John Wall has taken a lot of heat in recent weeks for Washington’s struggles. He’s been called out publicly by everyone from Stephen A. Smith to J.J. Barea for his play and leadership this season.
While there may be some valid criticisms of how Wall has managed things both on the court and in the locker room this season, the issues Washington is facing this season are not about his shortcomings. To understand the heart of the issue, it’s important to understand the unprecedented amount of pressure the Wizards put on him to shape the culture of the franchise as soon as he was drafted.