It’s tough to recognize how good someone is until that person is gone. While I don’t think we’ll see John Wall leave the Washington Wizards anytime soon (or ever, hopefully), we have to appreciate how good he is. Let’s not take the guy for granted, because, well, he’s fantastic.

Over the past couple of seasons, Wall has really ascended among the best point guards in the league.

The critics will always be there. People will continue to have false assumptions about John Wall. Even though that’s the case, those that watch Wall play know how great of a player he’s become — both on and off the court.

After entering the league in 2010 following just one season at Kentucky, Wall didn’t know how to run a team nor lead. The Wizards’ core was comprised of Nick Young, Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee and Jordan Crawford. Needless to say, Wall was put in a tough situation coming from a winning system at Kentucky.

The losses piled up, yet John Wall never fussed or complained about the team.

Owner Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld assured their young star that everything would be alright in a few years. Now, we’ve entered a period where the Washington Wizards are consistent winners.

They no longer have knuckleheads on their team and they’ve put together a roster based around proven veterans and young players who are willing to develop.

The Wizards will be considered one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this upcoming NBA season, even though they lost Paul Pierce to the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer. The group of players that led the team to the semi-finals will return. More importantly, the Washington Wizards will get an improved core back.

On top of an improved roster, John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter will all get better this season. But as we’ve all seen, the Wizards will go as far as their superstar point guard can take them.

Wall will be called upon to lead the team in ways that he didn’t have to in the past.

The 25-year-old guard was always a leader on the court, but he often deferred to some of the more proven veterans in the locker room.

Players like Trevor Ariza, Al Harrington, Emeka Okafor and others were the vocal players that led meetings and such.

That won’t be the case this upcoming season, though.

Wall is going to take on a leadership role that only true stars get to experience. Essentially, for the first time in his career, the Washington Wizards will be completely led by their star this upcoming season.

The pressure of leading a team is high, but Wall is ready to take on the challenge. In a weak Eastern Conference, Wall might be the second best player behind LeBron James. Washington’s roster is equipped with shooters and versatile players that will thrive along side the speedy guard.

Washington’s maturing core will help Wall grow as well.

Beal will finally take the leap towards NBA All-Star status and Porter will be the starting small forward. The trio has been together for three years and they’ve become accustomed to each others’ games. When you take a look at the Eastern Conference, it’s tough to find a team that’s been together as long as the Washington Wizards have.

Wall will have another year of winning and continuity under his belt, which should only help him improve his game.

Washington will compete for a top seed in the conference as a result. We all know that individual success yields individual accomplishments, but in order to win the most notable individual trophy in the NBA, the team as a whole needs to succeed.

John Wall is coming into a season where he’s going to win, put up big numbers and get the support he needs from the fans. If things go according to plan, the Washington Wizards will have a player on their team who’s going to be considered for the Most Valuable Player award.

I can’t believe that it’s already been six years already, but Wall is entering the prime of his career. If Derrick Rose and Stephen Curry could do it, why not John Wall?