Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

By Corey Rausch

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 31
Next
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

142. . 14-20. Previous: 17th. Washington Wizards. 21. team

Last Week: Lost to Boston Celtics 111-110, Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 125-111, Beat LA Clippers 119-117

This Week: 3/10 at Memphis Grizzlies, 3/12 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 3/13 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Finally, the Washington Wizards are back to being normal, battling for the play-in game bad instead of disastrous disappointment bad. After a truly putrid start to the season and a lengthy COVID-19 layoff, the Wizards enter the break just two games outside of the eighth seed. They may not be good yet, but they are at least closing in on the level of expectations they had coming into the season.

Bradley Beal has been everything the Wizards can want and more. He is leading the league in scoring at 32.9 points per game, 2.7 points ahead of second-place Joel Embiid. His 3-point shot is not what you would hope (just 33.5 percent on 6.9 attempts per game) which makes his lethal scoring binges all the more impressive. He took last season’s losing and lack of accolades personally. He has been named a starter in the All-Star Game after not making the team last season. Now it is about getting back to the postseason.

Russell Westbrook has been just okay, his efficiency cutting into any sort of positive feelings one can derive from him averaging a near triple-double (20.3 points, 9.8 assists, 9.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game on shooting splits of .428/.294/.583). If he can ever find a way to start making foul shots again, his driving to the lane could be a useful weapon.

Ignore Westbrook’s issues. Focus on the improvements of the young core around Beal. Rui Hachimura is in the midst of a noticeable growth on the defensive end of the floor. Deni Avdija looks like a great selection with the ninth pick in the draft. Garrison Matthews cannot be kept off the court and will no longer have to be with the change to the two-way rules for the season.