The Suns made another blockbuster trade this offseason, acquiring three-time All-Star Bradley Beal from the Wizards. The 30-year-old guard has dealt with injuries the past couple seasons, appearing in just 90 of 164 regular season games.
In a Q&A with Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (subscriber link), Beal says he’s fully healthy entering 2023/24.
“In year 12, this is probably the best I’ve felt for sure in the last three to four years,” Beal told Rankin. “And that’s all a testament to being able to get back to my routine in the summer. Granted I’ve had injuries in the past couple of summers. I had the birth of my child. I had COVID one summer. It was all over the place.
“Now I have a legit clean slate. Crazy new environment. New threads. New everything and now I have a legit chance to work on my body, work on everything through the offseason to make sure I’m in the right place starting today. I feel amazing. My body is in a great spot. My mental is in a great spot. Like I said earlier, just the focus is in between the lines.”
Here’s more from the Pacific:
- Unsurprisingly given his reputation, new Suns head coach Frank Vogel has placed a high emphasis on defense this season, Rankin writes in another subscriber-only story for The Arizona Republic. “Be a physical, defensive-minded team,” Beal said of Vogel’s training camp message. “That’s going to come first. We know what our abilities are on offense, but if we’re not willing to guard, defend and get in the stance and hold each other accountable at that end, we’re wasting our time.”
- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga ahead of Golden State’s first preseason game against the Lakers, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “(Kuminga has had) a really good (week of) camp…He’s asking more questions,” Kerr said. “Really engaged. Pleased with the way he’s growing.” Kuminga had a strong performance in the game, Slater adds (via Twitter), notching 24 points (on 8-of-14 shooting), eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 24 minutes.
- Lakers wing Cam Reddish, who signed a two-year, minimum-salary deal with L.A. in free agency, exited the preseason opener against the Warriors with a right ankle sprain and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest (Twitter link via Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group). The former lottery pick missed all four of his field goal attempts and was a team-worst minus-22 in 18 minutes in the Lakers’ loss.
Podski !!!! Warriors may have received some luck in picking this guy in the first round. I didn’t like how he looked in summer league but against the Lakers second unit he showed he has quickness and great vision and is willing to set up others. Could be a contributor this year. That would be sweet.
Kuminga looked a little taller and played aggressive last night. He is going to dominate on offensive in the second unit this year.
I’m sorry Warriors fans who love this guy but Lester Quinones is not an NBA player. He’s not good enough. Doesn’t have what it takes with the ball, nor his vision, handles, shooting ability and knack for the ability to do the right thing. Fantastic G League player and summer league player against subpar competition, but no NBA future.
LQ looks like what he is 15th player off the bench. He can do everything but does nothing great. Very average player.
That being said I like the bench way more this year than last year. Players giving their 100% all game long. Not many defensive lapses like last years bench. I have a feeling Rudy Gay will take the 14th spot leaving the 15th spot open.
2way not even on the 15 man!
A bout of Covid knocked out an entire summer of training? Sure, Brad lol
It’s actually killed some people, right?
In some cases, it can mess up a summer of training. Or a winter of training. Or whenever you caught it.
It affects many people differently.
But, you know this.
Phoenix will be a 2nd exit we already seen this experiment in Brooklyn
But coach Frank Vogel is emphasizing defense in training camp. That makes this different !! Right?
No, we really didn’t. Not with all 3 healthy. Not that much with even 2 of the 3 healthy. PHX’s ancillary parts aren’t as strong as BKN’s were though.
Beal hasn’t played like a star in years, and injuries don’t explain it. He hasn’t been impactful. But now, at only 30, he has a chance to reset his career. Get back to defending (the bar won’t be that high), and learn how to be efficient next to two other high volume shooters. Unlike a lot of pseudo stars in the NBA, I think he has the skill set to do this. If he doesn’t, he’ll be just another guy who falls victim to being miscast as a lead star because real lead stars are too hard to find.
Great observation. It’s funny we are so quick to label Bradley Beal as a superstar type yet he hasn’t performed or played like a superstar in a few years. He had that 30-point season I think but he’s going through the motions lately.
As you say, plenty of time for a reset to the career and it starts now.
That Kuminga pass to Curry was spot on… if Curry wasn’t on the bench! lol!
Who was that guy on Memphis who played that trick wearing a white shirt and standing up the whole game? Works better than we think even when it’s your own team LOL
Theo Pinson (out of the league) kept wearing shirts that matched Warriors jerseys on each night while being an out of uniform un playing 2 way. It was for the Mavs in the WCF the year before last.
GS is going to be really fun to watch this year!! Same with the lakers they both played hard last night i love it lol felt like a real game
Max Christie sure looks like a player about to find his way this year. Hope they give him some playing time.