NBA All-Star 2017: Why Wizards’ Beal should’ve replaced Kevin Love
The Washington Wizards came considerably close to having two players represent the team in the 2017 NBA All-Star game.
The 2017 NBA All-Star game needed to add one more player to the Eastern Conference All-Star roster to replace the injured Eastern Conference reserve Kevin Love and the Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal seemed to be the top choice.
However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday that New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony will replace Love in Sunday’s NBA All-Star game. As a result, Beal, will not receive his first All-Star selection despite playing the best basketball of his career while Anthony enjoys his 10th All-Star selection.
Like Beal, many players around the league shared their displeasure with Silver’s decision to elect Anthony over Beal including former Wizard Jared Dudley. The Suns’ Dudley unleashed his thoughts in multiple tweets Thursday.
Wow!! @NBA I just found out they choose Carmelo over Bradley Beal for the All Star game! SMH! This is the definition of Politics!
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 16, 2017
The @NBA tells us players that winning matters! Wizards are the hottest team in the NBA! Bradley Beal is healthy and balling! Damn shame
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 16, 2017
The Washington Wizards and Beal sail into the All-Star break with several accomplishments during their triumphant uprise to the upper echelon of the NBA. The Wizards’ achievements include:
- 34-21 overall record (3rd, East)
- 1st place in Southeast Division (2.5 game lead)
- 17-game home winning streak (Dec 8 – Feb 6)
- 28-10 since Dec
- 12-4 Jan record (most Jan wins in East)
- 18-3 in last 21 games
- 9-1 in last 10 games
On the other hand, the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony head into the break with the following resume:
- 23-34 overall record (12th, East)
- 3rd place in Southeast Division (14 games back)
- 5-12 Jan record
- 12-21 against opponents .500+
- 3-7 last 10 games
Like Dudley proclaimed, the Wizards are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and one of, if not, the hottest team headed into the All-Star break.
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Beal conveyed his opinion about his misuse in the All-Star selection process, telling Washington Post’s Candance Buckner, “But the process of it does not make sense. If they reward winning, then I don’t understand how the decision was made.”
Player comparison: Bradley Beal vs. Carmelo Anthony
Let’s compare the 32-year-old Anthony to the 23-year-old Beal:
| Player | Pos | Age | GS | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | eFG% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelo Anthony | SF | 32 | 56 | 34.0 | 8.5 | 19.1 | .443 | 2.2 | 5.7 | .378 | .499 | 5.2 | .824 | 6.0 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 23.4 |
| Bradley Beal | SG | 23 | 51 | 34.5 | 7.9 | 16.6 | .473 | 2.9 | 7.2 | .402 | .560 | 4.5 | .811 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 22.2 |
Although Anthony averages more points per game, it’s vital to note that Anthony shoots the ball almost three more times per game than Beal. Furthermore, Beal has the edge over Anthony in field goal percentage, three-point shots made, three-point field goal percentage, assist, steals, and less personal fouls.
Another reason that hindered Beal’s chance to make his first All-Star appearance is the number of guards already on the All-Star roster. With Love being a frontcourt player, the NBA decided to go with another frontcourt player instead of Beal.
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On the brought side, Beal is just 23 years old and will have plenty of chances down the road.