The surging Washington Wizards
What’s up: After a 2-8 start, the Washington Wizards have hit their stride, having won 13 of 21 games since Nov. 17 heading into Friday.
Background: When the Nuggets blew into Washington on Dec. 8, things were still touch and go with the Wizards. They were 7-13. There was still a lot of wishy-washy play happening, starting with spotty defense. I asked new Wizards coach Scott Brooks this question: “At what point do you look at your team and say ‘This is just who we are?’ ” Brooks’ answer: “We always keep working, and we keep building on what we want to be. And you never get there. You just keep building every year, and it’s the daily work that you put in that create the habits. And we still have to keep working and keep building and keep believing in the work that needs to be done. That’s just how we do things, and it takes time.” That time, it seems, could be now. Before their game against Brooklyn on Friday, the Wizards had won eight of their last 11, including seven in a row at home — starting with the win over the Nuggets.
Dempsey’s take: It’s about time. With perennial all-star John Wall and burgeoning star Bradley Beal, the Wizards had few excuses for playing such flat basketball. But adjusting to a new coach and system takes time, and that was part of the issue with the Wizards. Their defense has improved, but mostly Wall has just gone bonkers, averaging a career-high 23.7 points, 9.9 assists (ranking third in the NBA) and a league-leading 2.24 steals going into Friday. Beal is averaging more than 21 points per game, too; the duo has found a way to thrive together.