Injury-ravaged Wizards forced to give rookie Oubre a chance to prove himself
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Version 0 of 1. The Washington Wizards traded for Kelly Oubre Jr. on draft night because they viewed him as a potential star, an athletic long-limbed wingman who could thrive on both ends of the floor. But that was a long-term prognosis. In the short-term, he was a project. If everything went as planned, Oubre’s rookie year would be like a redshirt campaign. It would be a chance to learn without the pressure of expectations. A couple of months through the season, the Wizards have been forced to discard that blueprint, at least for the time being. Injuries have ravaged the roster, and the latest development — Otto Porter Jr.’s thigh bruise — meant Oubre received meaningful minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. And if Porter, whose status is uncertain, is sidelined Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets, the 20-year-old Oubre again likely will play a bigger role. “He’s playing now. He’s learning,” Wizards Coach Randy Wittman said. “He’s getting his feet probably sooner than he probably would if we were a healthy team. That’s not a knock against him. That’s just kind of what it is.” [On the NBA: Wizards wasting their season, ruining their future] There weren’t many positives to take from the Wizards’ 1-3 week-long Southwest swing, but Oubre’s performance was one. The 6-foot-7 southpaw was a member of the reserve lineup that trimmed a 23-point fourth-quarter deficit to 11 in Monday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and finished with eight points, four rebounds, two steals and a couple of three-pointers in 17 minutes. Two days later, he posted a career-high 18 points on 6-for-15 shooting in 25 minutes as Porter exited the contest in the third quarter. “Progression is the word,” Oubre said earlier this week. “Every game is different. Every game I try to get better. At practice I probably get better. I’m starting to get the hang of the whole NBA thing now. The game’s starting to slow down a little bit. I’m starting to know my concepts, my plays, everything. It’s all a matter of me going out and trying to play my game within the confines of the offense. Everything’s getting crystal clear for me now.” Oubre’s defense is further along than his offense, but he has exhibited glimpses of his potential with strong dribble-drives and streaky shooting. Wittman, however, emphasized that Oubre needs to avoid “falling in love with the three-point shot” after he went 2 for 7 from beyond the arc against the Spurs. “My game is getting to the rack. If I hit a three or a jumper, it’s definitely a bonus,” said Oubre, who is shooting 28 percent from three-point range and averaging 3.8 points in 8.5 minutes per game. “But I try to get to the rack and get fouled. Try to see the ball go in the hoop a little easier than from three. You look at it percentage wise, I’m better off getting to the hole, so when I see the three fall, it’s a confidence booster.” [In quest for offense, Wizards have lost defensive identity] Oubre could see ample playing time Saturday even if Porter plays because of Washington’s other injuries. Washington had just nine players available for practice Friday as Porter, Bradley Beal (leg), Nene (calf), Drew Gooden III (calf), Alan Anderson (ankle) and John Wall (rest) were held out. Wittman said it is the worst flood of injuries the team has encountered since he took over as coach in 2012. It is a major reason the Wizards are 10-14 and 12th in the Eastern Conference. “We just got to keep plugging away through this, try to keep our head above water,” Wittman said. To do so, the Wizards likely will rely on their rookie to assume a burden they hoped he would have been able to avoid. “I just have to step in,” Oubre said, “and help my team.” |