Washington Wizards 2016-2017 End of Season Wiz of Awes Awards

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Apr 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) defends in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Player

Erik Threet (@junior_threet)

Winner: John Wall

It seems like John Wall is the Wizards’ Most Valuable Player every season. This year is different.

Not because he’s not the Wizards’ MVP – he is – but because of Wall’s development and performance this year as one of the premiere point guards in the league.

Basketball fans have known of his speed, explosion and court-vision since he was the No.1 high school point guard recruit. But now, in today’s “three points is better than two” NBA, his jump shot is no longer broke.

He can still improve on his 45 percent shooting, but it was higher than Russell Westbrook, Damian Lilliard and James Harden’s percentages. As he continues to snowball into his prime, his shot efficiency will keep improving.

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Wall has not only evolved his stroke, he has also developed a nationally recognized Super Saiyan mode: Gang-sign John Wall.

When Wall’s level of energy increased to the point where he throws up “blood” gang signs, you in trouble. This infectious energy spreads throughout the team, the fans and the city.

What’s also spreading because of Optimus Dime: National television coverage. I don’t remember many Wizards games on ESPN or TNT last season. Not again. In fact, this season TNT moved games so the Wizards would be on their network.

More love is on the way. His jumper is still on the come up, but Wall still led all point guards in assists and steals per game as well as total blocks. So much shade is thrown at his jump shot, we fail to credit how strong his defending and playmaking are.

Washington D.C. loves him. Will the country embrace him like the city does? I don’t know. What I do know is John Wall is the Wizards 2016-2017 MVP.

Charlie Gibson (@cgibson1619)

Winner: John Wall

As he has been every year since he was drafted, John Wall was the Wizards MVP. He followed up his first All-NBA season with the best individual postseason by a Wizard in my lifetime.

He put up 27 & 10 through 13 playoffs games—which had never before been accomplished. He had a 42-point closeout game against the Hawks, 40 & 13 in a duel with Isaiah Thomas, and of course the buzzer beating three in game six.

His run was even more impressive considering that both Bradley Beal and Otto Porter shot below 30% from three for the playoffs. On the positive, Wall and co. are now 3-0 in first round series.

Ryan Eugene (@ButterschotchT)

Winner: John Wall

This feels pointless, but it’s great to see the various points of view on Wall’s season, and give him the credit he deserves just a few more times.

Assuming he played at least about 60% of the games, Wall was always going to be the team’s MVP. Despite improvements from backcourt mate Bradley Beal, Wall is still the engine to the car. And after being a Toyota Camry in 2015-16, this car was a Porsche 911 Carrera S this season.

Despite coming into the season out of shape after offseason knee surgeries, Wall posted the best season of his career.

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He posted career highs in points per game, assists per game, steals per game, and field goal percentage.

We had long wanted Wall to get to the rare season averages of 20 points and 10 assists. This season Wall averaged 23 points and almost 11 assists.

Albeit in a loss, Wall had one of the defining moments of his career and the season in the December 6th loss to the Magic.

He scored 52 points, but the Wizards still got destroyed by a mediocre Orlando team.

That would end up being the last loss for the Wizards at home for over two months. The 17 game home winning streak was the franchise’s second longest home winning streak in history.

Wall led the Wizards every time he took the court, and was routinely the best player on the court. Under new head coach Scott Brooks, he attacked the rim more, got to the free throw line more, and helped lead improvements from Beal and Porter.

Wall did it all on offense, a lot on defense, and somehow played even better in the playoffs.

His previous two playoff performances underwhelmed, but posting 27 points and 10 assists per game this postseason cemented himself as a superstar to national media and fans.

Oh and he gave Wizards fans one last treat in their final home game of the season.

Sununu Bah (@NunuSaucinEm)

Winner: John Wall

Asking who is the Most Valuable player on the Washington Wizards team is like asking a rhetorical question.

This is an obvious answer. It’s simply John Wall.

Rising above a season full of doubt and serious criticism, not only towards his game but also his character, especially related to money, Wall gave us his best season to date.

Not only did he increase his shot and free throw attempts per game, but also delivered career high averages in scoring, from 19.9 to 23.1 points per game, assists (10.7), and field goal percentage (45.1).

His regular season performance was not his peak though.

When the moment was the brightest, he performed his best. The 2017 playoffs brought fans plenty of memories.

He scored 15 third quarter points to give the Wizards a sound lead when they struggled to break free from a slug fest. He let Julio Jones, Gucci Mane, and Quavo know that he was going to get 35 points and the Wizards were going to win.

In that decisive Game 6, he came through with a 42-point night and a series sealing victory. Wall captured the hearts of the city.

He performed like a top five NBA player. Hopefully the loss to Boston increases his appetite.

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