Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has emerged as one of the best scorers in the game, and it appears fans are finally starting to take notice. In the second return of All-Star votes, Beal is leading his position in the East with over 2.5 million votes.
His team, on the other hand, is headed towards another season in the bunker. Thanks to inconsistent play, and terrible defense, the Wizards sit 14th in the East with a record of 6-16 through 22 games.
Considering Beal’s status as a star, and Washington’s placement at the bottom of the standings, many have wondered why the young sharpshooter has not yet sought a way out.
According to his agent, Mark Bartelstein, the answer is actually quite simple.
“He doesn’t want to quit on something,” Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports & Entertainment, told Yahoo Sports. “He’s an incredibly loyal guy, and he wants to always feel like he’s done everything he can to help something or someone be successful. It’s the way he was raised and what his values are based upon. It’s ingrained in him. It’s what makes him, in my mind, so unique. He’s all about the right things.”
Loyalty is a value that is so often overlooked in today’s NBA. With stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and James Harden switching teams like people change shirts, it’s almost weird for a star of Beal’s caliber to stay with his team after so many years of underachieving.
Nevertheless, he is standing firm with the Wizards, knowing that it might cost him his chance to win.