Home Court Becoming a Disadvantage as Wizards Fall to Portland on MLK Day

By The USS Blogger

The Washington Wizards suffered yet another defeat on their home floor as the Portland Trailblazers came into the nation’s capital and put on a dominant performance in a 108 – 98 victory.  This defeat for Washington marks the thirteenth loss at Verizon Center, seven of which have come by way of double digits as the midway point of the 2015-16 season nears. As has been the case throughout a season filled with injuries and uninspired play, the franchise is left with many questions, and quite honestly Wizards head coach Randy Wittman appears to be running out of answers. I can see it now; Coach Wittman will eventually start donning a custom made T-shirt reading “STRAIGHT OUTTA ANSWERS.”

After watching his team fall behind by as many as 24 points in the 3^rd quarter, Coach Wittman has to be wondering if his message is getting through to his players.  The team came out of the gates flat.  They were outscored in the first quarter 32-17.  Defensively, the Wizards appeared a step behind the Blazers who displayed crisp ball movement and knocked down 17 three pointers at a 54% rate. Following the game, Wittman stated “we had no energy or intensity at the defensive end at all to start the game.”

Here is in part where the questions begin to further arise in response to the Wizards effort. Was this a hangover stemming from a tough defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics on Saturday? Was the lack of effort and intensity a result of the well documented rash of injuries? Is the head coach properly preparing a team that often appears demoralized when shots are not falling? 

What is well known around the NBA and most professional sports is that defense wins championships and based on Wittman’s tenure as coach, this team is capable of excelling on the defensive end.  The wide spread notion within this organization remains is that a healthy Wizards team can turn this season around. Optimum health can result in better team moral and perhaps better effort, however players must be in tune with their head coach which leaves us with yet another question.  Are they?

In his postgame presser, Coach Wittman repeatedly stated “I don’t have an answer” in response to questions while indicating that change is needed which starts with him. Well coach, a sustainable solution is required to salvage this season or someone could find themselves straight out of a job. 

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