May 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards guard
John Wall(3) lays the ball in against Indiana Pacers guard
George Hill(3) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
6. Washington Wizards
Bona Fide Ballers: John Wall, Bradley Beal
The Juniors: Otto Porter Jr, Glen Rice Jr
The Wizards aren’t exactly the youngest team in the league. With seven guys in their rotation having seven or more years of NBA experience, they’re more of a veteran squad than an up-and-coming one. But where they are youthful, they’re also extremely talented.
The two-headed monster consisting of John Wall and Bradley Beal is shaping up as one of the most exciting and dangerous back courts in the Eastern Conference, if not the entire NBA. Last season Wall averaged 19 and 9 and Beal wasn’t far behind with 17 points per game on 40% shooting from downtown. And being that Wall is 24 and Beal only 21, it looks as if they’ll be doing their thing for a long time.
You might think the Wizards’ young talent starts and ends with Wall and Beal, but don’t forget about the Juniors, Otto Porter and Glen Rice. Neither did much of anything during their rookie seasons, and because Porter was drafted 3rd in the 2013 draft, many are already labeling him a bust. So why the optimism?
Well, both Porter Jr. and Rice Jr. had a major impact on the Las Vegas Summer League with Rice bringing home the MVP award, averaging 25 points and nearly 8 rebounds per contest. Porter Jr. wasn’t far behind. Check out this 27 point Summer League performance against the San Antonio squad, and take particular notice of his extremely long arms (7’2 wingspan) and his interesting-looking jumpshot. He looks like Tayshaun Prince with offensive talent:
Be sure to check back for the conclusion of the DWW NBA Talent Rankings. Part Two will be up this afternoon.