Player of the Game #4: Nets @ Bullets

[prime1time]

If Beal's frustration was all it took to get a win then I'm fine with it. Also, I'm tired of the hypocrisy. There are people on this thread who talk about Gilbert Arenas with great fondness. Where were you when Gilbert was pooping in shoes, outwardly refusing to play defense and bringing guns into the locker room? I've been a DC sports fan for a long time and I can count on one hand how many players genuinely cared about losing. The vast majority of players throughout DC sports history approach losing with indifference. And now I'm supposed to hate on Beal because he doesn't like losing? Please.

Could his body language be better? Yes. But do I care? Not at all because I would rather have a player that get angry and frustrated at losing, than a player who takes it and is completely ok. For as mediocre as the Wizards organization has been for 30 plus years, it's funny how so many people want to criticize the greatest Wizards player likely ever. Maybe if they allowed fans inside the arena you could boo him and let him know just how you feel. This is why we can't have nice things. Part of me hopes we do trade him and then struggle even more while he goes on to get better and excel even more.

The guy goes out every night and lays it all on the line. The growth from him as a rookie to where he is now has been nothing short of spectacular. You don't make that kind of growth unless you are really all in. The average NBA fan base would love to death a player like that. Instead, people like Wall more - a guy whose career will be defined by his inability to maximize his potential. They like Arenas more - a guy whose career is defined by a consistent lack of professionalism. For many people on this forum, the best way Beal can help them team is via trade. He says he wants to stay and win in DC and the fans cry out to trade him.

I would rather go through an entire career with Bradley Beal playing for the Wizards never winning a championship, but giving everything he has night in and night out and repping DC proudly, than trading him even though he wants to stay. Perhaps the most DC thing of all is that out of Beal, Wall and Arenas, Beal is loved the least.

[TGW]

Beal went nuts when Westbrook hit that three. That man wants to win so badly.

[tontoz]

Watched the game last night. Voted for Russ. It was nice to see him play with the athleticism and energy that he has showed for his whole career.