Heading into the Bucks’ first of two visits to the Capital One Arena yesterday, the focus of pundits was on how they just managed to clinch a playoff berth with still 55 days to go before the start of the postseason. Not without irony, observers noted that they earned the distinction of being the earliest qualifiers in one and a half decades without lifting a finger; due to the vagaries of mathematics, they did so as an offshoot of the otherwise-lowly Bulls’ victory against the Wizards. The latter so happened to be their hosts, giving the impression that another cakewalk was in the offing.
The expected outcome did seem to be in store for much of the set-to; the Bucks wound up winning the first three quarters and carrying a double-digit advantage through the first six minutes and change of the fourth. Buoyed by the 16,580-strong crowd, however, the Wizards refused to fold. With the public callout of head coach Scott Brooks still on their minds, they went about competing with purpose for the first time in a while, and they found their efforts rewarded. Indeed, they were the opposite of “soft,” the bench tactician’s ego-pricking label for their hitherto-disjointed play; yesterday, they proved every bit the equals of their league-leading opponents.
Considering how the contest unfolded, the Wizards appeared to be primed for a morale-boosting triumph. Reigning Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo was plagued by fouls, managing to play only 25 minutes — and three minutes after the third period — all told. Meanwhile, resident top dog and biggest All-Star Weekend snub Bradley Beal exploded on offense, crossing the half-century mark on 33 attempts to lead the charge; he was especially dominant in the crunch, scoring 17 straight points, and 22 on aggregate, in the last 7:50 of the fourth to force overtime.
Ultimately, though, the Wizards didn’t have enough in the tank to carve the upset. While Beal did score seven of their 11 points in the extra period, he also had three turnovers and two misses, turns of events that allowed the Bucks to escape with the win. For the second straight outing, he breached 50. For the second straight outing, all he got was a loss. Little wonder, then, that he was frustrated in the aftermath. He’s doing his part, but he’s just one. And if there’s anything their tormentors yesterday showed, it’s that help goes a long way. For instance, Antetokounmpo’s relative travails were offset by Khris Middleton’s 40, Eric Bledsoe’s 23, and Donte DiVincenzo’s 23.
The Wizards are nowhere close to being adequate, and Beal will, at some point, feel his exertions going for naught. Will he then ask to be dealt to a contender? Or will he stay the course and continue to believe better times are ahead? In assessing the future of the red, white, and blue, his answer will make all the difference.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
