Washington Wizards: 5 obstacles to contending in 2017-18
5. Bench play
The Washington Wizards had a heck of a time last season finding solid bench support and it showed in the NBA Playoffs at the most inopportune time. Gone are Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings, their proverbial saviors off the bench last season, but this season they’ve got some solid veterans to work with.
The signings of Tim Frazier, Jodie Meeks, Mike Scott and Donald Sloan should give the Washington bench better odds in 2017-18.
The bench ranked 29th in offense last season, scoring just 26.6 points per game last season. With this new group, they should have better odds.
Jodie Meeks goes for 19 1st half PTS in his @WashWizards #NBAPreseason debut! pic.twitter.com/QZWhvU88t9
— NBA (@NBA) October 3, 2017
Meeks looked good in his preseason debut on Oct. 2. He put up 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and was also 4-of-5 from 3. Granted, the performance came in a 126-96 blowout victory against the Guangzhou Long-Lions, but Meeks has the ability provide the same spark in the regular season.
Scott finished with six points, three rebounds and two assists in 12 minutes of play. Sloan finished with six points and seven assists in 23 minutes.
The biggest spark may not be a new signee but second-year guard Tomas Satoransky, who got the start at point guard. He did well putting up 13 points, five assists and three rebounds in 25 minutes of play.