As Bradley Beal likely anticipated throughout his introduction on his first visit of the season to the Mortgage Matchup Center, there was a lot of booing coming from the crowd. With the way he performed, it may have affected him, getting Suns fans on their feet and laughing, as Phoenix’s front office moved on from the three-time All-Star over the summer.
Beal started the first quarter with a turnover and countless missed shots before getting his first bucket, which was just one of his only two throughout the game. His other bucket was a three-pointer in the second.
However, before, in between, and after his only two made field goals during the game, Beal missed 12 shots, shooting 2-14 from the field. He also went 1-5 from beyond the arc and did not get to the free-throw line once, which is a smart strategy scorers use to provoke momentum.
That said, watching Beal disappoint on a rival, while simultaneously catching a live viewing of a historic debut from Jalen Green, leaves Suns fans with happiness, as their shooting guard struggles appear to be no more.
The Suns benched Bradley Beal, and so should the Tyronn Lue
Although Bradley Beal is being encouraged by his teammates and coaching staff in the locker room, he continues to perform as the worst of the LA Clippers’ starters. He is down to just 7.4 points per game this season, with a field goal percentage shy of 36%.
In his five games, it is difficult to conclude that Beal has had one moment where he made the Clippers’ front office believe that his signing was needed. He will get a bucket, but before he does, either missed shots or turnovers will add up.
Moreover, the Clippers should bench him the same way the Suns did last season. Though it was a disaster of a situation all around, this decision was made for the right purposes, and that may be the same blueprint Tyronn Lue needs to act on.
If the Clippers want better net ratings from their starting five, which are low for several reasons, one of which is Beal’s offensive slump, then he should be moved to the second unit immediately.
Nonetheless, the veteran guard was playing a road game in Phoenix, without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. This was his moment of truth to prove his former coaches and front office wrong, yet he failed, backing up the Suns’ offseason buyout.