Bradley Beal’s frustrations mounting as Wizards continue to slide

Bradley Beal said he won’t get up his hopes up. Not this time. 

The NBA opened voting for its All-Star Game on Thursday, and the Wizards guard is again in a familiar place. 

Despite leading the league in scoring with 35.4 points per game, Beal is stuck on a team with the league’s worst record. Last year, when Beal was putting up career-high numbers on a losing team, the 26-year-old was passed over as an All-Star — a “disrespectful” snub that Beal said left him “(ticked) off.”

A year later, Beal’s stats are even better. The Wizards are worse. 

“It’s tough,” said Beal, who had 47 points in Wednesday’s 124-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. “I’m not going to sit here and be naive, it’s tough. We want to win, and I want to win. This is why I stayed, I want to win. 

“I figured this is the place I can get it done.”

Beal’s answer referenced the two-year, $72 million extension he signed in October 2019, which includes a player option after the 2021-22 season. Beal’s contract put Washington on the clock to build a winner around him.  

But so far, that hasn’t panned out. The Wizards, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2018, went 25-47 last year and failed to reach the postseason in a pandemic-shortened season. This year, Washington is off to another horrendous start with a league-worst 3-11 record. It’s been a challenging season for Washington, which has been hit with a COVID-19 outbreak and injuries to key starters.

Every loss only seems to breed further trade speculation. Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard has been adamant Beal is unavailable, but that hasn’t stopped a slew of fans, national pundits and even players trying to seemingly wish a new destination for Beal. Former teammate Jordan McRae tweeted: “I hate to be that guy but BB3 deserves better!!!!!”

Beal’s body language doesn’t appear to be helping matters. During each loss, the guard looks dejected on the bench. On Wednesday, cameras caught him staring into space as his arms spread out across two chairs. A night earlier, Beal put his head in his hands, eyes closed and muttered to himself. 

The reactions have gone viral on social media — with users clamoring for the Wizards to “free” Beal. ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Twitter account tweeted: “Bradley Beal after dropping 47 in another loss:” and included a video of Denzel Washington yelling from “Training Day.” 

Beal said he’s “got to be better” with his body language.

“I mean, the media’s going to blow it up — I’m mad about losing,” Beal said. “If I’m sitting over there laughing and smiling, what is the media going to say then? Like, ‘Oh, he doesn’t take it seriously?’ I just hate losing. I hate losing. And I’m going to continue to show (ticked) off faces. 

“I try to control them as much as I can, but I don’t like losing.”

The Wizards have tried to surround Beal with help. Look no further than the team’s trade of John Wall for Russell Westbrook. Westbrook, though, has been hampered by a left quad injury and hasn’t had the impact the team imagined. Westbrook is shooting a career-low 37.4% from the field. 

Most nights, Beal is a one-man show. In Washington’s losses this season, Beal is averaging 36.8 points per game. In wins, that number is lower: 30.6. 

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Wizards have lost 10 straight games in which Beal scored at least 40 points — making Beal the first player in NBA history to do so. Beal said he’s been in “awe” of what he’s been able to do this season. 

Beal’s stats will still most likely be enough to earn his third All-Star appearance — even with the team’s losing record. The NBA is still holding votes for the event, though is undecided whether the actual game will be played. Beal would be a deserving candidate: His scoring average is nearly five points better than his career-high of 30.5 last season.

“He’s a serious athlete,” coach Scott Brooks said. “That’s what I love about him. He’s a serious guy. He competes. He wants to win. He’s a winner. We’re not winning as a team, but Brad is a winning basketball player.”

Beal said he can’t afford to give in to a “3-11 mentality.” Beal said he’s trying to be positive.

But after Wednesday’s loss, Beal was asked if he was frustrated. He didn’t hesitate.

“Is the sky blue?” he said.