Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: A Festivus for the Rest of Us

By Nicholas Arguelles

SEINFELD -- 'The Shower Head' Episode 15 -- Pictured: (l-r) Estelle Harris as Estelle Costanza, Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza (Photo by Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
SEINFELD -- 'The Shower Head' Episode 15 -- Pictured: (l-r) Estelle Harris as Estelle Costanza, Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza (Photo by Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Verizon Center on February 28, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Verizon Center on February 28, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Feats of Strength

And now as Festivus rolls on, we come to the Feats of Strength. We’ll take an opposite approach to the Airing of Grievances and state what’s gone right for the Wizards this season.

I think an appropriate starting point for what’s gone right for the Wizards is their revamped bench unit. Unlike that starting lineup, the bench has delivered almost every single night in the last month or so. If any positive came from Wall’s injury it was the bench unit developing a healthy and cohesive chemistry.

Now, I’d be full of remorse if I didn’t mention the man, the myth, the legend, Mike Scott. For lack of a better term, Scott has been absolutely phenomenal this season.

Scott is averaging career-highs in shooting percentage (58.5%), three-point percentage (42.2%) and minutes per game (19.2). Not enough? In his last six games, Scott is averaging 17.5 points and has made 53 of his last 72 field goal attempts. This has been Mike Scott’s rebirth season thus far and he deserves the Dundie Award.

Next, I can’t go without giving props to the real deal Bradley Beal for the season he’s having. Beal is averaging 23.8 points and can now score in all phases of the game. Teams now have to respect Beal’s driving ability along with his shots from deep.

Beal showed off every facet of his game when he dropped a whopping 51 points — with only five free throw attempts — against the Portland Trailblazers in Wall’s absence. He’s been big time this season and should be a lock to make his first career All-Star team.

Beal’s counterpart in the backcourt, John Wall is also going to get some recognition here as well. Although he’s missed some time, Wall has made it clear that he wasn’t lying when he called himself the best shot-blocking point guard in NBA history. He’s put on a show swatting shots this season and it’s no coincidence.

And my final shout out will go to Otto Porter. He’s received a lot of scrutiny because of his max deal in the off-season, but he’s been Washington’s unsung hero this season.

Porter has career-high averages in points (14.6), rebounds (6.8), steals (1.5) and three-point percentage (44.8%). Along with those career-highs, Porter is also shooting 50 percent from the floor too. Although he may not demand the ball as much as he should, Porter has established himself as a legitimate third-scorer for Washington and his development has been a thing of beauty.

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