Bradley Beal

[nate33]

Thank god we have Beal. He is a legit, core player. And, thankfully, he is the youngest player on the team with a long rookie deal ahead of him.

One of the reasons I did not like the Nene/Okafor/Ariza deals is we were putting all of our eggs in the John Wall basket. With only Wall and Beal as potential core pieces, we needed Wall to become a superstar, not just a star. And right now, projecting him as just a star is optimistic, and I don't think anyone sees him as a superstar.

What we probably should be doing is tanking and trading away everyone except for Beal. Then we rebuild with him and our first rounders for the next two years. Painful as heck, but what other options do we have? Beal + Unknown + Unknown + 2-3 more years of misery sounds more appealing to me than our current team.

I don't want to jump to conclusions so soon after such a horrible game by Wall, but at this moment in time, my gut tells me you are right. I'm really losing faith that Wall will be anything more than what he is now: a tease. Yes, he can dominate some games against teams who aren't ready for him, but Toronto and others have shown that if you know how to game plan against him, you can completely shut him down. Wall looks like little more than a poor man's Rondo. He might be worth $8-10M a year. Unfortunately, he's going to want the max and some team is probably going to offer it to him. We'll be forced to match or see our #1 #1 pick walk away.

If we could trade him for a high lotto pick right now, I'd do it. Just reset with Beal and two lotto picks this year. Also trade Nene and Ariza so we don't win much next year and tank for the 2014 draft. Keep Okafor and Webster for some leadership.

[AFM]

I'd trade him for an established good PG like Holiday.

[Higga]

I still want to see more of a Wall/Beal backcourt, particularly over the course of an entire season.

But it's looking more and more like Wall will end up being a disappointment as a #1 overall pick. A shame because all the other local top DC picks have been superstars basically from day 1(Strasburg, Harper, RG3, Ovechkin).

[hands11]

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

Look like Bradly messed up some teeth.

Randy Wittman addressed the media following Thursday's practice and discussed Beal's chipped teeth

Sounds like Cartier Marten and him smacked faces.

[Halcyon]

After seeing the WT make mention of the fact that Lillard is being considered for USA Basketball, it made me think that Beal may get a shot eventually, if he continues to improve. He will hopefully continue to be a deadly shooter, and his all around game + overall game sense may lend itself for the international game. What do you guys think?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I remember Kwame's rookie season. Early in the season in a nationally televised game, Kwame went down to the floor with a sprained ankle.

What I recall of that incident is Kwame writhed in pain as if he'd been critically wounded. I've had eversion sprains, inversion sprains, and even suffered a fully ruptured Achilles. Pain sucks. I understand guys getting emotional when they think their livelihood is on the line but Kwame Brown's reaction at the time made me think something along the lines of, "He's been down a looooonnnngggg time. I know it hurts but come on, man." Not to put myself and experience with his, but I thought a big, tough guy wouldn't act like that if he's hurt. Even if you're hurting like hell you try and maintain your cool points. Keep your bearing about yourself. No. I thought Kwame was going to cry a river on the court that game. It was not a good omen at all. I remember that much. Not a good omen...

I bring that up to say the day after Beal gets his teeth chipped, and the same day a team rival (perhaps) at his position gets traded, Bradley Beal exploded for his best game perhaps as a pro. Big difference from how Kwame reacted to things. Beal's going to be really, really, really good is what I think. This is an omen of things to come with Bradley Beal.

(PS I once gave Kwame a Norman Vincent Peale track, "The Power of Positive Thinking". In my opinion Kwame is a successful NBA player. He is still in the league over 10 years later, and even playing for the same coach. He is doing his best and that is all any of us can do. Kwame deserves that respect and then some. I apologize if my comment above brings up old mess. I have 100 times the personal failure stories, probably, than Kwame. I brought that up to say Beal is going to be a star IMO.)

[nate33]

After seeing the WT make mention of the fact that Lillard is being considered for USA Basketball, it made me think that Beal may get a shot eventually, if he continues to improve. He will hopefully continue to be a deadly shooter, and his all around game + overall game sense may lend itself for the international game. What do you guys think?

I think it's a pretty sure bet that Beal will pan out to be a better player than Lillard. Lillard is 22. Beal is 19. Heck, if you just look at the post-December numbers, Beal may already be better than Lillard.

[dobrojim]

While it will clearly depend on what others do as well, Beal could
be on his way to RoY. Beal with it.

[hands11]

After seeing the WT make mention of the fact that Lillard is being considered for USA Basketball, it made me think that Beal may get a shot eventually, if he continues to improve. He will hopefully continue to be a deadly shooter, and his all around game + overall game sense may lend itself for the international game. What do you guys think?

Oh yeah. He is a perfect fit. He will be on it.

So the road has been cleared for Beal. I expect him to step up even more now. Clearly he will end the year as the teams leading scorer.

28 pts is his season high.

I predict he breaks 30 in the next 5 games and I expect 35-38 before the season is over.

[hands11]

While it will clearly depend on what others do as well, Beal could
be on his way to RoY. Beal with it.

As someone who called it before the season started, wouldn't hurt my feeling at all.

MKG who ?

Actually, he would have to really turn it on the from here on out to catch Lillard but its doable. It's Lillards to lose. He has been in that ROTY slot for a long time now.

But I don't really care if Beal gets it or not. Actually, I kind of hope he doesn't. I would rather he flies under the radar for as long as possible. Also, I like the idea of him having a chip on his shoulder in the off season.

Just happy he is what I thought he would be. We got a really solid piece and we needed it. Any player can end up a bust. Beal didn't. He should be here for the next 10 years.

Thank you Jesus.

[tontoz]

Over his last 5 games Beal is averaging...

20 pts on 47% shooting, 48% from 3
5 rebounds
3 assists
1 steal and 1 block

[GhostsOfGil]

His FTA and FT% are back up as well. In February hes averaging 4.5 FTA on 82% shooting. Good to see since he really struggled at the line in January.

[nate33]

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.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Guys we have a future all star here and maybe a future superstar. Love those stats you put up Nate, it really shows how good Beal is playing 2013. I have to give EG credit for this pick, it was a home run. Now we just need Wall to take that next step and Booker, Serph, or Ves to step up. We just need one of those big men to prove they are a long term piece.

What impresses me most about Beal is his pace and awareness. At only 19 years old he plays like a 30 year old vet. He only takes good shots, rotates correctly on defense, and doesn't try to over do things (like Wall does). Very confident kid with a bright future. So glad we didn't get MKG or Waiters.

[hands11]

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.

And as some predicted. His super hot .508 3 pts shooting from Jan has dropped.




























.480 for Feb

He is The Read Deal that Bradley Beal
Franchise quality player.
Once you find that, building a team is a lot easier. Great defense and he can score. And he has the right personality. Thats what you tank for.

[jmrosenth]

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.

[tontoz]

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.

[DCZards]

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.

[FAH1223]

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.

Mitch is the comparison I thought when we drafted Beal. DCZards was spot on.

[Zonkerbl]

Dumars.

But I'm old.