There are several weird things about this video, and I didn’t even really want to make it, but then I decided that there are maybe a few masochists out there who want to see how Trevor Ariza performed in his first game with his new team, so here we are.
Before I start listing the weird things, I want to point out that I am fully aware that this not truly Ariza’s “debut” with the Wizards. He played two seasons with the ‘Zards in 2012-13 and 2013-14, the latter being a coincidental “career year in a contract year”. Ariza got hella paid after averaging 14 PPG that season and shooting 40% from three, then regressed to career norms afterwards.
The first weird thing about this video is the fact that I showed all of Ariza’s steals. Ariza has a reputation as a defensive player, and steals are a defensive stat, so it’s a match made in heaven. Six steals is the second-most any player has had this season (P.J. Tucker had seven in a game), so that adds to the highlight-worthiness of the performance. Unfortunately, the nature of steals that is often more about the incompetence of the offensive player than the skill of the defensive player, and that fact bears itself out in the video.
Second weird thing: Ariza had four assists, a total that falls one short of my normal policy that five assists are necessary for them to be included in the video. However, a depicion of 19/8/4/6 statline wouldn’t be complete without those assists.
Third weird thing: Ariza was 6-of-17 from the field. He was laying bricks the whole game. Under normal circumstances, I would ignore this performance from Ariza because shooting that poorly from the field is not a commendable occurrence. Remember, however, that this is Ariza’s debut for his new team. That changes my criteria substantially, even though there aren’t any Wizards fans who will care about this because there are no Wizards fans period.
Fourth weird thing: the Wizards lost to the Hawks. I know the Wizards are playing way below expectations, but this is a new low.
Overall, making this video was a weird and, frankly, unenjoyable experience which I have no desire to repeat.
I can’t believe I’ve never clicked on this link. But Downtobuck. I have to say thank you. Every season you bring something I just can’t explain. I want to say thank you!