Clippers’ John Wall Weighs In On Helping Young Players In Houston Last Season
Last season the Rockets and John Wall agreed that he would not play to allow young players such as Kevin Porter Jr and Jalen Green could grow as players.
Despite the both sides agreeing to have Wall not play it was not an easy process for the former five-time all star. During his time with the Rockets this past season, Rockets broadcaster, Ryan Hollins shared Wall had been “A real pro.”
Former Rockets guard and NBA TNT analyst Kenny Smith said the former all-star should be playing.
“John Wall should be playing somewhere, but that’s another story.”
On Tuesday night, after the Los Angles Clippers’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Wall responded to Hollins.
“I mean, it’s just like a lot of situations we get put into we can’t control, my mom always told me. You want to be more known as a great person than a great basketball player. In certain situations we get put in, we can’t control those, so my job is to be a professional to be myself. As I said, those young guys that looked at me were like an older brother’s big brother,” said Wall.
“They didn’t ask for that. I didn’t ask for that, so my job was to teach those guys as much as possible, like how to be a better professional and be there on time. I do this and don’t accept losing. I know they are having a tough time being on a bad team. I was on that same type of road, being the number one pick team to grind and continue working. These things will change for you, so that was my ultimate professional trying to do that and be there for those guys.”
Wall would later talk about watching game film with the young players and teaching them things he knows to help improve their games as basketball players.
This season for the Clippers, Wall is averaging 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game through ten games.
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