Washington Wizards: 5 keys to contending in 2017-18
By Randy Porga
3. Making the transition into a true All-Star
Just glancing at Bradley Beal’s stats over his career thus far, it’s hard to understand how he is not recognized more until this past season. But then you look at his number of games played each season and understand.
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Last year was the most he was present on the court with 77 games, while in the four years prior he only played 55, 63, 73 and 56. His presence on the court is just as noticeable as when he is off the court.
For the Wizards to contend again this year, Beal must absolutely be able to stay healthy for the entire year. Last year he averaged just over 17 attempts per game from the field, shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the arc.
The Wizards will need his leadership and presence on the court without a doubt. If what Scott Brooks said is true about adjusting Bradley Beal’s role into more of a facilitator, the adjustment must be made quickly and efficiently. The Wizards do not exactly have an easy-going schedule to start and can not afford to fall behind early.
Should the Wizards’ plan for Beal not work well in the beginning of the season, they should save it for when they have a comfortable amount of wins in the middle of the season.