Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal Becomes Best 3-Point Shooter In Team History

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal passed Gilbert Arenas on the list of most made threes in a single season, becoming the best shooter in team history.

Before this season, Bradley Beal was exclusively dependent on John Wall for scoring. His All-Star point guard became accustomed to driving inside and kicking the ball out to Beal, who was waiting behind the 3-point line for the pass.

After a summer of development, Beal has blossomed into an elite scorer – not just shooter.

Now, Beal has learned how to utilize off-ball screens by curling and finding himself open from deep.

Marcin Gortat, an unheralded part of the Washington Wizards‘ offense, sets the picks for Beal, who nudges himself away from the defender, leading to clean shots.

Beal’s ball handling skills have gotten to the point where Wall can take a break, allowing Beal to carry the offense himself.

He’s mastered the high arcing layup, which he typically pulls out of his repertoire of moves after blowing past a defender.

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When Beal finds a rhythm scoring inside, he falls back to his 3-point shooting, hitting step-back jump shots with consistency.

His offensive development has propelled the Washington Wizards’ offense among the league’s best, as they’ve been ranked in the top five in 3-point shooting and field goal percentage virtually the entire season.

Averaging over 25 points post All-Star break, Beal has finally begun to realize his potential. His breakthrough offensively, particularly his ability to create opportunities for himself, has made all of the difference for Scott Brooks.

But when the Wizards are on the opposite end of a run and need a bucket, they can count on Beal for the one thing he was recognized for out of Florida as the third overall pick in 2012: 3-point shooting.

On Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, Beal set the record for most made threes in a single season in Washington. He passed Gilbert Arenas‘ record of 205 made threes, making his 209th three of the season in L.A.

Beal is now second on the Wizards’ all-time 3-point shots made with 649, trailing Arenas’ 868.

Beal signed the biggest contract in the team’s history this past summer for five years and nearly $130 million. He’s on pace to pass Arenas on the all-time 3-point list and will likely set that record within the next two seasons.

For Beal, it’s never been a matter of talent – it’s only been a matter of health.

He’s played 71 games for the Washington Wizards this season. Barring any injury or rest, Beal could play a career-high 78 games this season.

At just 23-years-old, Beal has already become the Wizards’ most productive 3-point shooter. He’s shooting a career-high 7 threes per game. Arenas shot just under 8 threes per game in 2007, but Beal’s total will likely increase given the way the game is played today.

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It’s been years since the Wizards have had an All-Star caliber sharpshooter on their roster and they’ve never quite had one like Bradley Beal.