Kelly Oubre Jr. spoke exclusively to WHAP/Fox Sports 1340 AM about the Washington Wizards’ woes as of late. In addition, he critiques himself.
ATLANTA — The Wizards are below .500 when playing against teams with losing records. The stat is head-scratching considering this team has one of the best back-courts in the league. Also, its second unit has improved tremendously from last season. However, the Wizards came into Atlanta, after defeating the Celtics on Christmas Day, and loss to the Hawks, which is the worst team in the NBA. Oubre Jr. provided insight into the woes of the Washington Wizards.
More of my exclusive with Kelly Oubre. I asked him about the Wizards mindset and if they approach these below .500 teams as if “this finna be a breeze” pic.twitter.com/jmOf3p648W
— Joshua Alfonzo Vinson (@TheJoshAVinson) December 28, 2017
“We just lost to the Hawks and it doesn’t sit well with us,” Oubre Jr. said in an exclusive interview with WHAP/Fox Sports 1340 AM. “We just gotta lock-in more. Stats don’t lie. I think we are below .500 against .500 teams.”
He added: “We gotta do a better job and pretty much lock-in and not playing down to our competition. Numbers don’t lie man.”
Washington is 19-16 on the season. Of their 16 losses, 10 of those are defeats to teams that do not have a winning record. Oubre Jr. mentioned their mindset and swagger can sometimes be a detriment to their success.
Talking with Kelly Oubre exclusively about the Wizards’ inconsistency issues pic.twitter.com/pz4y9p4MTN
— Joshua Alfonzo Vinson (@TheJoshAVinson) December 28, 2017
“We do have a swagger behind us like we are those guys,” Oubre Jr. said. “To an extent that works. But to an extent, you also have to back it up.”
Oubre Jr. says they “do have the swag” but mentioned they must produce at a high-level on the court. Point guard John Wall echoed that as well, after the 113-99 defeat to the Hawks.
John Wall talking with me and giving insight into the Wizards’ mindset/swagger when approaching these teams.
He mentioned tonight the Wizards “B.S around.” pic.twitter.com/SOjNmfRIKK
— Joshua Alfonzo Vinson (@TheJoshAVinson) December 28, 2017
“I think just as a team, we think certain teams we play against is going to lay down against us,” Wall said.
Holding Themselves Accountable:
Wall stated that though some of their opponents may not have the best records, they always play and compete to win. However, the Wizards put themselves in positions to win but then “B.S around” and end up losing.
No one pointed fingers at the other. But instead, many took accountable for their own actions on the court. Kelly Oubre criticized his poor defense and critiqued himself.
Gotta love and respect Kelly Oubre’s honesty here pic.twitter.com/lzv1PMnEXD
— Joshua Alfonzo Vinson (@TheJoshAVinson) December 28, 2017
“Well, I can look at myself and say I let my man score way too many times,” Oubre said. “I feel like I didn’t do my job to the best of my ability.”
After the Wizards dropped one in Atlanta, @TheJoshAVinson caught up with and talked to Kelly Oubre exclusively postgame#DCFamily pic.twitter.com/lxhWuA3w04
— FOX Sports Radio1340 (@1340AMFOXSports) December 28, 2017