Training Camp is Underway and All Eyes are on Wall
By Colby Giacubeno
The Washington Wizards opened up the first day of training
camp today at Towson University’s SECU Arena. They have 11 returners from last
season along with key acquisitions that were made during the off-season.
Although the roster may look slightly different from last season, all eyes and
attention are still on point guard John Wall.
The two-time NBA All-Star is heading into his sixth season and is being counted on to take on the leadership void that Paul Pierce left after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers. Since being the top overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall has always produced at a high level statistically, but as he grows older, more responsibility continues to be put on his shoulders.
Last season especially, Wall could defer to Pierce as far as leadership goes and just focus on his own game. This season, he is ready to be considered a veteran and provide leadership to the younger guys like Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, and first-round pick Kelly Oubre Jr.
“I think last year Paul kind of helped me get over the hump by understanding how to talk to the guys and just lead by being the first guy here and the last to leave, but yeah I feel more comfortable in a leadership role and taking on these guys,” Wall told reporters after practice.
With Randy Wittman’s plans to speed up the offense, Wall will be the catalyst for everything. It’s going to be his job to be sure everyone on the floor has proper spacing and that everyone is sprinting to create effective scoring opportunities in transition. Wall described the offensive sets being “totally different” in comparison to recent years. Pick-and-roll sets will still be a critical part of the half-court offense, but transition sets will take on a new look.
On the court, Wall is beginning to be noted as one of the top point guards the NBA has to offer. He’s been in the conversation with players such as Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and Kyrie Irving. Depending on how well the new offense suits his strengths of creating in the open floor, votes for MVP will not be out of the question.
Wall is also becoming a leader off the court. He recently donated $400,000 to Bright Beginnings, a child development center in Washington D.C., to help fight homelessness.
“When you see homeless people out on the street it’s devastating to see. It gives the parents an opportunity to find a job and gives the kids the opportunity to get an education.” There are also plans in the future for Wall to continue to give back to the less fortunate of his hometown in Raleigh, North Carolina.
This season is set up for Wall to make take the next step in being considered one of the top, if not the best, point guard in the NBA. The new offense is suited to help with that argument, and his off the court gestures speaks volumes in terms of his maturation and development as a man.
Throughout the remainder of training camp, Wall will look to assert his leadership with the entire team to ensure that the upcoming season won’t end the same as last year’s heartbreaking loss in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The two-time NBA All-Star is heading into his sixth season and is being counted on to take on the leadership void that Paul Pierce left after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers. Since being the top overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall has always produced at a high level statistically, but as he grows older, more responsibility continues to be put on his shoulders.
Last season especially, Wall could defer to Pierce as far as leadership goes and just focus on his own game. This season, he is ready to be considered a veteran and provide leadership to the younger guys like Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, and first-round pick Kelly Oubre Jr.
“I think last year Paul kind of helped me get over the hump by understanding how to talk to the guys and just lead by being the first guy here and the last to leave, but yeah I feel more comfortable in a leadership role and taking on these guys,” Wall told reporters after practice.
With Randy Wittman’s plans to speed up the offense, Wall will be the catalyst for everything. It’s going to be his job to be sure everyone on the floor has proper spacing and that everyone is sprinting to create effective scoring opportunities in transition. Wall described the offensive sets being “totally different” in comparison to recent years. Pick-and-roll sets will still be a critical part of the half-court offense, but transition sets will take on a new look.
On the court, Wall is beginning to be noted as one of the top point guards the NBA has to offer. He’s been in the conversation with players such as Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and Kyrie Irving. Depending on how well the new offense suits his strengths of creating in the open floor, votes for MVP will not be out of the question.
Wall is also becoming a leader off the court. He recently donated $400,000 to Bright Beginnings, a child development center in Washington D.C., to help fight homelessness.
“When you see homeless people out on the street it’s devastating to see. It gives the parents an opportunity to find a job and gives the kids the opportunity to get an education.” There are also plans in the future for Wall to continue to give back to the less fortunate of his hometown in Raleigh, North Carolina.
This season is set up for Wall to make take the next step in being considered one of the top, if not the best, point guard in the NBA. The new offense is suited to help with that argument, and his off the court gestures speaks volumes in terms of his maturation and development as a man.
Throughout the remainder of training camp, Wall will look to assert his leadership with the entire team to ensure that the upcoming season won’t end the same as last year’s heartbreaking loss in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
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