Wizards' Beal: 'We have that mindset that we're an elite team in this league'

The Washington Wizards are certainly feeling themselves after a dominant first-round sweep against the Toronto Raptors.

So far, grizzled veteran Paul Pierce has captured most of the headlines for his repeated jabs at the Raptors (and their global ambassador Drake), but Pierce has also fostered a junior in Bradley Beal who has not been shy to speak his mind.

Following Sunday's win, Beal was confident in his assessment of his team.

"My mindset going into that is we leave no doubt," Beal told Michael Lee of the Washington Post. "We have that mindset that we’re an elite team in this league, and we’re going to continue to play this way.

"Winning this series really gives us confidence, but at the same time, we have to stay humble because it’s not over. We still have another tough series up next and another one after that if we advance and then another one. It never stops."

Beal's sentiments were echoed by backcourt mate John Wall.

"We want to get to the Eastern Conference finals," Wall said.

Washington is certainly peaking at the right time. With the emergence of Pierce, Otto Porter and Drew Gooden, combined with the continued dominance of Beal and Wall, the Wizards suddenly look like a two-way team with the personnel to matchup against a multitude of strategies.

However, despite Washington's dominance in Round 1, their next opponent (likely the Atlanta Hawks) will certainly present more of a challenge than a decrepit Raptors squad.