John Wall has done a lot in his 5 seasons of service in the NBA. He’s overcome the immense criticism he faced early in his career, fought off some injuries that sidelined him for important stretches in his career and he’s arguably one of the top three point guards in the league.
That might not be enough for one of the two players in the NBA to average 17 points per game and 10 assists per game last season. Wall’s importance to the Wizards right now and going into the future can not be measured and he’s quite possibly the most important piece that team has.
Despite all those things, it’s Wall who has let reality smack him in the face and forced him to look in the mirror. He might be one of the best point guards in the game but he might be the odd man out when the final rosters for the 2016 Olympics in Rio are announced next June. Wall is first to admit that he just might not be on the list of guards to make the team.
Following from J.Michael of CSN Washington.
“I’ll be out of the picture,” said Wall through a laugh and without any noticeable trace of resentment….
“I’m just being honest,” Wall continued. “Chris Paul has already won one (Olympic gold medal). Steph Curry had an amazing last year and just won the World Cup. Kyrie just won the World Cup. Russell will probably be on the team. They’ll use him as a two-guard. So, I probably won’t make it.”
Already predicting that he won’t be on the team isn’t a good omen for his future with Team USA. Wall is a premiere point guard and who knows what could happen with any of those guards next season. All guards with a history of injuries.
If anyone should take a seat in favor of Wall, it should be Kyrie Irving. Kyrie is not as good as Wall on the defensive end of the ball and while Irving might be a better shooter, Wall is a better point guard and the 2016 team will also include knockdown shooter Stephen Curry so Kyrie’s services wouldn’t be needed.
Wall shouldn’t count himself out yet, instead he should come out and have one of the best seasons of his career, like he did last season, because there is a lot riding on the 2015-16 campaign for both Wall and the Wizards.
