John Wall’s time as a Houston Rocket has officially come to an end. After being discarded and pushed aside by the franchise, Wall bemoaned over his treatment during his transient two-year window there. As the former five-time All-Star worked tirelessly to prove that his time as an upper echelon guard was far from over, he believes he was given the short end of the stick.
After averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 games during the 2020-21 season, Wall would never suit up for the franchise again. Now, after another wasted year of his career, the two have agreed to a buyout of his enormous contract. According to various sources, Wall has agreed to forgo $6.5 million of his $47.4 million dollar deal.
With his NBA freedom granted, Wall has already chosen his next destination…the LA Clippers. Although the former All-NBA guard has played sparingly over the past three seasons, his addition to a star-driven lineup spells doom for the rest of the Clippers competition. Wall’s arrival shouldn’t be viewed as innocuous. With a gigantic chip on his shoulders and surrounded by the most talented players he’s ever teamed up with, here are a few reasons why John Wall will be an absolute game changer for the Clippers.
Put on your track shoes
Bereft of any high-level talent for much of the year, Reggie Jackson, the Clippers starting headman, was often forced to slow the tempo of the game down in an attempt to run their half-court offense. Although Clippers fans yawned as Jackson slowly trotted up the court, they’ll be in for a whirlwind of a change now that John Wall is set to join in on the fun.
During the 2018-19 season, Wall’s final year before his body began breaking down, his Washington Wizards finished the season in the top 10 in terms of pace.
Still blessed with a second gear that few humans are able to reach, Wall should speed up the Clippers’ offense, allowing their star wings and role players to benefit from easy transition buckets. At this point, if everyone remains healthy, the Clippers are a virtual lock to make the postseason. Underneath those intensive lights, teams often spend their time fighting meticulous and mundane battles in the half-court.
With Wall on the verge of joining their ship, LA won’t be subjected to arduous offensive possessions when the chips are on the line. Instead, he’ll snag the ball off the rim and push the tempo of the game, even when his own teammates struggle to keep up with him.
Another bold defender
For most of John Wall’s career, his blurring speed has received the headlines. At a moment’s notice, Wall blows past his defenders and makes his way to the rim, often leaving his own teammates behind in the process.
For his career, the former five-time All-Star holds averages of 19.1 points per game and has registered three separate scoring seasons of at least 20 points a night. Yet, despite his ability to take over games on the offensive end, Wall’s defensive chops are often swept under the rug.
During the 2014-15 season, Wall’s willingness to clamp down on the opposing team’s best players was rewarded with an All-Defensive team selection. In fact, Wall’s 4.2 defensive win shares rested at the top of the charts for his position and 14th overall.
Reggie Jackson, notoriously known as a poor defender, attempted to refurbish his reputation on that end of the court this past season. LA’s floor general ended the year with 2.0 defensive win shares, a career best.
Wall, 31, has seemingly lost at least some of his elite lateral movement. Still, with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard aiding him on that end of the court, coupled with his own defensive tenacity, LA will now feature three former All-Defensive guards in their starting lineup.
Enriches their bench
While Clipper Nation envisions John Wall bum rushing through the lane, drawing an extra defender, before dropping off a pinpoint pass to one of his newly acquired teammates, Reggie Jackson will be forced to get adjusted to life in his new role.
The expectations and goals of the LA Clippers heading into the 2021-22 NBA season were modest. Kawhi Leonard, LA’s unquestioned star, was widely expected to miss the entire year, a prophecy that would ultimately come true. In addition to Leonard being unavailable, LA’s expectations plummeted even further as Paul George dealt with torn ligaments in his right elbow, forcing him to miss 51 games.
As a result, Jackson grinned broadly as his offensive role changed. The newly turned 32-year-old recorded 16.8 points and 4.8 assists during the year, pushing the Clippers to 42 victories. With Jackson likely sent to the bench in favor of Wall, LA’s second unit should easily become the league’s best.
Last season, with many of their normal bench players entering the starting lineup to serve as a panacea to their consistent injury woes, LA still managed to produce the second-highest scoring bench in the NBA, dropping 40 points a night. As Jackson reluctantly prepares for his demotion, his ability to create for himself and others, paired with Norman Powell and Robert Covington, should give the Clippers the edge when their shot troops enter a ball game.