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John Wall continues to reach new heights

Today's Wake-Up Call will take a look at John Wall's big day on Thursday, as he became the first Washington Wizard to be selected as an All Star starter since Gilbert Arenas in 2007.

By Ryan Gracia
Patrick Smith/Getty Images

John Wall is averaging career-highs in steals (2.1), assists (10), and field goal percentage (45.7) in just over 35 minutes per game and, without a doubt, has deserved every vote of yesterday's selection to his second straight All Star Game. More importantly, Wall has been selected to represent the Wizards as a starter in this year's NBA All Star Game in New York City!

We here at Bullets Forever wanted to give our franchise point guard and two-time All Star a major congratulations on a special day for Wall and the entire Washington community. This recognition shows how far Wall has come from what many called a raw athlete when he entered the league to now a point guard in the truest sense of the word, learning at every opportunity to mold his game into one of the best during a golden era of point guards.

1. Wall getting love from all parts of the basketball world

Current teammates, former teammates, and everyone in-between sent Wall tweets of congratulations upon hearing word of his becoming a first-time NBA All Star starter yesterday.

Wall even was in the forefront of the NBA's Eastern Conference starters picture posted on their Twitter feed:

When a Wizard is taking shine away from LeBron James and even New York's own, Carmelo Anthony, they must be doing something right.

2. Wall looking to take advantage of missed time last year

Wall's mom, Frances Pully, was unable to attend her son's first All Star weekend appearance last year due to fluid in her lungs. This time around, though, she will be able to make it to New York to watch her son start in his first All Star game, as her health has improved.

And, by the way, Wall has goals of an MVP and bringing a championship to D.C.

"What's next out there for me is MVP. That's my next, ultimate goal," he said. "My main goal is to bring a championship back to D.C. I feel like if I don't bring a championship to D.C. my NBA career isn't complete. That's just how competitive I am and just how much this city means to me."

We've got a pretty good superstar on our hands, Washington.

3. Wall led all Eastern Conference guards in All Star votes

The clearest sign of Wall's leap in popularity was not that he was voted into his second straight All Star Game, or that he was named a starter for the first time. The shock was that he had more than doubled his amount of fan votes from last year and was the leading vote-getter among the conference's guards by more than 80,000 votes.

4. Will Wall begin getting "star" treatment from referees?

It's been no secret that Wall has been frustrated by a lack of fouls called against his opponents throughout the season -- something that has become increasingly frustrating when seeing how the NBA's refs are quick to blow their whistles when a superstar attacks the basket.

"The difference I think is the jersey number and the name on the back," Wall said of a perceived lack of respect from game officials. "Simple as that."

The NBA would never admit to this, though it's a well-believed theory throughout the basketball community. Wednesday's game against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder was yet another example of this frustrating situation for Wall, a star on the verge of superstardom, who was in foul trouble late and unable to play as tenaciously on defense as he and his team needed in the final stretch. Being a starter in the All Star Game should help improve his lack of superstar treatment.

5. Wall deserves to be heavily mentioned in MVP discussion

This year's MVP debate has included many players, without a clear-cut favorite yet to land the award. Leading the Wizards to their 29-14 record, named as an All Star Game starter, and considering how much of an influence he is on this ball club, Wall should at the very least be given consideration into being voted to win the award, whether it happens or not.