Basketball players having conflicts on the court isn't entirely a new phenomenon, but they usually keep it privately and not discuss anything to the media to avoid distractions from the game. The Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal and John Wall, however, admitted that they are feuding on the court even though they are now heading to their fifth NBA season playing alongside each other.
Wall and Beal admitted their disagreement in a separate interview with CSN's Chris Miller, saying they "have a tendency to dislike each other on the court." However, Wall said that he and his backcourt mate are trying to work their differences out and are putting it aside for the sake of the game. Beal, meanwhile, told Miller that he and Wall often forget the fact that they "need each other" on the court, The Washington Post reported.
Wall first landed to the Wizards in 2010. The 25-year-old former Kentucky Wildcats earned the All-Star title thrice, according to The Inquisitr. Beal came to the Wizards in 2012 and was chosen mainly to accompany Wall in the backcourt.
Alan Anderson and Garrett Temple were said to be pacifying Wall and Beal's disagreements on the court, but that could come to an end now that the two players have signed with other teams. Anderson is now with the Los Angeles Clippers and Temple will play for the Sacramento Kings.
Beal said two years ago that he and Wall would "definitely be the best backcourt in the league," Complex reported. But perhaps that title should go with the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and even Wall seems to know that when he hinted that he and Beal should follow the superstar duo's footsteps if they want the Wizards to succeed in the 2016-17 season.
Sam Cassell, who was Wizards' assistant coach from 2009 to 2014 and is now assisting the Clippers, said Wall and Beal should figure out what they should do to mend their rift. Cassell, however, didn't say who's right or wrong between the two players.
NBA trainer Drew Hanlen, who also serves as Beal's shooting coach, think that Wall and Beal are simply two strong-willed men who are very outspoken leaders. There are times when the two wants the same limelight but off the court, they consider each other as friends.
In a side-by-side interview with ESPN in November 2015, Beal said he and Wall's bickering is normal because they both have strong and competitive personalities. At the end of the day, however, their relationship is like that of "brothers."
