Hoops Habit
Fansided

Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from Game 7 loss vs. Celtics

By Jerran Anderson

May 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) hugs Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) after defeating the Wizards in game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) hugs Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) after defeating the Wizards in game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
May 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi (28) dribbles the ball between Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) and forward Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half in game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi (28) dribbles the ball between Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) and forward Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half in game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Bench production must improve for the Wizards this offseason

The Washington Wizards have a great starting lineup, arguably one of the best in the NBA. They were third in the NBA this season in points per game (82.2), fifth in rebounds per game (30.2), third in assists per game (18.4) and second in steals per game (6.2) in the regular season.

However, when it came time for the bench to do its thing, fans in Washington had to hold their breath and hope for the best. The weakness of the bench showed itself mightily in Game 7 against the Celtics. Again, they were outscored 48-5 in the game.

The Wizards did do their best to improve their bench before the NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring former Brooklyn Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic. After seeing how they fared in Game 7, it’s apparent it’s still not enough.

They didn’t get much out of Ian Mahinmi this season despite signing him to a four-year deal worth $64 million this past offseason. Mahinmi was injured throughout the season and only appeared in just 31 games this season.

In the playoffs he couldn’t find much of a rhythm, missing most of the first round and playing sporadically in the second round against the Celtics.

It will be interesting to see how the Wizards shore up the bench this offseason. Otto Porter, Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings will all be free agents, so the front office will have some decisions to make.