The most important player on each and every NBA team this season
By Ti Windisch
Washington Wizards — John Wall
The Washington Wizards are just about out of excuses at this point. Washington talks a big game every single year, and hasn’t gotten past the second round ever with John Wall on the roster. Wall’s time as the unquestioned best point guard in the East is over, and his status as the Wizards’ most important player is threatened as well.
Bradley Beal might actually be better, especially considering the age of both players. For once Beal was the healthy one, playing all 82 games as opposed to Wall’s 41 last year. Even if Beal has leap-frogged his teammate in skill, he has not in importance.
Wall is the outspoken leader of the Wizards, and probably the key factor in how competitive Washington will be this season. If Wall misses half of the season and looks off in the half he does play, this Wizards team will have squandered another season, the first one in seemingly forever without LeBron in the way.
Wall having a great season and snatching the point guard crown from Kyrie Irving would change everything for Washington. The Celtics stand above the rest of the pack, but this Celtics team won’t take ownership of the East officially until they’re playing in the Finals.
Until that happens, these Wizards will finally have a chance. Dwight Howard is important as well, because Dwight Howard seasons tend to either go well or terribly, but Wall deserves both the honor and the responsibility of being the premier Wizard. Now let’s see what he can do with that title this season.