John Wall OUT for 12 months; Ruptured Achilles

[LyricalRico]

LOL no team would even consider trading for Wall regardless without first seeing him on the court . You can't just hide a guy for 18 months then try to trade him coming off of a serious injury.

Stop destroying my irrational fantasies!

[nate33]

Anyways count me in the camp that thinks John will be mostly fine physically. Of course not like his peak years , when he was at his peak no one was faster than him. Now I'm sure younger guys like De'Aaron Fox, Morant etc have taken that mantle but Wall will still be one of the top explosive PGs especially combined with his size+strength+ballhandling.

I am more curious about what his offensive playstyle will be like. I think that instead of being a primary PnR ballhandler Wall will have to adjust as the secondary guy next to Beal, meaning he will wait on the weakside for Brad to swing it to him and then make a quick decision. He will need to hone his catch & shoot three from above the break.

Interestingly saw a recent video of him shooting and it looks like he has changed his jumpshot mechanics for the better. His shooting motion looks much more compact now , and it's an "elastic" motion that snaps off the wrist as opposed to in the past looking like he is pushing the ball and aiming it.

Watch on YouTube

His form does look better, but, man, it takes him an eternity to wind up and shoot it.

[Wizardspride]

Anyways count me in the camp that thinks John will be mostly fine physically. Of course not like his peak years , when he was at his peak no one was faster than him. Now I'm sure younger guys like De'Aaron Fox, Morant etc have taken that mantle but Wall will still be one of the top explosive PGs especially combined with his size+strength+ballhandling.

I am more curious about what his offensive playstyle will be like. I think that instead of being a primary PnR ballhandler Wall will have to adjust as the secondary guy next to Beal, meaning he will wait on the weakside for Brad to swing it to him and then make a quick decision. He will need to hone his catch & shoot three from above the break.

Interestingly saw a recent video of him shooting and it looks like he has changed his jumpshot mechanics for the better. His shooting motion looks much more compact now , and it's an "elastic" motion that snaps off the wrist as opposed to in the past looking like he is pushing the ball and aiming it.

Watch on YouTube

His form does look better, but, man, it takes him an eternity to wind up and shoot it.

To be fair, we're talking about a shootaround.

His release MIGHT be slightly faster in an actual game.

[nate33]

His form does look better, but, man, it takes him an eternity to wind up and shoot it.

To be fair, we're talking about a shootaround.

His release MIGHT be slightly faster in an actual game.

He should practice at game speed.

[Wizardspride]

His form does look better, but, man, it takes him an eternity to wind up and shoot it.

To be fair, we're talking about a shootaround.

His release MIGHT be slightly faster in an actual game.

He should practice at game speed.

I hear what you're saying but shootaround isn't really a practice per se.

Honestly, I'm more concerned about his speed/athleticism than his catch and shoot ability.

At least right now

[Illmatic12]

Wall doesn’t need a quick release though , he won’t be taking hotly contested jumpers.. defenders are going to give him that shot or do a late closeout.

I’m watching Bucks-Lakers and Giannis is going off from three, he’s hit 5 already and the Lakers are still giving him space to line them up. It’s gonna be the same for John, unless he posts multiple seasons in a row of high volume 3pt shooting the defense will still use the same gameplan. He just needs a reliable set shot like Jason Kidd had later in his career.

[DCZards]

Anyways count me in the camp that thinks John will be mostly fine physically. Of course not like his peak years , when he was at his peak no one was faster than him. Now I'm sure younger guys like De'Aaron Fox, Morant etc have taken that mantle but Wall will still be one of the top explosive PGs especially combined with his size+strength+ballhandling.

I am more curious about what his offensive playstyle will be like. I think that instead of being a primary PnR ballhandler Wall will have to adjust as the secondary guy next to Beal, meaning he will wait on the weakside for Brad to swing it to him and then make a quick decision. He will need to hone his catch & shoot three from above the break.

Interestingly saw a recent video of him shooting and it looks like he has changed his jumpshot mechanics for the better. His shooting motion looks much more compact now , and it's an "elastic" motion that snaps off the wrist as opposed to in the past looking like he is pushing the ball and aiming it.

I agree with this...for the most part. I too have confidence (maybe it's blind faith) that Wallstar will still be one of the best athletes in the game when he returns. He almost certainly will no longer be an elite athlete...but he'll be fine.

I disagree, however, on what Wall's role will be. I think he should still be the primary ballhandler when he returns. There are few players in the game better than JW at finding teammates for easy buckets, which is due in large part to his vision and bball IQ...both of which he'll still have when he returns.

BB should handle the ball a lot (more than prior to Wall's injury) but Beal should primarily be allowed to run off picks looking to get open for shots. Beal currently plays basically both PG & SG most nights. I hope to see a lot less of that when Wall returns. Also, limiting the time Beal handles the ball (and faces double teams) will keep him fresher.

[TGW]

I'm more concerned with what his floorgame is going to look like now that he can't just outrace people down the court anymore.

Also defense and lateral movement. His defense was average at best; terrible on occasion.

[pcbothwel]

I'd love to see Wall really develop an all around post game. Backing down small guards for easy buckets & fouls, while also drawing double teams and hitting open shooters & cutters could be a great compliment to his already outstanding fast break and PnR game.

I have faith in his shot. He's always been a strong FT shooter, so 35% really isnt asking a lot.

[Illmatic12]

Anyways count me in the camp that thinks John will be mostly fine physically. Of course not like his peak years , when he was at his peak no one was faster than him. Now I'm sure younger guys like De'Aaron Fox, Morant etc have taken that mantle but Wall will still be one of the top explosive PGs especially combined with his size+strength+ballhandling.

I am more curious about what his offensive playstyle will be like. I think that instead of being a primary PnR ballhandler Wall will have to adjust as the secondary guy next to Beal, meaning he will wait on the weakside for Brad to swing it to him and then make a quick decision. He will need to hone his catch & shoot three from above the break.

Interestingly saw a recent video of him shooting and it looks like he has changed his jumpshot mechanics for the better. His shooting motion looks much more compact now , and it's an "elastic" motion that snaps off the wrist as opposed to in the past looking like he is pushing the ball and aiming it.

I agree with this...for the most part. I too have confidence (maybe it's blind faith) that Wallstar will still be one of the best athletes in the game when he returns. He almost certainly will no longer be an elite athlete...but he'll be fine.

I disagree, however, on what Wall's role will be. I think he should still be the primary ballhandler when he returns. There are few players in the game better than JW at finding teammates for easy buckets, which is due in large part to his vision and bball IQ...both of which he'll still have when he returns.

BB should handle the ball a lot (more than prior to Wall's injury) but Beal should primarily be allowed to run off picks looking to get open for shots. Beal currently plays basically both PG & SG most nights. I hope to see a lot less of that when Wall returns. Also, limiting the time Beal handles the ball (and faces double teams) will keep him fresher.

This is really just semantics but.. doesn't "one of the best athletes" = "elite athlete"?? Even if he's not THE apex athlete at the position anymore John will still able to beat most NBA players down the court . Heck Derrick Rose had a more severe battery of injuries , and still not many defenders are able to stay in front of that guy.

It's not like he swapped bodies with Kyle Lowry. The few workout vids of Wall certainly confirm , at least to my eyes, that he still remains a 6'4 brick ****house point guard with elite length and athleticism.

[nate33]

Wall doesn’t need a quick release though , he won’t be taking hotly contested jumpers.. defenders are going to give him that shot or do a late closeout.

I’m watching Bucks-Lakers and Giannis is going off from three, he’s hit 5 already and the Lakers are still giving him space to line them up. It’s gonna be the same for John, unless he posts multiple seasons in a row of high volume 3pt shooting the defense will still use the same gameplan. He just needs a reliable set shot like Jason Kidd had later in his career.

I agree that when he has the ball in his hands, he should only shoot that shot when the defense goes under the screen, which should give him plenty of time even with that slow windup.

But if he is to be an effective floor space off ball, he needs a quicker release. With a release that slow, his man can cheat off him and jam the Beal/Bryant pick-and-roll.

I'm not saying Wall needs to become Klay Thompson. But there's no reason he can't speed up the gather a little bit on that shot.

[dobrojim]

My biggest concern is what his mentality will be when he starts to play.
For many years I loved and rooted for him accepting his flaws, mostly
as an average at best shooter. As he matured he may have gotten
better in certain respects, but arguably under the pressure of
being the face of the franchise, he began to play more hero
ball but the worst thing was he did not give what appeared to be
full effort defensively. Maybe his physical difficulties contributed
to that. When he returns, he has to do better in that dept as
well as being a smart hardworking teammate who makes others better.

[FAH1223]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[gambitx777]

Wouldn't hurt a thing to let him play 20 - 15 games 15 if we are well.out of the play offs . 20 if we stay with in a shot of the play offs. As long as we arnt selling to make it ain't no hark in trying. Tommy has been drafting well and picking good talent I believe in him. Mid round.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I'm starting to wonder if they keep winning and have shot to make playoffs if Wall comes back ....

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I have been expecting Wall will return this month, after the all star game.

Ted Leonsis has recouped insurance monies. Wall is clearly ready to come back. I do not think they will hold Wall out in order to tank.



Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Shoe]

Read on Twitter

[dlts20]

Wall just looks like a totally different person and that is going to make him the best basketball version of himself. He's like old Kobe rn. Just a total different perspective on life

[gambitx777]

I think John really had to look at him self and accept that he isn't ever going to be the best player in the NBA or the best pg or even the best player on the team. I think he wants a ring. The only way he gets mentioned in names with the greats is if he wins a ring and I think that's all he cares about now .

Read on Twitter

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

[dlts20]

I think John really had to look at him self and accept that he isn't ever going to be the best player in the NBA or the best pg or even the best player on the team. I think he wants a ring. The only way he gets mentioned in names with the greats is if he wins a ring and I think that's all he cares about now .

Read on Twitter

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

Actually I think that he still thinks all of those things except for the best player in the league but the difference is that he's going to go about proving it the right way by being mature, not going out, dieting, studying the game more, and being a better leader and mentor.

I used to always say that I wish that I could tell a guy like Blatche that pro careers are short and you can be satisfied with being in the league and making more money than anyone in the world but there will come a point where you will look back and ask yourself did I really do all that I can do to be the best version of yourself and that will eat at your soul.

Wall got a big nba name and crazy money. He was comfortable, satisfied, and got content. Then when your team sucks, you get hurt, and everyone calls you an overrated, overpaid bum who has crippled the franchise , that is extremely humbling. Then add that to you being hurt, older, and realizing that you only have a few more years to do what you love, you get a different perspective.

Basically Wall has a 2nd chance, almost like Vick without the dog fighting. He will be much more mature, a much better student, and he genuinely wants to be a positive mentor instead of an overpaid, finger pointing cry baby and that will really be big for us. Add that to him being able to sit, watch, and coach, I think that he will be a much smarter player.

He hit rock bottom and it humbled him. He realizes now all that a guy like LeBron puts into being where he is at. He seen Kobe change, he's seen him and his mother pass. It changes you and you don't want to take anything for granted even if you are set for life. He sees a real PG and leader like CP3 keeping okc in the mix. Forget his peers, now it's new guns like Trae, Luka, and Ja. He might not dominate or win but it won't be because he didn't check every box on the things that he can control