

(By Carolyn Kaster / AP)

The Wizards-Cavs preseason back-court rivalry has already entered at least Act V, and we’re barely a week into the preseason. This is a very good development for everyone who has an interest in promoting mid-November regular season NBA games.

To recap:

Act I

Bradley Beal has weighed in: 'I think we're definitely the best back court in the league.' #Wizards #NBA http://t.co/60nfMOOumW — Post Sports (@PostSports) September 30, 2014

Act II

Dion Waiters on John Wall and Bradley Beal proclaiming themselves the best backcourt in the league: "That's nonsense" — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 30, 2014

Act III

John Wall on Dion Waiters’ “nonsense” comment: “They haven’t seen a playoff game yet so when they make one they can start talking.” #Wizards — Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) September 30, 2014

Drew Gooden said he read the back-and-forth between Wall and Waiters on his iPad on the toilet. #Wizards — Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) October 1, 2014

Act IV

Act V was performed Wednesday afternoon on ESPN 980’s Inside the locker room.

“So you and Dion Waiters, you guys gonna be hanging out any time soon?” Scott Jackson asked. “What’s the story there?”

“Shots fired,” Beal replied.

“What do you think?” Jackson asked.

“I’m just gonna say November 21, man,” Beal replied.

“Are you guys trying to sell tickets, or what are you doing?” Jackson asked. “It’s great. It’s like WWE almost.”

“We’re trying to amp it up a little bit,” Beal said. “Pay-per-view game, hopefully.”

Then he turned serious.

“I mean, why wouldn’t you think you’re the best back court in the league?” Beal said. “I’m pretty sure me and John feel like that, him and Kyrie [Irving] feel like that, and Klay [Thompson] and Steph [Curry] feel like that. So it doesn’t matter. I mean, I would hope you have confidence in yourself, and believe that you’re the best in the league. But that’s just me being who I am and having confidence in me and John. I’m not worried about those guys or what they’re doing over there. I’m just trying to control what we can control, and trying to get wins.”

Brian Mitchell then said something about stats.

“I mean, some guys just get to talking,” Beal said. “And that’s all he’s doing right now. But what we’re going to do, we’re just going to prove it. And November 21, they come here, so we’ll just duke it out then.”