Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: Wizards drop Game 1 to surging Ibaka and Raptors

By Jen Julie Smith

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribble spast Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribble spast Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON- APRIL 14 – Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends against Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) as the Toronto Raptors open the first round of the NBA playoffs aginst the Washington Wizards at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. April 14, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- APRIL 14 – Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends against Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) as the Toronto Raptors open the first round of the NBA playoffs aginst the Washington Wizards at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. April 14, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Beal’s Minutes

It was excellent that Bradley Beal played all 82 games this season. But he may have played too many minutes.

It’s no excuse because all the “greats” have done so and it was normal and par for the course.

But Beal is Beal. So we have to take the player as he is and not compare him to who he should be.

He is an All-Star, but it’s clear that the heavy minutes are now starting to catch up with him. I’m not saying he shouldn’t practice between now and Tuesday, but he should get as much rest as possible.

The Wizards can’t handle this situation as how it should be, they must deal with what is.

The fact is that this time around, as I wrote before, instead of Wall’s legs being tired like in Boston’s Game 7. It will be Beal’s arms that are tired.

What difference does it make if Beal’s the best shooter on the floor if his arms are too tired to shoot.

Just like it didn’t matter last season that Wall was the fastest player on the court, when his legs gave out in the third quarter of Game 7 against Boston.

I’m going to bring up that Michael Jordan quote when he was having dinner with five other NBA owners. And Warriors owner Joe Lacob tried to impress Jordan by mentioning his teams historic 73-win season.

The Warriors lost the Championship to Cleveland that year. Jordan answered: “You know, 73 don’t mean (blank).”

Yes, they beat Jordan’s 72-win record, but the Bulls won their championship.

Last season, the Wizards lost a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals because Wall was tired with no backup. This season, it’s Beal who’s tired and no backup.

Beal finished with 19 points and was 2-for-4 from downtown. However, he woke up too late, and didn’t have the luxury of the bench to keep him afloat beforehand.

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