John Wall is playing 35.7 minutes per game; good for 10th in the NBA. In terms of actual minutes played, Wall is at 1,677; good for third in the NBA and 22 minutes off of the leader in the category, Jimmy Butler.

Are the Washington Wizards leaning too heavily on John Wall?

He was reportedly questionable for Tuesday night’s matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers due to Achilles soreness but that was later disputed by Wall himself when he said the issue was actually migraines. This past summer, after his longest season in the NBA, Wall delayed accepting an invitation to try out for Team USA because he was having shockwave treatment for tendinitis on his left knee. He had also suffered various leg issues at the beginning of his young career.

This concern with minutes is compounded by John Wall’s importance to the team.

The last time the Wizards played without Wall for a stretch of time they started off a season 5-24. Since his return that season, the team has a 105-84 record. He’s vital to their defense, he drives the offense, he initiates any fast-break points they get, and he makes players around him better.

In essence, John Wall does everything for this team and therein lies the problem. He’s relied on too heavily and has to play too many minutes accordingly. He can’t maximize the pressure he plays with defensively or pace offensively properly when he’s playing excessive minutes and is the only reliable ball handler on the floor. He needs help on the court, and needs less time on it.

This team is playing with fire given John Wall’s history of leg injuries early in his career and eventually they may get burned.

If you look at the trends this season and last you can notice a pattern:

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Last season John Wall’s FGA and FTA declined steadily as the season progressed and by the end of the season, he was rarely attacking the basket or getting to the free throw line.

This season we’re seeing a similar effect and it begs to ask the question; is John Wall tired?

If he played less minutes and/or shared the court with someone who was capable of distributing the basketball consistently of spearheading the perimeter defense, would he be more aggressive in those fewer minutes? Is part of the reason he seems so hesitant to go to the basket or passes up layup attempts in traffic in exchange for a kick-out pass because he’s trying to conserve himself?

Unlike other top point guards like Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard, John Wall doesn’t have the luxury of coasting defensively occasionally because of the Wizards struggles offensively.

At 17th overall in the NBA in PPG and 20th in pace, the Washington Wizards simply aren’t good enough on offense.

They don’t garner enough possessions and aren’t efficient enough in the possessions they do get. The consequences of this are that the Wizards are vulnerable to teams that get hot early and go through severe hot/cold spells mid game.

All this adds to the burden that John Wall must carry. He has to be focused defensively from the start and if the bench falters, he’s routinely coming back in early to right the ship.

The problem would have been somewhat mitigated had Bradley Beal taken the leap this year many expected. That’s not to say Beal has been terrible, but inconsistency and shot selection have plagued him and his ball handling and ability to create is limited.

Andre Miller was able to fill in admirably last year after he was acquired from Denver, but he seems to be finally showing his age. Defensively his play has been terrible and offensively, Miller is really struggling to get the team into their sets.

Do the Wizards have to make a trade or sign a free agent to help out?

A combo guard who can share the backcourt with either of the guards would be the ideal (i.e. Rodney Stuckey), but the front office seems to be infatuated with the possibility of Ray Allen joining the team and will may stand pat with their open roster spot until a decisions is made by Allen. Will Bynum’s name has been mentioned, but his team’s participation in the CBA Playoffs can delay his return until Mid-March.

With the minutes, nagging injuries, and burden that John Wall has on him, it’s time for the organization to protect him and bring in help.

The team is reportedly still persistent in their pursuit of Ray Allen, but should the focus turn from him to a player more capable of spelling John Wall as well? It’s about preservation and maximizing his ability while he’s on the floor.

What good is John Wall going to be come playoff time if he’s physically worn out by then? If this team is going to fulfill its potential, it will be because John Wall led them there.

It’s time for the organization to stop playing with fire and enable him to take this team as far as he could.

All stats used are via ESPN.

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