Grading the Washington Wizards at the All-Star Break
1. Bradley Beal
Grade: A+
Bradley Beal has singlehandedly put his team AND his city on his back this season. What’s most impressive to me about Bradley Beal’s play through the first half of the year has been his determination to play through adversity, as there were many times he could’ve taken the easy way out and allowed the Wizards to “embrace the tank”.
Whether it was his leg injury that sidelined him for multiple games, the fact that at one point there were 7 players alongside him on the injury report, or even his unfortunate All-Star snubbery, Bradley Beal could’ve easily looked at his situation and decided to bail on the season. However, Beal did the opposite.
Bradley Beal will officially head into the All-Star break averaging 29.1 points per game, the most ever for a non All-Star.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 13, 2020
According to Basketball-Reference, Bradley Beal has averaged 34.6 points per contest over the last 12 games, one of the most dynamic stretches in the entire league this year, not to mention one of the best displays in Beal’s decorated career.
His astonishing stretch has led to his team winning 7 of the last 12, including close contests against the Mavericks and Nets.
There is literally nothing more the fans of D.C. or the Wizards franchise can ask for from Bradley Beal. What we’re seeing from Beal is a man pouring his heart and soul into an organization, no matter how dire the circumstances, and reaping the benefits. If Beal can keep up his hot stretch of play, who knows what the Wizards will be able to accomplish. A+++ for Beal.