All-Star 2018

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All-Star All-Access with Bradley Beal

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Five-time All-Star John Wall and first-time All-Star Bradley Beal had busy All-Star weekends in Los Angeles. Most fans get to see the Celebrity Game, Rising Stars Game, Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and All-Star Game. We take you behind the scenes of some of the other stuff both players were up to during the weekend.

After playing against the Knicks in New York the night before, Wall and Beal made the trek out to Los Angeles in the morning. Before getting too settled, the backcourt went over to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles to make a difference right off the bat.

As part of the NBA Cares Day of Service, Wall and Beal met with cancer patients and their families and played games with them. Both of them regarded the Day of Service as one of the events they were most looking forward to going into All-Star weekend.

"It's an honor - to understand that a lot of people go through a lot of problems and we complete about the little problems that we have," Wall said. "You have to understand and appreciate that any day this can be taken away from you. It's a blessing for me to put a smile on families' faces."

"I feel like I'm not too many years removed from a lot of the kids that we visited," Beal added. "And on top of that, the fact that we can brighten up their day with not even five minutes of their time. It's an unbelievable feeling."

Following the trip to the Children's Hospital, Wall attended a few Adidas events. Beal went to an autograph signing at the Westfield mall in Culver City at Rue 21, meeting fans and taking photos.

Wall and Beal were on their own Friday with different appearances. Wall was featured at the big Adidas 747 Warehouse event, along with teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. The event was one of the biggest in L.A. all weekend, with appearances from 2 Chainz, Pharrell Williams, French Montana, Pusha T, and more. There was an East-West basketball game played there on their creative court, a makerlab for shoes, custom t-shirt station, a speaker panel, and more.

Beal had a jam-packed day, starting off with practice for the JBL Three-Point Contest on Saturday. Beal had appearances, sponsored by Tissot, at the Turner Roadshow with trivia and then an interview in L.A. Live right by Staples Center. He then had an interview and photo shoot about fashion with Turner's Allie LaForce at the NBA Crossover space at The Majestic Downtown. Beal finished his busy day with an interview live on ESPN from the Celebrity Game and an hour appearance at then Verizon Hospitality Deck meeting fans and taking photos.

Wall and Beal had the Team LeBron breakfast, photo shoot, practice, and media availability in the morning. The practice is one of the craziest events of the weekend, with a frenzy of fans and media. The players shoot around and run through some drills, while interacting with the fans in-game. Media availability was open to fans for the first time this year, and Wall and Beal spoke to the media for about 20 minutes. Wall gave and update on his injury and what it means to have a voice as an athlete, while Beal talked about his first full weekend as an All-Star and thoughts on the Wizards' play of late.

Wall made another Adidas appearance after media availability, actually taking a helicopter to get there. Beal had a virtual reality appearance with Anthony Davis for Verizon, but then had to get ready for the Three-Point Contest. The Panda then had an interview on the court before his photo session and final shootaround. Beal would have a first round of 15, but unfortunately be eliminated from the Three-Point Contest.

Beal had a Pepsi appearance at the Mountain Dew Kickstart Courside, in which he participated in a photo shoot, interviews, and then graded fans trick shots. Wall and Beal then headed with Team LeBron to the arena for photos, a Make-a-Wish greeting, and of course, the All-Star Game. Beal finished the game with 14 points, including four triples - the most ever by a Wizards player in an All-Star Game.

"That was something that I dreamed of and something that was a goal of mine coming into the year," Beal said. "The appearances and everything were a little overwhelming, being busy all the time, but when I was out there with other guys, that was a remarkable feeling for sure.

"It puts a lot of things in perspective for me. [All-Star weekend] motivates me to get better and continue to be part of this every single year for the rest of my career."

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Wizards backcourt takes in All-Star weekend

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Photos: Bradley Beal in the 2018 All-Star Game

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All-Star 2018 Arrivals

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sitting inside Capital One Arena on the Monday before All-Star Weekend, Bradley Beal still couldn't believe he made the All-Star team this season.

"It still hasn't hit me, it still hasn't hit me," Beal said in an interview. "It will definitely hit me when I head into the arena and actually see my jersey and see all of the other guys there. And just realizing that I'm one of the 24."

Beal will make his first full All-Star weekend appearance after being one of 24 All-Stars selected for Sunday's All-Star Game. The sixth-year Wizard has participated in the weekend before in the Rising Stars competition in 2013 and as a finalist in the Three-Point Contest in 2014, but this one will be different.

The Panda's whole family will be with him in L.A., his parents, four brothers, and one of his cousins. He'll have his girlfriend Kamiah and best friends Ray and Alex there as well, all taking in this experience. Beal is most looking forward to participating in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service, but of course hoping to spend as much time with his family as possible.

"I definitely love spending time with my family, it's a goal of theirs [for me to be an All-Star]," Beal said. "They might be more excited than me. It was a very proud and exciting moment for my family, my friends, and my loved ones. I feel like it's a long time coming now."

Beal arguably deserved to make the East last year as an injury reserve, but Carmelo Anthony was named as a replacement for Kevin Love instead. Beal's career numbers last year weren't enough to get him to New Orleans, but this season he's putting up career-highs in points (23.4 per game), rebounds (4.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.2), and minutes (36.3).

Fellow teammate and All-Star selection John Wall will join Beal to leave for Los Angeles early Thursday morning to arrive in time for their first of several appearances, beginning with the Day of Service. Throughout the weekend, they will each be attending events with the NBA, their endorsement deals, and other media. Wall has given Beal some advice with the packed schedule in his first jam-packed All-Star Weekend.

"I have so many appearances to do, it's going to be a little draining," Beal explained. "But it's my first time so I'm going to make the most of it. His [Wall's] advice was don't do so many appearances, it'll kill you. But at the same time, he was just saying to enjoy it. It's your first time, your family is going to be there, it's going to be an unbelievable experience for everybody."

Along with Wall, Beal was picked by LeBron James and Team LeBron for Sunday's All-Star Game. Wall will unfortunately not be playing in the All-Star Game as he recovers from left knee surgery. Three other original Team LeBron players will also not be participating due to injury - DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love, and Kristaps Porzingis. Joining James and Beal on the team will be LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Victor Oladipo, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Andre Drummond, Goran Dragic, and Kemba Walker.

"I don't even know," Beal said when asked about Team LeBron's gameplan. "We've had a few guys hurt on our team, there's going to be some new faces, new additions. I was looking forward to playing with John, now it's whoever's out there. I'm blessed and honored to be there, first and foremost, and soak in every moment. And just hoop. At the end of the day, our goal is to win and I feel like we have the better team."

Beal will also be participating in the 2018 JBL Three-Point Contest, his second time doing the event and first since losing to Marco Belinelli in the 2014 competition. Beal was the youngest player in NBA history to participate in the competition at the time, but he did it just to gain experience and go through the motions. This year, however, the player with the most 3-pointers before his 25th birthday in NBA history has other plans.

"This year, I gotta win. I can't just show up, there's so many great shooters. The competition's very high this year. I think it would just stack my name as one of the best shooters in the league."

Devin Booker, Wayne Ellington, Paul George, defending champion Eric Gordon, Tobias Harris, Kyle Lowry and 2016 champion Klay Thompson will join Beal in the competition. Beal is already known as one of the top shooters in the NBA, but winning the contest could put him on the national spotlight.

Beal and Wall are the first pair of Wizards teammates to be selected since Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison in the 2008 All-Star Game. The District's backcourt knows how important it is to have multiple All-Stars for the first time in a decade, and Beal hopes to put on for the city that has become his second home.

"I feel like John and I being All-Stars is significant to the city," Beal said. "I feel like the city needs it, the city has been missing having several stars on one team. Second of all, we need a championship, and that's the most important thing. I think this is definitely a stepping stone for that. Two guys with success, but we couldn't do it without the rest of the team as well. The city deserves it, hopefully they love it. We'll continue to showcase our talents and showcase our love back to the city as much as we can, and we'll represent it well."

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Bradley Beal gears up for his first full All-Star Weekend

On Thursday, the NBA announced the five starters for each conference for the 2018 All-Star Game based on fan voting, media voting, and player voting: Kyrie Irving, DeMar DeRozan, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins.

Both Bradley Beal and John Wall received one vote from the media. Wall had 57 player votes and Beal had 43 player votes. Based on the combined weighted score from the fans, media, and players, Wall finished 5th and Beal 6th.

The reserves, two guards, three forwards, and two wild cards per conference, will be announced on Tuesday. These 14 players are selected by the coaches, which will take place over the weekend.

Before the season began, Beal was poised to join his backcourt mate John Wall this season at the NBA’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles in February. Beal, who is averaging career-highs in points (23.7), rebounds (4.3), and assists (3.8) should be an All-Star without question this season.

Beal is 7th in the East in scoring, fourth among guards. He’s recorded 34 games this season with 20 or more points, the most by an Eastern Conference guard. The Panda even became the youngest player in NBA history to make 700 3-pointers.

"Bradley Beal is playing at an All-Star level this year," Cleveland Cavaliers forward and 13-time All-Star LeBron James said earlier this season.

“Absolutely. It’s not even a discussion, right?” Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel said of Beal earlier this month. “He’s 25 points a game, 4th or 5th seed in the East. One of the best scorers in the league. I don’t think it’s even a debate.”

“I thought when John was out, he really carried the torch and he’s really exploded,” Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “His defense has gotten better, I think. His all-around game has gotten better. He’s a heck of a competitor.”

Beal carried the Wizards while Wall was hurt, when Markieff Morris missed the beginning of the season due to a sports hernia and when Otto Porter Jr. has been out recently with hip and back issues. Beal won Eastern Conference Player of the Week to close out 2017, has played in all 45 of the Wizards’ games, and has undoubtedly been the team’s MVP.

Just ask Wall, who has played with Beal for six seasons now.

“To me, to be honest, I don't think there's any 'hope', should be put in the category," Wall said about Beal's chances. "He's been the MVP of our team. One of four guys to have 50 point games. Been leading us throughout ups and down when I was injured, when Keef [Morris] was injured, when Otto was out. Even when us guys were back, he was still leading our team in scoring. But just doing so much more for our team, I think this should be an automatic lock for him for him to be an All-Star."

Wall may have a tougher time being selected, but he deserves a nod as well. Entering this season, Wall had been selected to four straight All-Star Games, but Beal and Victor Oladipo will likely claim both reserve guard spots. Wall will hope to be picked as one of the wild cards, and has a good chance to be chosen.

The four-time All-Star is the heart and soul of the Wizards, the driving force that gives them another dimension. He's the first guard in NBA history to average at least 19 points, nine assists, one block, and one steal in a season. Wall leads the East in assists per game at 9.3 and the next-closest job is 7.3.

Missing 11 games this season may have hurt his early All-Star candidacy, but Wall has shown in recent play why he deserves to go to Los Angeles for a fifth straight All-Star appearance. In eight games in January, Wall is averaging 24.1 points, 11.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game as well as 48.3% from beyond the arc.

Since Wall returned from knee soreness that kept him out for nine straight games in late November and early December, the Wizards are 11-7. During that stretch, the Wizards have had inconsistent play, but Wall has certainly proven why he’s one of the best players in the Eastern Conference.

“They have two All-Star caliber guards and you have to deal with them,” Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe said after Monday’s game.

Beal and Wall’s fate rests in the Eastern Conference coaches now, with voting taking place over the weekend and reserves being announced on Tuesday and drafted rosters on Thursday. Wizards head coach Scott Brooks knows where he stands about his backcourt.

"I think John is the best point guard in the East. I think Brad is having an All-Star year,” Scott Brooks said after practice on Tuesday. “They are definitely in my mind two of the best guards in the East."

Picks for the rest of the 2018 NBA All-Star teams:

East Reserves
G – Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
G – Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
F – Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
F – Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
F – Al Horford, Boston Celtics
WC – Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
WC – John Wall, Washington Wizards

East Honorable Mentions
Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Victor Oladipo and Al Horford arguably deserve to start, but didn't get starting nods. The wild cards are tough decisions, but it's tough not to reward Kyle Lowry for the Raptors' success, even if his statistics are down a bit. Goran Dragic could definitely be picked for the Heat's success, while Ben Simmons is a candidate to sneak in as well with a stellar rookie season. If the Pistons would have finished the first half a bit stronger, Andre Drummond would be picked without a doubt.

West Reserves
G – Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
G – Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves
F – LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
F – Karl Anthony-Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
F – Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
WC – Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
WC – Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

West Honorable Mentions
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Chris Paul, Houston Rockets
Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers

It's really hard to leave out Draymond Green, but Klay Thompson's incredible shooting gets Thompson in over his teammate. Having four players from one team is a lot for only a 12-player selection, though Green is still one of the most valuable players in the league. Paul George's defense has hit another level this season as well, narrowly beating out Green at forward. Damian Lillard finally deserves a return to the All-Star Game with the career season he's put together and the way he's kept that team afloat. If Chris Paul played more games, he'd be in the starters discussion.

All‑Star 2018

All-Star All-Access with Bradley Beal

Wizards backcourt takes in All-Star weekend

Photos: Bradley Beal in the 2018 All-Star Game

All-Star 2018 Arrivals

Bradley Beal gears up for his first full All-Star Weekend

Beal and Wall make strong cases to be chosen as reserves