Washington Wizards Need To Acquire A Star, Because Wall Deserves It
How many point guards in the NBA are having a better individual season than John Wall? It’s tough to think of any besides Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook.
After a rough start to the season, the Washington Wizards‘ franchise player has managed to turn it around and is currently having the best season of his career. He’s averaged roughly 23 points and 12 assists per game this month, and he’s doing it with a ton of injuries.
While the rest of Washington’s rotation players have decided to take their time coming back from injuries, Wall has consistently played through the aches and pains.
Remember when he played through a broken wrist and hand in the NBA Playoffs? How many other players would risk their future for the sake of potentially advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals? Not many.
We’ve often had debates about where Wall ranks among other point guards, but he’s undoubtedly one of the toughest. Even though the Wizards are undermanned and will have a difficult time winning with or without him on the court, Wall has decided to worry about his injuries later and is playing through a number of tough ailments.
Why is Wall playing through injuries? Because he doesn’t have anyone else to fall back on.
Look at the rest of the point guard dominated league.
Every other elite point guard has someone else to depend on. Kyrie Irving could take breaks because he’ll have LeBron James and Kevin Love to carry the load. Last year, Damian Lillard could rest because LaMarcus Aldridge was more than capable of carrying the team offensively.
The list continues.
Stephen Curry is playing on the deepest team in the league and has teammates like Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala who can increase their production. Heck, even players like Reggie Jackson and Kyle Lowry have other All-Star caliber talent to depend on.
Who does John Wall have?
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John Wall doesn’t have a single All-Star caliber teammate on his club and he never has since he joined the team six years ago.
Wall is the only elite point guard in the NBA who’s never played with another All-Star.
Instead, Wall has been paired up with players who theoretically fit his game.
Players like Trevor Ariza, Martell Webster and now Jared Dudley have all had career seasons because of Wall.
The point guard revitalized the careers of players whom had a foot out of the NBA; Rasual Butler and Drew Gooden are in the league solely because of Wall.
The players that have been brought in do fit Wall’s game, but they’re dependent on his performance. No one on the roster can take over or carry the team if Wall needs to rest. That’s a problem and it’s one that needs to be addressed soon.
Wall is in his sixth season with the Washington Wizards and he’s done nothing besides carry the team. Think about this for a second: who’s the best player Wall has played with in D.C.? Actually, try ranking the top five players he’s shared the court with. The list is pretty depressing, right?
Nene might be the best player John Wall has ever played with. He’s probably followed up by the oft-injured Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat, Emeka Okafor and Ariza. That list is sad.
Ted Leonsis and Co. are hoping Beal becomes the next star in Washington along side John Wall, but the 22-year-old is incapable of staying on the court without getting hurt.
While his stress reactions could be caused by the amount of minutes he’s played, Beal has a tendency to take awkward falls and makes every injury look life-threatening. He’s prone to injury and has been since his rookie season.
Instead of waiting for Bradley Beal to break through the suit and play, the Washington Wizards need to make a move for a star. They’ve put all their eggs in the Kevin Durant basket, hoping the former MVP will consider his hometown before Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, but the chances of landing him are small.
If Durant decides to stay put in Oklahoma City — and honestly, it’s crazy to think that he’d really consider leaving that situation for Washington’s — the Wizards still need to do all they can to acquire another star.
John Wall deserves to play with another player who can carry the team. DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love and even someone like Dwight Howard are always in the rumor mill. Washington can’t continue to sit back and wait, because before you know it, Wall will become a free agent or will ultimately become frustrated with his situation and rightfully so.
Next: The Irrationality of John Wall Fandom
The Washington Wizards need to acquire another star, because John Wall deserves it. It’s really that simple.