Bradley Beal’s departure from the Phoenix Suns prompted a viral “petty” goodbye message, and an NBA reporter explained the story behind it.
The message, posted on Instagram, featured a picture of Beal holding a peace symbol up with both hands as if to say goodbye, and had a caption with a matching emoji. That prompted an emotional response from players and fans.
Former Suns teammate Kevin Durant was one of a host of NBA players to laugh at the message in the comments. Others included Trae Young and Bam Adebayo. Suns fans found it less funny and reacted in unison with negativity.
But there is a good reason for the controversial and petty post, which Phoenix Suns writer Gerald Bourguet explained.
Beal had a difficult relationship with the Phoenix Suns’ fan base. He arrived in Phoenix to join Durant and Devin Booker, with expectations of winning a championship. Instead, they missed the playoffs, and Beal underperformed individually.
Many fans blamed Beal for the Suns’ poor performances. That often happens to the third star on a team. However, according to Bourguet, a line was crossed, which led to Beal’s social media post after he left.
Bourguet said on the PHNX Suns Podcast, “I understand why that would rub fans the wrong way, but I also do think that some of that was born from the toxicity that was in his mentions and his comments at home games every single night.
“This fanbase needs to get the toxicity out of it. You see players reacting with the laughing emoji. Some of that is in support of Brad, some of that is laughing at his petty final parting shot.
“But part of that is a reflection of the organization and the fanbase right now, and the way that the whole relationship ended, and the way fans went at him directly.”
Bourguet went on to give some shocking examples of abuse towards Beal, which Bourguet said involved the three-time all-star’s family.
He continued, “Photoshopping Bradley Beal as a terrorist, in terms of attacking his family at home games and making his own kids cry and ask, ‘ Why is a Suns fan saying that about my father?’ That’s when it goes too far for me. That’s when it goes beyond basketball.
“If you’re wondering why Bradley Beal didn’t come out and say, ‘Wow, thanks for everything, Suns fans, thank you for being so supportive, it was a great two years,’ it’s because it wasn’t. He felt all the hatred that you guys felt for him.”
Beal signed with the LA Clippers, and may have found a home away from home there. He has known Head Coach Ty Lue for years, as they’re from the same area of Missouri. James Harden called Beal to make a pitch to him, which led to him signing in LA.
It’s also a great basketball fit. The point-guardless Suns asked Beal to be a playmaker. That’s not Beal. He’s a shooter and a scorer, and plays best with a creator alongside him. Take his Washington Wizards days with John Wall as evidence for that.
Now he can play alongside Harden. The former MVP will take playmaking responsibilities, allowing Beal to space the perimeter, hit threes, and make shots for himself off the dribble when needed.
And if the Clippers crash and burn, Beal won’t be blamed. He is entering the situation with expectations through the floor after his time in Phoenix. And Harden has made a career of disappointing playoff performances, so he will act as a criticism sponge.
It’s the perfect place for Beal to recover from the toxicity he found in Phoenix.
