Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards: Handing Out Midterm Grades for the Wizards

By Garrison Cole

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 20: Bradley Beal #3 and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards celebrate in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena on October 20, 2017 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 20: Bradley Beal #3 and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards celebrate in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena on October 20, 2017 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Now that the first half of the 2017-18 NBA season is over, midterm grades are being handed out for the Washington Wizards.

Before the season started, I pleaded with all of D.C. Family to embrace their Washington Wizards and all that comes with it—the good, the bad, and the crazy. As the Wizards get set to return after the All-Star break, it’s as good a time as any to look back on the first part of the season before the Wizards make one final push.

The Good

The Wizards are somehow in the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference as play gets ready to resume after the break. Through all the uneven play, the injuries, and off-the-court drama, the Wizards are surprisingly still fourth. That’s a good thing.

They have positioned themselves well heading into the final stretch of games and should be commended for that.

You can’t go too far when discussing the good without mentioning Bradley Beal. Beal was just rewarded with his first All-Star appearance of his career. He’s averaging a shade under 24 points, while dishing out a career-high 4.2 assists per game, in what has definitely been a breakout season.

Beal has shouldered the scoring load this season, while his backcourt mate John Wall has been sidelined with injury. He posted his first career 50-point game in Portland earlier this season, definitely a good highlight from the first half.

Another batch of good from the first half of the season has been the improved play of the Wizards’ bench. Washington has received solid contribution from Kelly Oubre Jr, Mike Scott, Tomas Satoranksy, and even Ian Mahinmi.

The bench is only 18th in the league in scoring, but consider that last year the bench was next to last in terms of scoring. Their impact on the game has been felt and they’ve been key all season long.

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