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Wizards aim to improve transition scoring as way to lift offense overall

By Chase Hughes

Wizards aim to improve transition offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

WASHINGTON — Due to changes in personnel and head coaching philosophy, the Wizards have played at a much different pace this season. By the measure of possessions-per-game (or, pace factor) they have played slower, but they have also tried to counter that by playing quicker in the halfcourt.

One drawback to their changes, however, has been a steep drop-off in transition offense. Last season, with Russell Westbrook as their conductor, they led the NBA in transition points per game (24.9) and were the fifth-most efficient team on those plays (1.14 points-per-possession). This season, they are dead-last in transition points (14.2/g) and 29th in efficiency (1.02 PPP). The Wizards are also 29th in fastbreak points per game (8.7).

Washington has different players running their offense now. Westbrook is gone and so is the lightning-quick Ish Smith. Instead, they have a point guard rotation better equipped for defense and protecting the ball.

But head coach Wes Unseld Jr. believes the Wizards can improve their transition attack. In fact, he addressed his team at Tuesday morning’s practice about it.

“Those transition opportunities I think are very important. Collectively, we haven’t seen the benefit of those opportunities and part of it is we’ve gotta get stops. We’ve gotta finish possessions with a rebound to get out and run. When we do turn teams over, and that’s not at a high rate… we have to find a way to get the payoff. Whether it’s our spacing, our passing, our finishing; that’s got to be better,” Unseld Jr. said.

The Wizards have actually seen an uptick in fastbreak scoring recently. They have scored 14 fastbreak points in each of their last three games, but that was after scoring a total of 14 in their three games before that. And on Nov. 29, they didn’t score a single fastbreak point against the Spurs, the first time they were shut out since 2019, in a game also against the Spurs.

Point guard Raul Neto agrees with Unseld Jr. that getting defensive stops is the biggest key for the Wizards to triggering the fastbreak and scoring in transition. Part of that equation is rebounding, as cleaning the glass is often the key to completing a defensive stop. The Wizards are also 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers, which is a factor.

Neto also explained how it’s a matter of the Wizards’ ball-handlers knowing when to use the turbo button and when not to.

“I think there is a way, there is a way to run when it’s time to run, call a play and play a little slower when you’ve got a couple of turnovers or you miss a couple shots, finding the right shot at the right moment. I think that there is a way. It’s not easy because I think if it was easy then everybody would prefer to play that way, but we’re trying to get there,” Neto said.

Unseld Jr. has explained his approach to offensive pace in great detail. As a longtime assistant coach before taking over the top job in Washington, he has observed the game with an analytical lens and does not believe there is a correlation between pace factor and wins. There is good pace and bad pace, essentially, as playing fast just for the sake of it can lead to mistakes.

But with his team struggling on offense overall – they rank 23rd in offensive efficiency – capitalizing on transition opportunities may be the key to creating more open shots, both around the basket and on the perimeter.

“A lot of times, if you have a numbered break you’ve got to find a way either to get to the rim, the free throw line or find the open guy. It sounds simple, but I think it is impactful,” Unseld Jr. said.

Wes Unseld Jr. on what Wizards need from point guard position

By Chase Hughes
Unseld Jr. on what Wizards need from PG position originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonWASHINGTON -- After the Wizards traded Spencer Dinwiddie to the Mavericks at the trade deadline, it became immediately clear the team will have a need at point guard entering this offseason. Team president Tommy Sheppard confirmed the obvious in his post-deadline press conference, that point guard will be a priority in the summer.It's a relatively unfamiliar problem for the franchise, which enjoyed stability at that spot for many years between John Wall and then Russell Westbrook. And it will be interesting to see which way they end up addressing the need, whether it be through the draft, a trade or free agency, and also what type of point guard they seek.Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. was asked about that last part before the Wizards' win over the Lakers on Saturday. He shared a general philosophy about the point guard position that could shed light on their summer plans."I don’t think you need any old-school point guard, but you do need a guy that understands the flow of the game, who can play beyond just getting your offense orchestrated. Get guys set, get them in the right spots. Kind of feel it," Unseld Jr. explained."Who’s got a game going, who needs a shot, who has a match-up advantage? All those details, I don’t know, those aren’t things you can necessarily teach. Guys can get better in those areas, but I think some guys just have that knack and ability, they have a feel."Asked some follow-up questions after Wednesday's practice, Unseld Jr. essentially said the ideal point guard for his offense is someone who can distribute the ball in an effective way, perhaps rather than looking for their own shots. That contrast may already be seen from the Wizards this season, as Dinwiddie was more of a scoring guard and they have essentially replaced him (and Aaron Holiday) in the rotation with Ish Smith and Tomas Satoransky.Particularly since Smith arrived in a trade deadline deal with the Hornets, the Wizards have seen an uptick in offensive efficiency. Before his debut on Feb. 12, they were 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating (108.1), and since they have ranked 13th (114.1). That said, they have also simultaneously taken a step backward defensively, going from 22nd in efficiency (111.7) to 29th (118.2).As for the offense, it's difficult to tell how much Smith and Satoransky deserve credit for that, as it has coincided with a breakthrough for the Wizards in 3-point shooting. Since the deadline, they are second in the league shooting 39.1% from deep after ranking 28th before the deadline at 32.3%. Certainly, though, Smith's speed and ability to dribble into the defense has helped the cause overall. Those elements have had a positive effect on other players, like center Daniel Gafford with whom he has formed a strong pick-and-roll connection. Smith has a tendency to set him up with accurate lob passes around the rim.Smith happens to like playing the role of a traditional, floor general point guard."I tell people all the time. There's a lot of guys masquerading as point guards," Smith said. "There just is because it's a thinking man's job. Sometimes people get frustrated and they [want to score], but look at Chris Paul. He's a throwback point guard and he's got Phoenix rolling,"Smith is under contract with the Wizards next season, though the deal is partially guaranteed. Satoransky and Raul Neto, their current starter at point guard, are both due to be free agents. Some collection of them could return, though likely as back-ups. It seems likely, if not certain, the Wizards will add a starting-caliber point guard this summer.However they find one, what Unseld Jr. said about the position could be kept in mind in the meantime. He seems to want someone who has an excellent feel for setting others up. Bringing some defense to the equation probably wouldn't hurt, either, of course.
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