Wizards vs. Hornets Recap: Suddenly, the Wizards Learned Floor Spacing, Closing Out and Rotations in a 99-89 Win

There isn't much one can really take away from games after franchise altering events. Big trades, coach firings, these types of events usually lead a team to play exceptionally well or exceptionally poorly on the first evening following the shakeup. However, an astute observer would acknowledge several things tonight which would lead one to ponder...

• Why was the floor spacing so great tonight? A large part is because the Wizards were playing a dysfunctional Hornets squad, but one can't help but notice how much more effective John Wall is when he has people spacing the floor for him. Speaking of which....
• Wall is doubly effective when the middle opens up for him and he ran an active and effective pick and roll with Trevor Booker. Wall wasn't getting stopped at the lane, because the Hornets had to account for the Wizards properly spaced around the perimeter or Booker rolling to the basket.
• The Wizards effectively closed out on the Hornets all night long except for a brief period where they forgot Jarrett Jack was alive. It was a total team effort on the defensive end with each player rotating properly on 80% of the possessions closing out Belinelli and Ariza on the perimeter.
• Hey look, when you move the ball good things happen. That means you don't dribble around aimlessly and try to create. Jordan Crawford, you are the only one in the bad box tonight. Its a new era.
• Roger Mason went to a mesmerist and believes it is practice all day every day.
• Whoa there Kevin Seraphin, we just traded for a starting center. Settle down.