3 Best Washington Wizards Memories in Classic Jersey

The Washington Wizards unveiled their classic jerseys for the upcoming season. The new attire will be an homage to the white uniforms that were worn from 1997-2011.

Fans are ecstatic to see the Wizards embrace what could be considered a fun time in the team’s history. The presentation was great and to see our franchise guy, Bradley Beal, wear that clean, white jersey is a beautiful sight to see.

Now that this jersey is officially are classic uniform for the season, let’s take a look at three of the best moments the Wizards had while sporting the white and blue.

3. The Peak of Gilbert Arenas

The best player to wear this jersey is not Gilbert Arenas. (We will discuss him later) However, Arenas had the best career in them. From 2003-2011, Arenas was a Washington Wizards staple. You can claim he was one of the top players in the game at one point in time.

His peak was something we hadn’t seen from a Wizards player in our lifetime. Arenas went toe-to-toe with superstars, such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. There was never a moment that scared off Arenas.

For a three year stretch, he averaged 27.7 points per game, while making the Eastern Conference All-Star team in that timeframe. The most success the Wizards acquired in these jerseys was with Arenas at the helm.

Despite his peak being cut short, it was still a fun ride that the fans would never trade away.

2. The GOAT Plays for the Wizards

Michael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball to most, which is why it was an honor to watch MJ play for the Wizards to close out his career. Unfortunately, he was not the Bulls version, but it was still a marvelous experience to have him wear a Wizards jersey.

The original plan was for MJ to be the team’s Owner/President, but that itch to play was too strong to make a return on the hardwood. This led to two seasons in D.C. at the age of 38 and 39, respectively.

Those two seasons were actually good from a statistical standpoint and proved that he still had it. In fact, his final season saw MJ play in every game and average 37 minutes per game, while averaging 20 points per game.

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The Wizards did not have team success with “His Airness” for those two seasons, but MJ simply wearing the jersey was all we needed as fans.

1. Wizards First Series Win in Over Two Decades

Heading into the 2004-05 season, the Wizards had not made the postseason since 1997. However, their playoff series win drought was a lot longer. They had not won a playoff series since 1982.

They were in the basement of the NBA for such a long period of time with no end in sight. The year prior to 04-05 saw them stay at the bottom with a 25-57 record. However, they flipped things around with the emerging Arenas and newly acquired Antawn Jamison on board, and accumulated a 45-37 record.

This led to a playoff berth with hopes of a series win for the first time since the 80s. That dream ended up becoming a reality, as they took down the Chicago Bulls in six games to advance.

The Wizards won a playoff series, which ended up being the only series victory while wearing the now classic jerseys.

Hopefully, the Wizards can create new memories in the white and blue this season.