Just a rundown of rather random thoughts, with pictures, after watching John Wall’s workout with the Washington Wizards and being there to interview him.
Wall is one strong kid-looking dude.
I turn 30 the day after the NBA Draft. Not old, but it still feels kinda weird calling a 19-year old who’s about to be the first overall pick a “kid” at my age (although, I’ve been comfortable calling people two years my junior “kid” before, somewhat facetiously though) … but “kid” more in a sense of seeing Wall’s built-for-basketball body while coming to grips that it’s way beyond where he is mentally. He’s just a lil’ guy, except not so little. Not sure any of this makes much sense.
That jump shot is almost painful to watch.
Sure, end of workout. Sure, stiff back (What’s up with that by the way? You’re 20, this is the first team you’ve worked out for, and yea, while you’ve been training your ass off in LA, how does your back get stiff during your only individual workout?).
Anyway … a lot about Wall’s jumper looks uncomfortable … release point, jump timing, balance. Here in Washington we’ve had Buzz Braman and Dave Hopla … wonder what crack shooting instructor is next?
But Wall says he understands that jump shot will be key at the NBA level.
Oh yea? Prove it.
Wall was like ‘whatever’.
Whatever, media. I’m not going to put on a show for you. I’ll do a couple things because I simply can, athletically. Sorta how you can climb stairs or stand while riding a bus, except my version is dunking. So, don’t expect to see me hoopin’ and hollerin’ at the end of this workout … because it’s whatever. Also, my back was stiff.
Basically, when the media was allowed to enter Wall’s workout, he didn’t really do anything extra to ‘wow’ the room … aside from a couple-three dunks, which were nice, but no dunk contest winners.
He’s a humble kid.
He knows his career is an open slate and is not a know-it-all. Wall is ready to listen and learn. He also occasionally uses ‘sir’ … but not too much.
On advice from Rod Strickland.
“[He told me], ‘In your first year you’re going to have to learn a lot.’ And I know that. I’m not going to come in and be the best player in the world and come in and not have any ups and downs. Basically, I’m just preparing myself for that.”
What if Wall is like ’94-95 Rod Strickland, except for the duration of seven years?
Terminology.
In talking about watching some NBA playoff games, Wall used terminology like “angles”, “getting to the right spots” and “footwork” — the kid has the right ideas.
He’s ready to lead, no matter who he’s playing with.
When I asked Wall about how he might treat a situation of a team with mostly younger players pulling the weight, versus one with more veterans, he said, “At certain times you have to put your foot down, put them in their place … and they’re going to have to do the same thing to me, make sure I’m in the right place and make sure I’m getting better or in the gym working out. And that’s the key to being a leader.”
For a whole lot of better and a tiny bit of worse (at the beginning), I’m ready and excited for the John Wall Era. Are you?
The attention.
The G.
Sam I Am being Sam I Am.
Be happy, Ernie.
7 Day Dray looks happy.
The Business of John Wall Workout Happiness.
The Release.
Goodbye.
[Photo Credits: Adam Douglas, Truth About It.net]
we need to get Hal Wissel up in here
[...] Thoughts from watching the John Wall workout – Kyle Weidei – Truth About It Further reading on Wall: The biggest concern for the Washington Wizards is whether or not John Wall and Gilbert Arenas can coexist. Can John Wall and Gilbert Arenas Work? Yes and maybe – Michael Lee – Washington Post While there has been a lot of debate about whether Wall would be able to share the backcourt with Gilbert Arenas — because Arenas plays the same position — what often gets overlooked is that Arenas is not, nor has he ever been a pure point guard. He often scoffed when people compared him to other elite point guards like Chris Paul or Steve Nash who collect assists within the flow of the offense, because his natural instinct is to attack and score. And hey, he became a three-time all-star with a nine-figure contract playing that way; he did something right. Wall has made it clear that he has to have the ball in his hands in order to succeed. Wall added that Arenas would have to move over to shooting guard. He encountered a similar situation at Kentucky with Eric Bledsoe, who arrived as a highly touted point guard and will play that position in the NBA. “Look how me and Eric Bledsoe did. Guys said we both needed the ball, and it wasn’t going to work together,” Wall said last week in Chicago. “Eric did a great job of not pressuring, not worrying about having the ball. He knew I was going to find him and I was the point guard. And just like that, Eric can score just like Gilbert. So if I go there with that pick, I’m going to find him with the ball. He’s a scoring person and he’s been in the league for a long time. He’s a veteran. He’s going to help me out and give me advice while I’m going through the process.” Wizards rebuilding’ begins with Wall – Adrian Wojnarowski – Yahoo! Sports Wall has a chance to be a superstar, and rest assured that the Wizards will work harder than ever to find a trade for Arenas. It won’t be easy with the $80 million left on Arenas’ contract; they’ll have to take back someone else’s issues. Philadelphia’s Elton Brand, perhaps? Nevertheless, the Wizards will give Wall a locker on one side of the room with Arenas completely across the way. Truth be told, there will be tension between the old and new guard until Arenas is moved. With his suspension for most of the past season and the knee injuries that ravaged the two prior ones, NBA teams will need to see Arenas show some staying power. He’s a tough sell, but he’s still talented and perhaps he’ll prove himself worthy of redemption. [...]
[...] Thoughts from watching the John Wall workout – Kyle Weidei – Truth About It Further reading on Wall: The biggest concern for the Washington Wizards is whether or not John Wall and Gilbert Arenas can coexist. Can John Wall and Gilbert Arenas Work? Yes and maybe – Michael Lee – Washington Post While there has been a lot of debate about whether Wall would be able to share the backcourt with Gilbert Arenas — because Arenas plays the same position — what often gets overlooked is that Arenas is not, nor has he ever been a pure point guard. He often scoffed when people compared him to other elite point guards like Chris Paul or Steve Nash who collect assists within the flow of the offense, because his natural instinct is to attack and score. And hey, he became a three-time all-star with a nine-figure contract playing that way; he did something right. Wall has made it clear that he has to have the ball in his hands in order to succeed. Wall added that Arenas would have to move over to shooting guard. He encountered a similar situation at Kentucky with Eric Bledsoe, who arrived as a highly touted point guard and will play that position in the NBA. “Look how me and Eric Bledsoe did. Guys said we both needed the ball, and it wasn’t going to work together,” Wall said last week in Chicago. “Eric did a great job of not pressuring, not worrying about having the ball. He knew I was going to find him and I was the point guard. And just like that, Eric can score just like Gilbert. So if I go there with that pick, I’m going to find him with the ball. He’s a scoring person and he’s been in the league for a long time. He’s a veteran. He’s going to help me out and give me advice while I’m going through the process.” Wizards rebuilding’ begins with Wall – Adrian Wojnarowski – Yahoo! Sports Wall has a chance to be a superstar, and rest assured that the Wizards will work harder than ever to find a trade for Arenas. It won’t be easy with the $80 million left on Arenas’ contract; they’ll have to take back someone else’s issues. Philadelphia’s Elton Brand, perhaps? Nevertheless, the Wizards will give Wall a locker on one side of the room with Arenas completely across the way. Truth be told, there will be tension between the old and new guard until Arenas is moved. With his suspension for most of the past season and the knee injuries that ravaged the two prior ones, NBA teams will need to see Arenas show some staying power. He’s a tough sell, but he’s still talented and perhaps he’ll prove himself worthy of redemption. [...]
[...] Thoughts from watching the John Wall workout – Kyle Weidei – Truth About It Further reading on Wall: [...]