There was a time when the Washington Wizards were one of the best teams in basketball. The problem is that it was nearly 50 years ago. From 1965 to 1987, the Wizards qualified for the playoffs all but four times. Since the 1987-88 season, the Wizards have made the playoffs 10 times. The Wizards haven’t made the Conference Finals since the 1978-79 season, which was also the same time the team last made the NBA Finals.
The Wizards won the 1978 championship despite losing in 1979. That run was a magical time for the franchise. Despite the drought, the team has seen some successful players wear the team jersey. While the overall team has not been a standout franchise, there are plenty of players that stand out from the past to the present.
These are the team’s franchise awards.
GOAT Of The Franchise - Wes Unseld
How can you go against the only Finals MVP winner in team history? There are a few valid arguments. For starters, Bradley Beal is going to overtake Elvin Hayes as the all-time leading scorer next season. Unseld ranks fifth all-time in points but what we can’t forget is that Unseld owns multiple records with the team.
Unseld is the all-time leading rebounder and has played the most games and minutes with the Wizards. His defense is what helped him land the Finals MVP trophy in 1978. That is why he owns the team record for win shares, defensive win shares, and value over a replacement player. Unseld might not have been sexy on offense, but he was an overall great player that helped the Wizards win their only title in team history.
Rookie Of The Franchise - Walt Bellamy
No rookie from the Wizards has won Rookie of the Year since 1969. Technically, no Wizard has won Rookie of the Year. Earl Monrow and Wes Unseld won back-to-back seasons in 1968 and 1969 as members of the Baltimore Bullets. Both players enjoyed successful careers with the franchise but no rookie has a better season than Walt Bellamy.
At the time, Bellamy was a member of the Chicago Packers in 1962. He averaged 31.6 points per game, 19.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 51.9% from the field. His rookie season saw him lead the league in field goal percentage and that included playing in 79 games. Not too many rookies can score over 30 a night but Bellamy found a way.
Offensive Player Of The Franchise - Elvin Hayes
In some time, Bradley Beal could take over this record. Assuming he stays with the Wizards for the next five years after his contract extension this summer, Beal could surpass 20,000 points. For now, Hayes remains the all-time leader in points with 15,551 points but Beal is making his way towards the top as he enters next season with 14,231 career points.
With the Wizards, Hayes played for the team from 1972 to 1981 and had just two seasons where he averaged less than 20.0 points per game. Hayes came close to averaging 20.0 or more each season but averaged 19.8 and 19.7 in two other seasons. What stands out the most is when the Wizards made the NBA Finals in 1978 and 1979, Hayes was the team’s leading scorer.
Defensive Player Of The Franchise - Elvin Hayes
Finding a defensive stud on the Wizards is harder than it seems. Only seven players have been named to the All-Defensive Team in franchise history since the award came out. Bob Dandridge and Larry Hughes are the only players to ever make a First-Team selection with Hughes being the last player in the 2004-05 season.
The decision came down to Elvin Hayes and John Wall. Both players own one appearance on the All-Defensive Second Team and own franchise records with the team. Hayes owns the record for career blocks, while Wall owns the record for steals. What came down to it was that Hayes also ranks second in total rebounds and third in steals with the team. His defensive win shares are second to Wes Unseld as well. Altogether, Hayes put together a better resume.
Coach Of The Franchise - Dick Motta
We need to give an honorable mention to former Bullets coach Gene Shue. In 13 seasons, Shue owns the record for most wins with the team with a 522-505 record, which included winning one conference championship and making the playoffs eight times. While his career was great, the four-year run of Dick Motta saw the team go 185-143 with four playoff appearances, two trips to the NBA Finals, and the 1978 championship.
Motta owns an overall successful coaching career. He ranks eighth all-time in wins with 1,952 games. Motta was beloved for his fiery personality. In games, Motta once threw his jacket at a referee and kicked a basketball into the stands. His teams played hard and were always physical.
Fan Favorite - Bradley Beal
Unfortunately for players like Unseld, Hayes, and Bellamy, fans today do not remember their greatness because it was so long ago. For modern-day fans, Gilbert Arenas gave hope to the team but then saw his career cut short due to bad decisions. John Wall was a former No. 1 overall pick that enjoyed an All-Star run but he ultimately got hurt and it cost the team some years in competition.
This summer proved that Beal is a fan favorite because he elected to stay with the team on a supermax contract. After years of trade speculation, the superstar wanted to remain with the Wizards. Beal is also a very solid player in his own right, who is likely going to become the team’s all-time leading scorer. Beal already owns the record for three-point field goals by nearly 600 and is working his way up the steals ladder. By the end of his career, he could push some of the all-time greats for the greatest Wizards player ever.
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