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It didn’t take long for Wes Unseld Jr. to get in touch with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal.
The new Washington Wizards head coach and the stars of the franchise’s backcourt all seem to be on the same page with what the team needs to do to take a step forward.
“I felt like I was talking to the same person, and I say this because the message was clear: they want to be coached, they are looking for responsibility,” Unseld Jr. said Monday. “… I think they both know offense isn’t the issue right now [for the Wizards]. There is membership at the moment. We will see as we get into training camp and preseason there has to be a postponement. [But] there is an alignment in thought there. We are all on the same page as to what will be required of them. The best part about it is that both of you, as leaders of this team, are committed to being better there. “
The Wizards proudly introduced Unseld Jr. as the new head coach on Monday, bringing the franchise back as Unseld. Wes Unseld was one of the greatest players in the organization who led the Bullets to their only championship in 1977-78 and was the former head coach and vice-president of the team.
Unseld Jr. began his career with the Wizards as an advanced / pro scout in 1997 and was an assistant coach of the Wizards for six seasons. He returns to the District after serving as an assistant coach in Denver for the past six seasons, overseeing defense and assisting in the development of MVP Nikola Jokic.
“The one thing that has always stood out with Wes is his intelligence of the game, the direction of the game, the modern NBA, and certainly his skill on the defensive end of the ball, which is an area that we absolutely have to address. immediately, “Washington CEO Tommy Sheppard said. “I think it’s something he’s going to deliver.”
Sheppard added that Unseld Jr.’s relationship with the players over the years has impressed the Wizards.
“He worked with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson when they were young,” Sheppard said. “With [Nikola] Vucevic, Tobias Harris and [Victor] Oladipo in Orlando, and you watch the MVP season that Jokic had and Jokic was begging him not to leave Denver. Jamal Murray, all the different players he’s touched over there … when people call you to say you should hire this guy without solicitation, that’s pretty impressive to me. “
In addition to celebrating Unseld’s legacy with Washington, defense was the clear theme of the coach’s introductory press conference. The Wizards allowed the most points in the NBA at 118.5 per game last season.
So even though the Wizards have weathered a COVID-19 outbreak, numerous late-season injuries and a 17-32 start to advance to the playoffs, Unseld Jr. replaces Scott Brooks to improve defense. and preparation.
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said he watched a movie with Unseld Jr. during the hiring process and was impressed with his attention to detail. Leonsis said Wizards players in exit talks talked about improving “the little things; they talked about defensive intensity, they talked about communication.”
“You’ve seen a lot of assistant coaches take the next step, especially this summer,” said Leonsis. “I think there’s a reason for that… Sometimes when you’re head coach for the second or third time, I don’t think you’re working that hard. I think you rely on your assistant coaches. that I found with the interviews and especially speaking with Wes, how they do game planning, they know the players, they know the trends, and they have to work really hard to prepare for every game.
“I looked at our team and there were times where I thought we had lost games that we shouldn’t have had. Yes, defensively, but I think having a work ethic and a demanding style will be a very good point of differentiation for us. “
Westbrook and Beal will play their second season together, but it could be more like their first full season given the issues the team faced in a condensed 72-game schedule. The duo hope to find a healthy Thomas Bryant as well as young developing players like Rui Hachimura, Daniel Gafford and Deni Avdija.
And the man in charge of bringing them together to play better in defense and win is someone who will follow in his father’s giant steps.
“It took me a long time to get into this position,” Unseld Jr. said. “I know my dad is up there smiling. He’s probably laughing, [cracking] ‘Skull, I told you not to do this [coaching]. ‘ So I know he’s extremely proud. “
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