Comparing the Atlanta Hawks’ and Washington Wizards’ Benches After Two Games
By Nile Goodwyn
Point Guards
Brandon Jennings (WAS): 5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.5 RPG, 19.8 PER (Player Efficiency Rating) in 16 MPG
Jose Calderon (ATL): 2 PPG, 1.5 APG, 0.5 RPG, 10.5 PER in 8 MPG
Jennings has unarguably been the best backup point guard in the series so far. In Game 2, Jennings scored ten points on 4-5 shooting, only missing a three-pointer. Over a three-minute span, Jennings scored six points and sent the Wizards’ fanbase into a frenzy. Apart from his point guard play, Jennings played alongside John Wall in spurts and looked comfortable spacing the court alongside Wall.
Jennings has controlled the ball well since arriving in Washington. During the regular season, he averaged 4.7 assists with only one turnover. So far during the playoffs, Jennings has totaled ten assists with zero turnovers. Jennings has always taken good care of the ball, with his highest turnovers per game being only 2.7. In comparison, John Wall averaged 4.1 turnovers in the regular season during the 2016-17 season.
Calderon has been nothing short of forgettable during this series. His five shot attempts over two games show a lack of assertion on the court. His lack of standout play allows one to ask: Why hasn’t Malcolm Delaney played a single minute in the series?
Against the Wizards in the regular season, Delaney shot only 26 percent. He arguably played his worst basketball against his home team in all four of the team’s matchups. But, when Calderon is virtually giving the team nothing, there is an argument that Delaney is an upgrade.
Delaney, unlike Calderon, has proven that he plays with aggression on the offensive end. Against the Wizards in the regular season, Delaney attempted 5 (twice), 6, and 7 shots, all while shooting a poor percentage. Aggression out of the backcourt is one aspect of the game which the Wizards have shown better than the Hawks, and this has helped them take their 2-0 lead in the series.