In four games, Bradley Beal is currently averaging 20.5 points per game. Which technically is a drop off from last season. Where Beal averaged 23.2 points per game. It is also technically a big drop off from the 31.3 points per game Beal averaged during the 2021 season. It is easy to say Beal decline as a player from just looking at his basic stats. But unlike the past, stats won’t be everything when it comes to Bradley Beal. Here are the reasons why.
More depth on the Wizards roster
Kyle Kuzma is averaging 21 points per game. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 16.0 points per game. Rui Hachimura and Will Barton are averaging 11.3 points per game. Monte Morris is contributing 9.5 points per game.
With that type of balanced scoring, it is not necessary for Beal to average close to 30 points per game anymore. In fact, if Beal tries to average 30 a night, that could affect the team’s offensive balance.
The Wizards do not play fast
In Scott Brooks final season in Washington, the Wizards played at the fastest pace in the league. Under head coach Wes Unseld Jr, the Wizards play at a slower pace. Last season, the Wizards ranked 23rd overall in pace according to basketball reference. This season, the Wizards once again rank 23rd overall in pace according to basketball reference.
Slower pace means fewer possessions. Fewer possessions, means fewer opportunities to score points. Which isn’t always a bad thing. For example, the Dallas Mavericks play at a slow pace, but they have a very high offensive rating. Also, Luka Doncic is still putting up great numbers in the Mavericks’ offense.
For Bradley Beal though, playing at a slower pace will lead to a noticeable drop in scoring. Both this season and last season. But that doesn’t mean he declined as a player.
All that matters is winning
As Wizards fans, we know how lethal Bradley Beal is as an offensive player. But when he signed the super max extension, things changed. Now it’s all about whether or not the Wizards can be a great team with Beal as the franchise player.
The Wizards are currently 3-1 with Beal averaging 20.5 points per game. I’m cool with that.
