Official John Wall Appreciation Thread 2.0

[DCZards]

Don't mean to sound rude but picking apart his jump shot is a lazy analysis of the other glaring holes in his game.

Right now I couldn't give two ****s about his jump shot. There is just no rhythm or flow to his game. I'm more worried that he CHOOSES to take that jump shot, over his inability to hit it. His isolation move is so predictable; Crossover to pull up jumper. He needs to be more aware of the defense and make that move to burn defenders for going under the pick..Instead it's like he starts isolating and just decides "it's time for me to put up a shot". Like many, I'm not ready to give up on him, but I'm worried.

Don't really disgree with what you say. I think most of us on this board have pointed out, at one time or the other, some of the problems in John's game that you point out. But I believe the most important thing right now is Wall's ability to make the shot.

Because, even if his isolation move is "predictable," if he gets open and gets the shot off, which he usually does, and he makes it, isn't that what matters the most.

[nate33]

Don't mean to sound rude but picking apart his jump shot is a lazy analysis with the other glaring holes in his game.

Right now I couldn't give two ****s about his jump shot. There is just no rhythm or flow to his game. I'm more worried that he CHOOSES to take that jump shot, over his inability to hit it. His isolation move is so predictable; Crossover to pull up jumper. He needs to be more aware of the defense and make that move to burn defenders for going under the pick..Instead it's like he starts isolating and just decides "it's time for me to put up a shot". Like many, I'm not ready to give up on him, but I'm worried.

Excellent post.

Wall needs to play more like Rondo (or at least like the Rondo of 3 years ago who didn't shoot as well). Rondo takes very few contested pull up jumpers in one-on-one situations. He only shoots when the defender goes under the screen and gives him a wide open look.

[GhostsOfGil]

No doubt, DCZards.. but even if he's hitting that shot at a respectable rate (lets say 40%), that's still not a good shot to take. I just want him to be more judicious with that shot selection. I just think he can be a more effective player without a jump shot if he learns to develop a better PnR game (ala Rondo). I'm just worried because there's been no indication that he's improving in that area.

Edit* ^ Yup, Nate summed it up for me.

[FAH1223]

Wall needs to learn to keep his dribble alive. How many times do we see him pick it up?

Rondo, Nash are always dribbling

[Higga]

Stevemcqueen's post is spot on. That's why I really don't care if the Wizards ever win a title. I'd be happy if we were a solid Eastern Conference Finals type playoff team every year. If you don't get a once in a generation superstar your only shot is to make it every year with a slightly lesser great player and hope and pray one year it all bounces your way(aka Mavs of 2011 with Dirk, great player but not a MJ/Kobe/Lebron type).

I guess you could try to build a veteran team to win like the Pistons and Celtics but your window is a lot smaller and you've got a better shot as being like the Hawks or Pacers then you do of winning a title.

[dobrojim]

as per wiretap, Wall quoted as saying he 'definitely' deserves a max deal.

Hate to see him go but as of right now, and this could change, I don't see him as
a max player.

[stevemcqueen1]

Stevemcqueen's post is spot on. That's why I really don't care if the Wizards ever win a title. I'd be happy if we were a solid Eastern Conference Finals type playoff team every year. If you don't get a once in a generation superstar your only shot is to make it every year with a slightly lesser great player and hope and pray one year it all bounces your way(aka Mavs of 2011 with Dirk, great player but not a MJ/Kobe/Lebron type).

I guess you could try to build a veteran team to win like the Pistons and Celtics but your window is a lot smaller and you've got a better shot as being like the Hawks or Pacers then you do of winning a title.

One quibble I have: Dirk in his prime was better than Kobe in his prime. And Dirk is a first ballot HoFer and one of the greatest PFs in NBA history. I don't think Kobe is in LeBron or MJ's class. And I think LeBron has actually been better then Kobe since at least 2007/2008, and actually either him or CP3 should have won the MVP the year Kobe got it.

During the mid 2000's, Kobe was the fourth best player in the league IMO. Behind Duncan, KG, and Dirk in about that order. It's only now that they're old and showing it and he's still plugging away at almost the same level as ever that he's passing them in legacy. But when each were at their mid to late 20s in the mid 2000's, they were better than him.

And Dirk won a title as the only guy on his team against the LeBron/Wade Heat. Kobe's first three title's came with him as the sidekick against crap East teams and his other two came when he had Gasol and the best front court in the league.

Kobe's greatness comes from the stunning volume of his accomplishments rather than the pinnacle of play he's reached. Would it surprise you if I told you Kobe has never led the league in win shares or PER for any season of his career? Dirk has. So have KG and Duncan. MJ did it regularly throughout his career. LeBron is doing it regularly now. That means you can make a convincing case that there has never been a year of Kobe's career you can point to and say, yeah, he was the definitely best player in the league this season.

[Dat2U]

as per wiretap, Wall quoted as saying he 'definitely' deserves a max deal.

Hate to see him go but as of right now, and this could change, I don't see him as
a max player.

Actually, this is what might get Wall moved this summer. The last time a Wizards player talked about salary expectations once his rookie contract expires, he got shipped to Denver.

[Rafael122]

as per wiretap, Wall quoted as saying he 'definitely' deserves a max deal.

Hate to see him go but as of right now, and this could change, I don't see him as
a max player.

Actually, this is what might get Wall moved this summer. The last time a Wizards player talked about salary expectations once his rookie contract expires, he got shipped to Denver.

What's Wall suppose to say? "No, I think I'm worth the mid-level." Take it as is, a player overvaluing his worth. He won't be the last guy to do it.

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

as per wiretap, Wall quoted as saying he 'definitely' deserves a max deal.

Hate to see him go but as of right now, and this could change, I don't see him as
a max player.

Actually, this is what might get Wall moved this summer. The last time a Wizards player talked about salary expectations once his rookie contract expires, he got shipped to Denver.

Come on now, they don't even have the same career goals. Completely different players.

[Dat2U]

as per wiretap, Wall quoted as saying he 'definitely' deserves a max deal.

Hate to see him go but as of right now, and this could change, I don't see him as
a max player.

Actually, this is what might get Wall moved this summer. The last time a Wizards player talked about salary expectations once his rookie contract expires, he got shipped to Denver.

What's Wall suppose to say? "No, I think I'm worth the mid-level." Take it as is, a player overvaluing his worth. He won't be the last guy to do it.

Oh, I completely agree, I'm just saying, this is the Wizards front office were talking about. Who knows, they may already be in panic mode with Leonsis telling Ernie find the best deal possible.

Teams have traded players before for fear of their asking price. I remember MJ traded Rip for wanting to get paid. McGee was gone in no time after his comments were made last year.

It really would not surprise me if these comments eventually gets Wall dealt.

[nate33]

Oh, I completely agree, I'm just saying, this is the Wizards front office were talking about. Who knows, they may already be in panic mode with Leonsis telling Ernie find the best deal possible.

Teams have traded players before for fear of their asking price. I remember MJ traded Rip for wanting to get paid. McGee was gone in no time after his comments were made last year.

It really would not surprise me if these comments eventually gets Wall dealt.

If these comments lead to Wall getting traded, it's only because the Wizards really don't think he's worth anything near max dollars. I seriously doubt that's the case. They've got rose-colored glasses on because the development of Wall is a referendum on their success. If Wall fails, EG fails.

It's a completely different situation than McGee. McGee getting max dollars or near to it was a frightening prospect. With Wall, a max salary might be overpaying, but it's not a crippling blow. Wall is at least a an average starting PG, and will probably be a bit above average as he matures. It's not like they'd be paying max dollars to a guy who hurts the team when he's on the floor (like McGee does).

[Rafael122]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Wall's market is pretty much set. Unless the kid explodes next year, he'll get anywhere from $10 million to $12 million per year. Jrue Holliday, Steph Curry, Wizards should look at that as starting points.

You also have to figure if they will give Wall that 5th year.

[nate33]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Wall's market is pretty much set. Unless the kid explodes next year, he'll get anywhere from $10 million to $12 million per year. Jrue Holliday, Steph Curry, Wizards should look at that as starting points.

You also have to figure if they will give Wall that 5th year.

You've gotta factor the #1 #1 pedigree though. That might influence somebody to go ahead and offer the max in hopes that the Wizards won't want to match it.

[Knighthonor]

Get ready to pull a harden on John Wall. I doubt he will stay unless paid max.

[GhostsOfGil]

Get ready to pull a harden on John Wall. I doubt he will stay unless paid max.

Completely different situation. Harden was preforming at a superstar level during his 3rd season. Also, the wiz have cap flexibility to offer Wall an extension. The thunder did not.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Wall's market is pretty much set. Unless the kid explodes next year, he'll get anywhere from $10 million to $12 million per year. Jrue Holliday, Steph Curry, Wizards should look at that as starting points.

You also have to figure if they will give Wall that 5th year.

I'm sorry but i want us to save that 5th year for Beal. I might be the only one that feels like this but Beal is the most important piece on this team.

[nate33]

I don't think they'll give Wall the 5th year. Wall's going to have to accept that. He can't get a 5th year from anyone else either

[Knighthonor]

if the Cavs take Wall, they can really be a beast.
maybe Wizards get a lotto pick from 2014 out of it.

Because no way will they extend him, and no way would Wall want to stay on a tanking team and not get max deal. other teams will come.

Do people here forget fast what happen to the Larry Huges situation? players want out of DC...

[GhostsOfGil]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Wall's market is pretty much set. Unless the kid explodes next year, he'll get anywhere from $10 million to $12 million per year. Jrue Holliday, Steph Curry, Wizards should look at that as starting points.

You also have to figure if they will give Wall that 5th year.

I'm sorry but i want us to save that 5th year for Beal. I might be the only one that feels like this but Beal is the most important piece on this team.

Na I think the majority of this board will agree with you on that.