{"id":86471,"date":"2024-07-18T15:34:07","date_gmt":"2024-07-18T19:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=86471"},"modified":"2024-07-18T15:34:07","modified_gmt":"2024-07-18T19:34:07","slug":"no-1-pick-john-wall-devastating-wizards-rockets-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/18\/no-1-pick-john-wall-devastating-wizards-rockets-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 1 Pick Details \u2018Devastating\u2019 Wizards, Rockets Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

John Wall<\/a> is still among the most recognizable figures for NBA fans. It\u2019s been six years since his last All-Star campaign, the former No. 1 pick playing just two of the last five seasons. However, in his prime, the former face of the Washington Wizards was arguably the best point guard in the NBA.<\/p>\n

John Wall Details \u2018Devastating\u2019 Wizards, Rockets Decision<\/h2>\n

The Wizardry of Wall<\/h3>\n

Wall earned five All-Star selections in his time with the Wizards. Averaging 19.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, the two-way playmaker led Washington to four playoff appearances between 2014 and 2018. It was just the second time since the 1980s that the Wizards had achieved that kind of success.<\/p>\n

A blur in the open court and a true floor general, Wall\u2019s rare blend of athleticism, passing ability, and instincts allowed him to leave an indelible mark upon the Wizards. Yet, despite all the magic made in the NBA, players are often left without a fairy tale ending.<\/p>\n

The Beginning of the End<\/h3>\n

Wall\u2019s story took a tragic turn in 2018.<\/p>\n

Initially, it was just a minor procedure<\/a>. In January, Wall was set to undergo an arthroscopic surgery that would keep him out for six-to-eight weeks. Though it wasn\u2019t an ideal development, it wasn\u2019t unusual, especially for a player who had been treating NBA courts like racetracks for eight years.<\/p>\n

In late December, Wall needed another surgery.<\/p>\n

This next operation was a debridement and repair<\/a> of a Haglund\u2019s deformity and a chronic Achilles tendon injury in his left heel. At this point, Wall\u2019s playing future would\u2019ve come into question regardless. There have been major developments in modern medicine that prevent Achilles injuries from being automatic career-enders. Nonetheless, an Achilles injury is still among the most serious for high-performance athletes.<\/p>\n

Within five weeks, Wall went under the knife again. He had developed an infection<\/a> from his previous surgery. In fact, it was three, leading the former No. 1 pick to tell The Knuckleheads<\/em> podcast that doctors considered amputating his foot. He also suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.<\/p>\n

It was at this point that the Wizards decided to change directions.<\/p>\n

Bradley Beal Emerges<\/h3>\n

While Wall was fighting injuries, second-in-command Bradley Beal<\/a> had proven himself to be a fine commander.<\/p>\n

From 2017-18 to 2019-20, the former No. 3 pick averaged 25.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The combo guard was also more of a three-level scorer than Wall in an era that had become increasingly fond of 3-point threats. The fact that Wall couldn\u2019t stay healthy solidified Beal\u2019s position as their new top dog.<\/p>\n

In Dec. 2020, the Wizards traded Wall and a first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“It was devastating,\u201d Wall says.<\/p>\n

Getting The Call<\/h3>\n

\u201cIt hurt,\u201d Wall tells The Knuckleheads<\/em> co-hosts Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson. \u201cI was in Houston probably and it was (the COVID lockdown) at the time. So, I’m just sitting in my apartment the whole time really thinking like, damn, I’m really not in DC no more. I was packing my bag to go to training camp. The next day was training camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I get the call at 7:30. Get the text, please call, capital letters. I said, s***, I’m traded.<\/p>\n