The Wizards (16-51) knew before the season that Wall, the talented No. 1 overall pick from the draft, would be the foundation of the rebuilding efforts. But with 15 games remaining, the Wizards are still trying to determine how much they will have to depend on a Crawford scoring binge or if Booker will be more than a valued, energy-charged reserve beyond this season.
The absence of veterans Rashard Lewis, Josh Howard, Andray Blatche, Nick Young and Cartier Martin has made it easier for them — as well as rookies Kevin Seraphin and Hamady Ndiaye — to get opportunities.
“Our goal, at the beginning of the year, was always to win games, but we also have goals short term and long term,” Saunders said. “We also knew that we were in a situation where we have to evaluate young players that we have, to see where they are at. Are they main guys? Are they top-eight guys? Are they starters? Are they role players? What’s happened with the injuries is it’s facilitated both their development and the evaluation process because they’ve gotten more time.”
Down to just 10 healthy players — with only one born before 1980 — the Wizards have fielded one of the youngest starting units in the league in losses to Chicago and Toronto. The quintet of Yi Jianlian (23 years, five months), JaVale McGee (23 years, two months), Booker (23 years, four months), Crawford (22 years, five months) and Wall (20 years, six months) has an average age of 22.5.
The results of the growing pains have been difficult, with the Wizards on a six-game losing streak as they prepare to host the New Jersey Nets on Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center. Maurice Evans is the only current rotation player with at least four years of playing experience and he has tried to provide some stability for players who are struggling to figure out a complicated league.
“I just try not to fall into bad habits,” said Evans, 32. “Whether that be not giving effort on defense or putting my head down when things are going wrong from the things young players do just from a lack of experience. I try to bring that leadership, cheerlead and support the guys, and try to show them things that I’ve learned along the way. I don’t feel like moral victories mean much but learning on the job and gaining that experience through meaningful losses is encouraging.”
There were several heartening signs of growth in Toronto, where Booker had a career-high 26 points and matched his career best with 13 rebounds, and Crawford scored 25 points as they became the first rookie duo to get at least 25 points since Kevin Durant (42 points) and Jeff Green (27 points) both reached that mark nearly three years ago with the Seattle SuperSonics. “It’s a good experience for us. We’re learning still but at the same time, we’re getting better every time we step on that court,” Booker said. “I’m definitely encouraged. I think it raises our confidence level.”
Crawford seldom played before being dealt from Atlanta, but is having to adjust to playing more minutes and receiving the ultimate green light to score with most of the best offensive options sidelined. Crawford has scored at least 20 points in three of his past five games, averaging 20.4 points over that stretch.
“It has been good for Jordan to come in and play,” Wall continued. “He came from a team where he didn’t play as much, a playoff contending team and now he has an opportunity to show what he can do and we can know what to look for next year and what plays to put in. Having him and Nick, either coming off the bench or both starting, that’s a good combo, two people who can keep the scoring going while you have one of them out.”
Saunders said he would like for his young players to be rewarded for their efforts with victories more often. “Our guys have been resilient. They’ve understood from Day 1, what this season was about. We understand as a coaching staff, from Ted [Leonsis], from [President] Ernie [Grunfeld], the things that we are working on, and those guys are making some progress. Is it good enough to win games? We haven’t shown that, it’s our next step. We’ve got to get some positive reinforcement.”
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