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Washington Wizards 2016-17 Individual Player Awards

By Blaise Malley

Apr 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dives into the stands to save a loose ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dives into the stands to save a loose ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year: Kelly Oubre, Jr.*

Another position where it is difficult to determine the Washington Wizards’ winner: defensive player of the year.

Among the starters, there are five solid defensive players, but none especially stand out.

Wall is the most dynamic player, but he too often is lazy on pick and roll plays and takes unnecessary risks that leave his teammates vulnerable. Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat are both good, but neither are elite rim protectors.

Porter, similarly, does a good job most of the time, but his slight frame makes it difficult for him to slide over a guard bigger fours.

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Therefore, we move to the Wizards’ bench to find the two most influential players on the less glamorous end of the floor. By default, Kelly Oubre wins the award.

Oubre instills an energy in the team by playing hyper aggressive defense and pressuring the ball. He has quick reflexes and a long wingspan that permits to jump passing lanes more than most.

Oubre still has some shortcomings, including his size and his propensity to gamble. However, his versatility and the importance of his defense make him the winner.

*Ian Mahinmi, had he played enough games, would have claimed the honor. Mahinmi, though, appeared in only 31 of 82 games this season. He was an excellent rim protector, and his decent foot speed allowed him to switch screens and do an adequate job guarding quicker guards.

Apologies to: Mahinmi, Markieff Morris, Wall

Bench Player of the Year: Kelly Oubre, Jr.

At different points of the season, different players could have won this award. Early in the season, with the bench in shambles, Oubre was the only bright spot. Later on, Jason Smith emerged as a calming and reliable presence on Washington’s bench.

After his arrival, Bojan Bogdanovic proved an indispensable piece as the go-to scorer off the bench, while Mahinmi’s return from injury fortified the defense. When Bogdanovic fell into a late-season slump, Oubre, who had fallen almost out of the rotation, reclaimed his spot as the sixth man.

Many players had their moments, but Oubre made the biggest impact for the most prolonged period of time. His defensive ability and confidence offensively were valuable assets to the team, even as Washington hopes that he continues to refine his game as he gains more experience.

Apologies to: Bogdanovic, Smith

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