Since coming into the league four years ago, Bradley Beal has done two things: hit a lot of threes and miss a lot of games. Over the course of those four seasons, just once has Beal played in more than 70 games, and, in total, he’s appeared in 247 of a possible 328.
Beal missed a couple of days of practice after he suffered a mild concussion, according to Candance Buckner of the Washington Post. He returned on Saturday and was greeted by the responses of fans who have grown accustomed to him missing time.
“People make it seem like I’m trying to get hurt, you know what I’m saying?” said Beal according to Bucker. Fans are a tough bunch. They’re ruthless at times, and since we live in a digital world, it’s even easier for athletes to see what people are saying about them.
It’s common sense to know that Beal doesn’t get hurt on purpose, but until he’s able to play more than 75 games during a season, the jokes will continue. Luckily, that’s possible. Unlike other situations, like the Warriors blowing a 3-1 lead, this has the chance to go away if the pieces fall correctly.
Fortunately, Beal passed the concussion protocol and is looking forward to returning and contributing to his team. His health is also critical to the team’s success, and Beal puts them in contention for a playoff spot.
Even with the issues that he and John Wall have, Beal’s talent is undeniable, and the pair creates one of the most productive backcourts in the NBA.
He shoots roughly 40 percent from three (39.7) and that makes him the perfect complement to Wall, who makes most of his points in the paint. Beal’s game is also expanding, and he’s emerged as a guy who can consistently-and confidently-put the ball on the deck and take it to the basket; his mid-range shot is getting better, too.
Now that he got his nice five-year, $127 million extension, he needs to do everything in his power to be on the floor for as many games as possible. Without him, the Wizards miss the playoffs in an Eastern Conference that’s radically improved. That’s evidenced by last season as a 41-41 team from the nation’s capital narrowly missed out on a postseason appearance.
Data courtesy of Basketball-Reference
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