Player of the Game #4: Nets @ Bullets

[FAH1223]

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Tally of POTGs so far...

Beal x2
Bryant x1

[DCZards]

Westbrook...hands down.

[nate33]

It was awesome to see Westbrook and Beal team up to do exactly what they're supposed to do. Westbrook brought the power and explosion, Beal the finesse and skill. When Beal started slow, Russ was there to carry them, which allowed Beal to save enough energy to dominate the 4th quarter.

They were both awesome, but Westbrook is POTG, mostly because I hated Beal's body language in the 1st half.

It sure was nice to see Westbrook look like the Westbrook of last year.

Wagner gets honorable mention. He really turned things around in the 2nd quarter.

[Halcyon]

Westbrook was the best player on the floor.

[NatP4]

It was awesome to see Westbrook and Beal team up to do exactly what they're supposed to do. Westbrook brought the power and explosion, Beal the finesse and skill. When Beal started slow, Russ was there to carry them, which allowed Beal to save enough energy to dominate the 4th quarter.

They were both awesome, but Westbrook is POTG, mostly because I hated Beal's body language in the 1st half.

It sure was nice to see Westbrook look like the Westbrook of last year.

Wagner gets honorable mention. He really turned things around in the 2nd quarter.

How dare you criticize Beal’s body language. Such a bad fan....

[prime1time]

It's clearly Westbrook. Beal's body language wasn't good but I'm fine with it. He's learning how to lead and trust his teammates. In addition, he's learning that he can go with the flow, not force things and still be fine.

[prime1time]

It was awesome to see Westbrook and Beal team up to do exactly what they're supposed to do. Westbrook brought the power and explosion, Beal the finesse and skill. When Beal started slow, Russ was there to carry them, which allowed Beal to save enough energy to dominate the 4th quarter.

They were both awesome, but Westbrook is POTG, mostly because I hated Beal's body language in the 1st half.

It sure was nice to see Westbrook look like the Westbrook of last year.

Wagner gets honorable mention. He really turned things around in the 2nd quarter.

How dare you criticize Beal’s body language. Such a bad fan....

He had terrible body language, but if you play basketball you know where that came from. Teammates complained about touches. It's part of the ebb and flow of every great scorer. Beal can go out any night and get 40+. But the reality is that we are a better team when other players are involved. The teams have been struggling so Beal gets more aggressive. He guns it last game goes 10/26 and then comes out this game and is passive. You can criticize Beal but the dude just wants to win. I also expect when he's no longer coming out with the mindset that he needs to single-handedly carry the offense, that his defense will pick up. Like every player on this team, Bradley is still growing.

For some players, there growth is all about making 3's. For Brad it's about learning how to 1 - be a leader and 2 - be a great defender. His defense was meh today, but he grew as a leader. You can talk about the bad body language in the first half, but you should also mention that when we needed him the most - down the stretch in the 4th quarter - he was 8/9 and put the team on his back. Everyone on the Nets knew he was going to get the ball, he got the ball and he still scored. When you have the type of scoring ability, you could literally take every shot. Offensively the only comps I have for Beal are Kobe and MJ. He's that good of a scorer. Defense, nowhere close. But offensively Beal is very special and is good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

[nate33]

It was awesome to see Westbrook and Beal team up to do exactly what they're supposed to do. Westbrook brought the power and explosion, Beal the finesse and skill. When Beal started slow, Russ was there to carry them, which allowed Beal to save enough energy to dominate the 4th quarter.

They were both awesome, but Westbrook is POTG, mostly because I hated Beal's body language in the 1st half.

It sure was nice to see Westbrook look like the Westbrook of last year.

Wagner gets honorable mention. He really turned things around in the 2nd quarter.

How dare you criticize Beal’s body language. Such a bad fan....

He had terrible body language, but if you play basketball you know where that came from. Teammates complained about touches. It's part of the ebb and flow of every great scorer. Beal can go out any night and get 40+. But the reality is that we are a better team when other players are involved. The teams have been struggling so Beal gets more aggressive. He guns it last game goes 10/26 and then comes out this game and is passive. You can criticize Beal but the dude just wants to win. I also expect when he's no longer coming out with the mindset that he needs to single-handedly carry the offense, that his defense will pick up. Like every player on this team, Bradley is still growing.

For some players, there growth is all about making 3's. For Brad it's about learning how to 1 - be a leader and 2 - be a great defender. His defense was meh today, but he grew as a leader. You can talk about the bad body language in the first half, but you should also mention that when we needed him the most - down the stretch in the 4th quarter - he was 8/9 and put the team on his back. Everyone on the Nets knew he was going to get the ball, he got the ball and he still scored. When you have the type of scoring ability, you could literally take every shot. Offensively the only comps I have for Beal are Kobe and MJ. He's that good of a scorer. Defense, nowhere close. But offensively Beal is very special and is good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

I didn't have a problem with Beal being visibly frustrated with losing during the last game. I think that's normal, and arguably even a good thing. I thought the fan criticism about that was unjustified.

But I had a real big problem with him not shaking hands with his teammates when he came out of the game in the 2nd quarter tonight. That's inexcusable and he deserves criticism for that.

[prime1time]

How dare you criticize Beal’s body language. Such a bad fan....

He had terrible body language, but if you play basketball you know where that came from. Teammates complained about touches. It's part of the ebb and flow of every great scorer. Beal can go out any night and get 40+. But the reality is that we are a better team when other players are involved. The teams have been struggling so Beal gets more aggressive. He guns it last game goes 10/26 and then comes out this game and is passive. You can criticize Beal but the dude just wants to win. I also expect when he's no longer coming out with the mindset that he needs to single-handedly carry the offense, that his defense will pick up. Like every player on this team, Bradley is still growing.

For some players, there growth is all about making 3's. For Brad it's about learning how to 1 - be a leader and 2 - be a great defender. His defense was meh today, but he grew as a leader. You can talk about the bad body language in the first half, but you should also mention that when we needed him the most - down the stretch in the 4th quarter - he was 8/9 and put the team on his back. Everyone on the Nets knew he was going to get the ball, he got the ball and he still scored. When you have the type of scoring ability, you could literally take every shot. Offensively the only comps I have for Beal are Kobe and MJ. He's that good of a scorer. Defense, nowhere close. But offensively Beal is very special and is good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

I didn't have a problem with Beal being visibly frustrated with losing during the last game. I think that's normal, and arguably even a good thing. I thought the fan criticism about that was unjustified.

But I had a real big problem with him not shaking hands with his teammates when he came out of the game in the 2nd quarter tonight. That's inexcusable and he deserves criticism for that.

I'm fine with it. We have the worst record in the league and were getting dominated early. Why should everyone be buddy buddy all the time? MJ punched a teammate in the face. I remember that Kobe told some of his teammates that they weren't allowed to interact with him outside of practice. When I start hearing stories about how Beal is a bad teammate then I'll care. Until then, I am fine with him being frustrated with losing and showing it in public ways.

[nate33]

He had terrible body language, but if you play basketball you know where that came from. Teammates complained about touches. It's part of the ebb and flow of every great scorer. Beal can go out any night and get 40+. But the reality is that we are a better team when other players are involved. The teams have been struggling so Beal gets more aggressive. He guns it last game goes 10/26 and then comes out this game and is passive. You can criticize Beal but the dude just wants to win. I also expect when he's no longer coming out with the mindset that he needs to single-handedly carry the offense, that his defense will pick up. Like every player on this team, Bradley is still growing.

For some players, there growth is all about making 3's. For Brad it's about learning how to 1 - be a leader and 2 - be a great defender. His defense was meh today, but he grew as a leader. You can talk about the bad body language in the first half, but you should also mention that when we needed him the most - down the stretch in the 4th quarter - he was 8/9 and put the team on his back. Everyone on the Nets knew he was going to get the ball, he got the ball and he still scored. When you have the type of scoring ability, you could literally take every shot. Offensively the only comps I have for Beal are Kobe and MJ. He's that good of a scorer. Defense, nowhere close. But offensively Beal is very special and is good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

I didn't have a problem with Beal being visibly frustrated with losing during the last game. I think that's normal, and arguably even a good thing. I thought the fan criticism about that was unjustified.

But I had a real big problem with him not shaking hands with his teammates when he came out of the game in the 2nd quarter tonight. That's inexcusable and he deserves criticism for that.

I'm fine with it. We have the worst record in the league and were getting dominated early. Why should everyone be buddy buddy all the time? MJ punched a teammate in the face. I remember that Kobe told some of his teammates that they weren't allowed to interact with him outside of practice. When I start hearing stories about how Beal is a bad teammate then I'll care. Until then, I am fine with him being frustrated with losing and showing it in public ways.

When Beal wins a couple of championships, I'll overlook him punching a teammate. Until then, he ought to think about team morale before he ignores his teammates' handshakes because he's pouting about something.

[DCZards]

I didn't notice Beal not shaking hands with his teammates. Not sure what that was about. But I'm sure his teammates knew it was not about them or something they had done (or not done). Beal has to be incredibly frustrated with all the losing...and not getting calls from the refs. Can't blame him for that.

All the constant media chatter--indeed by the entire NBA--about him being traded has to wear on Beal as well.

[nate33]

I didn't notice Beal not shaking hands with his teammates. Not sure what that was about. But I'm sure his teammates knew it was not about them or something they had done (or not done). Beal has to be incredibly frustrated with all the losing...and not getting calls from the refs. Can't blame him for that.

All the constant media chatter--indeed by the entire NBA--about him being traded has to wear on Beal as well.

From the game thread:

Read on Twitter

[Ruzious]

Wow, I didn't realize how bad those were - the first and last ones were particularly bad - especially the last one. I get the frustration, but...

[nate33]

Wow, I didn't realize how bad those were - the first and last ones were particularly bad - especially the last one. I get the frustration, but...

Oddly, that last one didn't bother me so much. Spur of the moment frustration I can easily forgive. Calculated moments where you disrespect your teammates, I can't.

[WallToWall]

Oh man! Thats not a good look. Glad he got his head back on straight in the 2nd half. Maybe this win will do him good.

I didn't notice Beal not shaking hands with his teammates. Not sure what that was about. But I'm sure his teammates knew it was not about them or something they had done (or not done). Beal has to be incredibly frustrated with all the losing...and not getting calls from the refs. Can't blame him for that.

All the constant media chatter--indeed by the entire NBA--about him being traded has to wear on Beal as well.

From the game thread:

Read on Twitter

[Ruzious]

Wow, I didn't realize how bad those were - the first and last ones were particularly bad - especially the last one. I get the frustration, but...

Oddlly, that last one didn't bother me so much. Spur of the moment frustration I can easily forgive. Calculated moments where you disrespect your teammates, I can't.

I'm the other way, but I see where you're coming from.

[Doug_Blew]

I cant help myself from smiling ear to ear when i watch the video of Westbrook hitting that game winner.

[NatP4]

I didn't notice Beal not shaking hands with his teammates. Not sure what that was about. But I'm sure his teammates knew it was not about them or something they had done (or not done). Beal has to be incredibly frustrated with all the losing...and not getting calls from the refs. Can't blame him for that.

All the constant media chatter--indeed by the entire NBA--about him being traded has to wear on Beal as well.

From the game thread:

Read on Twitter

None of this existed until it went viral on Twitter.

[nate33]

None of this existed until it went viral on Twitter.

I don't know what that's supposed to mean. Is that like a tree falling in the forest?

Whether or not Twitter captured it, Beal did indeed sit out of huddles; he stood still with his hands at his sides for multiple offensive possessions; and he refrained from high fiving his fellow teammates when they had their hands out. That's a real bad look, and one not so easily dismissed as heat-of-the-moment frustration or genuine fatigue.

[DCZards]

Wow, I didn't realize how bad those were - the first and last ones were particularly bad - especially the last one. I get the frustration, but...

Oddlly, that last one didn't bother me so much. Spur of the moment frustration I can easily forgive. Calculated moments where you disrespect your teammates, I can't.

I think the not high-fiving looks worse than it actually is from the perspective of teammates...who I'm sure share and understand Brad's frustration.