Report: Wizards' vets finding Wall, Beal difficult to deal with

Fresh off of back-to-back years of postseason success, and equipped with a talented young core, the Washington Wizards entered 2015-16 as legitimate contenders to reach their first Conference Finals in almost 40 seasons.

Sitting 36-39 and three games back of a postseason spot, the Wizards' season has been a major disappointment in what will likely be a playoff-less year.

While a part of Washington's poor season can be linked to injuries, tension between the Wizards' veterans and youngsters John Wall and Bradley Beal has reportedly factored into the team's misfortune.

Per J. Michael of CSN:

The butting of heads between younger players and vets hasn't resolved itself. Beal basically said it (Marcin Gortat objected). They've all said it in different ways. But there's a feeling that Beal and John Wall can be difficult to talk with during games. That they are "hard-headed" was a description used to me earlier this season when the team struggled. In other words, when adversity strikes, it's competing ideas on what they should do next and they're not receptive to advice or suggestions.

The second they hit a tough skid, the same problems return. This back-and-forth has been common. This season, however, they haven't been able to recover in the win column so the differences are more pronounced.

This isn't the first time Washington's veterans have voiced their displeasure with the team's youngsters, as Nene aired his vexation during a slow start to the 2013-14 season.

The back-and-forth between the two groups has been ongoing over the last couple days, as Beal stated on Thursday that "if guys don't want to play they need to sit down."

Frustrated or not, Washington's veterans will need to rely on Beal and Wall down the stretch if they have any hope of claiming the No. 8 seed.