Wizards fans probably can recite from memory the list of snubs and undeserved criticisms that John Wall has been subjected to since joining the team in Washington.
They started with Colin Cowherd's absurd rant after Wall's debut ("Who's your daddy?") and continued last year with agent David Falk's rant ("John Wall will never be as good as Kyrie Irving was in his first week in the NBA"). Even Wall's decision to get tattoos was subject to judgment in the local media, with his flip-flopping on the issue being evident that Wall was not a leader deserving of a max contract, or something like that.
There has been no shortage of snubs for Wall either, at least in his mind. There's the recent ranking of No. 31 best player in the league by SI or being excluded from ESPN's top 25 players under 25 in 2013. Being left off the original list of players invited to camp for Team USA and getting cut after a belated invite are further examples.
Rest assured, Wizards fans, Wall is taking note of this disrespect and using it to fuel his fire as he enter the 5th season of his career. Per the Washington Post's Jorge Castillo:
John Wall keeps a list on his phone of the slights and criticism he hears, reads and perceives. He updates it whenever he comes across a new form of disrespect and reads it for motivation before he steps on the floor for every practice and game.
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"I'm one of the most complete point guards in the league," Wall, 24, said Tuesday after the Washington Wizards concluded their first training camp practice. "I rebound, I assist, play defense, steal, score. I don't get why I'm overlooked. I'm still trying to figure it out."
If you're wondering what Wall is going to do about Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters suggesting that the Wizards being the best backcourt in the league is "nonsense," wonder no more. Wall's phone list has a new entry.