Now I could go ahead and talk about the season in general and try to summarize it while pointing out certain themes or recurring issues with the team, but you’re not on this blog unless you’ve watch a hell of a lot of Wizards basketball and most of these themes (losing to bad teams, looking like the 09-10 Wiz in the 4th quarter, Satoranksy becoming the face of the franchise) have become pretty apparent to you. Instead, let’s revisit some of the more notable moments and give out some awards!

Best Win – @ Boston 12/25

What didn’t this game have? Oubre dunking all over the court while being booed, Wall racking up seven assists in the fourth to seal a comeback, and Beal dropping a casual 25. The Wiz finally got their elusive road win in Boston and it was only 7 months late.

Worst Win – vs. Brooklyn 1/13

You might be saying, “All wins are good. What kind of nitpicking fan is upset after a win?” I have no answer to that question. But I do know that when the Wizards played the Nets on January 13th, after losing their last two games against Brooklyn by a combined 38 points, they blew a 20 point half time lead, made one FG in the final four minutes, and let the young, athletic, defensively minded big man they traded to the Nets drop a then-career high on them. It’s ok though, it’s not like the Wizards have any place on their roster for a player like Jarrett Allen anyways. This one stung.

Best Loss – @ Golden State 10/27

Blown leads and Beal fighting Draymond aside, the Wizards played the most talented team in NBA history and Otto Porter Jr. was the best player on the court. Gotta appreciate the little victories when your team doesn’t have four future Hall of Famers in their prime.

Worst Loss – vs. Phoenix 11/1

This was by far the hardest category to pick a winner for. There was the 17 point blown fourth quarter lead vs. Portland. There were the blowouts where the Wizards made Utah, Charlotte, Dallas, and Brooklyn look like the Dream Team, if the Dream Team had the current Warriors coming off the bench and were playing on eight foot hoops. But ultimately I had to settle on the Suns coming back from a 22 point deficit and burying the Wizards at home. Why? In the other games, the Wizards either didn’t have Wall or simply came out flat and had lost the game by the end of the first. I had time to prepare for such a loss. No one’s prepared for T.J. Warren dropping 40 points on your franchise’s head en route to the biggest comeback of the season at the time. Also the Suns are tied for the worst record in the NBA and that makes this loss almost impressive. No link will be provided as this game is best forgotten.

Best Performances

It can be pretty easy to get caught up with the negative as a Wizards fan especially when you just read that last paragraph. Looking at the big picture, if you knew the Wiz would have the 8th best record in the NBA by the all-star break with Wall missing 20 games, you’d be pretty pleasantly surprised. So I thought I’d highlight some of the best individual performances this year.

3. Bradley Beal @ Oklahoma City – 41/12/7

The only loss in the top three performances, Beal’s offensive display was simply too dynamic and varied to ignore simply because he was the only Wizard who felt like playing that night. With 17 of his 41 points coming in the fourth, Beal put the team on his back with his scoring while also leading the game in rebounds and being second only to Wall in assists.

2. Bradley Beal vs. Chicago – 39/9/9

Tallying 13 points in the final five minutes, Beal was able to power the Wizards through their troubles with lesser opponents through sheer force of will. Beal came dangerously close to being only the 12th player in NBA history to record a 40 point triple double. This game is the perfect demonstration of his significantly improved playmaking.

1. Bradley Beal @ Portland – 51/3/2

Yes, I’m giving Beal the sweep for top three games. Wall’s a baller but he said it himself – Brad’s been the MVP for the Wiz this year. After dropping 19 first half points while only missing three shots, Portland knew what they had to. If they could stop Beal they would win the game. They did not win the game. Putting in the most impressive performance by a Wizard since Gil lit up prime Kobe Bryant for 60 points, Beal set the record for opponent scoring in the Moda Center while being draped in defenders anytime he touched the ball in the half court. Bradley put on a tough shot-making clinic and the Blazers were the students.

So that’s my quick wrap up of some of the memorable moments of the season so far. I’m hoping to get out 1-2 more articles during the ASB, particularly one grading the player’s and team’s performance over the season and giving out awards (MVP, DPOY, 6MOY) for the Wizards. Keep an eye out for those and go Wiz.