The LA Clippers want Bradley Beal to return to his All-Star form and are already instilling confidence in him. Head coach Tyronn Lue made it clear that the 6’4 wing will start. The Clippers want more from Beal defensively and are challenging him to be the best version of himself.
Beal was constrained during his two seasons in Phoenix. He was playing with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, so he dropped to the third option. His streak of seven straight years averaging over 20 points per game was snapped, and Beal struggled to find his fit. Things never worked out in Phoenix. The result was the star trio never winning a playoff game.
Beal made it clear that he is in a better situation now. With Lue’s commitment to starting him and maximizing his potential, the three-time All-Star should perform better. There will be no more knocks on his defense or questions about him coming off the bench. The Clippers' gift of added confidence will certainly help him increase his production.
Clippers are giving Bradley Beal the confidence to be his best self
Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 32.1 minutes per game last season. It was his lowest scoring mark since 2015, but he shot 49.7 percent from the field, 38.6 percent on his 3-point attempts, and over 80 percent from the foul line. Beal is still a walking bucket.
The Suns had a negative-7.7 net rating with Beal on the floor last season. They were bad on both ends, and the team’s mark jumped to 1.0 with him on the bench. That is correct. Phoenix was 8.7 points per 100 possessions better without Beal on the floor.
Some of that can be attributed to the lack of a defined role and the damage it did to his confidence. Beal still put up numbers, but the team struggled. Coach Lue will have the Clippers more aligned, and he is already laying out to the media what he expects from Beal. Fans can be sure if he’s telling reporters, Lue has already had the conversations with the All-Star guard.
In his first season with the Suns, they were virtually even with Beal on or off the floor. That shouldn’t be a shock when Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are on the team. It allowed Phoenix to keep two stars on the floor at all times.
Things fell off a cliff last season, and Beal was eager to exit. It is why he accepted a buyout and left some money on the table to join the Clippers.
Things are already better in LA. James Harden recruited him, and everyone wants to see the Beal who was a nightmare matchup capable of dropping 30 every night. Coach Lue brought the best out of Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Kris Dunn last season. It sounds like Beal is next on the list.
The LA Clippers are giving Bradley Beal the confidence he lost in Phoenix when the Suns messed with his role and minutes. That won’t happen in Los Angeles. Beal will get plenty of opportunities to cook, and fans should see his best numbers since his days in the nation’s capital.
Fans should be excited. Kawhi Leonard drama aside, the Clippers have an exciting roster that is eager to contend. Beal will play a key role, and his rediscovered confidence may have him back in the All-Star conversation. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out.