Washington Wizards Roundtable Reactions: John Wall’s Injury
By Ben Mehic
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
2) What can the Washington Wizards learn from this?
Nithin: Honestly, nothing. I challenge you to name me one team of the eight remaining that could withstand an injury to their best player.
Even the mighty Warriors with all their former all-stars riding the pine would get waxed by Memphis if they lost Steph Curry. In fact, Ernie Grunfeld’s acquisition of Ramon Sessions at the trade deadline turned out to be huge given that Andre Miller would’ve passed out on the court if asked to play 35 minutes.
I suppose the only lesson is to get better talent around Wall so he doesn’t wildly surpass everyone else on the team. But that’s what Beal and Otto Porter are there for.
Matt: That injuries suck and life is unfair (but really, we already knew that).
The Wizards will learn just how good Beal and Porter can be. This is their chance to step out of Wall’s spotlight and establish themselves as stars in their own right. The Wizards can also learn just how good Playoff Wittman is; their embattled coach has been surprisingly effective in the playoffs, but this will be a true test.
Most of all, his absence will prove to everyone just how awesome and invaluable Wall has become.
David: I don’t know if there’s really anything to be learned from this, except for the fact that life is unfair and that we should all hug our loved ones while we still have the chance.
Wall broke his hand/wrist diving on the floor, an unfortunate break (no pun intended) that probably could have been avoided, but that’s just John Wall. He’s a bundle of joyous and unrestrained energy, and I’m really hesitant to think that he should be held back in any way.
To make it all the way in the NBA Playoffs, you have to be good, but you also have to have a fair bit of good luck. The Wizards had a stroke of bad luck here, and that happens – sooner or later, it’ll swing around the other way. I hope.
Oz: What the Wizards can take away is that they have to move on from being so John Wall dependent.
They’ve gambled that he’ll remain healthy these last two years and fortunately for the most part he has.
That being said, they need to create quality depth to help them through the season and more capably fill in if injuries do occur. Earlier this year I suggested the Wizards pursue Isaiah Thomas at the trade deadline when he was being shopped.
They need more high quality fill-in starter types on their bench who fit that very mold. They’ll also get a good look at what the other two young core players on this roster (Beal & Otto) are made of out of this experience.
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