Last season I genuinely thought that the Washington Wizards would make that extra step and give the Cleveland Cavaliers a challenge. This year my confidence in the Wiz has totally diminished. With Paul Pierce gone, (who was amazing for them) I don’t think Otto Porter will replicate Pierce’s clutch play.
The Wizards are 6-8 and as I write this are on a 4 game losing streak. They’re not impressing at all and John Wall, ever the leader, blames himself.
“The main focus is me,” the 25-year-old Wall said. “Until I start playing better, we’re not going to do well. It’s as simple as that.”
The biggest dip has been in Wall’s mid-range efficiency: After shooting 40.3 percent on shots beyond eight feet and inside the three-point line last season, the number is down to 32 percent this season. Wall is shooting just 20.7 percent when he is “wide open” on shots beyond 10 feet, according to NBA.com.
Wall has definitely been terrible at the start of this season. And he’s right. He is their leader, all their possessions run through him, so if he’s garbage, the team suffers. It’s how the Wizards built their team and they have to deal with it until Wall gets his groove back. It’s not like Bradley Beal will take over the reigns.
