John Wall was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 draft and there was suddenly hope in Washington. We were all looking for someone to compliment Gilbert Arenas and become a superstar and lead Washington back to the playoffs. In the 3rd game of the 2010-2011 season there was a game when everybody thought this would be true. The Wizards were up against the 76ers and they pulled off a 116-115 overtime victory. John Wall rocked DC with a 45 minute, 29 point, 13 assist, 9 steal performance. He sported the swagger the DC hadn't seen since Hibachi was Hibachi and when Gilbert Arenas was having months where in 12 out of the 16 games he had 30+ points including one 40+, one 50+, and one 60+. Yes that was 4 years before John Wall started rocking DC.
Then injuries plagued the Wizards and John Wall was looking less and less like the next superstar like he promised. John Wall has never had that incredible stat line that we have been looking for with his career high being 38 points. He has continuously disappointed with his dismal 23.6% 3 point shooting including a 7% sophomore year. He has never had a stat line like 60 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists which overshadowed Kobe Bryant's 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists. Yes, Gilbert Arenas could do that and with one overtime could help his team score 147 points to beat the LA Lakers by 6. Gilbert Arenas could shoot 27 free throws in a single game. He has never had a stat line like 54 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists which overshadowed Steve Nash's 42 points, 3 rebounds, and 12 assists. Yes, Gilbert Arenas could do that and with one overtime help his team score 144 points to beat the Phoenix Suns by 5. Gilbert Arenas could dare to attempt 37 shots in a single game. Because Gilbert Arenas was a superstar.
 |
| Wall is not necessarily the next Arenas but he gives the Wizards a chance. |
Blame the Wizards woes all you want on John Wall, but it is not entirely his fault. John Wall is not the same style of player that Arenas was and nothing can change that. Wall is not a shooter. He is a playmaker. Everybody just has to give him a chance to develop his skills and take the Wizards far. Additionally, where is Wall's support? His best help has been Jordan Crawford who is as undeveloped as Wall is. Let us look back at Gilbert Arenas. That game vs the LA Lakers when he notched that stat line and 49 minutes, by his side was Antwan Jamison and Caron Butler who notched 43 and 46 minutes respectively. They also scored a combined 52 points which always helps a man who is scoring 60. That game vs the Suns when Gilbert played 48 minutes with that stat line? His friendly sidekicks Jamison and Butler played 52 and 44 minutes respectively. They combined to score 49 points and 22 rebounds to help out Arenas. Now who is helping out Wall like this? We are hoping it will be Bradley Beal, Jordan Crawford, and possibly a rookie in the future. But all we can say is the future and that is why we have to keep hope in Wall.
The Wizards are an extremely young team and have a bright future ahead of them with Wall at point. Everybody needs to stay patient with this budding star and let him play his game. With that and while keeping our current core, who knows what the Wizards can become. I am not guaranteeing that Wall will ever score 60 in a game. That doesn't mean however that we can be good. Who knows? This season they were 5-28 without him and so far they are 1-0 with him. We haven't lost a game with him and who knows what that means for the future, even if it is only one game.
No comments:
Post a Comment