Daily MVP Film Breakdown: Bradley Beal’s First Triple Double
Bradley Beal made the most of his opportunity to control the game with John Wall out against Phoenix, scoring 40 points in his first career triple double and coming up clutch at the end of a triple overtime thriller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDniFzN390A
Beal is constantly overlooked as Wall’s sidekick on a Wizards team that hasn’t done much of note. He’s talented, 25 years young, and now he has as many 40-point games in Washington as Michael Jordan did.
Dearly beloved, let’s discuss Bradley Beal for a moment.
He had his first career triple double last night, posting 40 points, 15 dimes and 11 boards in a triple overtime win. pic.twitter.com/03ZWiNQQF4— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal’s unconventional style jumps off the screen when you watch his tape, especially in the way he handles the ball. He plays at his own speed, and changes that speed several times per drive. His arhythmic dribble keeps defenders off balance, and he’s so smart about using that to his advantage.
I can’t think of many players who change speed and direction like this. pic.twitter.com/jnigqEVv8b
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal put Ayton in a blender. Woof. pic.twitter.com/8iGGD8ydZT
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal’s finishes at the rim are just as creative and nuanced as his dribbling. He knows exactly how to manipulate the defense, and he absolutely loves to freestyle while floating under the basket.
I had to watch this like 15 times to see what Beal did.
It looked like he was going up for a lefty reverse, but then switched to his right at the last second. pic.twitter.com/I4uB2LZXJR— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Hesi at the arc, crosses Ayton, attacks the rim and adjusts mid-air for a gorgeous finish. pic.twitter.com/hRiQyBlmtL
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Keeping the defense off balance is Beal’s specialty, and he does it in a variety of ways. He always seems to be thinking ahead to how his move will move the defense, playing multi-level chess while rookie DeAndre Ayton attempts to play defense.
Throws a post entry pass and then quickly follows it.
The defense was not ready for that. pic.twitter.com/w0y5MG0FAs— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
He’s craftyyyyyy pic.twitter.com/z9eSmtf7zw
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal’s teammates also benefit from his wonky style and high-level understanding of the game. Anybody who can break the defense down off the dribble like this can create for himself and anyone else. He dropped 15 dimes in this game.
Look at the variation of the height and timing on the dribble. No way for a defender to really predict what’s next. pic.twitter.com/nRBoxCxIMt
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal has nothing, stops, surveys the floor, and throws a neat side arm skip pass aaaaall the way over to Ariza in the corner. pic.twitter.com/SRfX8O5s0a
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Thomas Bryant was the primary beneficiary. He scored 31 points on perfect 14/14 shooting, and that’s not all that surprising considering Beal dropped him seven dimes on some very high percentage looks.
Thomas Bryant shot a perfect 14/14 from the floor last night. Half came on assists from Beal. pic.twitter.com/TAReMbadIq
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal dribbles himself wide open, follows his miss, and drops it off to Bryant for an easy dunk. pic.twitter.com/gJ9ZqLjoPg
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal Draws a double at the rim and drops it off to Bryant for the dunk. pic.twitter.com/a35VMiie0z
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal barely has the ball in his hand before he’s passing to Bryant for a dunk. pic.twitter.com/Y73wsaVTCE
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal really started to get hot as the game got late and close. With his Wizards down and desperately in need of a spark, he provided it with an offensive board and tip in.
Determined effort on the offensive glass in a big spot. pic.twitter.com/OHCFFPg1W2
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Even though he did most of his damage off the bounce, Beal also displayed his ability to hit outside shots late in the game. This game is often about getting hot at the right time, and that’s what Beal did.
Beal just feeling it late pic.twitter.com/OQ0P6KUHFz
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Wide open, bang pic.twitter.com/6hmg1JGVgw
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
In the extra periods, Beal showed all of the stylistic nuance that makes him special. On this play, he attacks at exactly the right split second to beat both defenders and get Bryant another easy dunk.
Beal attacks at the exact moment Oubre and Ayton switch. So smart. pic.twitter.com/Q3ootuvSrm
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal scored 10 of his 40 points in the third overtime period. He must have been exhausted after playing over 50 minutes, but it did not show as he attacked the rim.
Blows by Oubre, gets both defenders to think he’s laying it up on the right, then switches hands and finishes on the other side. pic.twitter.com/4k1nP0Po3E
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Beal had played over 50 minutes at this point. pic.twitter.com/mMGEGwnanf
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Look at how quickly and tightly he crossed over out of this screen.
Game, blouses. pic.twitter.com/zrLFHCxM7L— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
Even after all of that, the Suns still had a chance to send the game to quadruple overtime. Beal made sure that didn’t happen.
After playing 53 minutes, Beal still had the energy to get up in TJ Warren’s jersey so he couldn’t even attempt to tie the game again. pic.twitter.com/zUsiH0unhe
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 23, 2018
It was a Herculean effort from Beal, and he showed that he can do some special things with the basketball if given the opportunity.
