Wizards star Bradley Beal is in the midst of a career-best season with the team, one that he’s confident can be sustained when the NBA returns in Orlando later this summer, Fred Katz of The Athletic writes.
Beal, who turns 27 later this month, averaged 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season. He shot 46% from the floor and 35% from downtown in 57 games, leading a depleted Wizards team throughout the campaign.
“I feel like something else clicked for me,” Beal said of this season, as relayed by Katz. “I honestly changed my way of thinking in the game. Playing the game, I was honestly just more aggressive. I just had the mindset that I’m the best player on the floor, and I’m gonna go showcase that.”
Washington dealt with various injuries this season and played without All-Star point guard John Wall, with Beal emerging as a much-needed leader throughout the year. The team is currently 5.5 games behind the No. 8 seed Magic and six games behind the No. 7 seed Nets for a potential playoff spot.
Here are some other notes from the Eastern Conference tonight:
- Heat coach Erik Spoelstra could be facing a difficult roster decision as the team prepares for the league’s restart in Orlando, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes in his latest mailbag. Barring an unforeseen change, Miami must choose 13 active players from its notably deep roster, a decision that could leave veterans such as Udonis Haslem inactive entering the postseason.
- The championship feeling is still lingering for the Raptors, who won their first NBA title one year ago, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star writes. The team still has several key players from its title run, including Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. Toronto hopes to use that championship experience to their advantage during the resumed season this summer.
- Knicks owner James Dolan‘s image has yet to change under brand consultant Steve Stoute, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Dolan was most recently criticized for a delayed statement on racial injustice problems in America, with the Knicks being the last team in the league to release a statement on the topic.
Haslam and Okpala are probably the guys to get left off IMO
Breaking news! Dolan can’t be made more likeable. He can only get worse.
I think the stats of Beal，John Collins and Wood are overrated
Beal is not top 15 players in the West when everyone is healthy
Collins real worth is 5 yrs 100 million
Wood real worth is 3 yrs 45 million
You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but I’d argue it’s hard to know if Beal would be a top 15 player in the West without posing the question: on which team?
I think he’s plenty capable of obtaining those heights.
Beal defense ranks at 200 in the nba
4 teams players are better than Beal
Kawhi
George
LeBron
Davis
Klay
Curry
Harden
Westbrook
11 other teams players like Luka，Zion 灬
Zion, now? No, I’m afraid I have to disagree. The track record just isn’t long enough yet.
Let’s play pretend and put Beal on the Lakers for a minute, though, with LeBron and AD. His stats would likely jump. Those players demand attention.
I just don’t think you can take a special talent, like Beal, and accurately say where he’d fall without examining fit.
Look, as a Knicks fan I am programmed to hate JD, but the crud he’s taking for being one of, if not the last teams to put out a statement on Racial Equality is silly.
So, the fact that he did not put out a statement right away must mean he’s either racist, or doesn’t care about equality I guess. This is the same JD that has employed as many, if not more African Americans in positions of influence as any team in the NBA. Just stop chastising everyone who doesn’t immediately go to social media to post something and focus on what you are contributing.
Forces are gathering to Sterling-ize James Dolan. Silver would go along with it if he can get his stuff through 2021 okay.
Doug Smith writes for Toronto Star
Think Spo will leave both UD an Silva out and bring in Okpala for scoring and defense. It’ll still be a game to game decision. Which could include a 2 Way player as the 13th roster spot.
Whatever it takes to WIN !!!
Poor Haslem not getting the respect he deserves after all those years of being loyal. Looks like they are wanting no part of him. Time to retire
Raptors’ “championship experience”?
So, what, they’ll go into the playoffs hoping 2 of every opponent’s best 3 players gets injured?
That’s why Kawhi ran… he knew it was a fluke.
Smart move tho!
You play with whatever players you get, injuries are not a good excuses. The Raptors beat the Sixers and the Bucks and they don’t have any injuries, was it a fluke?
they played all year missing 2 or 3 top players and look at their record. No fluke here. And Kawhi ran “home” Thats where he ran.
I can tell how personal my comment was to you guys lol. Nothing wrong with loving the Raptors championship – I appreciate it myself as alumni. Still, if they had either Klay or Durant, let alone both, the Warriors win that series. Anybody who knows a LITTLE basketball knows that. But, you play with the hand you’re dealt, no doubt. Anybody who knows a LITTLE basketball knows that too!
But, yeah, Kawhi knew they were “Won and Done” and it would preserve his legacy to not stay there, lose, and show they stole one… especially when he knows many will take his jetting out as “going home”. Smart man.
Beal is a max player. Wiz statistically were one of worst teams ever this yr. No rim protector at all. Always kills team D stats. Wiz should be in full rebuild. Or at least retool. Beal and Wall is not best mix. We’ll see how next yr goes for them. By trade deadline. They could be looking for trade partners. Wiz have a solid pick this yr.