The Return
Tonight will mark the return to D.C. for two Clippers players; Mike Scott and Marcin Gortat. Both players were member of the Wizards last season.
Scott only played one year in D.C., so he likely won’t get a lot of fanfare despite being from Virginia.
The main interest here will be Gortat. Gortat spent his last five seasons with the franchise, but was traded to LA this offseason in part due to his conflicts with John Wall.
Despite moving Gortat though, the Wizards locker room is at an all-time low. The team is fighting with each other, John Wall was fined for an argument with Scott Brooks and Bradley Beal has called out management. It doesn’t seem like Gortat was the one causing the locker room issues in Washington.
Gortat hasn’t been anything special for the Clippers, but he is likely just a stop gap starter for this season. LA has found success with both of their reserve centers, Montrezl Harrell and Boban Marjanovic, so Gortat typically only really plays his minutes to start the game and the second half. Perhaps being back in D.C. may be some extra motivation for him to play well, especially with Dwight Howard likely not suiting up.
As someone attending tonight’s game, I will be very interested to see if the Wizards do give Gortat the ole’ tribute video. He played his best years there and was part of several competitive Wizards playoff teams. With so much turmoil surrounding the team, having to watch Gortat lineup across from him on one of the West’s top teams and getting a tribute video may be just what sends John Wall over the edge.