In one sense, the Wizards’ 99-95 loss at Atlanta on Saturday night felt like a first step forward for the work in progress that will be the Washington team this season after they spent Thursday’s opener at Orlando stuck in neutral and/or park. John Wall dominated in the second half and showed his jump shot won’t just be an NBA joke, Al Thornton proved he’s got some chops at the small forward, and Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee both made strides, giving the Wizards some life offensively and defensively as the team itself was much more active, intense and most importantly, competitive.
But it’s hard not to feel like if Wall weren’t a 20-year-old rookie, there’d be reason for another fruit plate episode. Wall isn’t used to losing – Kentucky went 35-3 last year – and if Washington’s season opener was a simply a chance for him to get his pro legs underneath him, Saturday’s contest was the realization for him that if he doesn’t take over, there’s little chance right now that the Wizards will win many games at all this season – especially with no Gilbert Arenas and Josh Howard. Even on the TV broadcast, what was strikingly apparent about Wall was his intensity after he scored buckets in the third and fourth quarters. As he backtracked on defense, he was constantly imploring his teammates to be ready – “Let’s go!” – offering loud and demonstrative pleas to help him make a run that would keep the game from getting out of hand.
Down the stretch, however, with Wall sitting on 9 assists, the Wizards missed shot after shot, denying Wall his first NBA double-double and making the road upset increasingly impossible to pull off. If I recall correctly, Kirk Hinrich, Yi Jianlian, Thornton, and Blatche all missed attempts that would’ve given Wall the elusive No. 10 while keeping the game within reach. Even the last play of the game looked like a consolation attempt to get Wall the assist when he drove and dished to Yi, but the big man got fouled on the play and didn’t convert the basket.
Wall, of course, himself ran out of gas, but having already scored nearly half of the Wizards’ points in the second half (22 out of 45), he had to be on fumes. Any frustration he had over missed jumpers late is likely to be equaled with his frustration at a lack of offensive support from the rest of the team. Whether or not he voices that publicly going forward will be a difficult decision.
Wall Watch
The final 3 minutes, 2 seconds of the third quarter were simply electrifying. With the Wizards down, 64-58, Wall scored Washington’s next 12 points to eliminate the deficit and square the score at 70 heading into the final period. He used his breathtaking speed to get into the lane, and when he didn’t finish at the rim, he made 6 of 8 free throws.
Here’s how badly the Wizards needed him: When Wall sat with 10:22 left in the game, the score was 72-72. When he came back in at the 8:37 mark, it was 79-72. Wall finished the night +3, one of three Wizards to finish on the positive side – along with Thornton (+2) and Yi (+5).
Ballers
Al Thornton
Finally, definitive proof that Thornton is in shape and ready to prove he should be at least under consideration to remain the starting small forward spot even after the return of Howard. Back in his native Georgia, Thornton put up 24 points – tying him for the most he’s had since getting traded to the Wizards last winter – on a 10-for-15 shooting night that offered a combination of midrange jumpers and tough work inside. His missed 3-pointers still proved costly and he’s got to shoot better from the line (4 for 8 won’t do), but when Thornton stays active for long stretches like he did, he gives the Wizards another weapon – and they desperately need one.
JaVale McGee
Defensive rebounds (6 of ‘em) and blocked shots (a career high-tying 7 of ‘em) – that’s substance over style, enough that he deserved a salute for the mammoth driving dunk over Josh Smith in the third quarter.
Busts
Cartier Martin
A lesson in “Let’s not get hasty.” After 17 points against Orlando, Martin’s spells against the Hawks were dreadful – he finished -13 in less than nine minutes with zero points.
Yi Jianlian
He was a step late twice in row in his defense on Al Horford late in the fourth quarter, the second an alley oop that put Atlanta up, 95-87 with 96 seconds remaining.
Portrait play
With the Hawks ahead, 83-76, and threatening to stretch their advantage, Wall made them pay twice on the fast break, hitting Blatche and Thornton in quick succession on back-to-back plays with pinpoint passes in transition for layups. Blatche’s reception could’ve been picked off if it weren’t for the quickness and precision of Wall’s pass.
Trend of the night
It won’t last, but Wall is officially a career 67 percent shooter from 3-point range after hitting 2 of 3 attempts in the fourth quarter against Atlanta.
