In a recent appearance on the Knuckleheads Podcast, former NBA star John Wall made a bold assertion about his prime years in the league. Despite injuries derailing his career, Wall firmly believes that during his peak, he was the second-best player in the Eastern Conference—second only to LeBron James.
According to a tweet by NBACentral [@TheDunkCentral], Wall believes he was the second-best player in the Eastern Conference during his peak, only behind the legendary LeBron James.
The tweet reads:
John Wall believes that during his peak year, he was the second-best player in the East behind LeBron: ‘Sad thing, injuries happen; it’s part of the game. But I felt like I was the second-best player in the East that year after LeBron. We were hooping, we were balling. You solidify yourself. When you get to that second max, even third max, you feel like you made it. I’m one of those guys people talk about on the regular.’
John Wall believes that during his peak year, he was the second-best player in the East behind LeBron
“Sad thing, injuries happen; it’s part of the game. But I felt like I was the second-best player in the East that year after LeBron. We were hooping, we were balling. You… pic.twitter.com/aNyT9dCBxe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 18, 2024
The Rise of John Wall
John Wall burst onto the scene as the Washington Wizards’ electrifying point guard. His lightning-fast play, athleticism, and ability to impact both ends of the court made him a force to be reckoned with. During the 2016-17 season, Wall averaged an impressive 23.1 points, 10.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, nearly leading the Wizards to the Conference Finals.
The Injury Curse
Unfortunately, injuries plagued John Wall’s career just as he was hitting his stride. A left heel surgery sidelined him for most of the 2018-19 season, and subsequent complications further hindered his progress. The ruptured left Achilles tendon he suffered at home extended his absence, and the Wizards eventually traded him to the Houston Rockets. His time in Houston hasn’t been smooth either, with limited playing time and trade discussions.
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