Official John Wall Appreciation Thread

[fishercob]

I appreciate John trashing Nick and Javale in the paper today!

[FAH1223]

Had a dream we made the playoffs next year due to Wall's development.

[nate33]

I appreciate John trashing Nick and Javale in the paper today!

What Fish is talking about:

“At times it was tough because you had guys like Nick and JaVale; they wanted the ball a lot and took a lot of shots. It’s kind of tough to find what kind of team it was with them,” John Wall said, throwing his support behind the deal for Nene. “I think it was the right decision. We had a lot of jokes and stuff going around the locker room, but [now] the energy is more serious, everybody is being on time, taking things more serious, being professional about everything. We just interacting more as a team.”

[jimij]

You could tell even in the first few games after the trade that Wall appreciated being around more professional players all the time (between the two who left, the benching of AB and the exile of Lewis who just didn't want to be here).

He's definitely even happier now that we are winning more but I thought his attitude change was instantaneous.

[miller31time]

Those comments are no surprise. The kid has been a winner his entire life. And then he gets drafted by the Wizards and suddenly, everything is ass-backwards. Even for as young as he is, I'm sure that he absolutely hated the nonchalant losing culture we had here with Nick, Javale and AB.

[Spence]

Hard to imagine John's burning any bridges with those comments because I doubt he was that tight with those guys anyway.

The trade for Nene is a big part of this, but I suspect telling Andray Blatche to go away and replacing him with guys like James Singleton, Cartier Martin and such, is also a contributory factor. Having guys on the team who are thrilled to be in the NBA instead of guys who are just happy cashing a fat paycheck must make a difference in the atmosphere around the team. Money matters to all those guys, just as it does to relative paupers like us, but some guys want to earn their money and others just want it. Makes a difference.

[MF23]

Glad to see that comment from John Wall. Not surprising but nice to see.

I'm sure John Wall learned how to build a tank this season because he was a different player once the NOH went out of reach. I don't begrudge it, they were built to stink this season. He's a smart young man displaying perspective though I'd doubt he'd ever admit it.

[cdouglas]

Remember the situation Lebron was in his first season with the Cavs. They traded off Miles and Ricky Davis because it was hard for Lebron to do what he did best with them on the team. I don't think they were willing to take orders from the rookie. Well I believe it was hard for Wall to do what he did best with Blatche, McGee and Young. I read on the board where some of you are against Crawford being on the team. Well after reading a comment he made about having a hard time having to play after Young when he returned, I too think it would be best to replace Crawford. The ball needs to be in Wall's hands and the team looked really good in the games with Crawford.

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

Remember the situation Lebron was in his first season with the Cavs. They traded off Miles and Ricky Davis because it was hard for Lebron to do what he did best with them on the team. I don't think they were willing to take orders from the rookie. Well I believe it was hard for Wall to do what he did best with Blatche, McGee and Young. I read on the board where some of you are against Crawford being on the team. Well after reading a comment he made about having a hard time having to play after Young when he returned, I too think it would be best to replace Crawford. The ball needs to be in Wall's hands and the team looked really good in the games with Crawford.

I think Crawford and Wall need to spend less time on the court together but I don't want Crawford gone. I think he can become a really good 6th man - so we just need to find a starting 2.

[Rafael122]

Crawford's ideal role is on the second team providing instant offense off the bench. I wouldn't trade him, it sounds like the kid hates losing as well. You need guys like that.

[DCZards]

Crawford's ideal role is on the second team providing instant offense off the bench. I wouldn't trade him, it sounds like the kid hates losing as well. You need guys like that.

I'm also for keeping Crawford as a back up. He's capable of playing backup at both SG & PG. He's a chucker (something I hope he learns to control), but I love Jordan's competitiveness and confidence.

[Nivek]

I also like Jordan's competitiveness, but I could do with more accomplishment to go with the confidence. Among the 41 players this season with a usage rate of 25 or higher, Crawford was 38th in efficiency.

[DCZards]

I also like Jordan's competitiveness, but I could do with more accomplishment to go with the confidence. Among the 41 players this season with a usage rate of 25 or higher, Crawford was 38th in efficiency.

I need a little more info/context. Where did Crawford rank among those 41 players in terms of experience? age?

[7-Day Dray]

Jordan's idea of competing is to chuck and go into "Me Against the World" mode. Not really seeing his competitiveness as a positive.

[Dat2U]

I just can't get over Jordan Crawford's shot selection. I've played with dudes like that and a guy with no conscious like that just breeds contempt and selfishness amongst his teammates. Jordan often turns everyone else including Wall into a spectator. Even if were talking about a backup role, he'd still be taking a lot of questionable shots. And Wall is going to be playing 36-40 minutes a night in most cases so even in a reserve role, Crawford & Wall would play together in spots.

If were about totally serious changing the culture, I think that means Jordan Crawford's shot jacking ways need to go as well.