Tommy Sheppard

Behind the Scenes: Wizards 2020-21 Team Photo

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Every year, toward the end of the regular season, all 30 NBA franchises take part in a team photo. The coaching staff, front office, traveling party, and more join the players to commemorate the season with a photo shoot. The non-players always match, typically in formal wear, while the players don their respective teams’ jerseys as if they were ready to suit up in a game.

This season, the Wizards broke from that tradition, instead deciding to make a statement with their team photo. On Thursday, none of the players wore their usual attire, instead wearing black t-shirts with one of the following three words: accountability, equality, or justice. The rest of the staff wore black to stand in solidarity with their players.

Accountability from our nation’s law enforcement, politicians, local leadership, and all citizens. Equality for all, an end to systemic racism and any profiling based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or country of origin. Justice as a foundation for a safe and fair society.

“It’s definitely a statement piece for us,” Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal explained on Thursday. “Obviously, we’re a team and we do everything together. We’re still citizens of this country and this world. This is us just choosing a few words that we kind of live by, that we kind of hold ourselves to as men and as teammates. Hopefully, the rest of the world can follow suit and do the same as we try to make it a better place.”

“Our players are committed, our organization is committed to continue to be allies, to continue to stand up for the oppressed, to continue to try to make this world a better place,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said. “Our players are going to continue to be vocal. They will always have our support. We absolutely want to see a better world.”

On 
Juneteenth in 2020, the Wizards and Mystics joined together to protest racial injustice across the country. The theme of the march was Together We Stand, a united statement from a group of athletes unafraid to stand up for what’s right. Russell Westbrook, still with the Houston Rockets at the time of June 19, 2020, also participated in a virtual Juneteenth march that featured now Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I think the significance of this year is bigger than basketball – this year, overall, has been difficult for everyone,” Westbrook said. “I think it’s amazing how we as a team are doing something a little different, having shirts that actually have substantial meaning behind it. I’m grateful to be a part of the first team to do something like that since I’ve been in the league.”

“Our players are standing for what needs to be done,” Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said. “Change needs to take place and our organization has been a big proponent of backing our players and coaches. For the players to not wear the jersey like a normal photo shoot or for coaches to wear a suit…The way things are right now, I think it’s just perfect timing and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

With everything going on in the world in the past year-plus, not to mention injustice spanning hundreds of years, simple statements and small gestures go a long way. The Wizards chose to make a statement with their team photo, just like they did at their Juneteenth march. The players may not be able to be out in the streets protesting during the season, but continuing to stand together, regardless of the players’ backgrounds or home countries, shows how a team can still do its part in an ever-changing world.

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Wizards make statement with 2020-21 official team photo

Tommy Sheppard and Scott Brooks Media Availability - 1/15/21

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It goes without saying that Wednesday night was a franchise-changing night for the Washington Wizards.

Trading John Wall, a man who is near and dear to so many people in Washington, changed so much overnight. Wall was as loved as any athlete in D.C. has ever been, and he always will be. What he means goes beyond basketball, and one day his number two jersey will hang in the rafters at Capital One Arena.

But as one era ended in the nation’s capital, another begins with the acquisition of nine-time All-Star and 2016-17 MVP Russell Westbrook.

The electric future Hall of Fame point guard reunites with his head coach in Oklahoma City, Scott Brooks, the man who gave him his first chance in the NBA. When Westbrook was a young, skinny kid from UCLA, Brooks let him play through mistakes and figure out how to make it in the NBA. Even when they went separate ways in 2015, their relationship never dissipated.

“The greatest thing about me and Scotty’s relationship is we’ve always stayed connected,” Westbrook said on Saturday. “We’ve stayed in contact the whole time…I’m super excited to be back and continue our friendship, obviously.”

“I’m excited for what he’s going to bring to our program – the leadership, work ethic, his daily habits on and off the court,” Brooks said. “It’s going to be critical for our young guys to see…I’ve got a lot of respect for him. He just has a great spirit about him. He loves the game, he loves his teammates, and I know first-hand what he’s going to bring.”

The walking triple double that is Russell Westbrook joins the Wizards after completing his ninth All-NBA season and 11th year overall, averaging 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game on a career best 47.2% from the field.

“There’s 28 people in history that have been an All-NBA player at least nine times,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said. “There’s four players active in the NBA currently that have been All-NBA team at least nine times: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. His resume speaks for itself.”

Along with 30-point per game scorer Bradley Beal, the Wizards backcourt is now without question one of the most dangerous backcourts in the East. The two All-Star players project to be a lethal combination of playmaking, but also will be leaders on and off the court to guide a young Wizards team. They know each other a bit off the court, but their relationship is about to blossom into something paramount to the future of the franchise.

“They’re determined guys,” Brooks said on Friday, “they have a big-time drive in their work ethic, their professionalism, what they’re about off the court. There’s a lot of things — they remind me of each other. There’s going to be some figuring out to do with myself and my staff. But they’re about sacrificing. We know, if we want to get to the place we want to get to, we have to sacrifice. It’s going to take an entire 15-man roster to make some sacrifices, where we want to get to.”

“I’m super excited by it,” Westbrook explained. “Brad is a superstar talent. He proved and showed that last year. My job is to uplift him, try to push him to be better.”

“Me watching Brad and seeing and competing against him for years,” Westbrook continued, “I’ve always been a huge fan of his game because he goes and competes. He’s like a silent assassin.”

When Westbrook arrived to Washington on Friday, he walked into the MedStar Wizards Performance Center greeting every person he saw and learning names. He was greeted by Sheppard and reunited with former Thunder coaches like Brooks, Robert Pack, Mike Terpstra and Jarell Christian, along with medical staff members.

“I think once I got traded here, obviously there are so many familiar faces here,” Westbrook said. “Not just that, an organization that is in the path of trying to do the right things culturally, trying to do the right things in the community, trying to do the right things on the basketball court.”

Westbrook then left the facility to take his physical and later get a tour of Capital One Arena. The Wizards greeted him with welcome graphics on all of the screens in the arena, giving him a proper welcome.

The trade was officially completed 15 minutes before practice started on Saturday. Since he didn’t have enough lead time to warm up and get ready, Westbrook instead sat on the side watching. As Brooks mentioned in his post-practice media, Westbrook brought energy and friendly banter. On Sunday and beyond, Westbrook will bring his competitive spirit and leadership every single day.

“Our job is to protect him, make sure that he’s comfortable, making sure he knows the system, making sure he fits well with us,” Beal said. “We want to make him feel comfortable here. That’s my job and that’s everybody else’s job, too.”

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Wizards welcome Westbrook to Washington

Tommy Sheppard/Scott Brooks Media Availability - 12/4/20

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Tommy Sheppard Media Availability - 11/23/20

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On Sunday, the Wizards announced that they re-signed forward Davis Bertans. After acquiring Bertans in a three-team trade last season, the Wizards locked in the “Latvian Laser” for the long term.

Bertans wowed Wizards fans with his prolific shooting in his first year with the team, averaging 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 42.4% 3-point shooting. One of the top shooters in the league for the second straight season, Bertans finished third in the 2020 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.

The Valmiera, Latvia native was the Wizards’ number one offseason target, according to general manager Tommy Sheppard. Washington went into free agency on Friday hoping to strike a new deal with Bertans first and foremost.

“We have been adamant that our top offseason priority was to re-sign Davis, so we are thrilled to accomplish that goal and have him on board as part of the winning environment we’re continuing to build,” Sheppard said.  “He is not only an elite shooter, he’s a great addition to our community and we saw last season how his ability to spread the floor, overall basketball IQ and competitive spirit make him an ideal fit for our style of play.”

Bertans finished the 2019-20 season 24 threes short of breaking Bradley Beal’s franchise record for threes in a season set in 2016-17, though Beal did so playing 77 games that year and averaging 2.9 threes per game. At 3.7 threes per game, Bertans became the first player in franchise history to average over 3.0 3-pointers made per game. Despite appearing in just 53 games, Bertans set a new franchise record for games with at least five 3-pointers through 70 games (16).

With a 42.4% 3-point shooting rate, Bertans became just the second player in league history to shoot over 40.0% from beyond the arc while attempting at least 8.5 threes per game. Only Stephen Curry can say the same.

Looking forward, Bertans will be in D.C. for the long haul. He’ll lead a young frontcourt built around first rounds picks Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, fourth year center Thomas Bryant, free agent signing Robin Lopez, and more.

“My family and I are very proud to be a part of this first-class organization in a world-class city with great teammates, coaches and fan support,” said Bertans.  “All of those factors led to my decision to re-sign with the Wizards, and now I’m looking forward to getting back on the court and back to work so we can keep improving as a team.”

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Wizards accomplish top offseason priority, re-signing Davis Bertans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Wizards announced today that they have re-signed free agent forward Davis Bertans.

“We have been adamant that our top offseason priority was to re-sign Davis, so we are thrilled to accomplish that goal and have him on board as part of the winning environment we’re continuing to build,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard.  “He is not only an elite shooter, he’s a great addition to our community and we saw last season how his ability to spread the floor, overall basketball IQ and competitive spirit make him an ideal fit for our style of play.”

Bertans averaged career-highs of 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 54 games last season, shooting .424 (200-472) from three-point range.  He ranked fourth in the NBA in three-pointers made and sixth in three-point percentage.

Bertans’ 15.4 points per game ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring off the bench.  He also ranks fourth in NBA history with 187 three-pointers as a reserve and his 200 total three-pointers made ranks fifth-most in a single season in Wizards history. In addition, Bertans became the only player in NBA history to knock down eight or more threes off the bench in three or more games in a single season. He finished the season with 25 games of four or more 3-pointers off the bench, the third-highest total in a single season in NBA history. His 15 games of five or more 3-pointers off the bench are tied for the second-most in a single season in NBA history.

Bertans was originally acquired from San Antonio in a three-team deal with the Spurs and Nets on July 6, 2019, that sent the Wizards’ draft rights to forward Aaron White to Brooklyn with the Spurs acquiring DeMarre Carroll from the Nets.