points(115.6 ppg), and without Beal and Bertans, this team must continue to play fast and try to get as many easy buckets as possible.
On paper, it appears the Wizards will struggle in Orlando, but even if that happens, the important part is growth from their young players, which will put this team in a good position when Beal and John Wall return next season.
