Washington Wizards: The Other Side of John Wall
John Wall recently gave a very personal interview to Taylor Rooks of SportsNet NY, where he discussed race, family, and his Washington Wizards.
Recently, John Wall gave an interview to Taylor Rooks of SportsNet New York on her Timeout Podcast. The interview touched upon race, family, politics in the NBA, and of course the Washington Wizards.
The podcast is a must listen which provides an insight into Wall.
Wall’s Childhood and Giving Back
As a child, Wall was so fast that no one could catch him. However, he only ran track his senior year of high school. Basketball was his passion, and according to Wall, it kept him from going to jail or getting killed.
His father passed away, when Wall was nine, from cancer. Before that Wall was known as “Crazy J”, because he always got into trouble. But after losing his father, he became even angrier. He had a best friend in the seventh grade named “Ty”, who helped Wall refocus on basketball.
For some black children, the only images they see are basketball players and rappers. So they believe, that those two professions are their only means of escape. Wall believes in mentorship, and that all schools should have career day.
When he holds his annual Back to School giveaway, he has a message for the youth. He explains that basketball isn’t for everyone. That they can be anything they want to be, such as a doctor, lawyer, police officer, etc. Whatever they choose to do, believe in themselves, and put forth 110 percent effort.
Using his voice
Before he didn’t want to deal with it, but now it’s getting outrageous and out of control. But since he’s a star in the league, he has more of voice. For example, when LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony stood up at the ESPYs last year, to advocate social change.
It gives Wall empowerment when he speaks up. He believes if he says something, that people will take a stand on it.
Ms. Rooks said, ‘fans don’t want to hear about politics. But race and equality are not politics. But rather you’re talking about human decency.’
According to Wall, politics is in sports. Trades, and all that, that’s politics. But a different aspect.
Wall on the Money
Wall said, money doesn’t make you more happy. “Money doesn’t change you, it changes the people around you”. People don’t see the hard work that he puts in. He got up 5 in the morning everyday before school to work out. He didn’t take days off to get to where he is, and he still can’t take a day off.
There are family members who think they can take two weeks off from work, and he’ll take care of them. Wall didn’t take two weeks off to make it to the NBA. So a lot of times, he likes to take family members and friends into the picture, to see what he goes through. Afterwards they’ll say, they didn’t know it was like that.
Social media allows everyone to see how much athletes get paid. Some of his family members think they’re “straight”. However, they don’t see what comes out of the check – taxes, mortgages, etc. He’s going to make sure his family is taking care of, but he’s not going to do everything.
The worst part is – the people that you never knew. They’re you’re family, but they never came to any of the college games, or visited, but all of a sudden they’re family again.
It’s hurtful, because he could give friends that he grew up with $30,000, and they’ll come back in a couple of months asking for more. If they can pay him back, he’ll do it, but they shouldn’t ask, unless they’re on their last legs.
He has 6 sisters and 2 brothers, and spoils his 24 nieces and nephews.
With his first check, he brought his mother a house, and his sister, who was in college, a car.
When he saw his supermax, he thought his kid’s kids should be straight.
Wall’s Mom
In his Hall of Fame speech at Kentucky, he dedicated a lot of it to his mom. It was tough losing his dad, and his mom was, and is, his best friend.
Wall had a bad attitude growing up, so the other kids called him “Crazy J”. He was always good at basketball. But after his dad, he lost it. Then his best friend, “Ty”, moved to North Carolina from Bridgeport, CT., in the seventh grade. Ty helped Wall to refocus on basketball.
Wall’s mom worked 3 and 4 jobs, so the only time he would really see her, was when she dropped him off and picked him up from school. She sacrificed a lot. Sometimes not paying the light bill, so he could play AAU basketball.
No one can ever amount to his mom. He wants whomever he marries to be just like his mom – too loving and caring .
At age 16, she sat Wall down, and said, ‘do you want to go the same route as your dad, or do you want to change’ so you can be in the NBA one day? His mother believed in him. Wall said, North Carolina is not like other major states such as New York, where you have a chance to be seen early.
Every speech he makes, it’s about his mom. Because everything he is, is all due to her. Wall’s future wife will be second to his mom.
One and Done
According to Wall, a lot of these college kids aren’t getting paid a dollar, while everyone else is making money. He added, some kids don’t want to leave after a year in college, but they want to be able to take care of their family. So they will leave, and get picked in the second round of the draft. (More of this topic is on the podcast).
Wall went to college because he promised his dad, and also because he wanted to win a championship.
Wizards
Wall’s goal is for the Wizards to get at least 50 wins and reach the Eastern Conference Finals. He believes the Wizards can reach the ECF, because they were one game and 12 minutes away last year. Wall also mentioned, how he didn’t have enough energy, but he’s not making excuses.
In addition, everyone on the team has improved, so the conference finals are a realistic goal.
Wall’s legacy is to play for one team his entire career, and to bring another championship.
Wall believes he doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves, due to politics. He speaks his mind, and doesn’t hold his tongue for anyone.
Another reason he’s not fully respected, is that some players come into the league and blossom early. While he didn’t have that opportunity, because he dealt with injuries.
Some people will question whether he’s a top-5 point guard. His response is that, there are only a few players that averaged 20 and 10 last year. Yet, he barely made an All-NBA team. Again, this goes back to politics, and some of these players are benefiting from what they did in the past.
He’s been snubbed all his life – it’s just more fuel to the fire.
No truth that Wall and Bradley Beal hated each other. People just wanted to find something to talk about.
We haven’t seen the real John Wall yet. He’s coming into this season, the most healthy of his entire career.
Wall then took some Twitter questions. One example: Who are his top 5 friends in the league, not from Kentucky?
DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, the twins- Markieff and Marcus Morris, and Beal. (I think he counted the twins as one). Also, Isaiah Thomas.
(Then they discussed Trap Rap – sorry readers I don’t know what that is. But you could listen to the podcast to hear Wall’s favorites.)
He then discussed the tattoos on his back, which include powerful African-American figures, such as Muhammad Ali. Wall then quoted Ali: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Wall is the same way – he believes in what he stands on.
Superteams
According to Wall, superteams are those that try to be loaded with the best players. Instead of just getting one player. Whereas, the Wizards were built through the draft and trades.
Wall cleared the air, when he said it’s just Beal and himself. He meant that no matter what jersey the other players have on, the Wizards can compete with the best of them.
He also discussed why he’s a Cowboys’ fan, because his mom was when he grew up. And according to him D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys.
I tried to provide a synopsis of Wall’s interview, which was insightful and very funny at times. There’s much more if you want to listen.
I promise to return to our regular broadcast about the Wizards. Washington’s season officially starts on Wednesday, when they open at home against the Sixers. Are you ready?