Harrell’s production this season could end up indicting the Lakers. He’s averaging 17.5 points and 9 rebounds with 65.3% shots, all on t...
Harrell’s production this season could end up indicting the Lakers. He’s averaging 17.5 points and 9 rebounds with 65.3% shots, all on their way to career highs. And he does so mostly off the bench while playing the most minutes of his career. By some metrics, Harrell was not only the Wizards’ best player, he was among the most productive players in the NBA
The season has felt, said Harrell, like a “weight on my shoulders.”
If there’s anyone who knows the trials and tribulations of basketball, it’s Unseld, the Wizards rookie head coach. Her father, Wes Unseld, starred for the 1968 franchise, when she was known as the Baltimore Bullets, until her retirement in 1981. The elder Unseld won the Most Valuable Player Award and is the one of the most famous players in the history of the team. . He was also the team’s head coach for seven seasons and one of its front office leaders for years. He passed away last year.
When asked what advice his father had given him about training, Unseld Jr. replied unmoved, “Don’t do it.”
“I saw the impact it had on him,” said Unseld, who was an NBA assistant coach for 16 years. He added: “I think his competitive spirit and approach was different from that of the players he coached.”
Unseld said he was trying to be more balanced.
“Maybe that’s my personality,” he says. “Maybe that’s my nature. I never climb too high. I never want to be weak. This doesn’t mean that you are emotionless and don’t care, but try to put things in perspective.
What is clear is that the franchise still orbits Beal. This is the 10th season for Beal, 28, with Washington, who drafted him third overall in 2012. Three-time All-Star, he can become a free agent this summer, in the era of player-designed super-teams. Sheppard said the Wizards are committed to persuading Beal to stay and that the recent roster overhaul is part of that effort.
“He’s been a huge catalyst for everything we’ve done and a great supporter,” Sheppard said, adding, “Our full intention is to have Bradley Beal and build around Bradley Beal.”
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