Bradley Beal - Part II

[Illmatic21]

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/bradley-beal-postgame-1-7-14

Who is Beal talking about ? MJ ? Is he saying his mom taught MJ and that MJ used to walk him to school ?

Nice to hear Beal talking about driving more and how he got away from it. If he can more of that in and Wall does some, that will balance things better. It just take a little of it from several players and it will add up. Two drives from from Beal. 3-4 from Wall. One from Webster. One from TA. Then leg Nene and Gortat get their post moves in. That would make the offense more attacking and that will open up the clear 3 ball shots.

Also nice to hear he is getting comfortable with the two man game with Gortat.

He was talking about Nelly the rapper (and part owner of the Bobcats apparently). I watched a documentary on him a while back, he was actually a bigtime three-sport athlete in high school before deciding to pursue music.



I'm glad Beal actually mentioned the long jumpshots issue, at least he is aware of it. It's funny how the players and coach of the team always know exactly what they did wrong in each postgame presser, yet struggle to actually execute it in games.



We have players and coaches who understand the game, so what gives? It really makes me question the quality of the coaching, and instruction guys are receiving in practice. Why not work on implementing a couple set plays to give Wall/Beal space to drive to the rim? The Spurs do this all the time for Parker and Ginobili. Heck, the play Ginobili won the game on last night was one I've seen them run all the time:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN6CLHxt_fE[/youtube]

Wittman couldn't draw up a play like that in a million years. They had another play at the end of regulation to get Ginobili an easy backdoor cut, couldn't find the vid but it's another play I've seen them fool teams with many times (including us when we played them).


Now that the Wiz are mostly healthy I hope everyone can see that the real problem with this team has been exposed.. it's the coaching

[Nivek]

We have players and coaches who understand the game, so what gives? It really makes me question the quality of the coaching, and instruction guys are receiving in practice.

This isn't making sense to me. If the players understand the game, then the quality of coaching and instruction they get would seem to be at least adequate. Which would not be something to cause question about the quality of the coaching.

Wittman couldn't draw up a play like that in a million years.

Apparently someone on the Wizards coaching staff can draw up a play like that because they run that set -- exactly. Every NBA team runs some version of that play. They don't get the same results, perhaps because Beal/Webster/Ariza aren't as experience or skilled as Ginobili or some of the other Spurs.

Now that the Wiz are mostly healthy I hope everyone can see that the real problem with this team has been exposed.. it's the coaching

They're 7 deep (counting Beal, who's been producing at a solidly below average rate so far this season), and 2 of the 7 are on minutes limits. That wouldn't qualify as "mostly healthy" to me.

I don't think coaching is The Problem with this team. It's NBA standard coaching -- maybe a little on the "below" side of average. But, not outstanding and not terrible. That said, I'm in favor of replacing Wittman. I never would have hired him in the first place. But, a) the team's Real Problem is insufficient talent, and that's a front office issue, and b) I don't want Wittman replaced NOW because that would mean Grunfeld was picking the next coach and it would give Leonsis yet another excuse to keep Grunfeld in place.

[Darko Miliminutes]

I think Beal doesn't drive much because he can't confidently put the ball on the floor. It's a 50/50 chance that he can penetrate without turning it over. If he's ready to take his lumps, and get some turnovers, he'll eventually get comfortable off the dribble. He just needs reps. But be prepared for a bunch of TO's.

[hands11]

On 2nd thought, this two man game with Gortat could be a building block that. I'm seen other guards running a similar two man game. Curry does it. And if done well, it brutal for the defending guard to because they get hammered back to back by picks. Its very demoralizing. For a player like Gortat setting the picks, he doesn't even have to move cover any distance. They just set the screen, then flip is, then flip it again if needed.

Beal is just learning how to set it up so its not smooth yet. But he did something last night that was pretty advanced and it was awesome to see.

The first part of this is Beal cutting or faking the cut to set it up and Gortat reading when it the right time to plant himself. So they were doing this and Gortat got set. They ran Henderson off it once but didn't get the separation they wanted. With Jefferson guarding Gortat back a few steps to protect the roll, Beal ran to the right off Jefferson's left hip and tightly rounded his back.. using Jefferson as a screen.

Then Gortat was waiting on the other side and acted as the 2nd screen. It was actually a really smart effective play because its actually adding a 6th man to the offensive set. Henderson was getting hammered and exerting a lot of energy to keep up. He even had to fight an inadvertent pick set by Jefferson. Beal ended up getting an open look.

This is what Gortat brings. Knowing when to set up to pick. When to flip it to the reverse side after siding it vs rolling, etc. It all takes a lot of experience and technique. Gortat knows what to do and he is working with Beal teaching him how it works. And since Gortat is working with Ves so much, he is no doubt teaching him the same stuff.

So adding Gortat has gotten Wall to learn the PnR. They did one last night that stood out. It was Wall and Nene and ended in a bounce pass off the dribble to Nene for a dunk. Now Gortat is teaching Beal. This is what adding smart players like Gortat does for a team. I don't think we have seen all the fruit of it yet. I think adding Nene and Okafor helped as well but Gortat being such a PnR player is really helping.

[AFM]

The 2 man game with Gortat and Beal is incredibly awkward. Gortat holds the ball up high, Beal runs around him like a chicken with his head cut off trying desperately to shake his defender like hes playing duck duck goose, waiting for Gortat to give him the ball so he can launch a long 2.

[JWallConnect]

Beal made his first shot, a baseline jumper off a pass from Trevor Ariza, then did something he has rarely done in the past week. He put the ball on the floor and drove right down the lane for a finger roll. Beal still didn’t attempt any free throws, but he was more aggressive and added another driving layup in the second half.


“I think I went away from that,” said Beal, who scored at least 20 points for the first time since his heroic performance against the New York Knicks on Dec. 16 in his first game back from a stress injury in his right fibula. “I think I was settling for way too many jump shots, instead of attacking the basket and using my body to be able to finish at the rim and I think I did a good job of attacking and creating different situations for them to be able to guard me and my teammates.”

Nice to see that he notices

[dckingsfan]

tontoz, I agree - he will become the #1 option - I just don't think it will be this year. He isn't able to easily break down his man off the dribble yet; he isn't a good enough passer yet - everyone just stands around after he gets the ball ; and he isn't shooting well enough to be the clear #1.

I am more worried about his D though... I thought his D was much better last year and it doesn't seem like his defensive rebounding has improved. But that will probably come around next year as well

[dckingsfan]

We have players and coaches who understand the game, so what gives? It really makes me question the quality of the coaching, and instruction guys are receiving in practice.

This isn't making sense to me. If the players understand the game, then the quality of coaching and instruction they get would seem to be at least adequate. Which would not be something to cause question about the quality of the coaching.

Wittman couldn't draw up a play like that in a million years.

Apparently someone on the Wizards coaching staff can draw up a play like that because they run that set -- exactly. Every NBA team runs some version of that play. They don't get the same results, perhaps because Beal/Webster/Ariza aren't as experience or skilled as Ginobili or some of the other Spurs.

Now that the Wiz are mostly healthy I hope everyone can see that the real problem with this team has been exposed.. it's the coaching

They're 7 deep (counting Beal, who's been producing at a solidly below average rate so far this season), and 2 of the 7 are on minutes limits. That wouldn't qualify as "mostly healthy" to me.

I don't think coaching is The Problem with this team. It's NBA standard coaching -- maybe a little on the "below" side of average. But, not outstanding and not terrible. That said, I'm in favor of replacing Wittman. I never would have hired him in the first place. But, a) the team's Real Problem is insufficient talent, and that's a front office issue, and b) I don't want Wittman replaced NOW because that would mean Grunfeld was picking the next coach and it would give Leonsis yet another excuse to keep Grunfeld in place.

OH MY, HUGE COSIGN!!! Whit can not go before EG. EG needs to go first!!!

[hands11]

I think Beal doesn't drive much because he can't confidently put the ball on the floor. It's a 50/50 chance that he can penetrate without turning it over. If he's ready to take his lumps, and get some turnovers, he'll eventually get comfortable off the dribble. He just needs reps. But be prepared for a bunch of TO's.

You think correct. But they are trying to win. There is only so much of that learning during the game he can do without it contributing to Ls. The safer thing to work on is the two man game. Starts with him learning it with Gortat. Then that leads to other players learning to replace Gortat. Nene already knows how to do it.

Add in the Beal injury concerns and I understand why Beal isn't acting like Harden. It should get better throughout the year but that next big step might not happen until he gets another summer to work on it.

[JWallConnect]

Beal with a couple good games. Really hope he can keep this up and get an all star spot this season.

[Ruzious]

Beal with a couple good games. Really hope he can keep this up and get an all star spot this season.

He gave up more than he got in the Charlotte game - getting abused particularly by Henderson. He's got to stop making ordinary players look like all-stars.

[jivelikenice]

Wouldn't say good...Just better. He really needs to drive more and stop settling for so many long 2s.

[Kanyewest]

Beal with a couple good games. Really hope he can keep this up and get an all star spot this season.

He gave up more than he got in the Charlotte game - getting abused particularly by Henderson. He's got to stop making ordinary players look like all-stars.

Ariza was guarding Henderson for most of the game. Webster also guarded Henderson. Beal was guarding Chris Douglas Roberts and Sessions (when the Bobcats went small).

[Darko Miliminutes]

I think Beal doesn't drive much because he can't confidently put the ball on the floor. It's a 50/50 chance that he can penetrate without turning it over. If he's ready to take his lumps, and get some turnovers, he'll eventually get comfortable off the dribble. He just needs reps. But be prepared for a bunch of TO's.

You think right. But they are trying to win. There is only so much of that learning during the game he can do without it contributing to Ls. The safer thing to work on is the two man game. Starts with him learning it with Gortat. Then that leads to other players learning to replace Gortat. Nene already knows how to do it.

Add in the Beal injury concerns and I understand why Beal isn't acting like Harden. It should get better throughout the year but that next big step might not happen until he gets another summer to work on it.

I am also of the belief that this minute restriction is messing with him. He needs volume to gain rhythm. Knowing his court time is limited, yet still having hopes for great impact...

[jivelikenice]

He's getting plenty of volume in the minutes he playing.....the answer isn't more minutes right now. It's smarter play. He's making the game much harder than it needs to be and Wittman is allowing it.

[hands11]

He's getting plenty of volume in the minutes he playing.....the answer isn't more minutes right now. It's smarter play. He's making the game much harder than it needs to be and Wittman is allowing it.

I would move him to the bench and start

Wall
Webster/Beal
Trevor A
Kevin S/Ves
Nene/Gortat

Instead of hoping Beal gets hot which just makes us more of a jump shooting team, get Nene and Kevin in so we have power up front. Feed the post early and play inside out. Get Webster moving toward the basket some. Nene will keep tabs on Kevin so he doesn't shoot to much.

Then rotate Nene out early for Gortat. Then rotate Kevin out for Ves. Webster can come out with Nene and when you put Beal in. Then later bring Webster in for Trevor A at SF. Wall gets rest when Temple comes in. You still have a better bench then when Nene and Gortat started together but you have a better starting line up for the 1st and 3rd. And you always have a big or long PF that is athletic to go with a vet at center.

AH should be ready soon. When you need a S4 that isn't Trevor A, you go to AH in limited minutes. Glen will be back soon. When you need more driving from SF and D, you use Glen. And when Ves is in, run plays for him toward the basket. Otto gets spot minutes or you trade him in a package for a legit starting SF.

[dlts20]

Hands, I understand what you are saying but you dont bench the #3 pick in the draft who is just 20 and has showed so much promise.

You wanna know what you do? You bench him but you do it "in game". Thats how you send a message. Once he takes those back to back or 3 in a row terrible jumpers, you pull the plug on him. Thats how a guy like him gets it. Honestly, you shouldnt even have to do that if you have a great coach. I just cant believe he's continuing to do this if someone on the staff is ripping him for it. My guess is that they just make general comments to him and our guys about getting to the FT line more. Instead they should tell him how truly horrible those shots are. How he is looking like NY & Crawful. How he went from being an All Star to a one demensional bench player. Our coaching staff sucks

[DCZards]

Hands, I understand what you are saying but you dont bench the #3 pick in the draft who is just 20 and has showed so much promise.

You wanna know what you do? You bench him but you do it "in game". Thats how you send a message. Once he takes those back to back or 3 in a row terrible jumpers, you pull the plug on him. Thats how a guy like him gets it. Honestly, you shouldnt even have to do that if you have a great coach. I just cant believe he's continuing to do this if someone on the staff is ripping him for it. My guess is that they just make general comments to him and our guys about getting to the FT line more. Instead they should tell him how truly horrible those shots are. How he is looking like NY & Crawful. How he went from being an All Star to a one demensional bench player. Our coaching staff sucks

I think this is the wise approach to dealing with Beal, rather than not starting him. Beal is not the primary or sole reason for the team's offensive struggles and shouldn't be made to feel that way.

Bradley definitely needs to stop taking so many bad long range jumpers, especially when they are not falling, and look for more opportunities to attack the basket for either a layup, a dish to an open teammate or a trip to the free throw line. I find it hard to believe that someone on the coaching staff is not taking a bite out of Beal's butt every time he takes and misses 2-3 long jumpers and doesn't even pretend like he's going to try to take his defender off the dribble.

But, as others have said, at the end of the day it's about an offensive scheme that is simply not creating enough opportunities (or spacing) for Beal, Wall, etc. to penetrate to the basket.

[Ruzious]

Beal with a couple good games. Really hope he can keep this up and get an all star spot this season.

He gave up more than he got in the Charlotte game - getting abused particularly by Henderson. He's got to stop making ordinary players look like all-stars.

Ariza was guarding Henderson for most of the game. Webster also guarded Henderson. Beal was guarding Chris Douglas Roberts and Sessions (when the Bobcats went small).

BS. He was guarding Henderson when Henderson was scoring. Yeah, they moved him off of Henderson after Henderson scored about 10 straight points. When Henderson did his damage, Beal was trying to guard him.

I'm really tired of reading BS excuses for him. He's playing lousy basketball. That's nobody's fault but his own.

[Kanyewest]

He gave up more than he got in the Charlotte game - getting abused particularly by Henderson. He's got to stop making ordinary players look like all-stars.

Ariza was guarding Henderson for most of the game. Webster also guarded Henderson. Beal was guarding Chris Douglas Roberts and Sessions (when the Bobcats went small).

BS. He was guarding Henderson when Henderson was scoring. Yeah, they moved him off of Henderson after Henderson scored about 10 straight points. When Henderson did his damage, Beal was trying to guard him.

I'm really tired of reading BS excuses for him. He's playing lousy basketball. That's nobody's fault but his own.

I looked at the video box score- Beal wasn't guarding Henderson at all (http://stats.nba.com/gameDetail.html?GameID=0021300508)

Granted, Beal didn't guard Eric Gordon or James Harden well but those players are tougher to stop.