KEY POINTS

  • Montrezl Harrell rues lack of ball touches and wants Bradley Beal and team leaders to get others involved
  • Harrell is suffering a familiar problem with the Wizards
  • Beal is urged to share the ball with teammates to help the Wizards win more games

After a surprising start to the 2021-22 NBA season, it appears the Washington Wizards are falling apart.

They are now sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 16-15 win-loss mark.

With their fortunes changing, it appears there is a growing internal problem over in Washington with some players allegedly not aligned with top star Bradley Beal being at the heart of the Wizard’s offense, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported.

In the same report, Robbins claimed that there is a central issue hounding the Wizards right now, some questioning the direction of the franchise.

Such has affected the confidence of the team, made even worse by the fact that some players are exerting less effort on the defensive side.

Only one name has been mentioned as expressing his frustrations. Montrezl Harrell, someone who is looking to make up for a forgettable last NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, practically begged Beal and the team leaders to get the other guys involved on offense.

“We’re not saying throw it to us and let us clear out and iso and go and do our thing. No. But at the same time, let us feel it, not just off rebounding and then giving it to a guard. No, let us get a touch early to get a shot. Let’s give us something to let us feel like we’re involved in the game as well,” the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee stated.

It is something that Harrell had also experienced in his one-year stint with the Lakers.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis the top start, the 27-year-old hardly got the chance to figure prominently under head coach Frank Vogel, USA Today reported.

There is still time to make adjustments, but Harrell will have to realize that Beal is the face of the Wizards.

The three-time All-Star has been a widely coveted player by other teams, but the Wizards fended off all that interest.

Although he has been trying to fit in perfectly to that role, the part where he gets his teammates involved for needed help may need addressing.

It is a concern that needs to be addressed soon, especially if the Washington Wizards plan to make the NBA postseason wars this year.

Montrezl Harrell #6 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards
Montrezl Harrell #6 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards Getty Images | G Fiume