Washington Wizards: Here’s What John Wall Has To Do To Make NBA First Team All-Defense
Washington Wizards guard John Wall got his official challenge this weekend from the legend Kobe Bryant. He accepted the challenge, and now he’ll work on delivering on it.
When a future member of the NBA Hall of Fame issues you a challenge, you accept. Just ask Wizards guard John Wall.
Retired Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has been calling out the world’s most talented young stars (via Twitter) to adopt the “#mambamentality” and achieve new levels of greatness.
This list includes Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, All-Pro NFL cornerback Richard Sherman and Olympic gold-medalist sprinter Allyson Felix.
On Sunday afternoon, the “Black Mamba” challenged Wall with this tweet:
1st team all defense https://t.co/zbee5KUe6h
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 27, 2017
It took Wall all of 25 minutes to accept the Mamba’s mission.
Say no more !!RT @kobebryant: 1st team all defense
— John Wall (@JohnWall) August 27, 2017
Wall ascended to a new level in his career last season. He made his fourth straight All-Star Game appearance and was selected to an All-NBA team for the first time. Some argued that his performance last season warranted a second team selection instead of third.
Now that he’s starting to get more national recognition for his elite speed and passing ability, can we really expect media members to accept him as an all-world defender?
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To answer that question, you have to study the patterns of the voters.
Exhibit A: the guard selections for All-NBA First Team Defense this past season.
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul has his named penciled in every year. He’s been selected to the first team six straight seasons. For the most part, Paul is widely respected by voters because of his consistency in stripping opponents. He’s finished first in steals per game six times in the last 10 seasons.
It’ll be hard to bump CP3 off the list considering his pedigree. Paul’s spot is a virtual lock unless he’s hurt or adopts a laissez-faire approach to defense displayed by his new coach Mike D’Antoni.
Former Rockets guard Patrick Beverly has made a name for himself in the league because of his gnat-like persona on the court. He’s a nuisance to every opposing guard and refuses to back down from any challenge. He loves defense, which is a dying affinity in today’s up-and-down, pace-and-space game. These attributes have made Beverly one of the most respected on-ball defenders in the game.
Wall, obviously, has to supplant one of these two guys to be selected for the team.
To do this, he’ll undoubtedly need to lead the league in steals again. He collected a league-best 157 steals on a two per game rate last year.
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He’ll also want to stay active in protecting the rim. His 49 blocks were first among all point guards.
The eye-popping numbers are just one part of the equation, however.
At 6-4, with long arms and elite quickness, Wall has the physical tools to stay in front of any guard he faces. His defensive progress will be measured by effort level, dedication and consistency.
Posting elite stats and adding a desire to defend will essentially create a defensive beast that resembles a Paul-Beverly hybrid. This transformation will enhance Wall’s reputation around the league.
Completing Bryant’s challenge won’t come easy. Washington requires Wall to do a lot already and it could take a physical and emotional toll that proves too much to bear.
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But if he can channel his inner-Mamba and lock up ball-handlers like he’s been doing this summer, he’ll be well on his way to the first team.