Besta Beal witnessed her son Bradley reach his NBA dreams last Thursday evening in Newark, New Jersey. She saw him walk across the stage after being selected third overall in the draft by the Washington Wizards and shake David Stern’s hand. It was official.
Mama Beal beamed proudly at the sight, but was able to keep her emotions in check on her son’s big birthday night. That is until Bradley was welcomed to Washington, D.C. at a press conference the next day. Then, the tears of joy rolled out.
“I wanted to cry (at the draft), but I didn’t feel it. Until we sat down, saw him front all of you (the media), it all came out,” she said.
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If things go how they should go, the Washington Wizards worked out their future 2012 third overall draft pick on Thursday: Bradley Beal out of the University of Florida. Sure, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson would be fine additions — either/or likely being the target of the Charlotte Bobcats with the No. 2 selection. But Beal fits the greatest need the Wizards have: long distance shooting combined with attack-the-basket scoring.
And if the Wizards value the presence of John Wall, they’ll select Beal over any player not named Anthony Davis. The Wizards have some guys with the skills of Robinson — rebounding, post scoring, hustle, and mean screen setting (see Nene, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, or Jan Vesely). And while Kidd-Gilchrist is obviously a top five talent, he can’t shoot. Not acceptable at pick No. 3 (unless Beal goes second, then it’s MKG over Robinson).
For the love of God Shammgod!! The Wizards need shooters more than this town needs an enema. (Although, the recent spike in corruption amongst D.C. City Council members does exasperate the latter option.)
Other than Mike Miller’s .480 from the 3-point arc in 2009-10, the last Wizards players to shoot above .410 in a season (while attempting at least 100 threes) were Hubert Davis, Tyronn Lue and Chris Whitney, all in 2001-02.
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