Bradley Beal - Part II

[dckingsfan]

One of the things that is hurting Beal is that he is now playing with the 2nd unit and serving as the primary scoring option with Wall out. This used to be Nene's job.

It's nice to see that he is improving his ball handling skills and running the pick and roll much better, but overall, during this time, he is mostly taking long 2's. He needs Wall to draw the attention in order to set him up for catch-and-shoot 3's.

Last year, Beal was completely incapable of doing what he is being asked to do now with the second unit. Beal still isn't very good at it, but at least he's not embarrassingly bad at it like last year. Overall, I think Beal has improved his game a fair bit, even if the stats don't show it. The stats don't show it because his role has changed.

I chalk that up to Randy (he should get kudos for this but it is hard given some of his other coaching limitations) letting Bradley learn even if it costs us some games - and it definitely has this year.

He has shown himself to be a VERY good 3 point shooter - teams know this and are not trying to chase him off the 3 point line.

Other than that he really has not distinguished himself. Defense - meh. Ball handling, better but meh. Finishing at the rack, meh. IMO, he needs to take big step in one of those areas in the near future.

[Darko Miliminutes]

Just need to stomach the 20 year old's turnovers for a while, as he improves his ability to get shots for others. And then again as he becomes able to create his own shots a little better. Fun watching him play. Glad the restriction's over.

[nuposse04]

I keep forgetting he's 20...while he obvious flaws, it wouldn't surprise me to see him make MAJOR strides in the coming seasons. Right now he's kind of like a poor man's Wes Matthews with better 3pt shooting.

[dckingsfan]

I keep forgetting he's 20...while he obvious flaws, it wouldn't surprise me to see him make MAJOR strides in the coming seasons. Right now he's kind of like a poor man's Wes Matthews with better 3pt shooting.

Yep, nothing really jumps out at you: http://www.82games.com/1314/13WAS3.HTM

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... =ws_per_48

Kind of wish the minutes restriction was still in place so he wouldn't reinjure himself - 30 mpg seems about right given his limitations and frailness.

[DCZards]

Last year, Beal was completely incapable of doing what he is being asked to do now with the second unit. Beal still isn't very good at it, but at least he's not embarrassingly bad at it like last year. Overall, I think Beal has improved his game a fair bit, even if the stats don't show it. The stats don't show it because his role has changed.

I think Beal is definitely improving...regardless of what does or does not show up in the stats. I particularly like the fact that he's attacking the basket more in recent weeks, which most of us on this board have been begging him to do and Beal himself says he has to do more of.

One of the reasons we're not seeing the big jump in statistical improvement on the offensive end is that opponents are spending more time game planning to defend and slow Beal down than they were during his rookie year.

He may not have made big strides, but I'm happy with the improvements that the 20 yr old, second yr player has made this season. It's a marathon not a sprint.

P.S.: I like the minutes restriction. I don't want to see Beal go back to playing 35 plus minutes.

[Illmatic21]

Beal's ballhandling and dribble-drive game are greatly improved from his rookie year. It shows he really works hard in the offseason and has proper trainers. If he improves that much more between now and next season, I don't think we'll have a ton of complaints about his game as a 3rd year SG.

Not sure how the Team USA stuff will affect his individual training this offseason though.

[tontoz]

Beal's 2 pt percentage is "up to " 41% after being sub 40 most of the season. He is still settling for long 2s way too often but he is at least trying to take it to the basket now. He just doesn't do it enough and isn't that good at it.

I agree that the minutes restriction is a good thing.

[dckingsfan]

.

Could we have a poll on the minutes restriction?

1) The minutes restriction is good - it saves Witt and the organization from themselves
2) No need for the minutes restriction, let the kid play

[Darko Miliminutes]

I don't like the restriction. Simply because it takes him out at very inopportune times. Not saying i want 38-40 mins for him. But nothing wrong with 30-36 mins per, while not being forced into pulling him when he's hot.

[Darko Miliminutes]

So he's been invited to the 3 point contest. Sweet! I'll assume he accepts?

[Ruzious]

People are saying he's attacking the basket more - It must be when I haven't been watching, because the only times I've seen him drive are when he's had a clear path to the basket. Haley's Comet comes around more often than Beal taking someone off the dribble.

[frontline205]

Bradley Beal in this years 3-point contest. He and John Wall winning can really boost the teams profiles.

[hands11]

People are saying he's attacking the basket more - It must be when I haven't been watching, because the only times I've seen him drive are when he's had a clear path to the basket. Haley's Comet comes around more often than Beal taking someone off the dribble.

That is exactly when he should attack. He isn't good enough yet to do it by dribbling. That's exactly what I don't want to see him do. He turns it over and stops the offensive flow.

He looked good against SAS.

Gotta get him back to catch and shot from the 3 line though. That's going to take some inside out offense though because they have been running him off the line. Need to get him clean looks by running the offense to get him those looks.

Its going to take another summer of work for him to get him dribbling better.

But the last couple games, I have noticed him hoping around less. Glad to see that. He is not taking that weird extra step after he catches the ball now. He is catching and planting so he is ready to go quicker. Not sure who finally fixed that with him but its very welcome to see the improvement. I hope it sticks.

[hands11]

Bradley Beal in this years 3-point contest. He and John Wall winning can really boost the teams profiles.

I feel better about those two going then I ever did about Gil, AJ or CB going.

[miller31time]

Really happy to see Beal in the 3pt Contest. Anything to make ASW more meaningful.

[dangermouse]

Really happy to see Beal in the 3pt Contest. Anything to make ASW more meaningful.

Yeah this, the dunk contest was boring with only a few highlight years since Vince Carter. the year with Josh Smith, and then the one with Andre Iguodala and Nate Robinson were great. Nate gave us a couple of good, entertaining dunk comps, but its gone down hill again. I guess McGee was ok with us, but it was still a down year. I didnt even watch last years. I'll be watching this year.

I always watch the 3pt Contest. its the most exciting event. I have a feeling Beal will bomb out and lose in the first round, im not sure how he'll go with picking the balls out of the racks and shooting, it seems to throw off some catch and shoot guys.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Will BB get an exception from Silver allowing him to substitute long twos for threes in the contest?

[GhostsOfGil]

Seems like a bad (or maybe great?) time for Beal to be doing this contest. He's definitely been slumping. In 3 games this month he's shooting 18% on 3s and he shot 35% from 3 in all of January. Maybe the All Star break will help him break out.

[SizzlinSimms]

Lets hope because his shot has not been falling recently.

[Upper Decker]

Harden, Drummond, Beal in that order.