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Washington Wizards: Grading The Starting Five

By Colby Giacubeno

Oct 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrates with guard John Wall (2) after scoring a 3-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center.The Wizards beat the Bucks 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrates with guard John Wall (2) after scoring a 3-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center.The Wizards beat the Bucks 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. Real Deal B3al

Similar to John Wall, Bradley Beal came into the 2015-16 season with added pressure. Not only because of the absence of Paul Pierce and an expected role increase, but also because he was looking for a contract extension before the Nov. 2 deadline. The Wizards and Beal’s agent weren’t able to reach an agreement, which means he will become a restricted free agent this coming July. With the way he has played so far, the Wizards will have no choice but to give him the max extension that he wants.

Beal has played in seven games this season averaging 20.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Before suffering a shoulder injury against the Atlanta Hawks that ultimately forced him to miss three games, Beal was in the top-five in scoring (25.5 ppg). Pierce added the factor of clutch shooting to the Wizards when he played with them last season. They have missed a player with an ability to hit the big shots since Gilbert Arenas, but Beal has shown early on that he has the potential to become that guy.

In the season-opener at Orlando, the Wizards found themselves down late in the game until Wall and Beal took over to boost the team to a one-point victory. The same situation presented itself two nights later against the Bucks when Beal had a 14-point 4th quarter to bring the Wizards back for another win. If that weren’t enough, Beal would come to the rescue once again when the San Antonio Spurs came into town. With 7.3 seconds remaining, the ball was inbounded to Wall where he would eventually find Beal on the wing. After a pump fake and a smooth step-back to create space from his defender, LaMarcus Aldridge, he would drain a three to once again lift the Wizards to triumph.

The concern with Beal continues to be whether or not he can stay healthy throughout the rigorous 82-game schedule. He has missed chunks of each season with injuries since entering the league back in 2012. That could be the one thing that holds him back from getting the contract he wants next summer, but if he keeps playing at such a high level, the reward is too high to let him go elsewhere.

Grade= A

Next: 3. Consistent Otto

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