Young faces his former team for the FIRST TIME tonight when the Wizards host the Hawks!

And through seven games this season, he's averaging nearly 20 POINTS AND 10 ASSISTS!

HE'S BEEN A FANTASTIC FIT!

His playmaking, scoring ability, and veteran presence are exactly what this Wizards team needed!

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MY ANSWER — ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Sarr's production is down early this season, but CONTEXT MATTERS!

He's dealing with injuries while also adjusting to playing alongside Anthony Davis!

That's a BIG change for a young player!

PLUS — THE WIZARDS ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN!

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We've seen something DIFFERENT in each of Dybantsa's first three games!

From scoring 19 points in his debut against Cleveland to dropping 21 against Orlando, the number one overall pick is already showing his offensive potential!

BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE SCORING!

Dybantsa's versatility and willingness to compete defensively have been just as encouraging!

PLUS — THE WIZARDS HAVE A CHANCE TO MOVE TO 5-3!

Washington hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, looking for its THIRD STRAIGHT WIN!

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Once again, DEFENSE was a huge part of the story!

After holding Charlotte to just 79 points on Friday, the Wizards followed it up by limiting Orlando to 94!

WASHINGTON IS NOW 4-3 AND ABOVE .500!

PLUS — I'VE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH AJ DYBANTSA'S EFFORT ON DEFENSE!

We already know what the number one overall pick can bring offensively!

But his willingness to compete on the defensive end is another encouraging sign for Washington's future!

Can the Wizards keep building on this winning formula?!

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Washington held Charlotte to just 79 POINTS on Friday night!

NOW CAN THEY DO IT AGAIN?!

The Wizards travel to Orlando to face the Magic on Monday, and I want to see that SAME defensive energy and intensity!

PLUS — MORE ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR WASHINGTON'S FUTURE!

The Wizards exercised rookie-scale options on FIVE young players!

Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley!

These were relatively straightforward decisions, but it's another great sign of what the Wizards are BUILDING!!

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The number one overall pick made his NBA debut Wednesday night against the Cavaliers, scoring 19 POINTS on 8-of-12 shooting!

THAT'S AN IMPRESSIVE START!

Especially after missing Washington's first four games with an ankle injury!

And now, Dybantsa gets his FIRST opportunity to play a regular-season game in front of the home crowd in DC!

PLUS - three keys for the Wizards to WIN this NBA Cup matchup against the Hornets.

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Washington has struggled shooting from beyond the arc early in the year!

But the encouraging thing is that the Wizards aren't building their entire offense around taking a TON of threes!

And I actually LIKE THAT APPROACH!

With players like Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and now AJ Dybantsa, Washington has ways to create offense without relying entirely on perimeter shooting!

ATTACK THE BASKET! GET INTO THE PAINT! AND MAKE DEFENSES FOUL YOU!

Which brings me to Friday night's NBA CUP MATCHUP against the Charlotte Hornets!

BECAUSE I THINK FREE THROWS COULD BE A HUGE FACTOR!

The Wizards attempted at least 25 free throws in each of their FIRST THREE GAMES!

And Washington started the season 2-1!

BUT IN THEIR LAST TWO GAMES? FEWER THAN 20 FREE-THROW ATTEMPTS IN BOTH!

AND THEY LOST BOTH GAMES!

I don't think that's a coincidence we should ignore!

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Washington has lost three games this season!

And in ALL THREE LOSSES, the Wizards have been outrebounded by at least TEN!

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE!

Especially when you look at the SIZE on this roster!

ANTHONY DAVIS!

ALEX SARR!

DEANDRE AYTON!

How is a team with THAT MUCH SIZE getting dominated on the glass?

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING POSITIVE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT!

TRAE YOUNG'S TURNOVERS!

One of the concerns with Young has always been how often he gives the ball away!

But early in his Wizards career, he's done a better job taking care of the basketball!

AND THAT'S ENCOURAGING!

The question is: can he SUSTAIN IT??

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