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TORONTO, ONTARIO – APRIL, 21: Washington Wizards guards John Wall (2) and Bradley Beal (3) leaves the court after their win over the Toronto Raptors in game two on April 21, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ONTARIO – APRIL, 21: Washington Wizards guards John Wall (2) and Bradley Beal (3) leaves the court after their win over the Toronto Raptors in game two on April 21, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
When John Wall was traded to the Houston Rockets, most pundits put that down to Bradley Beal and the assumption that those two guards could not function well together. However, Wall has now quashed these rumors as plain nonsense.
John Wall’s relationship with Beal went beyond basketball
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In an exclusive interview with the Athletic’s Shams Charania, Wall spoke about his time with the Washington Wizards. Shams asked him about the misconceptions that people had about his relationship with Beal.
Wall commended Beal for being there with him during his most difficult times, and this meant that their bond extended further than the court. Wall said:
“Yeah, for sure. Like I tell people, it is bigger than basketball. The stuff he did and been there, supporting me in situations. My mom passed; coming to the funeral. Doing all those types of things, I respect all of that. That goes beyond what you could do as a basketball player. That is just an opportunity to play with somebody you call your brother. But it’s bigger than that. And we still communicate as my training camp was going, talked to him after the 1st preseason game… basketball was just an extra thing what we did to grow our friendship and brotherhood.”
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 08: Bradley Beal (L) and John Wall of the Washington Wizards look on during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets during the 2019 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
How are John Wall and Beal fairing so far without each other?
While Bradley is carrying forward the baton from last season by averaging close to 30 points a game yet again, John is having a mid-career resurgence with the Rockets after rehabbing from back-to-back serious injuries.
Wall, particularly, has made an impact since taking to the court after missing the first couple of games. He galvanized the team to take multiple wins against the Sacramento Kings. For a guy who calls himself the best shot-blocker at the point guard position, he is also being a metronome on the defensive end.
Though, their teams still have a losing record despite their individual stat-stuffing heroics. At least something hasn’t changed from their Wizards days together! Finally, it is good to see both of them moving on and playing at an All-Star level. Long may it continue.
