Wizards' Bradley Beal 'Shocked' by Fan Support in 2021 NBA All-Star Game Voting

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal has been named an All-Star starter one year after being snubbed from the game entirely. 

Beal spoke with reporters about the honor Thursday, specifically in response to news that he finished No. 1 in the fan vote among Eastern Conference guards.

"I was completely thrown off by it," Beal said, per Fred Katz of The Athletic. "I was thrown off, shocked, whatever synonym you wanna use. It was crazy. I don’t even know if I reached a million votes last year."

When asked why he thought he finished No. 1, Beal issued this response.

"I have no idea. I have no idea," Beal said while smirking during the Zoom interview, per Katz.

"Part of me wants to say it's all the trade rumors, but I don't know."

Beal, who will be going to his third All-Star Game (2018, 2019, 2021) but first as a starter, also responded to a question about whether he ever thought starting in the prestigious midseason game could happen.

"Never," Beal said. "I've never dreamt this in my life. … I would definitely say I’m blessed."

Beal received 3,485,051 fan votes, per a final ballot revealed from Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated. He finished seventh in fan voting overall among all players.

The fan vote encompassed half of the formula used to decide this year's 10 starters. An additional 25 percent weight went to a player vote, with 25 percent more going to the media.

Beal finished first among the players and media as well in the Eastern Conference guard section. He was one of three players to sweep all three categories, with the others being Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry.

Beal has averaged an NBA-high 32.8 points per game this season for the Wizards, who have won three straight but sit third-last in the Eastern Conference with a 9-17 record.

Trade rumors and speculation have swirled around Beal with the team struggling, but the guard has remained steadfast in his desire to stay with the Wizards.

For now, Beal is looking to get Washington into the playoff picture. The Wizards will look to win four in a row when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

They have eight more games before the All-Star break, which will feature Beal starting for a team captained by either Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James or Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant on Sunday, March 7 in Atlanta.