Apr. 15, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) shoots a free throw against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Playoffs have been the Washington Wizards’ goal since drafted John Wall first overall in 2010, but the four year guard has yet to experience the post-season. Now that the Wizards have finally established their “core” and their aspirations don’t seem so farfetched, John Wall might finally break the playoff drought in the nation’s capital which has lasted nearly half a decade.

Since Wall signed a max contract this offseason, expectations have inevitably risen and anything short of the playoffs will be a failure in Washington. Despite the task, John Wall says he doesn’t feel any pressure and will write the word “playoffs” on every pair of shoes before each regular season game.

“You will see it on all my shoes,” Wall said last week. “Every game pair is going to have `playoffs’ on it. That’s my main determination…I should be in the playoffs.”

–via Howard Beck of Bleacher Report

Despite Emeka Okafor’s absence, the Wizards haven’t changed their goal and anything short of the playoffs will undoubtedly disappoint everyone associated with the franchise, including its starving fanbase. It’s time that John Wall steps up and leads the Wizards to the “promise land”, or so he’s called it in the past, so the Wizards could finally close the door on an unfortunate past which has haunted the organization for quite some time. If anyone will push the team to the next level, it’s certainly John Wall.

Let’s hope his confidence and determination carries over to the regular season.

Wall will lead the Wizards to their third preseason game tomorrow night against the defending champion Miami Heat. The game is scheduled to be televised on NBA TV at 7:00 PM.