Operated during the “All-Star Break” following his broken nose, Bradley Beal, not yet fully recovered, has missed the two Phoenix games since the restart. Before being authorized to return to battle, the Suns guard spoke to NBA.com about the feeling of urgency that must drive Frank Vogel's collective at the end of the season.
While the pressure is heavy, the “Big Three” composed of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant ran out of time to build up the sauce, with only 22 games played together since the start of the season. Bradley Beal, for his part, missed 26 games due to multiple injuries, and his adaptation was affected.
Aware that he is one of the keys to the success of the Suns alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the back now wants to rise to the occasion.
“It starts with me. My game needs to be better. I accept that I have to be held accountable. I need to contribute better to the defense. I just needed a little rhythm. I think I have it now. So I'm looking forward to whatever happens.”, he notably declared.
The playoffs quickly in sight
More of a leader, he also learns to share the ball with the rest of the team, and will have to turn into a killer come playoff time, on the front line to take advantage of the spaces created by the Booker-Durant pair. To be ready when it is necessary, he must get started as quickly as possible, because time will start to run out.
“We haven’t played many games together when healthy. So we have a big second half of the season ahead of us. We have to show perseverance in the final stretch because after the break, and before we have time to think about it, we will quickly find ourselves in the playoffs.”he added. “I know I have to play better. I can play better so that this team reaches the level we think we can reach, with my game, my changes of pace, my ability not to lose the ball.”
It will all be a question of balance in attack for the Suns between all the options available. Even though there is only a month and a half of competition left, Bradley Beal has reason to be confident for the future.
“We have a very versatile group. The most important thing is that everyone is involved. There is no selfish action. And that's thanks to KD and Book, who are extremely selfless. Over the course of the season, I think we did a good job finding shots for everyone.”he continued in particular. “I didn’t come here with a big ego. I just wanted to fit in. We have Book and KD, so just being a good complement. And they both told me to be myself. It helped me. It shows the kind of people they are.”
| Bradley Beal | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | W.A.S. | 56 | 31 | 41.0 | 38.6 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 13.9 |
| 2013-14 | W.A.S. | 73 | 35 | 41.9 | 40.2 | 78.8 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 17.1 |
| 2014-15 | W.A.S. | 63 | 34 | 42.7 | 40.9 | 78.3 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 15.3 |
| 2015-16 | W.A.S. | 55 | 31 | 44.9 | 38.7 | 76.7 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 17.4 |
| 2016-17 | W.A.S. | 77 | 35 | 48.2 | 40.4 | 82.5 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 23.1 |
| 2017-18 | W.A.S. | 82 | 36 | 46.0 | 37.5 | 79.1 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 22.7 |
| 2018-19 | W.A.S. | 82 | 37 | 47.5 | 35.1 | 80.8 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 25.6 |
| 2019-20 | W.A.S. | 57 | 36 | 45.5 | 35.3 | 84.2 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 30.5 |
| 2020-21 | W.A.S. | 60 | 36 | 48.5 | 34.9 | 88.9 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 31.3 |
| 2021-22 | W.A.S. | 40 | 36 | 45.1 | 30.0 | 83.3 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 23.2 |
| 2022-23 | W.A.S. | 50 | 34 | 50.6 | 36.5 | 84.2 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 23.2 |
| 2023-24 | PHX | 30 | 33 | 49.5 | 36.3 | 77.5 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 18.2 |
| Total | 725 | 35 | 46.1 | 37.2 | 82.1 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 22.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
