[ad_1]
The Wizards are a profoundly unserious group being led by the funniest 1-2 punch within the NBA in Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. That a lot we already knew, however the actuality of what they’re doing is past spectacular.
Internet score is arguably one of the simplest ways to measure a participant’s particular person impression. It’s a fairly easy metric: For those who rating greater than you enable whereas on the court docket, then nice! If not, one thing is off. The Poole/Kuzma pairing is one thing else.
Being on the backside of this chart is dangerous, however my goodness the truth is a lot worse than even this graph exhibits. In response to Basketball Reference Poole and Kuzma are a mixed -32.1 on the season in web score. Dig a bit of deeper and it will get even worse, as a result of they’ve mixed for:
- 43 turnovers attributable to dangerous passes
- 31 shot makes an attempt which have been blocked
- They each enable 122 factors per 100 possessions defensively
- A worth over substitute participant (VORP) of -0.3
So, to place it merely: Kuzma and Poole aren’t even assembly the edge of being two common NBA gamers proper now once they’re on the ground collectively — and the Wizards are paying them a mixed $53M, which is greater than the following FIVE highest paid gamers mixed.
Even Kyle Kuzma is conscious the group’s protection is atrocious.
Kyle Kuzma was requested by @TheAthleticNBA how this sport bought out of hand. His reply: “We won’t guard a cease signal. That is type of actually what it boils all the way down to. We let anyone get no matter they need on us. So, till we alter that, then that is most likely going to be the end result.”
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) November 30, 2023
This isn’t Kuzma on an island bemoaning the dearth of protection by the Wizards. He’s an enormous a part of it. He’s presently a -2.5 in defensive field rating on the season, one of many worst on the Wizards — bested solely amongst starters by Corey Kispert, and (you guessed it) Jordan Poole at -2.9.
These are two participant who’re legitimately main the group at 23.4 and 17.4 factors per sport respectively, however their protection is so non-existent that it’s tantamount to them combining for 20.8 points-per-game once they’re on the ground collectively.
I’d wish to say “by no means change, Wizards” — however rattling, you guys gotta change.
[ad_2]