Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from 107-88 loss to the Houston Rockets

Takeaway #2: John Wall Got His Revenge

“They came in and watched me and thought I was done.”
“To be somewhere where you’re wanted, that’s the most important thing.”

These postgame quotes from John Wall certainly don’t sound like someone with no hard feelings towards his former team. This matchup was the first time the Washington Wizards faced off against John Wall since trading him for Russell Westbrook before the season began. I had this as a must-watch game this season, and it did not disappoint.

John Wall wasted little time reminding the Wizards who he is and made both of his first two shots. Then, in the second quarter, he made Raul Neto look silly with a smooth behind-the-back move that looked all too familiar to Wizards fans.

But the fourth quarter was when Wall really went off. With 7:20 left in the game, the Wizards were trailing but still within reach, 85-79. Then Wall took over. Wall checked in at the 7:20 mark and scored the next five points for the Rockets. Then he found Victor Oladipo for a three. Boom. 8-0 run. 93-79, Rockets.

After that stretch, the game Wizards never got within 10 points of the Rockets. Just like that, Wall sunk his former squad. When he left the game with 1:19 left, Wall had scored or assisted on 12 of the past 19 points for the Rockets.

When the Wizards first pulled the trigger on Wall for Westbrook, I said the Wizards won that trade. Westbrook and Wall have been making me eat those words ever since. Westbrook is either more injured than we realize or he’s on one of the sharpest declines that we have ever seen.

This season, Westbrook has scored 163 points on 163 shots while shooting 37 percent from the field, 30 percent from three, and 61 percent from the foul line. The quick pull-ups aren’t working. Especially from three. Instead, Westbrook needs to attack the basket when he can, and distribute when he can’t. Even if he can’t ascend to the heavens and dunk opponents into oblivion anymore, he can still draw fouls and find open teammates. Until he leans into that role, the trade will grow more regrettable each day.

The Wizards will play the Rockets again on February 15. Can’t wait…