Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal Thriving in New Leadership Role
Bradley Beal continues to gain essential experience as the Washington Wizards are 3-0 without John Wall.
The Washington Wizards are 3-0 and arguably are playing the best basketball of the season, all without their star point guard John Wall.
But that doesn’t mean the Wizards are better without Wall.To add, the Wizards are on their first three-game win streak of the season, first beating the last-place Atlanta Hawks.
Despite the Hawks being the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards easily defeated a sub .500 team, something they’ve been struggling with all season. The next two came at home against playoff teams, first in a revenge win against the Oklahoma City Thunder and then against Eastern Conference foes the Toronto Raptors.
In the Wizards second matchup against the Thunder, Wizards starting point guard Tomas Satoransky shutdown Westbrook, holding him to just 5-of-18 from the field as he finished with 13 points, one of his lowest points total of the season.
Let’s check just a few of Westbrook’s 13 missed field goals with Satoransky defending:
Oh yeah, and Satoransky’s massive block on Westbrook:
A day-and-night difference from the team’s first matchup in OKC last week where Westbrook went off for a season-high 46 points.
Also, Wizards All-Star Bradley has displayed his ability to not only score, but also to dish the dime. With Wall’s limited play from an injured left knee, Beal’s enjoyed an uptick in assists. Over the past 11 games, Beal is averaging 24.8 points and 5.3 assists. Even more, Beal is showing he isn’t just a catch and shoot scorer.
For example, Beal’s beautiful pass to Markieef Morris as he finished with six assists in the Wizards clutch victory over the Raptors:
In the last three games, the Wizards team stats are quite remarkable and shows vast improvement across the board, which ranks near the top among NBA teams.
Noticeable statistical improvements over the last three games include:
- 92.8 free throw percentage (1st in NBA)
- 32.3 assists (1st in NBA)
- 117.7 points (3rd in NBA)
- 76.4 assists percentage (1st in NBA)
- 2.37 assist/turnover (3rd in NBA)
All this comes amid team comments toward injured star John Wall regarding the Wizards latest “team” play. Both Beal and Wizards center Marcin Gortat made notable remarks that raised questions about how the players feel about Wall.
https://twitter.com/MGortat/status/959286793123250177
But from someone who was actually in the locker room like Wizards insider Ben Standing, Beal was just having fun, as he should after a fantastic victory.
Furthermore, I see folks, fans and pundits, going wild on Beal's "Everyone eats" comment as a shot at Wall. I asked Beal the question that led to the great quote. Didn't take it that way at all. He was happy after a fun win. They are looking real good. Doesn't mean shots fired.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 2, 2018
The upcoming Wizards schedule is far from easy with the next 8-of-12 games against playoff teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Most noteworthy, the Washington Wizards play the next four of their next five games on the road, all in just eight days with the All-Star break nearing. The road trip begins Saturday night against the 15-win Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET.