![]() ![]() NBA point guards don’t usually reach their apex in efficiency until the ages of 28-32. The answer? I wouldn’t bank on the former. So the real question is, does John Wall possess the ability to elevate his game to the next level and finally enter the MVP conversation, or was his 2016-17 season indicative of the best possible outcome? On the contrary, aside from his two injury-plagued seasons in 2012-18, it was tough to factor in any “down” performances, since there has been a gradual improvement in his play every year since he entered the league. Wall’s best season to date came during the 2016-17 campaign where he averaged 23.1 points and 10.7 assists per game, finished Third Team All-NBA, made his fourth consecutive All-Star game (he’s made five total) and led the league in total number of scowls and mean mugs. Wall enters the 2018-19 season, his ninth overall, as a soon to be 28-year-old point guard who leverages his elite explosiveness in the open court to either attack the rim or hit an open man for a corner 3. Unfortunately, there won’t be much analysis provided for all those Tomas Satoransky and Jodie Meeks fans out there, but that’s okay since I’m pretty sure that fanbase mostly consists of Tomas Satoransky and Jodie Meeks.įor these player previews, there is no better place to start than with the Washington Wizards’ best player, John Wall. So I figured, why not give the people what they want? As the summer dies down, I wanted to ramp things up by predicting the outcomes for every significant player on the Washington Wizards for the 2018-19 season. NBA junkies are left stranded, desperately searching the internet for new content like that random dude on the beach waving around a metal detector rocking an old bucket hat and half-buttoned Hawaiian shirt. The calendar has flipped to August, meaning it’s officially the off offseason. If he can stay healthy, the potential is there for him and the Wizards to re-install themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference.By Matt H 4 years ago What better way to pass the time than sift through the current Washington Wizards roster and predict the upcoming 2018-19 season? We start with John Wall. Wall has said it himself that this is the most talented team he has been a part of. This season he will make $19.2 million, but next year his salary will skyrocket to $37.8 million. It is the final year of his first max contract extension. In the big picture for the Wizards, this is an important season as it pertains to Wall. Wall's efficiency numbers should go up if he is healthy as his speed creates easy looks around the rim. Though Wall shot a career-high 37.1 percent from three, his field goal percentage sunk to its lowest mark since his rookie year. That will help Wall's cause manning the perimeter, knowing he has some help behind him.įor Wall individually, improving his efficiency will be key. Howard should also provide more rim protection than Wall is used to. There may be fewer shots to go around and Howard will have to buy in to being Wall's table-setter, committing to screens and being content if the ball doesn't swing his way. The potential for them to thrive as a duo in the pick-and-roll and in transition is enticing.īut there will need to be sacrifices made by both sides. Though Howard is 32 and not the dominant force he once was, he is the most athletic and gifted big man Wall has played with. Most interesting will be his on-court relationship with Dwight Howard. But beyond the obvious, there are several parts of Wall's game to watch as he enters his ninth NBA campaign. If Wall is healthy, he will almost certainly have a better year than he did this past season and, if that's the case, the Wizards will likely be much better. ![]() The fact he brought up not being considered a top-5 point guard earlier this summer is a good indication of that. With plenty of recency bias in professional sports, right now he probably feels underrated by the way many are characterizing him in the media. Wall is always motivated to prove people wrong and that will undoubtedly be a part of his thinking throughout the 2018-19 season. And on top of all that, there were some off-court disagreements that made for a tough and forgettable year. The Wizards ended up losing in the first round of the playoffs, which was a first for Wall. He missed exactly half of the season due to a left knee injury and in many of the 41 games he did play, he wasn't himself. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |