Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is heading into his 13th season in the NBA and despite last year being shortened by injuries, he is still ranked among the best in the league going into 2024-25.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Thursday, ESPN revealed its list of 100 to 51 top players currently in the NBA and Beal fell from No. 37 a year ago to No. 70, a dropoff of 33 places.
As part of the countdown, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin wrote that his injury history is a major factor why he has plummeted so substantially.
“It was quite the precipitous fall for Beal as he had 51/43/81 shooting splits in his first season with the Suns, but he missed 29 games, prohibiting Phoenix from really finding an identity,” McMenamin said. “Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Beal has now missed 130 games because of injury — which is more than Anthony Davis(120) and in the neighborhood of Kawhi Leonard (161) — without taking the hit to his reputation the way those two did. This plummet in the rankings is directly tied to his recent unreliability. If he can stay on the court and help the Suns realize their potential, he, too, will rise again.”
Beal, a three-time NBA All-Star, was traded by the Washington Wizards to Phoenix before last season began and played 53 games due to lower back tightness, and ankle, nose, hamstring and finger injuries. He averaged 18.2 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game in his first year in the Valley.
If he had stayed healthy last season, the Suns could have been better than the 49-33 campaign they had. Mixed with other injuries to players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, however, it is hard to predict what could have been if the Suns’ “Big 3” were all on the court together more than they were.
Beal talked during training camp about him taking extended time than normal away from basketball in the offseason and hopes that because of the break, his body will be able hold up and he can play more games this season.
The panel that voted was comprised of 150 reporters, editors, analysts and producers who ranked the best players going into the new season only. The countdown continues with Nos. 50-11 to be unveiled on Wednesday before Thursday with the top 10.
Durant and Booker are expected to be on the upcoming lists set to be released by ESPN.
Suns legend Walter Davis inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
