Welcome to DC, Bradley Beal


On June 28, 2012 the Washington Wizards used the 3rd overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft to select University of Florida freshman guard, Bradley Beal on his 19th birthday. Beal’s selection was followed up after the number one overall pick of Anthony Davis to New Orleans and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who went second overall to Charlotte.
The Wizards knew that they wanted to keep the pick and didn’t entertain the idea of trading their draft position for any veterans. The team instead traded a veteran for 2 other veterans. Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor was aquired by the Wizards from New Orleans in exchange for the second highest contract in the NBA, Rashard Lewis. New Orleans is apparently going to buy-out Lewis’ contract, clearing up more cap space in the team’s offseason cleaning.

After this move, the Wizards pretty much had the starting five set for the upcoming season with the exception of the 2-guard position. They knew that Beal was the man that would fit the job. Washington wanted Beal in the backcourt with John Wall, attracting the idea of the two for years to come. Team Owner, Ted Leonsis confirmed that Beal was the one that everyone agreed would be the best fit in rebuilding the team. However, the team was not absolutely sure that he would be there when their third pick came. There was pre-draft talk that the Cavaliers were looking to trade up. After seeing that they selected Dion Waiters from Syracuse with the fourth pick, it is clear that they wanted Beal. When Charlotte decided they would be keeping the pick, Washington knew they would get Beal as Charlotte already had Kemba Walker and D.J Augustin, who was offered a contract extension, and wouldn’t have wasted a second overall pick on someone to back up the team from the bench.

Beal is coming off his freshman year at Florida where he not only made the SEC All-Freshman team, but the First team All-SEC as well. He helped the Gators to a 26-11 regular season and to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament, second in scoring on the team with 14.8 ppg.

Beal is a great scorer and rebounder and an even better defender. Beal is commonly compared to Ray Allen with a quick release and high release point. Beal likes to also compare himself to Dwayne Wade in terms of attacking the basket.
Beal will join another Guard that likes to attack the basket in John Wall. With Wall’s assassin-like speed and Beal’s precision shooting, Washington’s backcourt is going to be one of the most versatile duos in the league. The offense will bring back the value of the Guard position that is overshadowed by the “Big Man” in basketball.

The Washington Wizards also selected European guard, Tomas Satoransky with the 32nd and final pick of the Wizard’s draft. Satoransky is a 6’7 Point Guard, making the most appealing factor in his game his ability to drive on his shorter defenders. He last played in the ACB league in Spain. According to team President and General Manager, Ernie Grunfeld, Satoransky will most likely stay in Spain to better prepare himself for the NBA, a honorable adaptation of Ricky Rubio’s method to prepare. Satoransky is originally from the Czech Republic, the same country of Jan Vesely, last year’s Wizard first round pick.

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Published:
7.3.12 / 10pm
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DMV Sports, NBA, Washington Wizards
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