John Wall is on the (very) short list of best point guards in the Eastern Conference and, at this point, there isn’t a ton left for the Washington Wizards star to prove on the floor. However, Wall and his team face an interesting challenge in the form of Lonzo Ball and the Lakers on Wednesday and, given the dynamics in play, there will be some additional eyeballs on the proceedings.
While Wall referred to Lonzo as “a great kid” in a recent interview with NBC Sports Washington, he also indicated that his father, LaVar Ball, has placed a “target” on his back and that just might extend to Wall himself in the first individual match-up. In advance of the contest, LaVar indicated that the Wizards “better beware” of the Lakers and his son at the point of attack and Wall responded in kind when speaking to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post.
Wall was prompted about any tendency toward taking it easy on the youngster and he quickly indicated that “no mercy” would be shown to Ball in this particular spot. Beyond that, Wall weighed in on the fact that seeing Ball on the other side of the court is in some rarified air for matchups to “get up for.”
“Certain matchups you really get up for. Like when you play [Golden State Warriors guard] Steph [Curry], you definitely want to have a good game. I’m playing against [Ball]. [Gortat] said what he said about me. I didn’t say anything. His dad has been talking … that makes me want to go out there and lead my team and play the best I can play.”
The All-Star point guard wasn’t the only member of the Wizards to chime in, as center Marcin Gortat responded to LaVar Ball by speculating on Wall “torturing” the rookie guard.
man….. pleaseeeeee!!! @JohnWall will torture him for 48min 😂😂😂😂
— Marcin Gortat🇵🇱 (@MGortat) October 23, 2017
In truth, it would be a surprise if Wall did not get the better of any matchup with Lonzo Ball right now, simply because one player is an established stud while the other is still figuring things out at the NBA level. Still, this is yet another indication that LaVar’s words aren’t making anything easier on his son and Wednesday should be interesting.
