Most people were wondering if he would bust out the John Wall dance in his debut at the Verizon Center, instead he opted for...the Dougie?
(via @talkhoops)
Ladies and gentlemen, the face of the franchise! Now on to the notes from the first quarter:
- As expected, JaVale McGee wins the tip. No reason he shouldn't go undefeated on those. Who can jump higher than he does? Seriously?
- John Wall's first pass on the fast break, just a bit too far in front of Kirk Hinrich, so the first stat he collect at the Verizon Center is a turnover.
- No one told Andray Blatche this is supposed to be John Wall's coming out party. He takes three shots in the first two and a half minutes.
- After missing his first jumper, Wall draws contact and makes 1 of 2 in his first trip from the line.
- So much for riding that home crowd advantage in Wall's first game at the Verizon Center...the Wizards start the game down 12-3.
- Also, so much for a home crowd advantage, according to Gene Wang, who says there are plenty of seats still available at the phone booth tonight. How the Wizards can't sell out Verizon Center in Wall's debut after the Nationals sold out Strasmas at a venue with nearly twice the capacity is beyond me.
- The TV broadcast shows Irene Pollin sitting courtside, wearing the same outfit she wore in May when the Wizards landed the first overall pick in the NBA draft. Hopefully it brings some more good luck.
- Also sitting courtside: Ted Leonsis. Always nice to see owners mingling with the fans, even if they're the ones who paid the most for their seats.
- John Wall's first assist comes as he finds Al Thornton cutting to the basket for an easy slam after drawing a double-team.
- Philadelphia's speed is making it very difficult for Wall to push the tempo on the break. As soon as he starts to push the ball, the whole team is back to make sure he isn't getting cheap points.
- That said, he's still utilizing his quickness in the half court, drawing three fouls in the first nine minutes.
- Evan Turner finally enters the game with less than two minutes to go in the first quarter. Wall promptly reminds him who was drafted first as he hits sets up Al Thornton for a layup on the fast break.
- John's first highlight play of the season comes on a beautiful And-1 play where he catches the Sixers' defense off guard and finishes after drawing contact with Thaddeus Young.
- That play was the highlight of a strong run to end the first quarter. After falling into an early double-digit deficit, the Wizards finish the quarter down 28-27.
- Wall's line: 6 points (1-3 FG, 4-7 FT) 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 rebound and 1 steal.