/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29467929/20140303_sng_au3_078.0.jpg)
That picture was the closest thing I could find to one from the Wizards-Grizzlies game featuring Otto Porter, but it's kind of a perfect representation of the role he actually played: supporting, in the background.
And yet, #WizardsTwitter was all, well, atwitter about Porter's six points because a) they came on two wild three-pointers (see video of both below) and b) frankly, it was the most we've thus seen of the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Midway through the second quarter, with the Wizards missing Nene, Kevin Seraphin and Martell Webster, and Chris Singleton playing like he was the answer on offense (when he wasn't), tweets started showing up wondering what Porter had to do to get into the game. Then, he got into the game. Porter didn't exactly fill up the stat sheet, but he played solid defense, and his two threes doubled as two of the bigger shots of the game.
The first came early in the fourth quarter, with the Wiz trailing 81-64. With the shot clock winding down, Porter recovered a loose ball, dribbled out beyond the three-point line, and launched his awkward-looking jumper. Swish.
The second three was even bigger. With 1:17 to play, the Wizards were already on a 16-5 run, but still trailed 102-95 when Trevor Ariza found Porter wide open above the break. Splash. This is when #WizardsTwitter lost its collective mind.
As imperfect as plus/minus stats are, especially over the course of one game, Porter's plus-13 was the best on the team. In fact, he was the only Wizard to finish with a positive plus/minus against the Grizz. Certainly not definitive, but I'd say it's enough for Porter to have earned some more playing time moving forward, eh?
KEY LINKS
Home team recaps: BF StoryStream | Washington Post | AP | CSN Washington (recap, sidebar) | Wiz of Awes | Wizards.com | Monumental Network
Road team recaps: Grizzly Bear Blues | The Commerical Appeal | 3 Shades Of Blue | Beale Street Bears
Postgame interviews: Randy Wittman | John Wall | Otto Porter | Bradley Beal | Marcin Gortat | Trevor Ariza | Tayshaun Prince
KEY STATS
2 - Three pointers made by Otto Porter against the Grizzlies, which was two more than he'd previously made his entire NBA career.
28 - The Grizzlies' scoring advantage in the paint, where they outscored the Wizards 62-34.
TWEETS OF THE NIGHT
OTTOMATIC
— Akbar Naqvi (@A_Naqvi_WoA) March 4, 2014
OTTO PORTER IS AT LEAST AS GOOD AS RAY ALLEN
— David Statman (@DJStatman77) March 4, 2014
@bulletsforever OTTO PORTER GREATEST PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY
— Steven McDowell (@stevenmcdowell) March 4, 2014
"You better play me, son!"- Otto Porter to Coach Wittman, probably.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) March 4, 2014
Eh. Good to see the comeback, good to see Otto look useful. Hopefully he earned some more minutes. Grizz are good.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) March 4, 2014
Kind of a welp, kind of a bummer, kind of what was supposed to happen... #Wizards lose to #Grizzlies, 104-110.
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) March 4, 2014
It was a tough loss, but it's good to see they didn't roll over after 3 main rotation guys were out.
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) March 4, 2014
Otto Porter was in the game during the clutch moments, why would the coach not play him in non clutch to maybe i dunno help him improve?
— Chris Ford (@DCSportsNexus) March 4, 2014
Game Summary. #Wizards pic.twitter.com/6A74DGvCrM
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) March 4, 2014
Wizards were outscored 62-34 in the paint by Grizzlies, there was your ball game
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) March 4, 2014
so the Wizards lost, but Otto Porter has his own video game now after his performance http://t.co/6XIhViSGDB pic.twitter.com/oAmT79Gkxl
— Albert L. (@aleeinthedmv) March 4, 2014
Tayshaun Prince on Otto Porter comparisons: "I think any guy who is light skinned & thin & can play inside & out is getting compared to me."
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 4, 2014
VIDEO/GIF OF THE NIGHT
Excited Buck is the best kind of Buck. (H/T @adammcginnis)
GAMETHREAD COMMENT OF THE NIGHT
God bless Photoshop.