Bradley Beal - Part II

[dckingsfan]

I agree that we can better evaluate things after the end of the season

I really think we are going to have to wait until the end of next season. This season, he really hasn't taken a jump. Little strides yes, big jump, no.

He needs to take a Butler level jump.

[nate33]

I couldn't help but to notice last night that Danny Green is Brad with better shot selection and worse rebounding..

And better defense.

[Dark Faze]

That too.

Danny just knows his role and doesn't waste tim doing things he's not good at. He'll take the jumper or drive to score, or dump it off. Simple.

When I think of Brad in this vein I feel a lot better about him. Even if he never improves his flaws, he an still improve his three point attempts, cut back on mid-range shots and work on his defense. That's not an all-star player, but as long as we don't pay him like one I'm happy to have him.

[DCZards]

That too.


When I think of Brad in this vein I feel a lot better about him. Even if he never improves his flaws, he an still improve his three point attempts, cut back on mid-range shots and work on his defense. That's not an all-star player, but as long as we don't pay him like one I'm happy to have him.

I'm far more interested in seeing Bradley knock down more of his mid-range shots than I am in him cutting back on them. I see the long 2 pt. shots as the problem--not the mid-range jumper. Rip Hamilton made a career out of knocking down the mid-range jumper and it's a shot that Chris Paul thrives one.

[nate33]

That too.


When I think of Brad in this vein I feel a lot better about him. Even if he never improves his flaws, he an still improve his three point attempts, cut back on mid-range shots and work on his defense. That's not an all-star player, but as long as we don't pay him like one I'm happy to have him.

I'm far more interested in seeing Bradley knock down more of his mid-range shots than I am in him cutting back on them. I see the long 2 pt. shots as the problem--not the mid-range jumper. Rip Hamilton made a career out of knocking down the mid-range jumper and it's a shot that Chris Paul thrives one.

Yeah, but those are two of the greatest midrange shooters of all time. Should we encourage Beal to try an emulate that which may be impossible; or should we try and have him focus on doing more or the things he already does well?

Honestly, I think the thing Beal has to work on most is learning how to get fouled. That doesn't mean he should always slam his body into people at the rim because that's dangerous. He needs to master the tricks of James Harden and Dwyane Wade. Wade in particular seems like a good role model because Beal, like Wade, is a two-footed jumper. Wade has a way of coming to a jump stop, pump faking and jumping at just the right angle to get his shot off while also getting fouled. I think these are things that Beal can simulate. (Beal will probably never have Harden's incredible handle, which allows him to make so many great moves off the dribble.)

[Dark Faze]

At some point his only chance to improve drastically will be during the off-season. Those shots he takes are fine for now, but *assuming* we pick up a legitimate all-star in free agency, he'll have to focus on waht he does best

[hands11]

Beal needs to work on his footwork.

At some point. These strained ankles are a function of what he is doing on the court.

This one happened when he took a long stride and tried to stop on a dime.

[hands11]

And for those that think coaching doesn't matter.

Anyone think Beal would be twisting ankles and going out with stress fracture if he was asked to do the one thing he does really well a lot more... which is shoot the spot up 3 ?

Let Wall be more of the focus of the offense instead of so many assists. Let Gortat and Wall PnR. Let Beal sit on the 3 line more and spot up. I don't think he is going to twist his ankles as much doing that. And he will do something this team desperately needs, shoot and make 3s.

[miller31time]

Beal does so much freaking hard-planting with his feet that I feel like these injuries are going to plague him his whole career. I've never seen someone attempt to change direction on the court (with or without the ball) so much in my entire life.

Reggie Miller made a career coming off of screens and back-picks but everything he did, every move he made had a purpose and rarely if ever was movement wasted. Beal just runs around the court like a chicken with his head cut off. Not only is it a waste of energy but it HAS to be grating on his body.

And to whoever in the game thread said that he needs to start wearing hightop shoes, a big +1 to you. I used to have a lot of problems turning my ankles but once I switched to hightops, I haven't had any issues. And that was years ago.

A new coach who can properly utilize Beal's skill set and some new kicks may be the answer to his problems.

[hands11]

Beal does so much freaking hard-planting with his feet that I feel like these injuries are going to plague him his whole career. I've never seen someone attempt to change direction on the court (with or without the ball) so much in my entire life.

Reggie Miller made a career coming off of screens and back-picks but everything he did, every move he made had a purpose and rarely if ever was movement wasted. Beal just runs around the court like a chicken with his head cut off. Not only is it a waste of energy but it HAS to be grating on his body.

And to whoever in the game thread said that he needs to start wearing hightop shoes, a big +1 to you. I used to have a lot of problems turning my ankles but once I switched to hightops, I haven't had any issues. And that was years ago.

A new coach who can properly utilize Beal's skill set and some new kicks may be the answer to his problems.

Agree on the high tops. I used to sprain my ankle as well. Actually, I have no idea how these guy return so quickly because when I would roll and ankle like that far it would be screwed up for 3 weeks. But maybe I am remembering doing it in my 30s not my early 20s.

Anyway, after doing it enough times, a doctor had me trying to rehab by standing on one leg and retraining my nerves to know what position my ankle was in. I recall him saying after tearing it that many times, there was a nerve communication problem. It was true I believe. If I stood on that one leg its was harder to balance then on the other leg. It seem to always be the same ankle with me.

I to finally went to high tops and in doing so, there wasn't just more support, but there was more leather on more of my skins so if the ankle did start to roll, I knew it and I would let up a split second earlier instead of rolling it.

But with Beal. Its not just his foot work, its his handles. If he had better handles, he wouldn't have to plant at such a bad angle to try to change direction.

Regardless, Beal has other skills the team should use i.e. hitting 3s and I don't think he is going to be twisting ankles hitting 3s.

They need to save his body until he gets another off season to get some things right and let his bone get more solid.

[Darko Miliminutes]

I just want to look and see that every other game/every few games, he's had at least 20 shot attempts.

[DCZards]

I just want to look and see that every other game/every few games, he's had at least 20 shot attempts.

Yup, that's the bottom line. It doesn't matter to me whether those shots are 3s, short jumpers or drives to the basket. I want to see a Zards offensive game plan where Beal is taking at least 15-20 shots a game. I'm convinced that if the coaches show a little more confidence in Beal in the half-court offense (rather than Nene for example) he'll deliver.

[dckingsfan]

I don't think he is going to get to the 20 shot attempt threshold with the current handles he has... right?

[Induveca]

I don't think he is going to get to the 20 shot attempt threshold with the current handles he has... right?

Hopefully we get a better coach who can draw up some plays to get him open threes off of screens.

There's nothing wrong with attempting to emulate Reggie Miller/Ray Allen/Kyle Korver. The kid is a shooter, not a off the dribble scorer.

[dckingsfan]

Hey Indu, Korver averages 8 shots per game. I violently agree with you though - an offense that gives him open 3 looks would be the best. I think without better handles - 10 - 12 shots would be closer to the upper end in order not to get those bad long 2s.

[TheSecretWeapon]

So far this season, three players are averaging 20+ FGA per game (including Kobe). Aldridge is close at 19.9. Just 25 players are attempting 15+ per game. I don't think it's realistic to expect Beal to shoot that often until/unless he improves his game. A lot.

Based on what we've seen from Beal thus far, a Korver-like role is more realistic -- at least until he can put in more offseason work to develop his game.

[WallToWall]

My expectations for him have gone down this season. I was expecting a lot more from him given the way he ended the last season. He could use a good offseason program with a shooting coach, and a coach to explain how to play smarter (heck see if Reggie Miller wants to help).
The rate at which he gets injured is now disconcerting. At some point it becomes a pattern...I fear we are there. He needs to figure out how to stay healthy. He is young...he can correct all of these things and become a good/great player still.

[DCZards]

Yes, it's unrealistic to expect Beal to get 15-20 shots a game. But he did average 15 shots a game against the Bulls in the playoffs last season and 17 shots a game against the Pacers. Those series were probably Beal's finest moment. I'd like to see the Zards run an offense that gets Beal at least 11-12 shots a game...including 4-5 threes.

[hands11]

Beal tightened up his footwork pretty well in that PHI game. He looks a lot more aggressive and efficient when he does it like that.

[Ruzious]

The Wiz offense is not limiting his shot attempts in the slightest. People really should stop making excuses for him. This offense and this coach want him to shoot a lot. If he's going to get more good looks to shoot, it's up to him to work on his fundamentals.