John Wall

[Moderator1]

As a native Washingtonian, the only team I'm a fanboy looser about is the Nats. That said, I follow the others and like to see them do well.

So, if I'm going to become a reborn Wiz fanboy, should I be excited about this? Wall was the only choice they could make at No. 1, right?

Speaking of Washington, you've heard about the new drink? The Ovechkin?

It's a white Russian with lots of ice - and no cup.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Moddy, IMO if Cousins doesn't implode in the NBA life, he will turn into the best player from this draft, but a GM would need Rushmore-sized stones to make that number one pick. Wall should be an excellent pro.

 

[imjustagirl]

Moddy, IMO if Cousins doesn't implode in the NBA life, he will turn into the best player from this draft, but a GM would need Rushmore-sized stones to make that number one pick. Wall should be an excellent pro.

Sweet, sweet DeMarcus.

Moddy, as a somewhat reborn UK fangirl for a few months this year while I loved on DeMarcus, I can tell you that John Wall will make your jaw drop at least once a game. He's got speed, and moves I've never seen. He just does things that don't even seem physically possible. He should be a great pro.

 

[WBarnhouse]

About 30 minutes after Wall was announed as first pick, Reebok commercial featuring Wall aired on ESPN. Welcome to instant gratification.

 

[qtlaw]

I hated UK, especially with Calipari, but Wall was amazing. He was fearless; he could be having a horrendous game but with the game on the line he would block a jumper or make a huge bucket. You should feel energized and blessed.

 

[Moderator1]

Reebok money bought his mother a house - I can't remember the last time I saw a pair of Reeboks.

 

[93Devil]

So the Kings have Cousins and Evans...

That could be a nice combo.

 

[imjustagirl]

I'm really, really hoping Cousins blossoms. I think he can be a game-changer. And I hope Calipari will remain in his life, because he did good things for the kid.

I have friends who cover UK. He was easily the favorite interview on the team. Great quote, just a little off in the head.

 

[Moderator1]

The best of us are that way.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Wall could be all that. But, if you're going to follow the Wiz, keep an eye out for Trevor Booker, too. Rumor has it that the T'Wolves are dealing him to D.C. That's a nice way to rebuild ... Booker is a good substance guy and, while he's a little short, he has the build, smarts and determination to be a very productive forward in the NBA for a long time.

Now ... to see how management handles the Gilbert Arenas mess. Probably love to deal him, but that contract is obscene, even by typically obscene NBA standards.

 

[JackReacher]

Wall is the real deal, Moddy. Check his stuff on YouTube. And watch the ESPN SportsScience feature on him. Pretty damn impressive.

100 percent chance I catch the Wizards a few times next year.

 

[Crash]

Wall is a freak, and one that if you've only watched on TV, you can't possibly grasp. I got to Rupp twice this season, pretty much just to see him play. His speed is jaw-dropping.

He needs to improve his on-ball defense and his jumpshot, and he'll have to become a little more polished playing against more talented players. But the open, man-to-man style of the NBA will fit him perfectly, as he got cramped a little by 2-3 zones while at UK. He has the speed and the ballhandling to get by anybody. The best move the Wizards could make now is to find a solid rebounding big man who can get the ball out in transition. Wall, quite simply, is as close to unstoppable on a fast break as is humanly possible.

 

[YGBFKM]

Wall is the real deal, Moddy. Check his stuff on YouTube. And watch the ESPN SportsScience feature on him. Pretty damn impressive.

100 percent chance I catch the Wizards a few times next year.

100 percent chance the Wizards suck even with Wall.

 

[Crash]

I do agree with Michael, though. If Cousins becomes what he's capable of, he'll be the best pro out of this draft. I don't buy a lot of the negativity surrounding him, because he improved a ton while in Lexington and, despite some early speed bumps, seemed to be a coachable kid.

He's 6'11" of force, but he's got nice touch around the rim and grabs every rebound near him. His biggest weakness is that he's not explosive off the ground, which didn't hurt much in college because he just went over or through smaller players.

Cousins and Wall are similar in that neither has played against guys who could force them to play a different game yet. The zone forced Wall to find some different skills, but one-on-one, he couldn't be stopped in college. The things they need to learn will come from playing against more experienced guys who can stop them. How each reacts to getting beat and not being the most physically dominant guy on the court will determine how successful they are. Talent-wise, there's no one in their neighborhood in this draft.

 

[slappy4428]

I'm really, really hoping Cousins blossoms. I think he can be a game-changer. And I hope Calipari will remain in his life, because he did good things for the kid.

I have friends who cover UK. He was easily the favorite interview on the team. Great quote, just a little off in the head.

Ain't happening... Million-dollar arm and a five-cent head, says the guy who covered his getting kicked out of his first high school for attacking the coach.
Kings wasted their pick...

 

[JackReacher]

Wall is the real deal, Moddy. Check his stuff on YouTube. And watch the ESPN SportsScience feature on him. Pretty damn impressive.

100 percent chance I catch the Wizards a few times next year.

100 percent chance the Wizards suck even with Wall.

100 percent chance I never said they'd be any good.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I agree Cousins will be the rookie of the year, but Wall was a no-brainer with the No. 1 pick. He's probably the best true point guard to come out since maybe Iverson, although I might be forgetting somebody.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Derrick Rose, Mizzou? I agree Wall will be very good. Also, guards produce more quickly than big men on average (Hall of Fame exceptions noted), so there's a faster ROI for the Wizards, who sure need some.

 

[Pancamo]

Wall can't shoot. Rose is and will always be the better player.

 

[RickStain]

Wall's upside is Derrick Rose. He could be that good.