Wiz of Awes
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The definitive 2010’s Washington Wizards “All-Decade Team”

By Keith Cork

WASHINGTON, D.D. - September 27: Wizards #1 Draft pick John Wall during media day activities on September 25, 2010 in Washington, D.C. {Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images}
WASHINGTON, D.D. - September 27: Wizards #1 Draft pick John Wall during media day activities on September 25, 2010 in Washington, D.C. {Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images} /
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(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Starting Small Forward

Trevor Ariza (2012-2014, 2018-19) 12.7 ppg, 37.1 3PT%, 1.4 spg, 5.5 rpg

Trevor Ariza was a large part of the Washington Wizards push to the playoffs in 2013-14, averaging 35.4 minutes per game in 77 appearance. In his 15 year career, Ariza has played on 8 different teams and been a contributor on every single one.

While he may not be the sexiest or most obvious name from small forward history, Ariza deserves this spot for a few reasons: First, he’s an NBA champion (2009 Los Angeles Lakers). Second, he had the ability to go off for 40 points in a game, as he did in March of 2014 nailing an impressive 8 three-pointers, which is three points higher than the guy you might expect to be here: Otto Porter Jr.

Ariza followed up that performance with a 30-point performance in the playoffs in what amounted to his second-best scoring season and best overall three-point percentage (40.7%). Ariza also stole the ball at a higher rate with the Wizards at 1.4 compared to OPJ’s 1.2.

The sharp shooter would fit well next to Wall and Beal in the starting lineup and posted a better Defensive Win Share stat in that season than any season OPJ played for the Wizards. While he ultimately grabbed more boards than Otto Porter, his total rebounding percentage was lower, but that shouldn’t matter much with the remaining starters that fill out this list.

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