John Wall is eligible for the CBA’s new Designated Veteran Player Extention and the Wizards would like to sign him to one this summer. It was previously reported that Wall would like to see the front office’s plans for the future before signing with the team long-term. He wants to win a title, but Washington isn’t a true title contender just yet.
The team will look to make upgrades this summer and Wall would like to see the team add help off the bench, as he tells Comcast Sportsnet. “We need to help our bench,” Wall said. “Just to be honest, that was our downfall in each series that we had in the [Eastern Conference] semifinals, our bench got out played.”
The point guard was asked if he’ll play an active role in the recruiting of free agents and it sounds like he has no plans to spend his summer convincing other players to join him. “I don’t think I have to do that. They understand and see what we do as a team over here: how we play together, how we move the ball. I think guys will just come if they want to come,” Wall said.
Despite the need for reinforcements, Wall believes the team is close to his goal. “We have our main core guys. I think adding a couple little pieces here and there will help us get over the hump,” he said. “Even with all that, we still feel like we had a chance by getting to a Game 7. We had a 50-50 chance of getting to the Eastern Conference Finals. We were one game away. We couldn’t ask for more.”
His extension will mean no bench help. Catch-22.
I dislike it when star players blame their teammates, especially in the public. It’s one thing to point out a need, like we need more rebounding or more shooters. However, I wouldn’t blame the bench for not performing in the playoffs.
The bench shot:
55% in game 1 (18 shots), 43% in game 2 (21 shots), 52% in game 3 (29 shots), 59% in game 4 (17 shots), 31% in game 5 (26 shots), 46% in game 6 (13 shots) and 20% in game 7 (on only 5 shots).
Except for game 5 the bench was efficient. Not sure why Brooks chose not to play his bench in game 7 for a combined 5 FG att.
It may have been efficient but only one game had them taking over 25 shots and 4 were less than 20. 43% on 21 shots is about 8/20 so estimating 2 3’s that adds up to 18 bench points. The bench should be providing more than that.
Thing is that Mahinmi contract looks reallllllllllllly bad now. That’s tying up a ton of money for bench help.