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John Wall: Wizards’ time is right now

By Henry McKenna

May 15, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) hugs forward Martell Webster (9) on the court against the Indiana Pacers in the final minute in the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Pacers won 93-80, and won the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) hugs forward Martell Webster (9) on the court against the Indiana Pacers in the final minute in the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Pacers won 93-80, and won the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Wizards advanced past the Chicago Bulls in a resounding fashion. John Wall was a key force in deciding that series, and for a while, it seemed as if the seas were parting for the Wizards. If the Atlanta Hawks would have beat the Indiana Pacers, then Wizards might have had an easy path to the Eastern Conference Finals. Of course, Atlanta didn’t win, and the Wizards lost to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals, 4-2.

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But John Wall saw enough improvement in his team to keep positivity. He thinks the Wizards could be NBA Finals bound next year.

“I’m thinking why not our time right now?” he said on NBC Sports Network’s Sports Dash.

John Wall averaged 19.3 points per game and 8.8 assists per game in the regular season, but his stats fell in the playoffs to 16.3 ppg and 7.1 apg. They were not representative of his performance, however, as he played low scoring but efficient games against the Chicago Bulls. The Wizards surprisingly buckled down on defense and held an admittedly relatively impotent Bulls offense under control. He and fellow youngster Bradley Beal will likely lead the youth movement in Washington.

Two of the Wizards key contributors include Marcin Gortat and Trevor Ariza, both of which are free agents after this season. Wall expressed his hopes that they remain with the team. Gortat averaged 13.2 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game during the regular season. He boosted his rebounds up 9.9 per game in the playoffs, which was incredibly necessary against the Bulls. Trevor Ariza supplied much needed offensive firepower from the outside, shooting 44.6 percent from beyond the arc.

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