NBA: 1-on-1 with Rising Star Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards

by Rodney Fisher

Bradley Beal off to great start this season, but will it
be enough. Photo credit USA Today 

No second-year player in the NBA has started the season hotter than Washington Wizards' guard Bradley Beal. After being drafted third in the draft and ending his season early on April 3rd with only 56 games, he has improved in every statistical category this season. I had the chance to speak with the well versed 20-year old about his new start and how he handles the added pressure to perform big every night.


RFSN: Your up in every statistical category. What did you work on over the offseason?

- "Shooting off the dribble. That's probably the biggest thing and just being able to create for myself and my teammates, and being that secondary ball handler with John [Wall]. That is what is going to help our team and gives him a break as well. Last year he was really the only guy that could create off the dribble. So for my own benefit, that's probably my biggest improvement over the summer."

RFSN: Do you feel like now team's are really keying in to stop you more than last season?

- "Yeah, most definitely because of my ability to score more. My different ways of scoring I'm able to score now. It's a sign of respect, but at the same time it's a learning experience for me because I have to be able to find ways to be able to put the ball in the hole and create for my teammates as well"

Beal's has new teammates to bond with this season. He only got to play a few games with Nene before getting hurt and early season trade shipped out Emeka Okafor for the underrated Marcin Gortat. Him and Beal have lockers close to one another on the road. The Wizards have added the veteran presence of Al Harrington and Eric Maynor to the roster. The goal is to have a better balance of young and veteran talent.

Glen Rice Jr., the only rookie on the squad, is being mentored by none other than Beal himself. A big step in taking a more active leadership position on the team.

He understands that the Wizards are John Wall's team. He knows he has to compliment him to become a potent backcourt in the Eastern Conference. Their relationship is rock solid.

With great talent comes great expectations. The Wizards are pegged to be the Cinderella team to make it to the playoffs and possibly crash the ball, similar to the Golden State Warriors last season. Having both Beal and Wall healthy to start the season have raised the bar, but a 2-6 record in the first eight games has many thinking the pressure is too great for the youngsters.

RFSN: How have you guys been able to handle expectations to make the playoffs and be the surprise team in the East?

- "Been rocky. We definitely put that pressure on ourselves to get it done. We know we are capable of doing it. Now its just up to us to put all the pieces together and just get it done. You can't really on coach all the time. You can't rely on management. It's us in this locker room and as a team we have to come together collectively and just get the job done."