Bradley Beal - Part II

[Illmatic12]

Bradley Beal during the Atlanta VS Washington 6 Game Series:

25.1PPG, 5.0AST, 5.5REB, 1.5STL, 2.8TOs, 38.8% from 3, shooting 41.8% from the field.


Played his *** off and he put 'All Star' Kyle Korver in the torture chamber on defense. Anyone still hating on Beal and calls yourself a Wiz fans, just ban yourself

[MJG]

Those numbers look virtually identical to what Beal did against Indiana last year except for PPG, and even there, that's mostly because he just took a lot more shots this year. I don't want to be a downer on elimination day, but I do hope that people learned from last year and don't let their expectations for next season get too inflated.

[Illmatic12]

Those numbers look virtually identical to what Beal did against Indiana last year except for PPG, and even there, that's mostly because he just took a lot more shots this year. I don't want to be a downer on elimination day, but I do hope that people learned from last year and don't let their expectations for next season get too inflated.

Beal wasn't drawing fouls and driving nearly as much in last year's playoffs, nor was he handling the ball consistently and making plays for others.

Some were convinced he'd top out as a glorified role player who couldn't do anything without Wall. That may have been true last year, but it clearly isn't the case now. In those two games without Wall he showcased the ability to carry the team (vs a top defense), and had the energy to do it on both ends.

If Beal doesn't continue to improve next year, then it's on him. Because he clearly has all the tools to be a very good SG, so long as he stays healthy.

[deneem4]

it plexes me how beal becomes literally the best sg in the playoffs(harden sucked) and klay hasn't been stepping up... But returns to normal in the regular season I hope he carries this mentality thru the regular season, he literally shutdown korver and held derozan to empty stats...

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

it plexes me how beal becomes literally the best sg in the playoffs(harden sucked) and klay hasn't been stepping up... But returns to normal in the regular season I hope he carries this mentality thru the regular season, he literally shutdown korver and held derozan to empty stats...

My sense is that BB has learned to coast from Nene.

Plus, I don't think there's any way he goes beals to the wall like that for an 82 game season and stays healthy.

Ideally, we'd have a good second string 2 guard that allows him to play fewer minutes, but harder when he is in.

[DCZards]

My sense is that BB has learned to coast from Nene.

I don't think that's true...nor do I think it's fair to either Beal or Nene. Have you heard Beal or anyone else suggest anything to that effect?

[deneem4]

it plexes me how beal becomes literally the best sg in the playoffs(harden sucked) and klay hasn't been stepping up... But returns to normal in the regular season I hope he carries this mentality thru the regular season, he literally shutdown korver and held derozan to empty stats...

My sense is that BB has learned to coast from Nene.

Plus, I don't think there's any way he goes beals to the wall like that for an 82 game season and stays healthy.

Ideally, we'd have a good second string 2 guard that allows him to play fewer minutes, but harder when he is in.

I really think beal is the opposite of klay post season wise... Beal always steps up during major games...if he can channel that production thru out the season he'll be a top 3 sg... But I don't think nene had an effect on him, if anything Pierce did

[Kanyewest]

I really think beal is the opposite of klay post season wise... Beal always steps up during major games...if he can channel that production thru out the season he'll be a top 3 sg... But I don't think nene had an effect on him, if anything Pierce did

Klay might be scoring a bit less but he looks he's playing extremely well so far in the playoffs.

I also wouldn't blame Nene for the coasting. It is simply a young guy playing a lot of NBA games over the season.

It may also be Beal is putting it out there more for the postseason because he is eligible for an extension this upcoming offseason. I wonder how much the Wizards will be willing to give Beal. I suspect that some team will throw max money at Beal in 2016.

[Kanyewest]

Those numbers look virtually identical to what Beal did against Indiana last year except for PPG, and even there, that's mostly because he just took a lot more shots this year. I don't want to be a downer on elimination day, but I do hope that people learned from last year and don't let their expectations for next season get too inflated.

Beal wasn't drawing fouls and driving nearly as much in last year's playoffs, nor was he handling the ball consistently and making plays for others.

Some were convinced he'd top out as a glorified role player who couldn't do anything without Wall. That may have been true last year, but it clearly isn't the case now. In those two games without Wall he showcased the ability to carry the team (vs a top defense), and had the energy to do it on both ends.

If Beal doesn't continue to improve next year, then it's on him. Because he clearly has all the tools to be a very good SG, so long as he stays healthy.

Beal was still more efficient in the 2014 postseason against better defensive teams (the Bulls and the Pacers). But yeah, Beal got to to the line more and played better defense- his role had to expand on that end with the departure of Ariza.

[payitforward]

Beal has some bad habits on offense; above all, he seems to waste @ 1/2 second or more when he gets the ball in the motion game. He has a kind of hop or half step he does to put himself in position and set his pivot foot. I often see him lose the opportunity for an open 3 w/ that habit -- and wind up having to put on a little move as the defender arrives, then wind up hoisting a long-ish 2 pt. attempt off that dribble, sometimes contested, pretty often inaccurate.

I wonder whether Dat's point about lower body musculature relates to this -- or whether it's something he just has to grow out of through coaching and repetition?

Meanwhile, yeah, he played at a high level in both playoff series. And he's younger than a number of guys in the draft this year!

[hands11]

Those numbers look virtually identical to what Beal did against Indiana last year except for PPG, and even there, that's mostly because he just took a lot more shots this year. I don't want to be a downer on elimination day, but I do hope that people learned from last year and don't let their expectations for next season get too inflated.

Inflated ?

This was pretty much exactly my expectations for them except Wall getting injured in the 2nd round.. Only thing that didn't happen was regular season Randy incorporating some of what Playoff Randy should have learned such they they got to 50 wins.

And that will still be a question mark going into the following season. Only thing that will answer that is obvious roster moves that could clear things up and help in projecting what they might do as a rotation.

[hands11]

it plexes me how beal becomes literally the best sg in the playoffs(harden sucked) and klay hasn't been stepping up... But returns to normal in the regular season I hope he carries this mentality thru the regular season, he literally shutdown korver and held derozan to empty stats...

For one. They use the regular season to try to grow his game doing things that he isn't good at .. at the cost of wins.

2nd. Regular season they didn't play much S4.

3rd.. he is still very young.

[hands11]

Beal has some bad habits on offense; above all, he seems to waste @ 1/2 second or more when he gets the ball in the motion game. He has a kind of hop or half step he does to put himself in position and set his pivot foot. I often see him lose the opportunity for an open 3 w/ that habit -- and wind up having to put on a little move as the defender arrives, then wind up hoisting a long-ish 2 pt. attempt off that dribble, sometimes contested, pretty often inaccurate.

I wonder whether Dat's point about lower body musculature relates to this -- or whether it's something he just has to grow out of through coaching and repetition?

Meanwhile, yeah, he played at a high level in both playoff series. And he's younger than a number of guys in the draft this year!

That hop things was something I pointed out and posted about a lot through out the year and last. It drove me nuts he wasted to much time doing it. But he did show improvement on it through out the year. It would come and go. I think it's part trusting his handles and part reading the defense better. Plus he did it mostly on curl play where he was coming up away from the basket.

In the playoffs. He was much quicker to plant and go. Also, while he still has room to improve. His handles are getting better.

Next years Beal should be pretty awesome and an AS. I imagine Beal the year after will be even more awesome then that. I expect the hop step to disappear over time.

One big thing that is already answered regarding Beal. He is a legit playoff performer who can live up to deep playoff level competition. So can Wall. That's kind of huge for two young players. Hell, Otto even showed signed of being that.

Regular season production is one thing. Playoff production is a whole nother kettle of fish. Players like Love and Cousins don't even have the playoff experience Otto now has let along Beal and Wall.

Wizards are on a good track to keep getting better around three young players.

[Meliorus]

In comparison to a similar player, 2010 Eric Gordon, he is already a much better passer, defender and pure shooter. He just needs to stay away from that long 2, and work on those handles. Also, he is extremely predictable when he drives, making him easy to block. He needs to work on some fakes.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

My sense is that BB has learned to coast from Nene.

I don't think that's true...nor do I think it's fair to either Beal or Nene. Have you heard Beal or anyone else suggest anything to that effect?

It may not be true and it's always dangerous to extrapolate from interviews, but I remember when Beal first got injured and was anxious to come back, he suggested the vets took him aside and basically counciled him to take it easy and don't rush. At about the same time, Nene said something similar about what he had told Beal.

You know, it may not be bad advice. Reminds me of a youngish Fred Lynne who was one of the best players in the game, but couldn't stay on the field. Was constantly crashing into walls and diving head first.

[Kanyewest]

In comparison to a similar player, 2010 Eric Gordon, he is already a much better passer, defender and pure shooter. He just needs to stay away from that long 2, and work on those handles. Also, he is extremely predictable when he drives, making him easy to block. He needs to work on some fakes.

A pre-injury Eric Gordon was more efficient offensively and actually Gordon was a better passer. Beal still has a high ceiling though.

[Illmatic12]

In comparison to a similar player, 2010 Eric Gordon, he is already a much better passer, defender and pure shooter. He just needs to stay away from that long 2, and work on those handles. Also, he is extremely predictable when he drives, making him easy to block. He needs to work on some fakes.

A pre-injury Eric Gordon was more efficient offensively and actually Gordon was a better passer. Beal still has a high ceiling though.

Eric Gordon was a beast before the injuries.. iirc he averaged 20+ ppg as a freshman at IU, just a pure scoring talent.

Biggest advantage he had was his handles and explosiveness, he had an unstoppable first step and could really destroy off the bounce. If he had stayed healthy Gordon would have been a top 3-4 SG right now in today's crop.

Beal > Gordon at other facets of the shooting guard position - passing without TOs, defense, off ball ability, and just an overall higher IQ player. But Gordon was more explosive on ball, even now he has flashes where he can really fill it up in a hurry. Shame about injuries.

[tontoz]

Beal and Wall would both benefit from having a legit number 1 scorer on the team. We don't have one so both of them are asked to do too much offensively.

[stevemcqueen1]

Beal has some bad habits on offense; above all, he seems to waste @ 1/2 second or more when he gets the ball in the motion game. He has a kind of hop or half step he does to put himself in position and set his pivot foot. I often see him lose the opportunity for an open 3 w/ that habit -- and wind up having to put on a little move as the defender arrives, then wind up hoisting a long-ish 2 pt. attempt off that dribble, sometimes contested, pretty often inaccurate.

I wonder whether Dat's point about lower body musculature relates to this -- or whether it's something he just has to grow out of through coaching and repetition?

Meanwhile, yeah, he played at a high level in both playoff series. And he's younger than a number of guys in the draft this year!

You're right that he typically gathers himself after getting the ball coming off a screen but a lot of times it's a handoff from the screener where he's dribbling.

It's kind of surprising that Beal doesn't get that many set shot threes. Well, I guess it isn't considering he's a known shooter and a first option. A set defense will deny him the ball any time he sets up at the three point line.

Kyle Korver seems to do most of his three point shooting curling off screens. The shot comes out immediately after he is clear of the screener. Klay Thompson is another shooter that gets used this way. Their offenses are different than ours. There is very little dribbling in Atlanta's offense. Essentially the PGs do some dribbling for high screen and rolls and the bigs attack the lane with two or three quick dribbles against an aggressive close out and that's pretty much it. The PGs don't run ISOs and the wings don't dribble, so Beal does have a pretty different role in our offense.

Catching and shooting the three off the screen is also an extremely difficult shot. It doesn't have the same efficiency and value as a weapon as a set shot three. Korver is the best in the league at it and he really struggled making any threes off screens against playoff caliber D. That's why he was such a nonfactor in the series against us. Catching and then taking a few quick dribbles against the hard closeout or after a good screen to get to 16 or 17 feet is actually an easier shot. Plus if the defense doesn't rotate well you can get to the rim and get a really easy shot or get free throws.

The mid range area of the court is very useful for first or second option high volume scorers because of the way they get defended. They're going to have to dribble on their touches, and if they're a real threat to get to the rim, they're going to face a packed paint. They need to be able to take a couple of dribbles and create a decent shot in the intermediate area. I actually think the biggest thing holding Beal back from being a consistent high volume scorer is the lack of a well polished mid range game.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Man, I hope Beal is a lot better than Eric Gordon ever has been in the NBA. He was overrated when New Orleans gave him that big contract. That was his best season, but it wasn't all that impressive. Good scoring that year, but meh defense and meh non-scoring contributions.