The Washington Wizards recently bounced back from a four-game skid after a statement win over the Los Angeles Lakers, but head coach Scott Brooks has known for a while that the intensity they brought into Sunday night is the same which will allow them to bounce back from a horrid 12-18 start to the season. John Wall exploded for 40 points, 14 assists, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks while his partner in crime Bradley Beal added 25 points and 12 rebounds in an inspired 128-110 home win.
“He's obviously the key,” Brooks said of Wall after a bombastic outing, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “Him and Brad are the key. They are the best players, they are All-Star players, but they need to bring that energy every night. It goes on them and then our role players need to be stars in their roles. That's what makes good teams go. We have been banged up. We are playing different lineups, but that is no excuse to play hard. That's your job — you have to do that.”
It wouldn't take long for Brooks to make his voice heard, even after a confidence-building win.
“We have to have more guys, and I don't like to say this, we need more guys to play hard,” said Brooks. “We are trying to find that. I know that Tomas [Satoransky] does play hard and Sam [Dekker] plays hard. And somebody else is going to come in that is going to play hard.”
That someone is Trevor Ariza, who officially became a Wizard on Monday morning, as the recently-acquired Austin Rivers was shipped to the Phoenix Suns along with young wing Kelly Oubre Jr. as a result to a headache-inducing deal.
Ariza is known for his competitive edge and championship mettle, two characteristics this Wizards team is hoping can be injected upon this All-Star backcourt upon his arrival at the nation's capital.