For some time, Washington, D.C. was where young professional basketball players went to decompose.
When other teams focused on developing players by utilizing their strengths and gradually working on correcting their weaknesses, the Washington Wizards – under the leadership of Randy Wittman – were partial to older players entering the final stages of their careers.
But over the past several seasons, the team’s philosophy on player development has changed because of the guidance and patience exuded by Scott Brooks. The progression of Otto Porter and, to a lesser extent, Kelly Oubre, are prime examples of the seismic cultural shift the team has undergone and how the implementation of Brooks’ tactics has resulted in tangible growth.