[BA30Participant]

With Florida on ESPN last night I gave Beal a very good look. I essentially only watched him play the entire game while ignoring all the other players. There are a few things I would like to point out.

Good observations:

1 – Beal is extremely physical and despite still being just 18 years old is closer to the Eric Gordon body type already. This bodes well for him at the next level because smaller guards will not be able to post him up or push him around. Overall on the defensive end Beal was very impressive, always talking and directing his teammates to different spots on the floor, whether in man or zone. He also may end up being one of the best shot blockers at the next level for a SG.

2 – I was impressed with his unselfish play and passing ability. He was not shooting particularly well so took on the role of distributor with decent success. 

3 – I have no doubt with his form and release on his shot that he will be a good and perhaps great shooter in the NBA. I try not to put too much emphasis on statistics in that regard. 

 

Bad observations:

1 – He may have been too unselfish in the 1st half and this trickled over to the 2nd half. He was absent for extended periods of time on offense and for several stretches (4-5 possessions) didn’t even touch the ball.

2 – He seems to lack a true mid-range game at this point. He can certainly develop that part of his game at the next level but seems to only have the 5-8 foot floater in the lane in his arsenol (I have watched the entire game against OSU and last night with the same observation). 

3 – Outside of his obvious glaring weakness which is his ball handling (he got the ball stolen at the top of the key and in the lane several times), he does not have a left hand. Out of everything, this is the most serious of his weaknesses. I have watched clips and full games now and see the same problem every time. He drove the ball to the lane on the left side of the rim and tried to finish with his right hand and missed. There are also several clips out there with him missing shots and getting blocked because of this exact same reason. He will have to fix this if he wants to have a major impact in the paint in the NBA.

 

In conclusion, Beal is probably the most well rounded player if not at the shooting guard position, in the entire draft in 2012. I believe he will be one of the better rebounders at his position as well and a very good shooter.  Projected statistics at peak in the NBA: 18ppg, 5-7 rpg, 4 APG, 1+ SPG.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

He looks alot bigger than 6’4. I had to check multiple sites to actually believe it because he looks like a legit 6’6 215 to me. Maybe its because he is playing next to Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton.

I love Beal as a prospect though, he looks like a prototypical NBA 2 guard. He has a really good looking outside J, shows willingness not to settle on it at times, and has a toughness that can not be underestimated. Jimmy Dykes said it best last night that Florida is a legit PF away from being a legit Final Four contending team.

[apb540Participant]

I missed the game last night but I’ve watched a few Florida games this year and I agree with your assessment of Brad Beal. He’s currently mocked at 9 which I feel is about right for him.

[Future_Scout]

you nailed it perfect, nice thread. if he can develop better handles to take advantage of his tough frame he will be much better. also his mig range game is not good because he struggles shooting off the dribble.

there are similarities between him and terrence ross.

also, gotta agree with biggysmalls, he looks much bigger than 6’4 and i had to verify his height several times.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

He reminds me of Eric Gordon A LOT, except he isn’t the scorer Gordon is and he’s a better rebounder.

But their games and just the way the approach the game is very similar. They play a lot alike.

I’ve said that I think he’ll end up being a better player than Rivers and I’ll stick to that.

[BA30Participant]

I should have checked a different source for Beal’s height. I originally went by the measurement from last year:

Notes: Measured 6’3.5 (in shoes) 196 lbs, with a 6’7 wingspan at the 2011 Deron Williams Skills Academy. 

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bradley-Beal-5759/

 

Draft express confirms that he is now 6 foor 4.5 inches in shoes, but I haven’t found any evidence that he is 6 foot 6. The kid is only 18, and growth spirts have occurred in athletes 1-2 years older than that, so he may end up that tall. His height doesn’t prevent him from dunking like he did last night though:

 

http://hoopmixtape.com/2012/02/brad-beal-dunks-posterizes-7-footer/

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

If he goes pro,Beal Might be the Most Nba ready player ……

I dont think he’s going to be better then Rivers..I think he’s going to be a better player then Jeremy Lamb..

Rivers is a superior ball handler that can get anywhere he wants on the floor..Has that cockiness that he’s the best player on the floor..And growing up in nba surroundings and learning from 1 of the best teachers in the game,will benefit him greatly..

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 So he’s about the same height as Gordon (6’3.25 in shoes, depending on the shoes) with a slightly shorter wingspan (6’7 vs 6’9).  He physically is as ready for the NBA as any other shooting guard in this class and has a heigh ceiling but has to work on the ball handling and mid-range game.   

[BA30Participant]

I agree with you 100% about Beal in terms of him being the most NBA ready player. I don’t think he will ever be a better pure scorer than Rivers, mostly because of his handle, but as far as a passer and a rebounder I think Beal will be superior. I honestly believe Beal and Lamb will be very close in the NBA in terms of numbers, but Beal will be a much better defender. 

Rivers is a superstar caliber player, and both Lamb and Beal should be impact caliber starters in the NBA. All three have work to do at the next level though.

[HaleParticipant]

 I think Beal will be a lot beter then Rivers at the next level. He’s way more well rounded, stronger and a better athlete.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I’m somewhat of a Rivers hater and I even have to disagree with you.  Beal might be better, but alot better? I don’t know, not a fan of Rivers but he seems to have a firey drive to be great while I’m yet to see a lot of that out of Beal.

[HaleParticipant]

 Rivers is pretty one dimensional. I’m not a fan of him at all. He has an awesome crossover and first step, but then he gets caught up to quickly because he really isn’t that fast. I see him as another OJ Mayo type. He’ll score and be pretty effective at the next level but I see Beal as a legit starting SG who will probably make a few All Star games, he’s a really great prospect and I’m high on him.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I think Rivers will be a better scorer, but I think Beal will be a better all around player and not to shabby of a scorer either.

I agree with Indiana about Beal comparing to Gordon. He may not have the explosiveness in terms of pure speed or vertical (though the bama big man last night may disagree) but his shot form and just his overall body language looks really similair. I think the same ages, Beal is better at not settling on the outside. I wonder how he would be if he was on a team with a more pass first PG and a less shot happy wing mate. Would he be better as a more featured scorer, or would he struggle being the primary focus of defenses.

[HaleParticipant]

 I feel like more people would have Beal rated higher if Rivers had not had that great game against UNC.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Rivers has more talent, but I have my doubts. I still think he’s a tweener at the next level and if his ball dominant style of play doesn’t translate, he’s in for a rude awakening.

I also can’t wait to see what Rivers measures… He just looks small out there and looks like he has average length. He doesn’t have the physical tools to play bigger, while Beal just looks big out there. He’s just got that natural build and he’ll really fill out once he gets NBA training, etc.

I just don’t think Beal’s game will have trouble translating. He defends. He rebounds. He moves without the ball OR he can take it one on one (needs to work on his ball handling like Gordon did though), and he’s a good shooter. He shoots off the dribble or he can catch and shoot. I just think he’ll fit right end immediately.

Beal also has no ego.

[Future_Scout]

 indiana, he shoots off the dribble, not well tho…

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’s not a strength just yet, but it’s not a weakness either.

I think his handle, shooting off of the dribble, mid-range, etc all need tightened up.

I just like this kid a lot. He plays the game the right way.

[JrbenzCuse23]

Umm did everyone just decide they were going to say this guy is an elite shooter no matter how long he doesn’t shoot elite-ly? This man shoots 32 % from 3 in almost a full season in comparison Waiters shoots 34% from 3 and is considered a far inferior shooter as a prospect. At some point reality needs to catch up to the hype because I’m not buying it.

[JrbenzCuse23]

He is 7-35 from 3 in their losses and has struggled against every good team. I’m going to have to see more before I for one second throw out the name Ray Allen or Eric Gordon. And the guy who started this thread said that he cant dribble and has no left hand but is the most well rounded player in the draft? WTF help me understand lol

[Future_Scout]

 yea cuse. i’ve been saying he’s not the shooter some people think he is. i would say his off the dribble game is a weakness and a big reason why he’s shooting .426

[MalcolmxParticipant]

 Beals father is like 6’8 so he very well may grow some more. The Ray Allen comparisons that some have said before are a bit off but I see the Eric Gordon in him like you guys are saying

[Future_Scout]

 oh he is the most well rounded sg imo, there is not a thing he does at least average

[Mr. 19134Participant]

I don;t think you guys understand why SCOUTS, not people like us, but proffessional scouts have been comparing him to Ray Allen for years and that’s because before he stepped foot on Florida he was the best shooter under 18 in the world. Brad Beal was lights out at every game and practice he played in.  He shot over 50% for 3 throughout high school and nearly 70% from the field total.  Dude just didn’t miss.  And at practices for the U-17 team scouts confirmed this by watching Brad Beal put on a shooting clinic at every practice.  Scouts confirmed that they never saw a shooter as advanced as him since Ray Allen, even Eric Gordon didn’t shoot as lights out as Brad Beal did coming into college.

But with that said I would like to know WTF is going on with his shot.  The thing about his shot is that none of shots are really bad shots, and almost all of them seem like they are going in from the second he releases it.  Brad Beal has picture perfect form and puts perfect spin on his shots.  

So after rewatching some film on him I’ve narrowed the problem down.  The problem is that Beal knows he’s a great shooter and isn’t accustomed to missing shots, so he just keeps shooting in hopes that he’s going to shoot himself out of the slump but it’s not happening.  He’s also rushing a lot of his shots.  He’s also put on atleast 10 pounds of muscle and strength since high school and is still adjusted his shot to that strength.  What he needs to do is stop taking 3’s for a few games and start shooting inside more and work himself back out to the 3 pt line.  He’s just in a really bad slump and it could continue all year.  All great shooter have had off years.

 I still think he’s going to be a great shooter in the league and after a summer of shooting 1,000 shots every day to prepare for the draft then the NBA I got no doubt he’ll get his groove back.  Great shooters just don’t wake up one day and not be a great shooter anymore, if anything they get better with age.  And make no mistake about it % asisde Brad Beal is a great shooter.  

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Bank on it. He will be a catch and shoot guy who is a willing passer. He does not handle it well enough to drive it often. I am certain he shoots it much better in the L do to double teams. The kid will be a serious shooter. I dont think he will be much more than that. Rivers will be a lot better than him.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’m just not sold on Rivers… He’s a tweener to me. He has no point guard skills and he’s smallish for the two guard. He doesn’t have the physical tools to play bigger either.

And he’s super ball dominant. He can’t play off of the ball.

I’m just not sold on him or his game translating to the NBA.

[Future_Scout]

" Bank on it. He will be a catch and shoot guy who is a willing passer. He does not handle it well enough to drive it often. I am certain he shoots it much better in the L do to double teams. The kid will be a serious shooter. I dont think he will be much more than that. Rivers will be a lot better than him."

what makes you think that he cant improve his handles? he attempts 5 ft a game already as a rookie, 18 years old.

also, how is he not the most complete sg in he draft? 

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Scout4Real you are confusing ball handling types and playing styles with break down dribbling ability, and driving ability for real.  Austin River’s is a break down dribbler who uses a ton of iso and hesitation moves to get his shot off.  Brad Beal doesn’t really do that but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad ball handler.  Beal’s game revolves around either taking the perimeter jumper or blowing by people into the lane.  He’s not to be confused with a PG like Rivers is.  Beal’s game is simpler and more efficient.  He has very nice speed and once his shot starts falling he’s going to be a terror to guard because you’re gonna have to step out on him but he have enough speed and ball handling ability to drive by you if you do, and once in the lane, he’s got a great knack for finishing through contact and racks up foul doing so.  

That is the appeal of Brad Beal but it’s all dependant on his shot falling.  But even when his shot isn’t falling which it hasn’t been he’s still gonna score, and he’s still gonna make plays and play great defense.  

But you guys really think he’s more well rounded then Jeremy Lamb right now?  I think Lamb is really well rounded who also plays nice defense and even has a nice mid range pull up game.

[Future_Scout]

is a close race but beal is more all around player imo. rebounds much better, is somewhat of a better passer, gets to the line more,

[estebansfParticipant]

 I like Rivers much more as a prospect. While everyone knows Brad Beal is much better than Andre Dawkins, I see him filling that role in the NBA. The NBA is built off good players creating for themselves, and Beal just doesn’t have that ability. That’s why I love Rivers.

People haven’t seen how great Rivers can be because his game does not fit the college style. He’s a great creator for himself, and has shown improvement in passing and setting up other teammates. However, since he was the only one who could consistantly get his shot off in the UNC game, people who only saw that game did not see this ability. 

His defense is much improved, and his defense in the UNC was very good. He was going 100% not only on offense, but defense, which is very important. He rebounding is getting better as the season progresses, and I see him having a much higher NBA ceiling than Beal. His first step is off the charts, and in the NBA where they don’t play nearly as much defense, I can see him becoming a great scorer and player.

[JrbenzCuse23]

Its crazy considering he just burst onto the scene but Rivers should strive to become a jeremy lin type player in the NBA. If he learns how to play the game, his size, quickness, and creativity are all similar.Also a better shooter for the most part

[JNixonParticipant]

 Brad Beal reminds me of Michael Redd more than Eric Gordon. He reminds me of a pre-injury Michael Redd, a very good shooter who used the threat of his shot to make drives at the rim or mid-range. He needs more of a mid-range game, but I think he can easily get that if he works on it and I think he will. He’s more willing to play defense than Redd was, but I think there are alot of similarities between the 2.

I think Rivers will be a better scorer though. He is just as good a shooter because he has a knack for putting the ball in the basket, but he can so easily create for himself and Beal doesn’t have that. Rivers’ handle, 1st step and ability to score at all 3 levels is just on a different level than Beal’s. I don’t think Rivers is a particularly devoted defender and he’s a little selfish and prone to an ugly possession where he forces the issue, but he is too confident to not be a high level scorer, not to mention talented. I think Beal is a role player, and Rivers is a true top option, but I think Rivers needs to change some things about himself so that he isn’t a top scorer on a bad team, it’s tough to give guys with that label credit

[Future_Scout]

 jnixon-iggy9, i cant agree more!!!!

 

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