Bradley Beal

[payitforward]

I'm sure this comp has been made on this thread before, but he reminds me a lot of Mitch Richmond. Cerebral players without a lot of "wow" athleticism. A bit undersized at SG but plays serviceable D and isn't a liability on that end of the floor. More than "scorers" - can board, pass, - smart guys to have out there. Richmond was all-star caliber from his rookie year: 22-6-4 on a playoff team, but he also was a 23-year old rook. Beal has a chance to have a Richmond type of career.

I think DCZards has been singing that tune since Beal was drafted. Certainly looking like a good call at this point.

Thanks for the props, tontoz.

And it was a very insightful comparison, dcz. I lived in SF when Richmond was drafted and saw him play a lot -- a terrific player for a long time.

If anything, tho, I think Beal can be better than Richmond. It's funny, but now that "back in the day" has come up, I realize that Beal reminds me a little of Timmy Hardaway physically (tho a bigger Timmy). Hardaway was unbelievably strong; he had legs like tree trunks. Don't think Beal is quite like that, but he's still a teenager; might get there.

[nate33]

January 1 seems like a pretty decent demarcation point of Beal play. He was pretty crappy beforehand and pretty damn good thereafter.

In the 21 games in 2013 Beal has averaged:

14.7 PPG on 45% shooting, 49% from 3.
EFG:53%
TS% 55.7%
3.2 Reb, 2.4 Ast, .9 stl, .6 blk, 1.3 TO.
FT shooting has dropped to 72% for that stretch.

I posted this on the previous page:

Since January 1st, he is averaging:
32.9 minutes
15.7 points
3.4 rebounds
2.5 assists
1.4 turnovers
.500 3P%
.555 TS%

Per 36, that would be:
17.2 points
3.7 rebounds
2.8 assists
1.5 turnovers
.500 3P%
.555 TS%

There are only 7 guards in the league that are exceeding 17 points, 3.5 boards, 2.5 assists and a .550 TS% per 36 minutes Those guys are: Harden, Chris Paul, Vince Carter, Irving, Wade, Kobe and Tyreke Evans. And none of these guys take care of the ball as well as Beal. Beal's TOV% is an incredibly low 8.0. Only Vince Carter is in single digits at 9.5%. Everyone else turns the ball over more than 12% of the time.

Essentially, Beal is playing at a near all-star caliber level. The superstar SG's (Wade, Kobe and Harden) are better than him. The top tier PG's (Paul, Irving, Parker, Westbrook and Curry) are better, and that's about it. Beal is right in the next tier alongside Tyreke Evans. Nobody else really comes close to Beal's combination of scoring, passing, rebounding and efficiency.

[fishercob]

Missed that. Thanks. He's good.

[nuposse04]

Isn't it reasonable to think Beal's game will come a lot easier if John ever does get a mid range J down (at least average).

[Upper Decker]

Unfortunately every single player on the team would look much better if John ever does get a mid range J down. The team would be very good if Wall had a J. It'd open everything up in the half court.

[AFM]

It's possible his FT shooting has dropped so significantly because he's physically exhausted from putting the team on his back doe.

[Higga]

Brad "the real deal" Beal is a stud. He will be an All-Star next year and for years to come. Soooo glad we took him over overrated garbage ass Harry Barnes.

[dobrojim]

I think we're watching this year's Rookie of the Year.

CHA made a mistake* (sorry Dat).

* = half season + could be too small a sample size. We'll see.

[DCZards]

Brad "the real deal" Beal is a stud. He will be an All-Star next year and for years to come. Soooo glad we took him over overrated garbage ass Harry Barnes.

Whoooaa, Higga. An all-star next year? I see the all-star potential in BB. But next year?

[tontoz]

Brad "the real deal" Beal is a stud. He will be an All-Star next year and for years to come. Soooo glad we took him over overrated garbage ass Harry Barnes.

Whoooaa, Higga. An all-star next year? I see the all-star potential in BB. But next year?

Probably a reach but the best 2s are in the West. The only shoo-in in the east at the 2 is Wade.

I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it before his rookie contract is up.

[nate33]

Brad "the real deal" Beal is a stud. He will be an All-Star next year and for years to come. Soooo glad we took him over overrated garbage ass Harry Barnes.

Whoooaa, Higga. An all-star next year? I see the all-star potential in BB. But next year?

Probably a reach but the best 2s are in the West. The only shoo-in in the east at the 2 is Wade.

I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it before his rookie contract is up.

They don't make much of a distinction between PG's and SG's when they vote for the All Stars. I figure Rose, Wade and Irving are definitely better. Then you've got Rondo, Joe Johnson, Paul George (if he's considered a SG), Afflalo, Redick, and Holiday. It depends on how comfortable the coaches with Wade plus four PG's or if they want to add a shooter. If Paul George enters himself as a SG, he'll probably get it.

[Nivek]

Wrote a piece at the blog about Beal.

Beal's February PPA is 161 -- which (over the full season) would rank 18th overall in the NBA this season. He's playing WELL.

[tontoz]

That isn't a very strong group though. I can definitely see Beal breaking through before year 4.

Out west he would have to beat out Kobe/Harden/Manu/Paul/Parker/Westbrook. He definitely has a better shot in the east.

[dobrojim]

If BB is going to become an AllStar, it will have to be because the Wizards
become a playoff team. Respect will come with winning.

[tontoz]

Only 2 points in the first quarter against the Raps but he still wound up with 20.

[TheBigThree]

Only 2 points in the first quarter against the Raps but he still wound up with 20.

If memory serves, only 2 in the 4th, too.

[fishercob]

At some point people will realize that the points in the middle stages of the game are just as important as those at the end.

[TheBabyMaker]

At some point people will realize that the points in the middle stages of the game are just as important as those at the end.

Especially when he had to sit out most of the 4th due to foul trouble.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If BB is going to become an AllStar, it will have to be because the Wizards
become a playoff team. Respect will come with winning.

He's only 19 and playing like a "Seven-year veteran," per Consor or Johnson (can't remember which).

It is entirely possible this happens. Look at guys like Leonard, Faried, and much younger Beal today and try to project them 5 years from now. Why couldn't Beal be an all star at some point?

I agree the Wizards will have to be a playoff team, jim. This team can win, too.

[payitforward]

At some point people will realize that the points in the middle stages of the game are just as important as those at the end.

No they won't unfortunately. They never will.