Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
It’s finally here, the 2017-18 NBA season, and for the Wizards, there is a little bit of unfinished business from last year and the playoffs. Whats that? Winning and moving on to the NBA Finals according to John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Much of the focus of Bradley Beal’s conversation went towards the recent comments by President Donald Trump and the ongoing debate in the sports world the past few days.
“Well, I feel like honestly, that’s not a leader,” Beal said, as he sat beside Wall on a podium. “For you to come out and disrespect a whole sport that the whole world, basically, loves, call people names, S.O.B.’s, that’s not a popular leader. We have guys who won a championship, and they have the freedom of deciding whether or not they want to go. When one man decides not to go, how, for real, can you just take it … that’s not consistent. To me, you’re a clown. To do something like this, that’s unacceptable. That’s not what a leader does, your job is supposed to bring everybody together. And everybody in the world feels that since you got in office that hasn’t been the case. There’s a lot of issues going on in the world, like Puerto Rico doesn’t have water and power and they’re still part of the U.S., but you’re worried about guys kneeling during the national anthem.
While many of the players were enjoying a morning of photo shoots there was plenty to talk about all across the board and many of the players chimed in on what they thought has been a tough subject the past few days.
Wall later discussed the NFL in greater detail, adding that white stars, such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, need to join the movement happening in their league. While expressing respect for their skills, Wall said, “until those guys come out and speak I don’t think the NFL is going to make no adjustments.”
Regardless of what came out of today, this team is ready to head off to Richmond this week and prepare for their first preseason game at home on October 2nd.
Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks was also asked about he season and again had to comment on the subject of the day and week really. “We may have to have some dialogue, but right now, I am focused on getting these guys ready for the week and getting starting on getting back to where we were last year and moving past that point,” said Brooks.
The Wizards will practice all week at VCU in Richmond and hold an open scrimmage on Friday night at the Siegel Center, where we will have a look at the team and where they will be come next weekend.
