There's still plenty of time for Wizards point guard John Wall to become the face of the franchise, a result which is much-hoped-for by Washington's basketball fans.
However, Wall hasn't been given the easiest row to hoe to start his career, what with being drafted by an organization which contained a roster that possessed extraordinary physical gifts, but sometimes lacked even the most rudimentary basketball sense.
Throw in an ugly lockout that took away part of his second season, and Wall has some built-in excuses. However, in a video released on the Wizards team site, Wall took himself to task for playing too many summer exhibition games and not spending enough time working out.
The transcript comes to us via Bullets Forever.
QUESTION: Did you feel like you were at a disadvantage this year? Nobody had a summer, nobody had much of a training camp, but for a younger player, that would seem to be pretty important.
ANSWER: No ... I didn't think I had a disadvantage. I just think that, instead of working out more, I did more of playing in charity events and summer leagues, when I should have been working out more. That's the only thing I think I should have done differently, but it was a great experience going to different states and venues.
Wall has talked often about trying to improve his game. We sense this summer will be a crucial one for his development.