Despite early-season stumbles, Bub Carrington rediscovers his offensive rhythm, driving the Wizards with stellar scoring and playmaking performances.
When Bub Carrington was asked about his confidence heading into year two at media day, he had to use his hands as an example.
He rose his hand high above his head, detailing that his confidence had expanded to new heights. Following a successful rookie campaign, which conclude in being named to the All-NBA Rookie Second Team, this year didn't start on the right foot.
With Carrington playing in a new role, the adjustment wasn't fluid. The guard struggled with handling ball pressure and making the correct reads. With his turnover numbers rising, his offense as a whole regressed.
For a 20-year-old player, it can be hard to process. Carrington's body language indicated his confidence appeared shaken at times. At one specific moment, Carrington made a three-pointer after missing his first few. Following the make, he put both hands up, signaling a sigh of relief to see one go down.
Despite the struggles, general manager Will Dawkins never expressed concern. He said in an interview with The Sports Junkies on December 2nd, he wouldn't categorize Carrington "as a guy who isn't playing well." He reiterated how he is learning a completely different role as a point guard. The team has asked him to do things he's not used to, leading to early growing pains.
After the last two Wizards' games, the vision becomes clearer. Carrington's confidence appears to be back to where it once was.
Carrington has put together back-to-back performances ending in season-highs, including a 27-point performance last night.
It's not just the scoring that looks better. Carrington's ability to read the defense and facilitate was once again impressive. He finished with a team-high eight assists.
"He was just aggressive," head coach Brian Keefe said. "He set the tempo; he was the head of the snake for us tonight."
Over the last two games, Carrington averages 20.5 points, 8.5 assists and 4 threes made.
Two solid nights doesn't mean Carrington is anywhere near a finished product. This serves as a reminder that young players will fluctuate in the early seasons. This stretch becomes an opportunity for him to build on progress.
“It’s just the start of year two; these things fluctuate,” Dawkins said. “We’re happy with where he’s at.”
A big concern regarding Carrington is his crooked plus-minus numbers to begin his career. Carrington recorded a -20 or worse plus-minus eight times this season, but last night, he was the second best on the team, a plus seven.
Some of those numbers are inflated due to the Wizards actively tanking, but Carrington's play hadn't helped.
Although turnovers plagued the early season for Carrington, he's quietly produced as a playmaker for Washington this season.
His 101 total assists is the third most among second-year players. His teammate Kyshawn George is right behind him with 98.
"He just kind of drove how we played tonight," Keefe said. "Just making the simple pass, and that started with our ball movement."
Additionally, Carrington's 22.6% AST% leads the team, indicating he creates most of Washington's assists, according to District Analytics.
Even with his offensive numbers dipping from a year ago, Carrington continues to shoot the ball well from the outside. He knocked in five of his 13 looks from three last night. His 42.2% is second-best on the Wizards. (minimum 3 attempts per game)
Over the last two games, the indication is that Carrington is starting to figure things out. He's reading the defense better. He's pushing the tempo when necessary. He has plenty more work to do before he can be considered even close to a polished player, but the recent signs are encouraging.
Carrington needs time, and the team appears willing to take that time to develop him.
“I thought [Carrington] was terrific tonight,” Keefe said. “We can see the scoring and stuff like that. To me, it was just how he controlled the flow of the game. The pace, his passing, getting into the paint; I thought it was terrific.”