Would Certain Wizards' Players Welcome A Life Without John Wall?

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

Jalen Rose seems to detect that the guys might feel some type of way about John Wall also.

It's no crime for the guys to feel like no one person is bigger than the team and its vision of success.

Came across this yesterday.

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[Illmatic12]

I definitely think Beal, for one, wouldn't mind the change.

When Wall is on the floor I get the sense a lot of times that guys feel they are being forced to defer to Wall.

Beal seems to play freer and have more fun when Wall's out of an entire game.

Oh really? Because Beal was terrible in the games without Wall this season, with the exception of the 51-point game vs Portland.
Do I have to pull up quotes from this board about what people were saying re: Brad during that stretch?

Not to mention that he's said himself many times how John makes the game easier for him. And I know you aren't going to sit here and argue that Oubre or Porter play better without Wall when their entire game is based upon being complementary players. And like I said, outside of those four if anyone else is complaining about Wall, they can get screwed

Pull up the quotes, but also pull up the stat line of Beal these past four games without Wall.

Porter's also found a way to lead the Wizards in scoring in two of the four games without Wall.

Wanna talk about it?

Why didn't they play that way when John went down the first time? Since they were supposedly chomping at the bit to play without him.. When Wall missed 9 games in Nov/Dec - Porter averaged 14ppg on 51 TS% . Beal averaged 24ppg on 51 TS% . The team went 4-5 over that stretch.

As SOON as Wall came back, the Wizards went on a run going 9-3 over their next 12. If Wall was really the main problem, then why did they go on a run when he came back into the lineup? Your failure is that you can't understand that the Wizards inconsistencies aren't all directly tied to Wall. This team is too inconsistent by nature to characterize their play based on any one player.


In my observation, there are several reasons why the Wizards are playing better recently that aren't related to Wall being out - Beal has simply stopped overdribbling and chucking bad jumpers, Porter is actually playing with some confidence .. and quiet as kept, Morris is no longer playing like a D-Leaguer which is probably the biggest difference between us being an average team vs looking like the team that won 17 straight home games last season.

If those three players (Beal/Porter/Morris) have finally found some consistency, when John comes back there's no reason why we can't get back to being that near-elite team we saw last year.

[nate33]

Oh really? Because Beal was terrible in the games without Wall this season, with the exception of the 51-point game vs Portland.
Do I have to pull up quotes from this board about what people were saying re: Brad during that stretch?

Not to mention that he's said himself many times how John makes the game easier for him. And I know you aren't going to sit here and argue that Oubre or Porter play better without Wall when their entire game is based upon being complementary players. And like I said, outside of those four if anyone else is complaining about Wall, they can get screwed

Pull up the quotes, but also pull up the stat line of Beal these past four games without Wall.

Porter's also found a way to lead the Wizards in scoring in two of the four games without Wall.

Wanna talk about it?

Why didn't they play that way when John went down the first time? Since they were supposedly chomping at the bit to play without him.. When Wall missed 9 games in Nov/Dec - Porter averaged 14ppg on 51 TS% . Beal averaged 24ppg on 51 TS% . The team went 4-5 over that stretch.

As SOON as Wall came back, the Wizards went on a run going 9-3 over their next 12. If Wall was really the main problem, then why did they go on a run when he came back into the lineup? Your failure is that you can't understand that the Wizards inconsistencies aren't all directly tied to Wall. This team is too inconsistent by nature to characterize their play based on any one player.


In my observation, there are several reasons why the Wizards are playing better recently that aren't related to Wall being out - Beal has simply stopped overdribbling and chucking bad jumpers, Porter is actually playing with some confidence .. and quiet as kept, Morris is no longer playing like a D-Leaguer which is probably the biggest difference between us being an average team vs looking like the team that won 17 straight home games last season.

If those three players (Beal/Porter/Morris) have finally found some consistency, when John comes back there's no reason why we can't get back to being that near-elite team we saw last year.

Those are fair points about Beal, Porter and Morris, Illmatic12. But one other factor is that Sato is starting now. Frazier was the starter last time Wall went down, and if you recall, the bench unit suddenly started playing extremely well while Wall was out. Clearly that was because Sato went from riding the pine to being a 20 minute per game rotation player leading the 2nd unit. By the end of that Wall injury stretch, Sato was getting more minutes than Frazier, and Sato moved ahead of Frazier as the backup PG when Wall got back.

[deneem4]

Maybe guys are just trying to play harder now that wall is out...some purposely, some actually stepping up...

[Illmatic12]

Pull up the quotes, but also pull up the stat line of Beal these past four games without Wall.

Porter's also found a way to lead the Wizards in scoring in two of the four games without Wall.

Wanna talk about it?

Why didn't they play that way when John went down the first time? Since they were supposedly chomping at the bit to play without him.. When Wall missed 9 games in Nov/Dec - Porter averaged 14ppg on 51 TS% . Beal averaged 24ppg on 51 TS% . The team went 4-5 over that stretch.

As SOON as Wall came back, the Wizards went on a run going 9-3 over their next 12. If Wall was really the main problem, then why did they go on a run when he came back into the lineup? Your failure is that you can't understand that the Wizards inconsistencies aren't all directly tied to Wall. This team is too inconsistent by nature to characterize their play based on any one player.


In my observation, there are several reasons why the Wizards are playing better recently that aren't related to Wall being out - Beal has simply stopped overdribbling and chucking bad jumpers, Porter is actually playing with some confidence .. and quiet as kept, Morris is no longer playing like a D-Leaguer which is probably the biggest difference between us being an average team vs looking like the team that won 17 straight home games last season.

If those three players (Beal/Porter/Morris) have finally found some consistency, when John comes back there's no reason why we can't get back to being that near-elite team we saw last year.

Those are fair points about Beal, Porter and Morris, Illmatic12. But one other factor is that Sato is starting now. Frazier was the starter last time Wall went down, and if you recall, the bench unit suddenly started playing extremely well while Wall was out. Clearly that was because Sato went from riding the pine to being a 20 minute per game rotation player leading the 2nd unit. By the end of that Wall injury stretch, Sato was getting more minutes than Frazier, and Sato moved ahead of Frazier as the backup PG when Wall got back.

Yes that's definitely been a key to our season as well. Sato wrested the 2nd PG spot from Frazier based on his play during that stretch, and has continued to get more comfortable as the season's gone on.

That said, I really think the biggest difference is Morris finally waking up as of late. Anecdotally, I had this feeling that the Wizards rarely lose a game where Morris performs well. Well I just checked the game logs and sure enough, the Wizards have only lost two game this season where Morris scored 15 + points. They're 10-2 in those games. Furthermore, Morris had 31 games last season of 15+ points, and the Wizards were 22-9 in those games. So you can do the math, Washington essentially plays at the pace of a ~60-win team when Markieff is at his peak, and a ~40 win team when he's injured or not producing.

I think the biggest key to the remainder of this season, aside from Wall regaining his health and form, is Morris continuing to play at the level he has these past few games. We need the locked-in Keef who consistently scores 14-16ppg on decent efficiency and hits a few threes, not the disengaged, lazy Keef who takes 9 shots to score 8 points.

[DCZards]

It's one game.

The players all know Wall makes the team better. But its obvious Wall going ISO and not moving without the ball... and not playing defense is a hindrance to the team. He needs to get healthy and get back to playing as he did in the playoffs.

I think you underestimate Wall's personality and how it may rub people the wrong way.

Wall's personality is the problem?? Well, those with a problem need to get over it. They're not paid to like each other. I'm sure Gortat rubs people the wrong way at times...and the same may be true of Beal or Keef.

[DCZards]

If you think the guys don't see a positive effect with Wall out of the lineup then you're just being foolish.

They play more as a team, nobody is forcing things, they play with more focus, there's no negative energy when things aren't going so well, all and all, everyone seems to really enjoy just playing the game.

Scott Brooks even dapped it up with Beal for holding it down at the FT line.

I don't care for John Wall's ego getting in the way and I don't believe the other guys including coach Brooks do either.

Now nobody's going to come out and speak poorly about Wall, but to say the guys like John Wall just how he is, is to say that the guys are fools.

This is how they need to play to be most effective, Beal knows it, Brooks knows it, and they've figured it out early in Wall's absence.

I think it's great that the Zards are 4-0 with Sato at PG. And I'm loving the new and improved style of play, especially the contributions from Sato, Keef and OP. But the Zards had a stretch last year where they were 27-8 with JWall running the show. Remember that?

Yes, John needs to make some changes to improve his and the team's play on both ends of the court, but let's not forget how good this team can be with a healthy Wallstar. 4-0 doesn't come close to matching 27-8.

[Wizardspride]

http://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/bradley-beal-clears-frenzy-over-everybody-eats-comments-saying-it-wasnt-shot-john-wall?utm_content=buffer1ca6e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Bradley Beal clears up frenzy over 'everybody eats' comments, saying it wasn't a shot at John Wall

After the Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, guard Bradley Beal remarked about the team's improved ball movement, saying "everybody eats" when they pass the ball.

The next day, it took off. Fans and members of the national media interpreted it as a shot at John Wall, how the Wizards were better without him than with him because there is more sharing in the offense. Beal took to Twitter to hit back at those people by saying "y'all reaching!!!!"

After Saturday's win over the Magic, their fourth straight win since Wall went down with a left knee injury, Beal explained why he thinks people took his statement the wrong way.

"For us to say that we're a better team without John it's, like, that's comical in a sense. Come on, let's be real," Beal said. "The guy's the head of our franchise, a five-time all-star. Let's be realistic. I think what benefits us is we figured out how to play without John. Reality is reality... We're not sitting here saying we're a better team without him, by no means."

Beal went on to say that many people simply didn't realize that Beal was making a pop culture reference.

"On top of that, I was quoting a movie. I don't know if anybody saw 'Paid In Full' but I was quoting a movie. Everybody eats. Everybody has success. Everybody gets a touch," Beal said.

[NatP4]

If you think the guys don't see a positive effect with Wall out of the lineup then you're just being foolish.

They play more as a team, nobody is forcing things, they play with more focus, there's no negative energy when things aren't going so well, all and all, everyone seems to really enjoy just playing the game.

Scott Brooks even dapped it up with Beal for holding it down at the FT line.

I don't care for John Wall's ego getting in the way and I don't believe the other guys including coach Brooks do either.

Now nobody's going to come out and speak poorly about Wall, but to say the guys like John Wall just how he is, is to say that the guys are fools.

This is how they need to play to be most effective, Beal knows it, Brooks knows it, and they've figured it out early in Wall's absence.

I think it's great that the Zards are 4-0 with Sato at PG. And I'm loving the new and improved style of play, especially the contributions from Sato, Keef and OP. But the Zards had a stretch last year where they were 27-8 with JWall running the show. Remember that?

Yes, John needs to make some changes to improve his and the team's play on both ends of the court, but let's not forget how good this team can be with a healthy Wallstar. 4-0 doesn't come close to matching 27-8.

Couple notes:

In that stretch we subbed Oubre in for Morris at about the 6 minute mark in the 1st every game and played Wall-Beal-Oubre-Porter-Gortat which was +20 net.

Also: John Wall ranked top 20 in DRPM for point guards at the trade deadline last year, ended up finishing 58th after the 26 games after all star break.

[CobraCommander]

If you think the guys don't see a positive effect with Wall out of the lineup then you're just being foolish.

They play more as a team, nobody is forcing things, they play with more focus, there's no negative energy when things aren't going so well, all and all, everyone seems to really enjoy just playing the game.

Scott Brooks even dapped it up with Beal for holding it down at the FT line.

I don't care for John Wall's ego getting in the way and I don't believe the other guys including coach Brooks do either.

Now nobody's going to come out and speak poorly about Wall, but to say the guys like John Wall just how he is, is to say that the guys are fools.

This is how they need to play to be most effective, Beal knows it, Brooks knows it, and they've figured it out early in Wall's absence.

I think it's great that the Zards are 4-0 with Sato at PG. And I'm loving the new and improved style of play, especially the contributions from Sato, Keef and OP. But the Zards had a stretch last year where they were 27-8 with JWall running the show. Remember that?

Yes, John needs to make some changes to improve his and the team's play on both ends of the court, but let's not forget how good this team can be with a healthy Wallstar. 4-0 doesn't come close to matching 27-8.

Couple notes:

In that stretch we subbed Oubre in for Morris at about the 6 minute mark in the 1st every game and played Wall-Beal-Oubre-Porter-Gortat which was +20 net.

Also: John Wall ranked top 20 in DRPM for point guards at the trade deadline last year, ended up finishing 58th after the 26 games after all star break.

So nat whats your point? Your data points are easy...but what is your conclusion in response?

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

http://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/bradley-beal-clears-frenzy-over-everybody-eats-comments-saying-it-wasnt-shot-john-wall?utm_content=buffer1ca6e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Bradley Beal clears up frenzy over 'everybody eats' comments, saying it wasn't a shot at John Wall

After the Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, guard Bradley Beal remarked about the team's improved ball movement, saying "everybody eats" when they pass the ball.

The next day, it took off. Fans and members of the national media interpreted it as a shot at John Wall, how the Wizards were better without him than with him because there is more sharing in the offense. Beal took to Twitter to hit back at those people by saying "y'all reaching!!!!"

After Saturday's win over the Magic, their fourth straight win since Wall went down with a left knee injury, Beal explained why he thinks people took his statement the wrong way.

"For us to say that we're a better team without John it's, like, that's comical in a sense. Come on, let's be real," Beal said. "The guy's the head of our franchise, a five-time all-star. Let's be realistic. I think what benefits us is we figured out how to play without John. Reality is reality... We're not sitting here saying we're a better team without him, by no means."

Beal went on to say that many people simply didn't realize that Beal was making a pop culture reference.

"On top of that, I was quoting a movie. I don't know if anybody saw 'Paid In Full' but I was quoting a movie. Everybody eats. Everybody has success. Everybody gets a touch," Beal said.

This is damage control as far as I'm concerned and he is just trying to keep the air clear between himself and Wall because they are Twitter bros.

He can't bring himself to express what he really feels about Wall on-court when things aren't going well and Wall's the culprit, so Beal responding this way shouldn't be a surprise.

Beal wants this new style of play to be what John Wall conforms to when he gets back regardless of what he says.

[Wizardspride]

http://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/bradley-beal-clears-frenzy-over-everybody-eats-comments-saying-it-wasnt-shot-john-wall?utm_content=buffer1ca6e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Bradley Beal clears up frenzy over 'everybody eats' comments, saying it wasn't a shot at John Wall

After the Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, guard Bradley Beal remarked about the team's improved ball movement, saying "everybody eats" when they pass the ball.

The next day, it took off. Fans and members of the national media interpreted it as a shot at John Wall, how the Wizards were better without him than with him because there is more sharing in the offense. Beal took to Twitter to hit back at those people by saying "y'all reaching!!!!"

After Saturday's win over the Magic, their fourth straight win since Wall went down with a left knee injury, Beal explained why he thinks people took his statement the wrong way.

"For us to say that we're a better team without John it's, like, that's comical in a sense. Come on, let's be real," Beal said. "The guy's the head of our franchise, a five-time all-star. Let's be realistic. I think what benefits us is we figured out how to play without John. Reality is reality... We're not sitting here saying we're a better team without him, by no means."

Beal went on to say that many people simply didn't realize that Beal was making a pop culture reference.

"On top of that, I was quoting a movie. I don't know if anybody saw 'Paid In Full' but I was quoting a movie. Everybody eats. Everybody has success. Everybody gets a touch," Beal said.

This is damage control as far as I'm concerned and he is just trying to keep the air clear between himself and Wall because they are Twitter bros.

He can't bring himself to express what he really feels about Wall on-court when things aren't going well and Wall's the culprit, so Beal responding this way shouldn't be a surprise.

Beal wants this new style of play to be what John Wall conforms to when he gets back regardless of what he says.

No offense but this seems more a case of what you want to believe.

I mean you may be right but ultimately you can only take someone at their word.

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

It's one game.

The players all know Wall makes the team better. But its obvious Wall going ISO and not moving without the ball... and not playing defense is a hindrance to the team. He needs to get healthy and get back to playing as he did in the playoffs.

I think you underestimate Wall's personality and how it may rub people the wrong way.

Wall's personality is the problem?? Well, those with a problem need to get over it. They're not paid to like each other. I'm sure Gortat rubs people the wrong way at times...and the same may be true of Beal or Keef.

Not the same. Those guys haven't been given a key to the city by the owner, they aren't ball-dominant and don't yell "this my team!!!" after every third good play made.

Wall worries me because he doesn't always seem to get what's important and I'm pretty sure that's probably his teammates biggest gripe with him.

You can't overlook that.