The Washington Wizards just signed Dwight Howard in the summer, giving the team a definitive post presence and a reliable rim protector. However, head coach Scott Brooks has a plan that could cut into Howard’s minutes, and it involves a bunch of guards and Otto Porter, per Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Scott Brooks is really digging into going small. Said he might play four-guard lineups at times this year. Also mentioned Otto Porter playing the 5.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) September 27, 2018
Porter is currently projected as the Wizards’ starting small forward, a position that fits the Georgetown product, who has a nice blend of size at 6-foot-8, range, and mobility. Playing the 5 isn’t Porter’s cup of tea, but Brooks is seemingly willing to experiment.
Brooks obviously wants his team to capitalize on the speed of the cat-quick John Wall and running mate Bradley Beal. The Wizards also just signed shooting guard Austin Rivers, who can provide additional firep0wer off the bench and is likely a part of Brooks’ vision of fast-paced basketball for Washington. If the Wizards want to run, they have the tools, but a four-guard lineup with Porter as the center would mean they’re open to sacrificing rebounds and the ability to keep opponents from scoring in the paint if it meant a faster brand of basketball.
Last season, the Wizards finished just 18th in terms of pace, indicating they weren't pushing the ball as much as Brooks wanted. But that’s also because the Wizards weren’t a great rebounding team with only 51.0 boards per game, 20th overall in the NBA.
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