Asked for the first time since signing a two-year, $13 million contract with the Clippers, John Wall returned to his future role within the franchise. And the least we can say is that the former Wizards star still does not have his tongue in his pocket.
Coming to Las Vegas to attend – like many other NBA players – the 2022 Summer League, John Wall logically answered questions from journalists about his signing in Los Angeles. A speech that clearly did not exude humility, but where the leader on the contrary showed all his confidence in his ability to return to the highest level. The tune-up was necessary for the man who only appeared in 40 games in three and a half years due to major injuries, and was considered by many to be the worst contract in the NBA (47 million dollars for the next season). It was thus time for Jean Mur to make a new start. Giving up more than six million dollars on the initial 47 to reach a buy-out with the Rockets, the latter therefore chose to join the Clippers. A situation that the leader now considers ideal, at the microphone ofESPN, evidenced by his palpable enthusiasm. Notice to opposing defenses, the guy has no plans to give you gifts next season.
“I’m super excited! I haven’t been able to play yet but I can’t wait to be able to, to speed up the game, to have all these guys who can take shots but also defend very hard. […] It will be complicated for the other teams to defend us and I’m happy with that because I wouldn’t have the best defensive player on me like it has been the case all my career. Are you telling me that the third best opposing defender is going to have to hold me? Good luck. »
We always like to hear that, but now we’re going to have to take on John. As a reminder, you are still in competition with Reggie Jackson to know which of you two will start. Nevertheless, a place of sixth man would not be a bad thing for M’sieur Mur. As a leader of second unitthe latter could once again leave his qualities as a scorer and playmaker express themselves and thus find a role that corresponds more intrinsically to them. Moreover, the person concerned himself admitted to having nothing to do with going on the bench or not., as long as he had the opportunity to fight for a spot, praising at the same time Reggie and his last season. If John Wall is therefore full of confidence on his current level, he is also aware that he will have to make his place within this Clippers team which has only one ambition to win a title. That’s good, it’s also the objective of the leader.
“I was just happy to have the opportunity to come back to the League. I wasn’t really interested in the other teams. They’re great and I’m glad they tried to recruit me but I was looking at the scene thinking, ‘Where can I go where I don’t need to be the John Wall of 2016, to carry all the load and have the pressure on me?’ And I think they were missing an element on the point guard position so it’s a great situation for me to be there. […] To this stage of my career, I don’t want to be Batman every night for us to win. In the team, everyone can be Batman. »
Sorry John but no. Everyone knows that there is only one Batman in the NBA and his first name is Nicolas. Anyway and independently of our national superhero, the former All-Star wanted to remember what wood he was made of. Asked about his potential difficulties due to his injuries and in particular that of the Achilles tendon, post 1 returned to his last performances during the 2020-21 season with the Rockets. En as a holder, the latter recorded almost 27 points and 7 assists on average in 32 minutes of playing time in Houston. It’s nice to say what you want, it’s frankly not bad after such a long absence. After taking the time to rest, this new page in the career of John Wall could therefore prove to be life-saving, he who keeps repeating that he is no longer bothered by his body and that he only thinks to one thing when he enters the field: to give it his all. However, he will nevertheless have to adapt to this role as a secondary offensive option.
Explaining having lived the darkest three years of his entire career (in addition to his injuries, the latter tragically lost his mother and grandmother), John Wall will therefore make his comeback on the NBA floors. Inevitably, given his recent statements, the five-time All-Star will be expected at the turn by all observers. Confidence, motivation, combativeness, all the ingredients are there for John Wall to write perhaps the most beautiful pages of its history. In any case, we wish him.
Source : ESPN
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