NBA: 10 players that exceeded expectations in 2019-20

NBA Miami Heat Bam Adebayo (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
NBA Miami Heat Bam Adebayo (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Washington Wizards Bradley Beal (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Perhaps you might not agree with Bradley Beal on this list, but before you completely close this page here me out. Coming into the season, there was an immense amount of pressure on Beal. With John Wall expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season, Beal was going to need to step up in a big way.

And that he did. While the Washington Wizards were not projected to be a playoff team even before the hiatus, Beal’s game took another step in its development and was on pace to end the season as the NBA’s second-leading scorer behind James Harden. Beal was averaging 30 points, six assists, and four rebounds on 46 percent shooting and 35 percent shooting from 3-point range.

I’m not sure this is a development that many were able to project. Most believed that Beal was a great second option next to Wall, but now there is a legit question as to whether he can lead a team of his own. Beal is also just 26 years old and will have the opportunity to improve. The sky is the limit for this electric scorer. Maybe it’s time to lift the ceiling for Mr. Beal.