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Which John Wall will the Washington Wizards get?

By N.B. Lindberg

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 01: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Capital One Arena on December 01, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 01: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Capital One Arena on December 01, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards, John Wall (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards, John Wall (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Can Wall be rebuilt?

John Wall has two things going for him in his recovery– time and support. The average age of the Achilles injury was 29.8 years old. Wall, at 28 years old at the time of injury, is on the younger side for an Achilles injury. Wall also will have spent almost 18 months away from basketball recovering, while the majority of players return in only eight months.

Finally, but most importantly, as the most recent recoveree, he has had the most medically advanced and sophisticated rehabilitation. DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, the two most recent players in the sample, have seen the least steep drop in their production, although in reduced roles. Father time is undefeated but Wall seems to have him on his side.

The one trait players coming off of Achilles injuries were able to maintain was their usage rate. Players in the sample saw their usage drop from 23.79 percent to 22.78 percent. That is not a good thing for a depleted injury-prone player but something that Wall has the fortune to be able to avoid.

Bradley Beal, in Wall’s absence, has become a usage monster. Beal finished fifth in the league at 34.4 percent and can shoulder the load so Wall can focus on what he excels at. Wall hasn’t been a second option in his life but he’ll need to be one to have a second NBA life.

The Wizards will need John Wall to defy the odds if they are going to compete in 2020-21. Owed over $40 million each of the next three seasons, the Wizards will be hard-pressed to win with even a slightly diminished Wall. There are encouraging signs out of Washington that the John Wall of old will be back but until he suits up again all we’ll have is this….

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1207118245796315137?s=20

It’s promising. Hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come.

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