Top Stories of the Week: The Wizards are in free fall but at least Bradley Beal isn’t

The Wizards have returned from the All-Star Break. And that’s where we focus on this week’s top stories.

The Wizards are in free fall mode

The Wizards are 24-36 after a back-to-back this past Friday and Saturday. First, Washington lost 123-110 on Friday to the Charlotte Hornets. And on the following day, they lost 119-112 to the Indiana Pacers.

It has been inevitable for quite some time, but the Wizards’ streak of five consecutive .500 or better seasons will come to an end in the 2018-19 season. If Friday’s loss came because the bench couldn’t score, Saturday’s loss came because of multiple unforced errors. Washington committed 22 turnovers in the loss to Indiana. Ultimately, the Wizards’ inconsistency and injuries to several key players will cause their demise this season.

Jake Whitacre wrote earlier that the Wizards’ are now at the point where they have to try to make the playoffs though they probably won’t make them. This is because multiple teams will “beat” the Wizards in the “race for Zion Williamson,” assuming he goes pro from Duke after his freshman year. He almost definitely will, especially after his shoe malfunction and knee sprain earlier last week against North Carolina.

Bradley Beal is still doing alright

In his two games in the post All-Star Break period, Beal has averaged 40.5 points and 6.5 assists per game. Granted it’s just two games. But the Wizards’ Panda (Kristi Toliver is also called “The Panda” for the Mystics) is having a career season. He’s averaging 25.5 points ,5.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds a game this season. And in February, Beal is averaging 30.4 points, 7.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. In short, Beal is averaging LeBron James like numbers. And like LeBron, Beal is leading a team that’s just outside of the playoff picture.

The problem of course is that Beal is leading a Wizards team that is more inconsistent than the Lakers have been when James has suited up for L.A. in his first season there. But regardless, it’s unfortunate that Beal will waste a season of his near-prime because of the front office’s incompetence over the years.

And before I finish talking about Brad, check out a pic of his five dogs. Awwwwwwwww!!!

And you can buy a Rosebar Lounge John Wall jersey

When I first heard that a real-life Rosebar John Wall jersey was available, I was cynical. Wall has been criticized of going to the club too often when “he should be at the gym 24/7.” But Goonmilk, the makers of this actual jersey was donating it to charity, my mind changed. Goonmilk’s motto is “Getting Out Of Negative Situations.” So perhaps they’re embracing that jersey and using it as a way to further some of Wall’s personal missions, such as beating cancer now that his mother has it.

Well, that’s all I have for the week. Hopefully next week will be brighter for everyone. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday’s everyone.