NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Washington Wizards may have found a winning formula. The Wizards thought there was a need to pair superstars with Bradley Beal when all they had to do was fill the roster with solid role players. This is the same formula the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and even the Golden State Warriors used to become successful.
For the past few seasons, Beal’s name has come up in almost every trade tumor. But the one person who never wanted out was Bradley Beal. For some reason, he has remained loyal to the Wizards and his loyalty is finally paying off.
The Wizards are 4-1 this season and a large part of that is the play of Beal. But a closer look will reveal that the often-criticized Wizards’ front office did a wonderful job this past offseason.
Beal is a terrific player but he needed help. John Wall wasn’t the answer and neither was Russell Westbrook. What Beal needed were players who had chips on their shoulders.
When Westbrook was traded to the Lakers this offseason, it was looked at as the beginning of the end of an era. But not so fast. With the addition of Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell, the Wizards gained two front-court players and another shooter ready to do the dirty work.
Kuzma’s time with the Lakers started great but he never lived up to his potential. Harrell never found his place with the Lakers after winning Sixth Man of the Year while with the Los Angeles Clippers. Caldwell-Pope became a better shooter from the perimeter while in L.A. and that’s what the Wizards needed.
The talent was there for all three, but a change of scenery was needed. Neither came to the Wizards expecting to become All-Stars or even change the direction of the organization. However, with their play so far, they may have saved Beal’s career in DC.
Not to be left out was the subtle addition of Spencer Dinwiddie. Beal has played with great PG’s before in Wall and Westbrook, but Dinwiddie is the exact opposite of both. Dinwiddie is not a guard who’s going to hoist 20 shots per game. He’s a pass-first player but he came to DC with a heavy chip on his shoulder after an injury cut his time short with the Brooklyn Nets.
While this is a plus for the Wizards and their fans, around the league, every GM must be banging their heads against a wall. One more losing season, and it’s a possibility that the Wizards may have been forced to let Beal go. But now, the Wizards could be players at the NBA Trade Deadline and snag another player to help turn the franchise around.
Although the Wizards made the playoffs last season, it always felt like a one-and-done deal because Westbrook was never fully invested. Beal stood his ground. Said all the right things to his teammates, the fans, the organization, and the media. He wanted to stay. He wanted to help turn things around. And here they are.
While rumors are a part of this business, the fact remains that Bradley Beal is just built differently. There can be a million articles written about where he should end up. But looking at the blueprint in DC, it appears that Beal is not going anywhere.
What are rival GMs supposed to do now?
