How Beal channeled LeBron to play a 'mind game' on Simmons originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Late in the fourth quarter, as the Wizards were purposefully fouling Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons to capitalize on his poor free throw shooting, Bradley Beal decided to approach Simmons at the line before one of his attempts.
The game was close, the Wizards were facing elimination and Beal wanted to win. So, he walked up to Simmons and stood right next to him for several seconds.
Though it looked like Beal said something to Simmons, he actually didn't. But there was a purpose behind it.
"I didn’t say anything. I didn’t say one word to him. I just stood there. I wanted to try to play a little mind game with him," Beal said.
Simmons would miss one of his two free throws right afterwards and finish the game 5-for-11 from the line. The strategy worked, both to foul him and in Beal's case to get in his head.
Now, here's why it's interesting. Wizards fans of a certain age will remember back in 2006 during their playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers when a very famous moment happened that was similar. Gilbert Arenas was at the free throw line of Game 6 when LeBron James walked up to him and reportedly said: "if you miss both of these free throws, the game is over."
Arenas did miss the free throws. The Wizards lost the game and the series.
Beal may not know the history, but he was able to use a similar trick, this time to help the Wizards.
"He’s a tough competitor. We’ve been going at it all series, so it was just one of those moments. I needed him to give me one or two of these free throws at the end of the game and we were fortunate he gave us a couple," Beal said.
The Wizards won Game 4 to avoid the sweep and force a Game 5. Hey, whatever it takes.
