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

By Ryan Eugene

May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (middle) is introduced prior to a game against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (middle) is introduced prior to a game against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (left) talks with Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (left) talks with Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player

Charlie Gibson (@cgibson1619)

Winner: Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal. Wall, Beal, and Porter all posted career highs in points per game, field goal %, and PER. To me this was a close call between Beal and Porter but I gave it to Beal.

Porter’s jump from good role player to basically an elite role player and a knock down shooter was not quite as impressive as Beal’s jump from a fairly inefficient scorer to an All-Star level player.

In the 26 games after his minor snub from the All-Star game Beal averaged 24.8 points per game while shooting 49.8% from the field.  His jump from potentially the next Ray Allen to actually the next Ray Allen is a game changer.  

Ryan Eugene (@ButterscotchT)

Winner: Bradley Beal

There were only two choices here for me. Bradley Beal or Otto Porter. Beal won my vote because he improved from potential star to star. His words before the season that this was he and John Wall’s team no longer look blasphemous.

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Beal improved more than just his body this season. Of course this was the healthiest season of his career. But he also shouldered more of the offensive and defensive loads.

He did more than just shoot, he created opportunities for others. He was tasked with guarding a variety of opposing players, and seemed engaged more than previous seasons.

Usually MIPs come before their max contracts. Beal, however, came after.

He heard a lot of criticism about the amount of money he received, and responded by becoming a near All-Star.

He helped cement the Wizards backcourt as Top 2 or 3, and for much of the season was the Wizards’ best scorer.

Most MIPs come after getting a sudden uptick in playing time. For Beal however, he just needed a strong offseason, and a healthy and productive season.

It would not surprise me at all if he’s the Wizards’ MIP in the 2017-18 Wiz of Awes Awards as well

Sununu Bah (@NunuSaucinEm)

Winner: Bradley Beal

No one ever doubted the talents of Bradley Beal. We doubted whether he could stay on the court.

For his health alone, Beal deserves the Most Improved Player Award.

From the very young ages of 20 and 21, Beal raised his game in the postseason and had many proclaiming him as the next best shooting guard, leading his team in scoring with 19.2 and 23.2 points per game.

BUT – yes there was always a but associated with Beal – he missed 25 percent of his regular season games.

This season, however, he only missed four games. If I had to make a bet at the beginning of the season that Beal was only going to miss only FOUR games there was no way in hell I was going to make it.

Beal’s improved health saw him capitalizing by displaying the-next-best-shooting guard talent that many saw him. He tied as the team’s leading scorer with 23.1 points per game and had a career-high field goal percentage (48.2).

In the postseason, he played his best in the team’s biggest games. 27 and 31 points in games five and six of the first round. 29, 33, and 38 in games four, six, and seven of the second round.

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