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Washington Wizards: The Team Will Return Next Season – Faster, Stronger and to the Eastern Conference Finals

By Jen Julie Smith

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrate while leaving the court after their game against the Atlanta Hawks in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 109-101 and lead the series 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrate while leaving the court after their game against the Atlanta Hawks in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 109-101 and lead the series 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles the ball as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) defends in the third quarter in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles the ball as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) defends in the third quarter in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Bradley Beal is the Real Deal

People can no longer say that Beal did not deserve a max contract. Beal took the insults and jokes about his constant injuries, and used it as motivation to become one of the best players in the league.

Washington after losing the pivotal Game 5 needed to win the next two games. Those were insurmountable odds, but they were only odds, and Beal took Paul Pierce’s advice and played great the last two games of the Boston series.

In Games 6 and 7 in the Celtics matchup, Beal was indubitably the best player on the floor. Stats don’t lie, but as Beal said in so many word, stats don’t win the ball game (on some beach somewhere Russell Westbrook was agreeing with that sentiment).

Beal got the nickname Panda because “he eats alot“. But that name should be changed to Mr. Clutch.

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Don’t get me wrong if John Wall gave me a nickname, I would have my birth certificate changed. But after Game 6, Beal should be forever known as Mr. Clutch, because the only thing cold about him was the ice in his veins.

Beal not only played his first full season since he began his professional career here in Washington, he improved by leaps and bounds.

No more were Wizard fans afraid that when Beal was knocked down he was going have to be helped to the locker room. In fact, there were some games, which will not be mentioned, where I thought his defenders were going to be injured.

What a difference a year makes. It’s not that Beal improved, he just had a full season to show us that he truly is a knockdown shooter, and a true two-way player.

“Mr. no one can guard me” Isaiah Thomas, learned that Beal can and did. No one is “unguardable” when matched up with Beal.

Beal didn’t rely on his outside jumper either. When he was double and triple-teamed by the Celtics, he attacked the rim. Before we would hold our breath in baited relief and say don’t fall, but not anymore, Beal was dunking with authority.

The only time Beal appeared to truly fall, was when some invisible person tackled him. I’m not saying he reached the levels of Kurt Rambis or Vlade Divac, and I’m not saying he hasn’t. What I’m saying is that Beal was the toughest guy on the floor and played without fear or hesitation.

Last summer, Beal proclaimed that there are two leaders on the team. I was happy that he believed in himself, and knew that he could also lead this team.

From this day forward let no one ever speak about that max contract again, because Beal knocked down 38 points in Game 7, and but for the bench, Mr. Clutch was about to lead us to the Promised Land, also known as Cleveland.

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