National Basketball Association

Washington Wizards Preseason Notebook 2016: Player Development, Otto Porter and Andrew Nicholson

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Washington Wizards Preseason Notebook 2016: Scott Brooks focuses on developing the roster, Otto Porter struggles and Andrew Nicholson shines.

When Scott Brooks was hired, it was speculated that aside from his relationship with Kevin Durant, the primary reason behind his hiring was his ability to develop players.

“Scott’s approach to the game, track record for player development and ability to communicate with his players made him the clear-cut choice to guide our team as we continue to rise as contenders in the Eastern Conference,” Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said.

As a head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooks was instrumental in building a roster that evolved into a perennial Western Conference contender, culminating in an NBA Finals appearance led by a then 23-year-old Kevin Durant, 23-year-old Russell Westbrook and 22-year-old James Harden.

Given the talent of the aforementioned players, the level of credit Brooks deserves for the development of OKC has been debated. That would be narrow-minded, though.

Talent must be developed and outside of Durant, the other members of the Thunder were not sure-fire superstars.

After years of mixed results in player development, the Wizards are finally focusing on getting the most out of their talent. Kelly Oubre sat idly as journeyman Marcus Thornton played ahead of him last season. That won’t be the case going forward.

Talk is talk, though. It’s another thing to speak about development and it’s another to see it happening on the court..

Here are some results from the Washington Wizards’ five preseason games:

This can’t be all contributed to Brooks.

The sample size of games played is small (and, of course, it’s just preseason) and Brooks hasn’t been in D.C. long enough to give him the lion’s share of the credit for the development being shown by these players. You can’t, however, discredit Brooks as he’s been part of changing the culture to be more conducive to growth.

Players are playing to their strengths.

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That doesn’t mean Porter can be content to disappear or blend in either.

Should he be expected to morph into a 20 point per game scorer?

No: but assertive play should be expected versus being a pleasant surprise in what is a contract year for Porter.

A slow start from him (similar to last year), as John Wall still finds his form, could be a dagger towards this team’s ability to move on from the stench of last season.

Nicholson is sneaky good

Andrew Nicholson was a sneaky acquisition by Ernie Grunfeld in free agency.

The 2012 first round selection has a skill-set that had you question why he didn’t see the court more often in Orlando.

He started off the preseason slowly against the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, but has turned it around in the last two games with extensive action.

Over the past two games, Nicholson has averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds on 56 percent shooting from three. He’s played 31 minutes per game in that stretch.

In four preseason games, he’s posted a defensive-rating of 101.8 and a net rating or 5.2.

Ian Mahinmi’s injury has opened the window for Nicholson to secure a permanent role in the rotation with a solid start to the regular season. A bigger question at the power-forward is: can Nicholson push Markieff Morris for minutes and a more substantial role even after Mahinmi returns?

Morris has a penchant for foul trouble, which has limited his ability to be as much of a contributor as his talent should allow. Nicholson is a more natural stretch big; a skill-set that would be ideal with Wall in the starting lineup to ensure there’s enough shooting to open the floor.

Morris had excelled in Phoenix in a reserve role, placing fourth in the Sixth Man of the Year award voting in 2014. He’s capable of commanding an offense and anchoring the second unit.

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