4 Reasons the Washington Wizards need to play John Wall this season
By Ethan Smith
Need To Build Chemistry
John Wall is a special point guard and can orchestrate an offense regardless of who he’s surrounded by. But having some familiarity with the guys he’s running the floor with would definitely help.
Although Wall has been a face of the franchise in D.C. for the entirety of his ten-season NBA career, he’ll return to the court with a roster full of guys he’s mostly never played NBA minutes with.
The only players currently under contract for next year with whom Wall has played multiple NBA games are Bradley Beal, Thomas Bryant, and Troy Brown Jr.
Wall has never played a single NBA minute with Rui Hachimura. He’s never hit Davis Bertans on the wing for an open three. He’s never run a pick and roll with Moritz Wagner. At least not in live NBA action.
That’ not to say he can’t. Wall should master those skills pretty quickly with his new teammates once he returns. But why not start mastering them towards the end of this season and avoid any early season frustrations that might come with increased expectations and lingering rust.
Plus, the Beal would certainly appreciate a Wall return this season. It’s no secret that Beal’s been frustrated multiple times as he carries the entire team with herculean scoring efforts only to come up short at the final buzzer. If Beal could get his backcourt mate back for the end of the season, it could end an otherwise sour campaign on a sweet note.
Plus, Beal has evolved into a whole different beast since the last time Wall shared the court with him. How will the two coexist now that Beal’s gotten a taste of being the playmaker Wall always has been.
Reminding Beal that he’s not alone out there could go along way in keeping him happy as he gets ready for a summer in which his name will once again be the center of trade rumors.