For the first time in two seasons, the Wizards are watching the first round of the NBA playoffs instead of participating in them.
The Wizards were a trendy pick to contend in the Eastern Conference to start the season, largely based on their talented backcourt of Bradley Beal and John Wall. But they fell well short of those expectations.
MORE: Report - Phil Jackson reached out to Luke Walton | Nets name Kenny Atkinson as new coach
“It’s been a rocky year in terms of injuries, offense changing, getting used to playing with new guys on the team and adjusting to a few things,” Beal said via CSNMidAtlantic.com.
“We both should’ve had a better year than we had. We should’ve carried the team a little better than what we did."
Beal played just 55 games this season, averaging 17.4 points per game while shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range. He dealt with a range of ailments that included shoulder, leg and pelvic problems.
A restricted free agent this summer, Beal said there is no beef with John Wall. They just need to play better.
“We just didn’t play as well as we were supposed to," Beal said. "I think sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and we tried to overdo it, especially if one’s not playing and the other one is. There’s a lot of things that factor into it. Overall, it’s no excuse. We both should’ve had a better year than we had.”
Wall had another solid year, making his third straight All-Star team and averaging 19.9 points and 10.2 assists per game. Wall played 77 games for the Wizards, who missed the playoffs with a 41-41 record.
But Wall feels like the Wizards are in great shape as long as they have their dynamic backcourt duo on the court together.
"I think we're (Wall and Beal) in a great place. We do a lot of talking, a lot of communication," Wall said. "If he (Beal) didn't get hurt he was on pace to probably be an All-Star also. We would've been a better team. You take just about any team that has a main backcourt and you take Klay Thompson away from Steph for about 30 games it would be different."