For much of eight seasons there was optimism and relevancy about the Washington Wizards thanks to the dynamic backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Despite the constant rumors of discension, the two maintained their bond with one another.
Now that Wall has been traded to the Houston Rockets after 10 years in Washington, their message of brotherhood hasn’t changed. On Friday, Beal thanked Wall in a heartfelt farewell to his ‘brother for life.’
“Thank you!! Can’t say those two words enough,” Beal wrote on his Instagram post. “You accepted me as young pup in HS and then for 8 amazing years in DC! Wall/Beal hate each other was the biggest amount of BS we endured, but you and I both know the REAL! You are my brother 4L and that bond is way bigger than this game we play! We had amazing memories that’ll always be cherished and never forgotten!”
The Wall-Beal duo peaked in 2016-17 season when the two guided the Wizards to 49 wins, the franchise’s most since the 1978-79 season. The two fell one win shy of making the Eastern Conference Finals that year, losing to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 the round before. Unfortunately, injuries to Wall derailed hopes of them building off that improbable season.
After having surgery during the 2018-19 season to address bone spurs in his heel, Wall ruptured his Achilles in a fall at home that led to him missing the entire 2019-20 season.
While Beal carried the reigns in hopes of Wall’s eventual return, the wheels started in motion of a shift in direction for the franchise.
This season will be Beal’s first in the NBA without Wall. He seemingly has the keys to the franchise now, coming off a career year last season in which he averaged 30.5 points and 6.1 assists. He will have a capable running mate in 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, who the Wizards acquired in the trade for Wall.
The pairing of Beal and Westbrook could be dynamic on another level and push the Wizards forward long-term. However, it won’t be the same bond Beal had with Wall the past eight years.
