Game 54: Washington Wizards (9-43) vs. Dallas Mavericks (30-23)

[SleepingHero]

He is as expected after 2 games.  He's bigger and more athletic than Grant and can make plays on defense that Grant can't.  He makes mistakes though.  Grabbing the rim on the layup attempt for the goaltend is one of the stupidest defensive I've seen this season.  Definitely a Shaqtin a Fool play.   Lower BBIQ than Grant.  

On offense, he can handle, get to the rim and finish better than Grant.  His 3-point shot though isn't as good.  

He has the potential to be much better than Grant Williams but I'm not sure he's much of an upgrade immediately.  I still can't believe we only were able to protect the 2027 pick for the top-2.  Receiving the 60th pick in this upcoming draft doesn't make me feel any better.  I'm going to think of him as a really talented prospect who has the potential to become a perfect fit for us if he improves his decisions and effort on defense and recovers his 3-point shooting.  If he does both of those, he'll be a top-50 player in the NBA. 

Daniel Gafford looks really good though.  I'm happy about that trade.

That goaltend call was one of the most ludicrous things I've seen. That shot had no chance of even grazing the backboard and no goaltend should've been called. 

I've felt pretty encouraged after 2 games of PJ. His defense has been as advertised and he's made at least 3 plays down the stretch in crunch time where I thought: "If the Mavs had Grant Williams here it'd be a turnover."

His ceiling will depend on his 3pt shooting. Hopefully that comes back.