HoopsHype.com Rumors

Michael Lee: John Calipari on John Wall: ““Get in the gym. Because when you get that [jump shot] right, which he will, you’re on a different level.” Twitter @MrMichaelLee

Washington Wizards, John Wall, John Calipari 

"To me, [Wall] can be your starting point guard and be your leader on a good team, but he can't be the franchise guy. They're going to need to surround him with guys like Paul Pierce or a Dwyane Wade or a Kobe Bryant. A scorer is going to have to surround him for them to really make a rise in the NBA. I don't think he can carry the load." CSNWashington.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Jeff Van Gundy 

Van Gundy recently commented on Wall's game and limitations. The evaluation, captured here, lumped the NBC Sports analyst in with those other naysayers, though Van Gundy does not believe his opinion of Wall's overall game is a negative one. "I said this: John Wall is a talented guy, a very good player. I don't think he's good enough that you can build a franchise around him," Van Gundy said after serving as television analyst for George Mason's home game against Drexel last Thursday night. "I don't think he can be your best player, certainly not clearly your best player. You need one guy better than him or a couple of guys at his talent level for them to win. CSNWashington.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Jeff Van Gundy 

"To me that's not a negative. I didn't say it as a negative. I think some people took it that way. I just don't see John Wall as a franchise player because - a lot like Rajon Rondo; I don't see him as a franchise player even though he's an All-Star - he's not a good enough shooter yet and he's not a reliable go-to scorer. "In the NBA, your franchise guy has got to be a guy you can put the ball in his hands late in the game and he can get you a basket. I don't see that from John Wall at this point in his career. Maybe it will develop, but I don't see it." CSNWashington.com

Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Rajon Rondo, John Wall, Jeff Van Gundy 

A few weeks leader, another D.C. team leader passed out another round of gifts to another group of teammates. During a road trip to Portland, everyone on the Wizards got a Samsung Galaxy II Note, personalized with the team logo and uniform numbers. During a trip to L.A., they all got Beats By Dre headphones, and the Beats Pill, a Bluetooth speaker audio system. Both giveaways were John Wall productions. “I feel like more opportunities do come my way, and I feel like instead of me just getting it, why can’t I see if my team, or some of my friends can get it?” Wall said Wednesday morning. “It finally worked out that both of those partners, Samsung and Beats, wanted to collaborate with my team, and we made it work.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

John Wall joined 106.7 The Fan in Washington D.C. with Holden and Danny to discuss why this team is so much better with him on the floor, not being picked as one of the league’s best players under 25, watching the Wizards’ rough start to the season from the bench, how he’s feeling now, his next step in becoming one of the league’s top point guards and what the team has to play for at this point. The team has been a lot better since your return. Why?: “I think it’s just me trying to be a leader for our team and push the pace and just get easier shots for guys and just help guys’ games out. … We just need guys to make shots and we’ve got a lot of 3-point shooters and we’re just … trusting each other.” Sports Illustrated put out its list of best players under 25 and you weren’t on it. Is that a kind of thing that motivates you?: “I noticed it. Everybody tells me about it, but it just motivates me. I know. And like I said, people talk about it … but it’s not a big deal to me. I’m not worried about it. It’s just a list.” Sports Radio Interviews

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

We may have discovered the source of Jordan Crawford’s steez. During last night’s game in Philly, an eagle-eyed Ben Swanson caught Crawford refueling with some Skittles during a break in play. John Wall says something to Crawford in passing, although it’s not clear whether he’s discussing the next play, or telling him that the Original flavors are better. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Jordan Crawford 

Cousins has received three suspensions this season – the NBA suspended him two games for confronting San Antonio Spurs broadcaster Sean Elliot after a game, and another game for hitting Dallas guard O.J. Mayo below the belt; and the Kings gave him another one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after a halftime confrontation with Coach Keith Smart. “I talked to him all the time. Just tell him to keep his head,” Wall said. “Sometimes, certain things don’t go his way. Sometimes you get suspended, sometimes you get bad fouls because you’re a physical player and you’re bigger than a lot of guys. Just keep playing through them. Whenever he’s on the court, he’s doing a great job when he’s not in foul trouble or suspended.” Washington Post

Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall 

John Wall: Yessir RT @JanVesely24: I loved to play tonight. Amazing team win. More games like this. #John2Jan Twitter @John_Wall

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Jan Vesely 

“At the beginning, I felt like I had jiggly legs,” Wall said. “A couple of my layups, I left short because I didn’t have my legs. Once I felt the comfort level in my leg I just started making plays.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

“It’s exciting because it’s a lot of times they’ve been in the game with us but we don’t close out in the end or get a turnover or we can’t score down the stretch and that’s tough,” Wall said. “That’s my job to come in and make it easy, get us open shots. We make em, we make em, if not, we don’t.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

Michael Lee: John Wall feels slighted that he isn't mentioned among promising PGs: “I think people know who I am, but I think they forgot.” #wizards Twitter @MrMichaelLee

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

Wall doesn't have to watch anymore. After months of three months of rest and rehab and about a week of practice with physical contact, Wall will make his season debut Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. "Not playing for three, four months was tough," Wall told USA TODAY Sports. "I don't know how I would take it – like players that are retired or their careers are over with. "It's tough to sit out. When you love the game, you're so itching to play but you've got to make sure everything is healthy and right to the point where you want to be." USA Today Sports

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

“All I want to do is let the guys play the way they’ve been playing,” Wall said. “Don’t take no aggression away from nobody, especially Brad [Beal], and Martell [Webster], those guys, how they’ve been playing lately. I just want to come in, fit in, be like the missing piece and just make things flow a little bit easier.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall 

The Washington Wizards completed another spirited practice on Thursday afternoon, with point guard John Wall dribbling, cutting and driving as if he’s on track to play for the first time this season on Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks at Verizon Center. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Injuries 

Before Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral collateral ligament and reconstruct his anterior cruciate ligament, Wall reached out to offer encouragement to his friend. “I texted him and told him I hope he have a speedy recovery, that the whole D.C. is behind him,” Wall said. “It’s a tough situation to see him go through, especially the same ACL injury as before, but we believe in him, and he did a heck of a job this year as their quarterback.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Sneakers 

Chris Miller: My observation on @John Wall at practice today. His speed is already back guys like @Bradley Beal will feast on open looks. #WizardsTalk Twitter @cmillscsn

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Injuries, Bradley Beal 

"You hear the Bradley Beals, the A.J. Prices say, 'Holy [cow], is he fast,'?" Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "The first time you see it, it's an eye-opener." Washington Examiner

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Injuries 

Michael Lee: Reebok issued a statement that it is NOT ending its basketball division. On split with John Wall: "We wish him all the best." Twitter @MrMichaelLee

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Sneakers 

John Wall’s relationship with Reebok goes back to when he propelled to stardom after a stellar performance at a high school basketball camp sponsored by the shoe company. Wall later signed a five-year deal worth a reported $25 million with Reebok before the Wizards drafted him No. 1 overall in June 2010. But the union is close to ending as Reebok prepares to soon end its basketball division, Wall acknowledged after Wednesday’s practice. The decision to abandon basketball comes only a few months after Reebok released Wall’s third signature ZigSlash basketball shoe. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Sneakers