Bradley Beal

Basic Stats: 17.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, .40 3P%, .42 FG%

After a rookie season hindered by injuries and John Wall sidelined for much of the year, the 2013-2014 campaign was Bradley Beal’s coming out party. He improved in every part of the game and became more than a spot-up, off the pass shooter.

Teamed with John Wall, the Wizards’ backcourt has become one of the best in the NBA and will be for years to come. Wall is 23 and even though Beal has the license to kill on the court, he still is not allowed to buy a beer. What made Beal a more dynamic player than last year is his improved ball-handling and ability to be a playmaker. In order to be a better team, Washington would have to depend on other players besides John Wall and Beal became that second go-to-guy.

The following clip is a regular season Wizards victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves where both Bradley Beal and John Wall were able to attack on offense.

This video shows the potential that these two dynamic players have, especially Beal. When Beal is making his jump shot, it spreads the floor and allows him to attack on subsequent possessions. His ability to attack the basket and create off the dribble was a new skill this season and should be even better next year.

Perhaps the most underrated part of Bradley Beal’s game is his ability to move without the basketball and find himself open off screens. Due to his shooting, defenders play up on him and dare him to drive, which he has gotten much better at. Especially in the playoffs, Beal was able to find Nene, Gortat or shooters on the wing off of a pick which created a whole new dimension in the Wizards’ offense.

Next Season and Improvement:

Even though there has been some rumors involving Bradley Beal in a potential deal for Kevin Love, I think it’s fair to say that Beal will remain in a Wizards uniform for a very long time. The Wizards have made it clear that Beal has become one of the staple-pieces to a rejuvenated franchise and has the potential to be a franchise player. It’s amazing to think just how close the talent level has become between Beal and Love and how many would ultimately rather have Beal.

One thing this postseason showed us is that Bradley Beal is cold-blooded when the game is on the line. His late-game heroics were evident in the playoffs and will only boost his confidence heading into next season. Beal is only going to mature and improve as his career progresses which is fantastic for the Wizards and terrifying for everyone else in the NBA. Beal will be a part of the Team USA camp this summer, which will give him an even greater chance to improve his game amongst some of the league’s brightest stars. Needless to say, the future if bright for Beal and the Wizards.

Final Grade: A