On Fire: A Davis Bertans Story
The Washington Wizards offense continues to surge, and much of the firepower comes from Davis Bertans’ masterful game. The fourth-year veteran has become a fan favorite in Washington given his propensity to go into heat-check mode at opportune times.
Bertans is setting new career highs in three-pointers per game (3.8), three-point percentage (45.2) and true shooting percentage (66.1), among other categories. His total points added (35.98) lead the Wizards, and only eight players throughout the league are responsible for more offensive points added (69.19). The Latvian big has been particularly impressive lately, making 28 shots from behind the arc over his last five games—a figure matched by no one.
“Just make sure he doesn’t catch the ball,” Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard said of trying to stop Bertans after a recent game against the Wizards. “As soon as he caught it, he has a quick release and high confidence of knocking down the shot.”
How Bertans made his way to Washington is an enigma in and of itself.
Flashback to the summer and the San Antonio Spurs had signed DeMarre Carroll with their mid-level exception. But upon speaking with Marcus Morris Sr., they crafted a plan to give Morris their mid-level exception and executed a sign-and-trade for Carroll that sent Bertans to the Wizards. San Antonio agreed to that trade, only to have Morris back out his verbal agreement. The Spurs then pivoted to Trey Lyles with the mid-level exception, and they are now stuck playing Trey Lyles.
San Antonio surely wishes it still had Bertans, and it’s not the only team with a true appreciation for the big man. ESPN’s Bobby Marks previously reported that it wouldn’t be surprising if the Wizards could net a first-round pick for him before the deadline.
One potential suitor: the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia had several executives in Washington for its recent game against the Wizards, including general manager Elton Brand. NBA general managers don’t make every road trip with their teams, though it’s not abnormal to see them in the opposition’s arena. Regardless, being present for Bertans’ 7-of-13 night from behind the arc (five of those triples came in the second quarter) has to make the Philadelphia brass think about what could be.
“Some of it, you shake your head, and you give Bertans a lot of credit,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said after that 119-113 loss to the Wizards in which Bertans went 6-of-6 from deep in the first half.
Prying Bertans away will not be easy for the Sixers—or for any other team that has interest. The 27-year-old is a favorite of Washington general manager Tommy Sheppard, and the Wizards want to keep him with the franchise long-term.
Bertans will be a free agent this offseason, and his projected cost is likely to play a factor in what Washington decides to do before the trade deadline. As long as he’s on the roster, though, expect him to continue to have the green light.
Lists, Graphs and Random Facts
Best Defenders This Season (per defensive points saved).
- Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
- Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
Bam Adebayo and Jonathan Isaac are having breakout seasons for their respective Florida teams, and much of their squads’ successes have to do with each player’s defense. Adebayo, who was my preseason prediction for Most Improved Player, has anchored the Heat’s seventh-ranked defense, which is a major reason the team could be headed for home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Emergence of Devonte’ Graham
You could argue that without Graham, the Charlotte Hornets would be competing with the New York Knicks to be the worst team in the Eastern Conference. Graham leads the team in TPA, as he’s the only member of the squad with a positive score, and he ranks 10th in the league in offensive points added.
Graham is a serious contender for Most Improved Player. If he continues his strong play and takes home the honor, it would be just the third time that a second-round pick won the award during his second season, as well as the first since Monta Ellis did so in 2007.
Random Facts
- Rajon Rondo is shooting 52.8 percent from behind the three-point line on 2.8 attempts per game. He has never finished above 37.6 percent in his career. Yes, the 33-year-old is likely benefiting from playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but kudos for improving late in his career.
- Ian Mahinmi made his season debut for the Wizards earlier this week, helping the team pull off an upset over the Sixers. He’s played 31 minutes in his first two games back, and his plus/minus has come in at plus-23. Who saw this coming?
- What’s wrong with Philadelphia on the road? “I have no idea,” Brett Brown said after his team’s loss in Washington. The Sixers are 12-0 at home but just 5-7 on the road this season. Seeding might actually matter in the Eastern Conference.
- Doc Rivers was thrilled with the Clippers’ performance against the Wizards, as his team only committed 10 turnovers. However, he was not happy with the referees…in the New England Patriots’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs. “Now, let’s talk about the officiating. … C’mon, the Patriots don’t lose these games,” Rivers, who spent nine seasons coaching the Boston Celtics, said as he concluded his postgame press conference in Washington.