2014 NBA Playoffs: Wiz Kids

On Tuesday night in Chicago, the nation got their first glimpse of John Wall and Bradley Beal's maturation process. The youthful backcourt along with Nene's 17 points and 7 rebounds, helped the Wizards snag away Game 2 of the series from Chicago 101-99.

Beal led the way with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 three pointers, and Wall pitched in with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.

Bradley made several big shots down the stretch for his ball club, and although he clanked the potential game winning shot at the end of regulation, Washington may have not been in the situation to crown themselves victorious without Beal and his 11 fourth quarter points.

Wall may not have shot the ball well, but his impact in the contest proved to be pivotal in delivering Washington a win. He showed confidence, belief and poise, something you wouldn't expect from a young point guard in their first playoff series.

This game, these moments are important in the development in a young tandem such as Wall and Beal. Through these critical playoff moments they garner experience, which is one of the games best teachers. Knowing how to conduct yourself in crunch time is what allows certain duo's and or teams to elevate their status from good to great.

Having that trust, belief and fluency between two players is a beautiful thing to watch. John and Brad are beginning to have their talents mesh, and sooner or later it will become overwhelming for the majority of their foes.

Many accuse Wall of being an inconsistent jump shooter, but where one lacks the other excels. Wall wields incredible quickness and athletic ability, along with solid court vision and a knack for scoring. He can get to the hole and penetrate beautifully.

Beal on the other hand, punctures through the toughest defense with his sly pick and roll play and deep range from three. His beautiful stroke becomes a burden for the opposition, as he hammers them with three point bombs all night long.

These two young players are special. When you have special talent, your team is guaranteed special moments. This can be considered one of the first, as Washington holds onto it's first 2-0 series lead since 1982, well before Wall or Beal were born.

With growth comes pains. At times Wall and Beal may folly and or endure some sort of failure. There will for sure be mistakes, but when these miscues become a rare occurrence, you know you've made the leap from good to great.

I am personally happy for both of these players, as I've been high on Bradley Beal since his days at Florida. I developed a deep infatuation with his game, and alerted all my friends to be on the lookout for him.

In Wall's case, I have a deep respect for him as he's stuck it out in Washington. Wall came into the NBA with not the sharpest basketball IQ or shooting ability. He's worked on both, and it's impact has been evident all season long.

He never complained when Washington was a team plagued by egocentric and immature players. He Wall never pouted when changes were made. He focused on himself, and did everything he could to improve his game, and power Washington to the postseason. They are here now, and are making plenty of noise with a 2-0 series lead.

Wall and Beal are proving to basketball fans that they are a tandem to be reckoned with. Wall was rewarded for his stellar play with his first ever all-star appearance this year, and Beal is just beginning to scratch the surface of his all-star talent.

These two guys are on their way to stardom. For basketball fans, buckle up and enjoy the show, it's going to be fascinating watching these two take major steps towards greatness.

Is this series officially over for Chicago? Is Washington legit? Hit me with thoughts and opinions on twitter (@wcboyer24) and remember to continue to support The Basketball Society. 

Top 5 Active NBA Point Guards - #5

5. John Wall

John Wall is the driving force behind the Washington Wizard's recent success, as his impressive play has assisted Washington in clinching their first postseason berth since the 2007-2008 campaign. When Wall first entered the league, many had lofty expectations about the former Kentucky standout, as the days of Gilbert Arenas had concluded. Wall seemed to promise a new era of dominance with his blazing speed and freakish athletic ability, but the dreams of immediate success proved to be highly unrealistic for Washington.


When first introduced to John Wall at the NBA level, fans gazed eyes upon an extremely gifted athlete at the point guard position, who had all the potential in the world, but had to dedicate himself to honing those skills to be considered truly great. Now, in his 4th season as a Washington Wizard, the energy he has exerted into becoming a better basketball player is finally starting to become evident.

Wall could've been overcome by frustration, in the world of basketball where majority of fans have a short memory, the only recollection fans had of Wall and the Wizards were embarrassing losses and immature antics. After the Wizards distanced themselves from these egocentric, sophomoric players, that not only plagued their cohesion but their number of losses in their overall record, it came to Wall's attention that the potential this team possessed could be maximized if he fully committed himself to being the main cog.

John Wall has been at the helm this year, and what's most impressive is the maturity and control he's displayed in being "that guy." Wall duels his foes with a plethora of emotion in addition to the aforementioned incredible athleticism that makes him such a tough draw at the point guard position. Wall has not only been able to corral this emotion effectively, but in doing so has garnered the attention of the other players in the locker room, and many NBA fans.

The 23 year old could've grown frustrated with the former infantile players that cluttered Washington's roster, or even worse he could've easily joined them due to being such a young player. Instead, he staved off all temptations of being snatched up by that trap and realized what he needed to do to veer off of that dangerous path that eventually results in early career flame outs. Wall generated a fair amount of composure emotionally, and put a strong emphasis on what he yearned to accomplished: reaching the postseason.

His patience, hard-work and dedication has finally paid off, and fans are interested to see how Wall reaps the benefits of the bright lights being on and nationally TV show casings that come with the NBA Playoffs. If his regular season numbers are any indication, Wall will fare pretty well.

The North Carolina native is averaging 19.6 PPG (career high,) 8.7 APG (career high,) and 4.2 RPG. He's shooting 43% from the field and 35% from downtown. Wall's shooting percentages aren't upper echelon numbers that would have him mentioned among the likes of Kevin Durant or LeBron James, but his three point shooting percentages are reflective of the hard work he's put in to become a more lethal player.

Wall shot 26% from three last season. The year before that? .71%. The year before that? Wall connected on just 29% of his attempts from behind the arc. This year, Wall has drilled 107 three pointers, combine the previous three years, and the total number of three pointers made for Wall is 49.

Wall was named an all-star this year, has posted the second highest PER of his career, (19.6,) and has almost doubled his defensive win share totals as they sit firmly at 3.9, up from his 2.2 of last year. John's PPG puts him at number 5 among point guards, and his assist per game is third among point guards. Like it or not, John Wall is asserting himself, and the Wizards are in the beginning stages of bathing in the success they could potentially have for the next five plus years or so.

This year, Wall has been one of the top point guards in the league, but lack of national TV exposure, media coverage and eye popping highlights make this hard to depict. It's important for fans to show recognition to Wall, as he's done everything in his power to amass the attention of fans worldwide. If he hasn't accomplished this fully yet, the playoffs remain his greatest chance. All eyes will be watching, critiquing every move, every dribble and every play made. The importance of each possession, and the intensity become synonymous as they both become heightened. This playoff appearance is the beginning of a hopeful long, successful career for Wall. This is just the commencement of what Wall hopes to be a franchise altering legacy in Washington. Becoming a top 5 point guard this year is a fantastic start for Wall, and a scary thought for the rest of the league.



Do you guys think John Wall is a top 5 point guard? Who are your top 5 point guards in the league? Hit me up on twitter to share your thoughts (@wcboyer24) and remember to continue to support The Basketball Society. 

NBA TRADE: Gortat to Washington, Okafor to Phoenix

Sources have just informed ESPN that a late trade between the Washington Wizards and the Phoenix Suns is underway. The deal sends 6-foot-11 center Marcin Gortat along with guards Shannon Brown, Kendall Marshall, and Malcolm Lee to the Washington Wizards. In exchange, Washington will send the expiring contract of veteran big man Emeka Okafor and a protected 2014 first-round draft pick (to no. 12) to Phoenix. 

This deal helps both teams prosper at some level. Gortat's services are solid and useful, and I'd say it's an upgrade from an injury-struck Okafor for the Wizards. He shot 56.6 percent as the roll man and 45.4 percent from the post last season, which was his final contract year with the rebuilding Suns. What Gortat brings in skill and effort on both ends of the floor only helps the Wizards' aspiring playoff contention for this season.

For Phoenix, that now makes four draft picks in next year's deep first round, which could mean Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes bidding, but at the very least the Suns have encouraging building blocks for the future. In fact, they're probably due for a top two pick in next year's coveted draft. Bottom line, both teams got what they wanted, but Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wants his team in the playoffs this year. We'll see if this was the final touch.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly 

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