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Washington Wizards Host Bobby Portis For Workout

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 13, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) dunks the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the game at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) dunks the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the game at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Wizards will have their fifth pre-draft workout today at their practice facility in D.C. Today’s workout is headlined by projected first-round pick, Bobby Portis. Portis has been projected to go in a number of different places in the draft, but he ranges from picks 15-20. With the 19th pick in the draft, the Wizards should hope he falls to them so they can address the weakness they have at the power forward position.

The 2015 SEC Player of the Year would be a perfect fit for what the Wizards are looking for. In this era of the NBA, almost every team has a power forward that can shoot from outside as well as score from the post. The days of power forwards living on the block is nonexistent, and the Wizards have still been trying to live it.

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Their current power forward Nene, who has enough trouble just trying to stay healthy all season, is also approaching the last year of his contract. Even though it looks like the Wizards will hold on to him, bringing in Portis would build tremendous depth, while also preventing more pressure being put on the rookie.

Battling with Nene each day in practice could also help Portis’ toughness since Nene is regarded as being one of the strongest players in the league.

This year at Arkansas, Portis averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. At 6’11”, 240 lbs, he is one of the better mobile big men in this draft. To go with all-around scoring ability and tenacious effort grabbing rebounds, Portis also possesses the intangibles all NBA teams long for, especially with power forwards. His effort and seemingly never-ending motor will help him produce immediately for any team.

For the Wizards’ sake, the fact that he has a never-ending motor plays right into the hands of finding success with point guard John Wall, who loves to get out on every fast-break opportunity. Besides Drew Gooden at times this season, John Wall hasn’t had the luxury of playing with a big man who can stretch the floor to open up driving lanes for scoring opportunities.

Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) drives the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) during the first half of the SEC Conference championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) drives the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) during the first half of the SEC Conference championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

Portis’ athleticism and mobility also brings two new perks that John Wall and the Wizards would love to have. One being that in the pick-and-roll game, Portis can either roll to the basket or pop for a jump shot. With Nene and Marcin Gortat last season, Wall knew coming off the screen that the big man would roll immediately.

If he had the option of his big man popping out, not only would it open the paint for him to penetrate, but also rack up assists off making the opposing big man commit before he dumps it back to Portis for and outside jumper.

The other perk the Wizards would reap is having a power forward that can defend the perimeter. Throughout last season, the Wizards would get exposed every game they played a team with a stretch power forward. Portis would be sure to fill that void.

Along with Portis, the Wizards host more potential NBA players in their pre-draft workout including LSU’s Jarell Martin and Eastern Washington’s Tyler Harvey. With the draft being just 10 days away, these last few workouts will be critical for the Wizards in continuing to build a team that can contend for the NBA Finals.

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