#SoWizards

The plan for this episode was straightforward: Ron and Kevin would spend a few minutes discussing the recent performance of the Washington Wizards and then move into picking All-Star rosters.

What happened: the conversation evolved into a dissection of whether Bradley Beal will stay, when (and if) he'll ask for a trade, and what might motivate him to stay or go.

They also delved into the value of coaching and how good a job Wes Unseld Jr. is doing so far.

And they got to All-Star rosters.

Note: This episode was recorded before Washington's 115-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Here's a link to the mid-season checkup article Kevin mentions in the episode.

This is the second installment of the Bullets Forever "3PT Play," the brainchild of Osman Baig, who joined me and Bleav in Wizards podcast host Matt Modderno to analyze the recent outstanding play from Wizards PF Kyle Kuzma. Click here to listen to the first episode, where we talked about "Point Beal" on Matt's show.

Recorded before Washington's 112-106 win over the Orlando Magic, we dug into how Kuzma has played over the last 7-10 games and asked whether it's sustainable or just a hot streak. After all, Kuzma's been consistently average for five-and-a-half seasons. Why is he suddenly producing at a much higher level over the past few weeks?

There's no question he's played much better than he has throughout his career. In Kevin's PPA metric (where average is 100 and higher is better), he's been a mid-90s producer. His best season was last year when he posted a 98 PPA. Over the last 10 games (not including the Orlando game), his PPA was a heady 162. Over the last 7, a dizzying 186.

But, for the season, it was 108.

Give a listen to the discussion, and then join it at Bullets Forever or on social media.

Please let us know if there's a topic you want us to dissect in the next 3PT Play.

Ron Oakes-Cunningham and Kevin will have a new episode this weekend.

Recorded after the Wizards 124-121 win against the Charlotte Hornets, co-hosts Kevin and Ron discuss how the team has adapted with so many players sidelined by the NBA's Covid health and safety protocols. The current list includes:

Raul Neto was cleared Monday but didn't play against the Hornets. He's likely to be on the floor when the team returns to action Wednesday.

Among the topics hit:

In this episode, former #SoWizards co-host Ben Becker joined current hosts Kevin Broom and Ron Oakes-Cunningham for an in-depth discussion of the Washington Wizards strategic direction. 

They delved into the role of the front office, the need for ruthlessly evaluating the merits of players, and the folly of treating a player who is not elite as if he is. The basic problem: it creates a ripple effect through the team's decision-making process and the roster.

They talked about whether it's time for the team to adjust its strategy:

They also discussed the cause of Washington's spiraling play after a terrific start. Was it too many fashion segments too soon (Ron's theory)? A failure to focus on details and execution? Or maybe the players just aren't good enough?

For more on the players, check out Kevin's article at Bullets Forever where he discusses the team's need for a talent infusion. 

In this episode, co-hosts Kevin Broom and Ron Oakes-Cunningham are joined by one of the best follows on Wizards Twitter, Akbar — better known as @fastbreconomics.

Akbar is deeply knowledgeable of key metrics and advanced analytics and brings illumination to the team's strengths and weaknesses. In this wide-ranging discussion, we dissect what the team has done well, what's gone wrong, and how they can address the challenges they face in both personnel and strategy.

Among the topics analyzed:

We also touched on the Houston Rockets' improbable winning streak, the outstanding play during that stretch from former Wizards player Garrison Mathews, and whether Kevin Porter Jr. is an NBA-quality player.

We wrapped up with holiday-style wish list of players who could help the Wizards and are realistic trade targets, if Tommy Sheppard decides to make a move.

With the Wizards staggering, Bleav in Wizards host Matt Modderno and Kevin turned their text message conversations about G League players into an article for Bullets Forever. In this episode, Matt joins Kevin and Ron in a Crossover Episode to go deeper on players with Wizards affiliate, Capital City Go-Go, as well as some of the more productive G League players so far this season.

Among the players discussed:

The conversation touched on an array of topics, including how the G League contributes to player and coach development, and why certain players tend to be downgraded in the draft process but become productive NBA players anyway.

The Washington Wizards are 11-6, but their offense has been trending in a worrisome direction. Kevin and Ron talk about what's going wrong and how the team might address the issues to maintain their winning ways.

They discuss how Spencer Dinwiddie's game has changed in his return to action from last season's knee injury -- fewer drives and free throws, more threes (as a share of his offensive possessions) -- and whether the team is getting enough from him to stay in the top six in the East.

Other topics:

Recorded during the Wizards comeback win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin and Ron talk about what the Wizards are doing well and what might happen when they run into teams with quality shooting. They talk about the strengths and weaknesses of Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, and what each of them need to do to reach their NBA potential.

They delve into position-less basketball, whether Steve Novak should have been a small-ball center, and whether they should just turn the podcast over to Ron's dog.

If you have questions you're interested in hearing Ron and Kevin answer next episode, please send them to kevinbroomwrites at gmail dot com.

In this episode, Kevin and Ron discuss the Wizards going 3-2 since the last episode with two wins over the Boston Celtics, a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, and a split with the Atlanta Hawks. They go even deeper on Kevin's reasons to worry article, and Ron asks a great question: Is the lack of contested shots from the Wizards a feature or a fault in head coach Wes Unseld Jr.'s defensive scheme?

Ron shares his thoughts from attending a couple Wizards games the past week and watching the Washington crowd get outcheered by Boston and Atlanta fans.

Somehow, Kevin misses his opportunity to share his thoughts about this year's drop in shooting efficiency -- maybe it's the ball.

Kevin is joined by new co-host Ron Oakes-Cunningham to analyze this year's Washington Wizards. In this episode, Kevin and Ron discuss their preseason forecasts and whether or not the first two games has them rethinking their predictions. They theorize on the correlation between bald spots and basketball greatness, dive in on the first two games, get nerdy about the Wizards defense, and spend a bunch of time talking about Kyle Kuzma.

Critical question: When the season is over, will Kevin owe Ron a six-pack of Corona or will Ron be buying Kevin a bottle of red?