A-Train: On Track For Even More SuccessBy Skip T. Grind
A-Train's journey has gone from underdog success story to a tale for the agesIt only seems like yesterday that Andrew Begley and Philadelphia 76ers fans alike were frustrated with his lack of court time. However, after three championships and with eyes locked on winning a fourth, those early frustrations are rapidly becoming a distant memory for the man the Philly faithful have dubbed A-Train.
Begley arrived in Philadelphia with the eleventh pick of the 2013 Draft. That alone was a point of contention for the promising young point guard, given that long-time rival Jackson Ellis was selected by the Pistons three spots earlier. As A-Train himself admits, he had a chip on his shoulder when he joined the 76ers. That eagerness to prove himself was derailed when coach Brett Brown sat him for the first two games of the season.
"That was rough," Begley admits. "I felt that I'd showed what I could do in the Rookie Showcase, so slipping out of the top ten hurt my pride. Then, to not get onto the floor in the first couple of games...well, I was impatient."
His impatience led to a meeting in which A-Train pleaded his case for more minutes, a faux pas that a couple of his veteran teammates were quick to chide him for. When he looks back now, Begley still wishes he would've handled it differently. "It's tough. You need to stand up for yourself, but I made the mistake of bringing it up with Sam (Hinkie, the 76ers GM) instead of Coach Brown. Fortunately, he was far more level-headed than I was, and didn't hold it against me!"
A-Train's debut came abruptly and without fanfare, when fellow rookie Michael Carter-Williams suffered an injury in the 76ers' third game of the season. Although he impressed his coach, earning more minutes and putting up stats, Begley remained in a bench role for the next 29 games. "I wanted to start," he confesses now, "but after I put my foot in my mouth early on, I just tried to focus on helping us win any way I could when I was on the floor."
An ankle injury put A-Train on the shelf for four games in January, but he was soon back on the court and turning in performances that made the league take notice. He was an All-Star as a rookie, and in 76 games, averaged 29.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 10.9 apg, 3 spg, and 1.3 bpg as the 76ers went 67-15. Before the season, Sam Hinkie had urged fans that they should "trust the process", but said process was yielding results much earlier than anyone had anticipated.
No one had expected the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers to make the NBA Finals in 2014. Nevertheless, both teams defeated heavyweights on route to their clash for the championship. The 76ers, who had only lost one game before the final round, suffered a second loss in Game 4 before clinching their first title since 1983 on their home floor in Game 5. For A-Train, overlooked in the 2013 Draft and battling for minutes from day one, it couldn't have been more gratifying.
"I knew that I could help us given the chance, but I needed guidance," Begley says. In particular, he points to veterans Thaddeus Young and Jason Richardson. "Thad looked out for me from the beginning, encouraging me, watching game tape," he explains. "J-Rich...well, J-Rich kept me humble when he had me wearing that clown nose all the time!" For his part, Richardson agrees he was tough on a rookie A-Train, but says "He took it all in stride, and showed he was committed to the team. I loved playing with him."
Young agrees. "He's still the same guy he was when he came into the league." He laughs. "Well, maybe a bit more mature! But he's still humble, and still loves seeing his teammates get buckets." That love of assists saw A-Train set a league record with 15.4 apg in his sophomore campaign. Even more impressively, he poured in 36.7 ppg to lead the league in both categories, and added 11.4 rpg for the first triple-double average since Oscar Robertson in 1962. He also added 5.6 spg and 2.3 bpg, becoming the first player to lead the league in all five major statistical categories in a season.
The 76ers had entered the 2015 season with plenty of confidence, especially after acquiring Carmelo Anthony in the offseason. Another championship followed a record-tying 72-10 regular season; the 76ers lost their season finale to the Hawks, missing out on breaking the mark set by the 1996 Chicago Bulls. Philadelphia's postseason performance did 76ers alum Moses Malone proud though, as they went "fo', fo', fo', fo'" and swept their way to a second consecutive title.
Their encore in the 2016 season was even more impressive, with a 77-5 record and another undefeated postseason, dismantling the Minnesota Timberwolves who had upset LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers after coming back from 3-1 down in the Western Conference Finals. The win was bittersweet though, as Melo tore his MCL in the Eastern Conference Finals, having hyperextended it late in the season. His absence didn't stand in the way of another ring, but it was a cloud lingering over their championship parade. Melo has yet to play in the 2017 season.
Begley also repeated his feats of averaging a triple-double, and leading the league in every category with 35.8 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 15.8 apg, 5.7 spg, and 2.4 bpg in 2016. In doing so, he also became the first player to amass 2000 points, 1000 rebounds, and 1000 assists in a single season. His trophy case continued to fill. In addition to a third championship, he was named Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year for a third time. While he was accustomed to stardom however, A-Train's third season placed him in a new role: mentor.
Philadelphia hadn't counted on Pittsburgh's Terry Hanson still being available at the 30th pick of the 2015 Draft, but they weren't going to think twice about drafting him. The rookie swingman found himself in the starting lineup immediately due to the departure of Jason Richardson, playing alongside Begley in the backcourt. Although Hanson struggled in his first few games, A-Train took the rookie under his wing. "I told him I've been where he is, and not to worry. We know he's talented, and we've got his back. I wanted to look out for him, just like Thad and J-Rich mentored me when I was a rookie."
Hanson was a surprising snub for Rookie of the Year, though the Milwaukee Bucks' Pat Clemons did have a fine season of his own, leading all first year players in steals and assists. It was Hanson who had the opportunity to compete for a championship though, and he stepped up admirably in Melo's absence. He's taken his game to the next level this season, averaging over 29 ppg; second only to his teammate, A-Train. He's also the beneficiary of several of A-Train's assists, for which he's most grateful. "I was hurt when I dropped to 30th, but I don't mind anymore!" Hanson recently said.
As the 2017 season reaches its midpoint, A-Train is on track for even more success. For the third consecutive year, he's averaging a triple-double while leading the league in all five categories. The 76ers are 40-0 on the season, quickly approaching the 45-game winning streak that they had last year. At the risk of jinxing them, a fourth title looks extremely likely. The only concern? A-Train hasn't been signed long-term. There are questions as to whether a potential fourth title will be their last, or whether they'll be able to keep him around for a shot at five or more.
For now though, the 76ers are rolling, and Begley seems to be happy where he is. "The 76ers took a chance on me, and have given me a ton of opportunities," he says. "Do I feel like I could've been picked higher? Sure, but then I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have the memories I do, or the success we've had as a team. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play with these guys. I wouldn't trade that for anything." As for the 76ers, the relationship has clearly been mutually beneficial. It may well yield a fourth straight title, while A-Train continues to add to his Hall of Fame resume. At this point, it looks like only bad luck could stop him in his tracks.
