John Wall, an experienced floor general and former top pick in the draft, is presently not active in the NBA as he hunts for a new team unsuccessfully.
According to Wall, the absence of strong defense in today’s NBA is disheartening, with players appearing hesitant to defend each other, especially on the perimeter. This has transformed the league into a setting that resembles a laid-back pickup basketball match where offense holds more importance than defense.
Sharing his frustration in an interview on the OG Show, Wall conveyed his dissatisfaction with the current state of the league, remarking, “It’s challenging to watch because nobody is playing defense. There’s a lot of shot opportunities… to me, it feels like a pickup game. If you desire a score, you can easily achieve one. If you wish to go one-on-one, go ahead.”
John Wall mentions that the NBA of today is challenging to watch
“No one is bothering about defense.”
(via @theOGsShow / https://t.co/uSPrL11Xbo) pic.twitter.com/CZdy7w53SY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 17, 2024
Wall’s observation aligns with the overwhelming number of three-point shots taken by teams, with no squad attempting fewer than 30 threes per game. Some teams, like the Boston Celtics, are even trying an incredible 42 shots from the distance each night.
Thankfully, conversations are underway within the NBA competition committee to reintegrate defensive elements into the sport, aiming to find a middle ground between the entertainment value of NBA 2K video games and the live basketball action.
While the art of shooting three-pointers has its advantages, there exists a worry about the excessive dependence on it in today’s NBA, sparking discussions on where to establish boundaries.
Despite remaining teamless since his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he demonstrated his prowess by averaging 11.4 points and 5.2 assists across 34 games, Wall, aged 33, continues to believe he can contribute more after his successful spell with the Washington Wizards. During his nine seasons with them, he made five All-Star appearances.
