American philosopher and author Norman Vincent Peale once said, “There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.”
Teams in the NBA find it difficult to conjure up such “enthusiasm.” Look at the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Portland Trailblazers. All have phenomenal talents but have struggled to find a proper identity and drive.
Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards, however, found this enthusiasm 30 games into the season.
After a 14-16 start, a record that signifies an all-you-can-eat mediocrity buffet, the Wizards conducted some midseason magic and turned their team around.
Since then, Washington has gone 13-4, and former Gator standout Beal continues leading his team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
On Jan. 24, Beal displayed his scoring prowess with a 31-point game against the Boston Celtics. It was Beal’s seventh 30-plus point performance on the season.
With an upcoming four-game home stand and four of Washington’s next five opponents posting losing records, Beal has a chance to lead his team higher up the standings.
Speights shaping up:
While the Clippers may be enduring yet another Clippers-like season — riddled by injuries to their most crucial playmakers — a few bright spots have resulted from so many bodies being forced to sit on the sidelines.
Former Gator Marreese Speights has enjoyed one of his most impactful campaigns as an NBA player, averaging 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in just under 17 minutes of action per night.
As a larger forward who can slip into the center position but still shoot long range jumpers to stretch the floor, Speights has become a commodity off the bench.
In his lone start of the season on Jan. 21 against the Denver Nuggets, Speights totaled 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting from the floor.
Parsons gets grilled:
Chandler Parsons is not off to a great start to his first year with the Memphis Grizzlies, both on and off the court.
Despite career-low averages in points, rebounds, assists and player efficiency, Parsons still took to Twitter after a 112-109 loss to the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers had posted a video of Parsons air-balling a three. Parsons replied, “Good luck in the lottery show next year.”
Oh, boy.
Blazers guard CJ McCollum, who is inversely enjoying the best season of his career and is considered an all-star snub by many, replied “We hit the lottery by not signing you.”
Ouch.
Either way, the Memphis Grizzlies have seen greater success than Portland and will likely be in the playoffs come April, while the Trailblazers have a lot of work to do to make the postseason.
But still — Ouch.
Contact Skyler Lebron at Slebron@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @SkylerLebron.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots against New York Knicks center Kyle O'Quinn (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in Washington. The Wizards won 117-101. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
