Scott Brooks has publicly conveyed that the starting small forward spot for the Washington Wizards is open to competition (1). And by sensible accounts, it’s a two-horse race between Otto Porter, the incumbent but barely, and Kelly Oubre, NBA sophomore-to-be.
This is a good decision, particularly for optics, but also for each individual player. At the close of preseason business, Porter will be the best option. Not because he’s quote-unquote “earned” it by putting in time under Randy Wittman. Not because Porter has come a long way (he has, but not far enough) since a meek, deer-in-truck-headlights rookie year where he managed to travel the first time he ever touched a ball in an official NBA game.