Bradley Beal - Part III

Post #1321 » by **nate33** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:43 pm

smoothSeph wrote:

Read on Twitter

What's up with this guy? Does he not understand he's a part of the problem right now? Play defense, stop chucking and more wins will come.

I don't think he said anything wrong. According to Fred Katz, Beal is highly competitive and he hates losing. That's exactly what he said in the interview. He thinks this should have been a winnable game and they didn't win, so he's frustrated about it. (This was after the Chicago game.)

I didn't get the sense that he is blaming his teammates any more than he blames himself.

I didn't watch the game, but going by the numbers, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason why Beal should be blaming himself in particular for this loss. He had the best stat line of his team with good efficiency, and he didn't take up a disproportionate number of possessions. It looks to me that Bertans going 4-15 and Troy Brown going scoreless had more to do with the loss.

smoothSeph · Post #1322 » by **smoothSeph** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 6:01 pm

nate33 wrote:
smoothSeph wrote:

Read on Twitter

What's up with this guy? Does he not understand he's a part of the problem right now? Play defense, stop chucking and more wins will come.

I don't think he said anything wrong. According to Fred Katz, Beal is highly competitive and he hates losing. That's exactly what he said in the interview. He thinks this should have been a winnable game and they didn't win, so he's frustrated about it. (This was after the Chicago game.)

I didn't get the sense that he is blaming his teammates any more than he blames himself.

I didn't watch the game, but going by the numbers, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason why Beal should be blaming himself in particular for this loss. He had the best stat line of his team with good efficiency, and he didn't take up a disproportionate number of possessions. It looks to me that Bertans going 4-15 and Troy Brown going scoreless had more to do with the loss.

I had a problem when he started bringing up the "winning culture." We've seen more defense this year with Beal off the court. We've seen the ball shared more with Beal off the court.

His statline was empty numbers. The starters got into a 10 point hole to start the 3rd and the bench had to bring us back. As soon as Beal came in we were down 10 again. This isn't to put all the blame on him but it just seems hypocritical, he hasn't been playing winning basketball all year.

DCZards · Post #1323 » by **DCZards** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 6:11 pm

nate33 wrote:
smoothSeph wrote:

Read on Twitter

What's up with this guy? Does he not understand he's a part of the problem right now? Play defense, stop chucking and more wins will come.

I don't think he said anything wrong. According to Fred Katz, Beal is highly competitive and he hates losing. That's exactly what he said in the interview. He thinks this should have been a winnable game and they didn't win, so he's frustrated about it. (This was after the Chicago game.)

I didn't get the sense that he is blaming his teammates any more than he blames himself.

I didn't watch the game, but going by the numbers, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason why Beal should be blaming himself in particular for this loss. He had the best stat line of his team with good efficiency, and he didn't take up a disproportionate number of possessions. It looks to me that Bertans going 4-15 and Troy Brown going scoreless had more to do with the loss.

I'm expecting, at least for this season, that what BB does to help the Zards win games will be overlooked or taken for granted by some fans...and his bad games and shortcomings will be magnified by those same fans. It's akin to "damned if you do, damned if you don't."

BB played with a sore leg and a sore shoulder last night. He had heating pads on both his leg and shoulder when he wasn't in the game...even while he was riding a stationary bike to stay warm. Brad probably should not have played so maybe he deserves a little credit for toughing it out with the hope that he could help his team win a game.

smoothSeph · Post #1324 » by **smoothSeph** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 6:23 pm

DCZards wrote:
nate33 wrote:
smoothSeph wrote:

Read on Twitter

What's up with this guy? Does he not understand he's a part of the problem right now? Play defense, stop chucking and more wins will come.

I don't think he said anything wrong. According to Fred Katz, Beal is highly competitive and he hates losing. That's exactly what he said in the interview. He thinks this should have been a winnable game and they didn't win, so he's frustrated about it. (This was after the Chicago game.)

I didn't get the sense that he is blaming his teammates any more than he blames himself.

I didn't watch the game, but going by the numbers, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason why Beal should be blaming himself in particular for this loss. He had the best stat line of his team with good efficiency, and he didn't take up a disproportionate number of possessions. It looks to me that Bertans going 4-15 and Troy Brown going scoreless had more to do with the loss.

I'm expecting, at least for this season, that what BB does to help the Zards win games will be overlooked or taken for granted by some fans...and his bad games and shortcomings will be magnified by those same fans. It's akin to "damned if you do, damned if you don't."

BB played with a sore leg and a sore shoulder last night. He had heating pads on both his leg and shoulder when he wasn't in the game...even while he was riding a stationary bike to stay warm. Brad probably should not have played so maybe he deserves a little credit for toughing it out with the hope that he could help his team win a game.

I'm in no way trying to pick on Beal. I love him as a player. But if he's hurt he should sit cus it's not helping the team.

Over the course of December Beal shot 39% from the field, 27% from 3 on 23 shots a game. On top of that he isn't guarding the opposing team's top offensive player. What exactly is an injured Beal doing on the court that's being taken for granted or overlooked?

Edit: I saw your edit last second. I'm not just focusing on last night, there's a much larger sample size to look at Beal's recent performance.

DCZards · Post #1325 » by **DCZards** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 6:26 pm

The Zards lost their small lead and fell behind when Beal was not in the game early in the fourth quarter. Our best player and scorer only took 7 shots in the second half. That was a big part of the problem. The Zards might have won if Beal had done more "chucking."

DCZards · Post #1326 » by **DCZards** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 6:47 pm

From today's Washington Post:

When Beal, the Wizards' leading scorer, checked back into the game with 6:57 remaining, the teams were locked in a tense fourth quarter. Chicago led 96-95 but then overwhelmed Washington with 10 straight points. For nearly five minutes of game time, a stretch that started before Beal stepped on the court, the Wizards did not score. And the dry spell doomed Washington (13-27) and ruined Beal's mood.

Post #1327 » by **nate33** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 7:04 pm

There's a big Beal hate thread on the General Board right now.

dckingsfan · Post #1328 » by **dckingsfan** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 7:14 pm

DCZards wrote:The Zards lost their small lead and fell behind when Beal was not in the game early in the fourth quarter. Our best player and scorer only took 7 shots in the second half. That was a big part of the problem. The Zards might have won if Beal had done more "chucking."

He got the pleasure of playing with IT and was a -15... I guess the lack of D was contagious?

But let's be honest. Beal is in a down year - he hasn't been all that this year. And not restricting his minutes after coming back from an injury would be wise?

DCZards · Post #1329 » by **DCZards** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 7:20 pm

dckingsfan wrote:
DCZards wrote:The Zards lost their small lead and fell behind when Beal was not in the game early in the fourth quarter. Our best player and scorer only took 7 shots in the second half. That was a big part of the problem. The Zards might have won if Beal had done more "chucking."

He got the pleasure of playing with IT and was a -15... I guess the lack of D was contagious?

But let's be honest. Beal is in a down year - he hasn't been all that this year. And not restricting his minutes after coming back from an injury would be wise?

Agree...Beal is not having his best year. But it might have something to do with the fact that he's being asked to carry a team made up of G-Leaguers and a bunch of youngin's (Brown, Rui, Bryant, Bonga, Wagner) just learning how to play the game.

BB only played 27 minutes last night. He averages close to 36 minutes. So, yes, his minutes were restricted.

payitforward · Post #1330 » by **payitforward** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:24 pm

Ruzious wrote:
payitforward wrote:Nah. The team is taking 2.4 more shots per game (240 player minutes) than last year. Brad is taking @ 24 more shots per 240 minutes!

Compare apples to apples. It helps stop confusion. Brad's averaging 2.2 more shots per game in roughly the same minutes per game (36.9 last season and 36.2 this season). So, he's basically taken all of the additional shots the team has taken and not doing well with them. Note to Brad: Stop doing that, and when in doubt - NEVER take a 3 off the dribble. Edit, I should be clearer - Never take a 3 off the dribble when you're in doubt.

You're right. But it's not that I didn't compare apples to apples, it's that I misunderstood what you wrote.

I thought you were wondering whether Brad's extra shots might be part of a larger phenomenon that everyone (i.e. "the whole team") is taking more shots. Not what you meant.

After last night, I have Brad averaging just under 2.5 more shots per 36 minutes than last year. Since that's about how many minutes/game he's averaging, you are correct: Brad's extra shots per game this year are equal to (or maybe even greater than!) the team's uptick in shots per game this year.

payitforward · Post #1331 » by **payitforward** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:34 pm

DCZards wrote:Agree...Beal is not having his best year. But it might have something to do with the fact that he's being asked to carry a team made up of G-Leaguers and a bunch of youngin's (Brown, Rui, Bryant, Bonga, Wagner) just learning how to play the game....

Absolutely!

In everything not affected by increased usage, Brad's just about the same as last year. Increased usage always brings a guy's efficiency numbers down. It has to! It cannot fail to bring them down.

Brad's not getting to take more easy shots than he used to. He's getting to take more hard shots than he used to! Hard shots go in at a lower % than easy shots. Duh.

Post #1332 » by **Ruzious** » Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:18 pm

payitforward wrote:
DCZards wrote:Agree...Beal is not having his best year. But it might have something to do with the fact that he's being asked to carry a team made up of G-Leaguers and a bunch of youngin's (Brown, Rui, Bryant, Bonga, Wagner) just learning how to play the game....

Absolutely!

In everything not affected by increased usage, Brad's just about the same as last year. Increased usage always brings a guy's efficiency numbers down. It has to! It cannot fail to bring them down.

Brad's not getting to take more easy shots than he used to. He's getting to take more hard shots than he used to! Hard shots go in at a lower % than easy shots. Duh.

True, he's getting more hard shots, but I don't think it goes that he has to take them. In fact, I don't think he should be taking them. This team has scorers when it's healthy. What it's been terrible at is defense. That's a part of the culture that needs to change.

payitforward · Post #1333 » by **payitforward** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:14 am

Ruzious wrote:
payitforward wrote:
DCZards wrote:Agree...Beal is not having his best year. But it might have something to do with the fact that he's being asked to carry a team made up of G-Leaguers and a bunch of youngin's (Brown, Rui, Bryant, Bonga, Wagner) just learning how to play the game....

Absolutely!

In everything not affected by increased usage, Brad's just about the same as last year. Increased usage always brings a guy's efficiency numbers down. It has to! It cannot fail to bring them down.

Brad's not getting to take more easy shots than he used to. He's getting to take more hard shots than he used to! Hard shots go in at a lower % than easy shots. Duh.

True, he's getting more hard shots, but I don't think it goes that he has to take them. In fact, I don't think he should be taking them. This team has scorers when it's healthy. What it's been terrible at is defense. That's a part of the culture that needs to change.

Oh, I agree! I do wonder, however, what Brooks is telling him.

Brad had a terrific night last night. He held down the number of shots, a lot of those he took were open, & as a result he was extremely efficient & productive.

youngWizzy · Post #1334 » by **youngWizzy** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:22 am

Beal isnt as efficient on offense as in year's past but that really isn't the main issue....by a mile!!

His defense has been absolutely horrendous and quite honestly frustrating to watch. You have to go watch games for this but Beal just never rotates on defense and it almost looks like he thinks he is "too good to play defense." I blame some of this on Brooks for being a very laid back coach who never gets on him for missing switches and not rotating.

Bradley Beal has the worst DRPM (Defensive Real Plus Minus) in the ENTIRE NBA!!! Rank 461/461.

IT on the other hand is right above him (460/461). Rui is (458/461).

(http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/page/12/sort/DRPM)

Post #1335 » by **Ruzious** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:15 pm

payitforward wrote:
Ruzious wrote:
payitforward wrote:Absolutely!

In everything not affected by increased usage, Brad's just about the same as last year. Increased usage always brings a guy's efficiency numbers down. It has to! It cannot fail to bring them down.

Brad's not getting to take more easy shots than he used to. He's getting to take more hard shots than he used to! Hard shots go in at a lower % than easy shots. Duh.

True, he's getting more hard shots, but I don't think it goes that he has to take them. In fact, I don't think he should be taking them. This team has scorers when it's healthy. What it's been terrible at is defense. That's a part of the culture that needs to change.

Oh, I agree! I do wonder, however, what Brooks is telling him.

Brad had a terrific night last night. He held down the number of shots, a lot of those he took were open, & as a result he was extremely efficient & productive.

Otoh, when he was "guarding" Lavine, he was giving up as much as he was getting. I agree with youngWizzy - his defense is probably more of a concern than his awe fence.

Post #1336 » by **Ruzious** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:15 pm

payitforward wrote:
Ruzious wrote:
payitforward wrote:Absolutely!

In everything not affected by increased usage, Brad's just about the same as last year. Increased usage always brings a guy's efficiency numbers down. It has to! It cannot fail to bring them down.

Brad's not getting to take more easy shots than he used to. He's getting to take more hard shots than he used to! Hard shots go in at a lower % than easy shots. Duh.

True, he's getting more hard shots, but I don't think it goes that he has to take them. In fact, I don't think he should be taking them. This team has scorers when it's healthy. What it's been terrible at is defense. That's a part of the culture that needs to change.

Oh, I agree! I do wonder, however, what Brooks is telling him.

Brad had a terrific night last night. He held down the number of shots, a lot of those he took were open, & as a result he was extremely efficient & productive.

Otoh, when he was "guarding" Lavine, he was giving up as much as he was getting. I agree with youngWizzy - his defense is probably more of a concern than his awe fence.