Answers slow to emerge after lengthy road trip
MEMPHIS, TENN. — Garrett Temple spent four years in Washington as the resident “glue guy.” And a friend like Temple doesn’t just quit that role — even though he’s no longer in the Wizards’ locker room.
On Tuesday night, after his Memphis Grizzlies teammates handed the Wizards a 107-95 defeat, Temple sought out Bradley Beal, pulled him close and leaned in. He had something to say.
“Yeah, I was talking to Brad,” Temple said after the game. “That’s like my younger brother, literally. I spent four years withhim, continue to still beareally goodfriend of mine till this day.”
At the moment Temple sought out the pup he had once mentored into becoming one of the Wizards’ big dogs, the team’s1-6recordwasfresh. Beal wasvisibly exasperated as he shook his head at Temple and covered his lips while responding. In the mass of player greetings, Temple then spotted the Wizards’ franchise point guard and again, as celebratory music blared throughout FedEx Arena, he crowded John Wall’s personal space. Temple appeared even more demonstrative than he did with Beal.
Temple may wear the teal and blue of a different team’s uniform, but he’s concerned enough about the Wizards to offer unsolicited encouragement in light of the team’s shockingly bad start.
“Just telling him to try to figure out a way to get this together,” Temple said of his conversation with Wall. “Theyhavetoo muchtalent to, you know, have this record. He knows that. I was saying the same thing to John.”
So much talent and yet, the Wizards are tied for the worst record in the NBA. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, whorecently cannedtheir headcoach, TyronnLue, are off to a similarly dismal start.
So much potential to end the season hosting a first-roundplayoff series andsomehow, Washingtonowns the worst point differential in the Eastern Conference.
Just like any NBA observer, Temple looks at the Wizards and sees a team that should be much better than 1-6. But far too often this season, Beal has had to share his postgame comments in the low murmur of defeat. Beal, whose energy after losses verges on catatonic, once again mumbled his thoughts Tuesday night when asked what went wrong in Memphis. His response seemed to fit perfectly for the team’s start to the season. “I don’t know,” Beal said. “I really don’t.” Beal could have had his pick of issues. Friday, 8 p.m. TV: ESPN, NBCSWA Radio: 1500 AM