Wall out 8 weeks with injury to patella

[nate33]

Wall practiced today!

Wall's return was not a full-contact one, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, so I think we might not see him for a few games still. Nevertheless, this is a major step forward for Wall as he continues to recover from a stress injury in his knee. I'd be shocked if Wall actually came back for Friday's home game against the Brooklyn Nets, but we might want to start the Wall Return Watch with Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Time will tell.

In addition, Trevor Ariza participated in some drills, and A.J. Price and Trevor Booker did some side work. Ariza may return first, but again, we'll have to see.

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/3/ ... s-practice

Looking at the schedule, the Wizards play two tough games in a row on January 6th and 7th (@Miama and vsOKC) before getting a 5-day break. They then face an easier stretch with Atlanta, Orlando and Sacramento on the 12th, 14th and 16th respectively. Rather than play Wall against OKC, I'd sit him out that game, buy him 5 more days to practice with the team, and target the 12th for his return.

[Halcyon]

Can't wait to see Wall, as rusty as he may be. I hope he's actually healthy though.

[Higga]

I just hope they're not rushing him back. I mean he wasn't doing anything, then some story breaks out about how much of a joke this situation has become, and all of a sudden he shows progress? I don't know, smells like typical Grunfeld BS to me.

I bet he'll play a couple weeks or so and then get shut down and have surgery.

[hands11]

After you follow this link, you can also watch videos of Trevor A & B and AJ Price interviewed about their returns. Could the dark cloud finally be getting lifted ?

http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2013/0 ... mv-2345005

Something just feels different from past and how they would do things with CB, AJ and Gil when injured. No way Randy will over plays them like EFJ would do. And the trainers are actually holding them back even when the players want to play more. Exactly. Makes me think back to a post I did about AJ returning to soon many moons ago. Right before the ASB. EFJ played in massive minutes and he got re-injured. You have to save these guys from themselves. They are competitors. They want to be out there.

I don't think they are rushing any of them back. Nene's return has gone well so far. Kevin returned and stayed. I think we will see the same with Trevor A and Wall.

Price says Wall looked fast and aggressive. Wasn't to winded. In good shape. Like his old self.
Trevor A said Wall looked good. Trevor might be back next game. More likely the game after.

Wow, Booker was out there ? They had all 15 out there for the first time all year.
Booker sneaks in to practice then the trainers pulled him out. Booker said he never was injured in HS and College. He had a tear that he was playing on and thinks he made it worse. Maybe they finally get him right. Trainer holding him back now. Nice. Very nice.

[B-easy]

My biggest worry is if Wall hasn't improved at all. Lets hope he is ready to take the next step.

[hands11]

My biggest worry is if Wall hasn't improved at all. Lets hope he is ready to take the next step.

I'm not very worried about that. Besides, he really doesn't have to be all that much better then he was for the team to benefit.

He worked with Hoops over the summer on his shoot. Hopefully that translates.
He has put up a lot of shots so that should help.
He has watched a lot of basketball. Including his new teammates so he knows where they need it.
He has better players with him in total this year.

In a line up with Beal or Crawford, Trevor A, Nene and Okafor, it should be easier for him to be successful by mixing in his passing with his drives and fast breaks. Webster is going to benefit a lot since he is a good spot up corner three shooter and that is an area the team needs help. Should also help get more fast break shots for Beal which which should help him get more FTA. Transition will also help Ves get involved in the offense more.

Consider this for a moment. Here is what he has already done.

First year Wall shot .409 and .296 from 3 with 8 assists 5.7 FTA 16 pts
2nd year Wall shot .423 and .071 from 3 with 8 assists 6.1 FTA 16 pts

If all he does is .425 and .296 from 3 with 8 assists 6.1 FTA 16 pts the team will start winning more.

Consider how weak this team has been at PG this year.

So far their best PG (besides Crawford) was AJ Price .366 and .342 with 4.9 assists 0.9 FTA 8.5 pts

If you don't have a LeBron, Kobe level ball in hand player, no PG is going to kill a teams offense.

Just adding what he has already proven he can do would help a lot. Wall will help players get easier looks. He adds the FTA they are missing and those fouls will limit the other team by getting them in foul trouble. And Walls drowing fouls will get everyone more FTA because the other team will be in the penalty sooner. Also, he forces the other team to focus on getting back on defense more which zaps their energy. And because of what Wall does, the team won't have as many long scoring droughts which is one of the main things that has been killing them. Is Wall Magic Johnson? No.

But he is exactly what this team is missing which is a legit pro level starting PG that can draw fouls and pass. And he can start a play off a time out or in crunch time. Remember last year to Wall to Nene pick and roll to end the game for a win.

Their pace is currently 18th at 93.8. Last year with Wall they were 7th at 95.1
They are currently last in average pts scored at 88.7 Last year with they were 93.6

Adding Wall is going to help them score more and get more FTA which are two of their biggest problems. They are 11th in defensive eff. They are 6th in rebounding. They are 22nd in assists. Even without Wall the team is actually been passing better. Assist Ratio last year was 26th at 13.5. This year they are 24t at 16.1 That is going to go up more with Wall back.

I can't wait for them to get everyone healthy finally so we can see how these pieces actually look when put together. Its been a painful start to the year watching them without Wall and Nene and with so many support pieces missing. I still feel the same way I did before the season started. When healthy, I think this is a .500 or better team that will be fun to watch. They are just as good or maybe a step below MIL who are currently in 6th place. For a team that finished last year 2nd worst in the league. I think that would be a lot of improvement.

Now they have to get everyone out there and show this is true. I like their chances to do that and I think the team is hungry to prove it.

Will none of this add up and they end up still being bad. Maybe. But I can also see how it does work out and its not even a stretch. They really only need Wall to initially be what he has already proven he is. That said, I think he will be that plus more efficient. More then anything, first he has to fit in and make his teammates better which I think he can do. I think that will be his initial focus.

Should be really fun to finally get to see the complete team. Getting the key pieces out there is only the start. Then they have to learn to play together. Here's to hoping for the best. I hope it works out. Time to get back to where things were headed when they finished last season. Wall and Rose will be neck and neck for comeback player of the year.

[mohammed10]

Good news!

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... _Two_Weeks

[B-easy]

Good news!

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... _Two_Weeks

Noice.

Edit: redundant comment.

[Knighthonor]

Good news!

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... _Two_Weeks

Fangasms

http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/wall-s ... s-practice

[Nivek]

Sounds like Wall will be back in 2-3 weeks.

[Benjammin]

Sounds like Wall will be back in 2-3 weeks.

Well played, sir.

[Earth2Ted]

Looks like Ric Bucher was on target again- after getting Nene's comeback right, he had Wall's comeback as New Year's best case, All Star Break worst case, and looks like it's falling right in the middle.

And this was right after Wall's trip to NY for his appointment with Altcheck back in December.

Now he just has to tell us when Cousins is coming to DC to suit up for the Wiz.

[MikeTheKid]

Chris Mannix and Dan Divine say 2 weeks, Id say 3 weeks max here we go!!!

[hands11]

After the Mon, Jan 7 game they have a nice break until Sat, Jan 12

Strange scheduling.

They will be able to get in a lot of practice during that 4 day break. How this goes will tell a lot about when he returns.

Then after the 12th they have a day off then a game on the 14th, then another day off before they head on the road for 5 games. First road game is against SAC on the 16th.

Could his return be that game ?

Heard during the game that Trevor A could have played today. I found that interesting. When is the last time you remember hearing that from the team? An injured player could return but they are waiting even longer then needed. I think they said he would play against OKC tomorrow.

[Knighthonor]

After the Mon, Jan 7 game they have a nice break until Sat, Jan 12

Strange scheduling.

They will be able to get in a lot of practice during that 4 day break. How this goes will tell a lot about when he returns.

Then after the 12th they have a day off then a game on the 14th, then another day off before they head on the road for 5 games. First road game is against SAC on the 16th.

Could his return be that game ?

Heard during the game that Trevor A could have played today. I found that interesting. When is the last time you remember hearing that from the team? An injured played could return but they are waiting even longer then needed. I think they said he would play against OKC tomorrow.

yeah seem more and more like they trying to tank. But why would they be tanking this season?