Wizards Offseason: 'Strong' Finish for Rookie Guard Johnny Davis a Sign of Things to Come

It's not how you start, it's how you finish, and Washington Wizards rookie guard Johnny Davis is walking out of the season smiling.

The Washington Wizards season came to a disappointing close and now fans of the team will watch the NBA Playoffs looking for opportunities to think, 'My team could've won that series.'

In the meantime, one Wizards player is leaving the season feeling good about his future. 

And that player is rookie guard Johnny Davis.

"Balance is the key word with Davis," said Sam Vecenie of The Athletic following Washington's selection of Davis who was a standout guard for the Wisconsin Badgers in college. "He's a very patient player who is constantly probing...

Love him defensively, particularly on the ball. Fights hard and uses that motor. Always a threat in recovery."

The expectation laid out was that he'd compete for minutes immediately while coming off the bench to begin his NBA career. 

Ultimately, Davis spent time in the G League and left many wondering if Washington had wasted its pick. 

In a Way-Too-Early NBA Redraft from The Ringer, the site switched the Wizards' pick from Davis to former Duke Blue Devils forward AJ Griffin.

"To think the Wizards could've had him spacing the floor and defending multiple positions alongside Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kyle Kuzma has to hurt a little bit," wrote Kevin O'Connor. "Maybe it will work out with Davis in the future, but he's off to a terrible start and is playing timidly even in the G League. Griffin would've helped more in the short term and probably been a better pick in the long term, too."

Even while he was struggling to get his career off to a solid start, Inside The Wizards saw potential. 

"There is good in Johnny Davis despite what people may be saying," ITW's Tyrone Montgomery wrote shortly before that redraft was published. "He will shine late and that will get him going for next season."

When you're right, you're right, and Davis finished the 2022-23 NBA Season on a tear averaging 14.7 points in three starts along with 2.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. 

And that timidness that we spoke so much about early in the season? Gone. 

Just ask Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday if Davis Is still timid.

"I don't think anybody expected that," Davis said about the play. "I didn't even expect it...I kind of just (was) thinking in my head, 'Just go up strong he's either going to foul you or you're going to finish this."

Davis finished that play the way he did his first Wizards season. 

Strong.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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