Wall's ascension not slowing down while Wizards stuck
MIAMI -- John Wall is on the move. He's racing up the court and speeding past defenders. The rookie point guard is trying to reach his goal as fast as he can.
There aren't many players in the NBA with a first step as dangerous as Wall's, as the Heat's LeBron James found out last week. Wall showed off his incredible quickness with two layups right in front of James. If James turned his head, Wall was gone.
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| John Wall has the Wizards' future on his shoulders; 'he's our thoroughbred,' says coach Flip Saunders. (Getty Images) |
Sometimes, however, Wall is moving at a pace that even he can't keep up with, which is hard to do. But Wall's need for speed has nothing to do with the basketball in his hand. It's his desire to win, and it's not happening fast enough with the lowly Wizards.
Following Monday's 105-77 loss against Chicago, Washington is 15-44 and battling Cleveland, Toronto, New Jersey, Minnesota and Sacramento for the worst record in the NBA. The Wizards have one road victory, Feb. 13 at the Cavaliers.
Wall, as you can imagine, is frustrated. He has never lost this many games in his life. He took his high school, Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., to the state championship, and the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight in the 2010 NCAA tournament, which was his only year in college.
At 20, Wall doesn't feel like a leader, but he understands that being the No. 1 overall selection -- the first Kentucky player ever drafted with the top pick -- comes with a certain responsibility. And he's learning how to handle that role, which isn't easy for a young player. After a 117-94 loss at Philadelphia last week, Wall sounded off.
"It's just so frustrating to see that certain guys seem like they don't have the effort to be out there, like they don't care," Wall said. "That's the toughest thing for me. ... No matter if I'm having a bad game or good game, I might show frustration in my face, but I'm going to compete. That's one thing I've always did my whole life is compete, and that's all we're asking for from everybody."
None of his teammates were mad, at least publicly, and Wall was pleased with how the team rebounded in a 121-113 loss at Miami in the next game. Wall knows turning the Wizards into a winning franchise is going to take time, and it's clear he's willing to put in the work. He doesn't plan to give up even if the season is lost.
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"Yeah, it's frustrating, but you just have to keep playing," Wall said. "We know everybody here wants to win. If we all go out there and compete and play hard then we'll be good. We know it's a learning experience. We just want to finish out the year strong and hopefully make a playoff run next year."
The Wizards believe Wall is ready for a strong finish, and they took the training wheels off with the trade of Kirk Hinrich to Atlanta. Hinrich served as a mentor for Wall, but the team doesn't feel he needs that kind of guidance any more.
After an inconsistent start -- where Wall missed 12 games in November and December with a sprained left foot and a bone bruise under his right kneecap -- he is playing like one of the best point guards in the NBA. For the season, Wall is averaging 15.4 points, 9.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from the field and 74 percent from the foul line.
But in five games since the All-Star break, Wall is averaging 18.6 points, 9.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Wall said his "confidence is up" during this stretch, and his teammates are trying to keep up with his pace.
"John is a great young talent," shooting guard Nick Young said. "He's going to be a great player. If he keeps working at it he'll be one of the top point guards in this league."
In any other season, Wall would be a lock for Rookie of the Year, but he will likely lose the award to Clippers sensation Blake Griffin, who is averaging 22.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and made the All-Star team as a reserve. The catch is Griffin was the No. 1 overall pick last season but sat out the year with a knee injury.
Young said it's "a double-standard" that Griffin is eligible for the award this season, but he would still vote for Griffin over Wall based on how both have played.
"It's his award to lose," Young said of Griffin. "John is right behind him. If he slips up, John is right there."
Wall would love to win the Rookie of the Year award, but he would be happier winning games. That's his priority. And even though the Wizards won't get there as fast as Wall would like, he doesn't plan on slowing down. That's just not in his nature.
