Good news for the Wizards! As expected, Bradley Bealplaced in solitary confinement ten days ago, was allowed to participate in tonight’s game against Oklahoma City at home.
Since his absence, Washington has accumulated four wins in five games and even remains on four wins in a row, relying on other alternatives, such as Jordan Goodwin, Rui Hachimura or even Deni Avdija to compensate and support the Kuzma / Porzingis tandem .
For Wes Unseld Jr, this variety of weapons is essential. On this point, the absence of Bradley Beal allowed him to see that his teammates were ready to raise their level of play in this delicate situation.
“It’s a long season, there are guys who will come in and out of the roster for various reasons”he recalled after the last victory against Memphis. “When that happens, you always have to be able to play and compete at the highest level. It’s part of the game, although no one wants to be without their best players. It’s a talent-driven league. Our squad depth is proof of that. We have shown our ability to withstand the storm. I like the fact that we were able to hold our own and stay afloat”.
Less pressure on “role players”
With the return of Bradley Beal, the Wizards strategist will be attentive to the behavior of his players and the general level of the team, which has been quite good in recent games.
For Kristaps Porzingis, what could be perceived as a concern must in fact be approached as an additional solution and a way to free up the “role players” who have taken up more space for ten days.
“I just think that’s the way we have to play for each other. Make the extra pass, cut to free a teammate, all things we do that may not be visible. But those are the things that help us win.”, recalled the Latvian. “Once we get Brad back, it will take even more pressure off everyone else and he can be the real focal point. It will open spaces for others and we will have even more ammunition”.
| Bradley Beal | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | WAS | 56 | 31 | 41.0 | 38.6 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 13.9 |
| 2013-14 | WAS | 73 | 35 | 41.9 | 40.2 | 78.8 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 17.1 |
| 2014-15 | WAS | 63 | 34 | 42.7 | 40.9 | 78.3 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 15.3 |
| 2015-16 | WAS | 55 | 31 | 44.9 | 38.7 | 76.7 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 17.4 |
| 2016-17 | WAS | 77 | 35 | 48.2 | 40.4 | 82.5 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 23.1 |
| 2017-18 | WAS | 82 | 36 | 46.0 | 37.5 | 79.1 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 22.7 |
| 2018-19 | WAS | 82 | 37 | 47.5 | 35.1 | 80.8 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 25.6 |
| 2019-20 | WAS | 57 | 36 | 45.5 | 35.3 | 84.2 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 30.5 |
| 2020-21 | WAS | 60 | 36 | 48.5 | 34.9 | 88.9 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 31.3 |
| 2021-22 | WAS | 40 | 36 | 45.1 | 30.0 | 83.3 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 23.2 |
| 2022-23 | WAS | 9 | 35 | 51.7 | 32.5 | 91.7 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 5.7 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 21.6 |
| Total | 654 | 35 | 45.7 | 37.2 | 82.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 22.1 | |
