The LA Clippers have become notorious for being overly cautions with their players since Kawhi Leonard arrived, but they have unfortunately still dealt with major injuries despite this. The organization prioritizes health over everything, likely in part due to how Leonard’s time with the San Antonio Spurs ended, with the team reportedly pushing him to play before he was physically ready to.
This approach has led the team to place a minutes restriction on veteran point guard John Wall, even though the five-time All-Star is 100% healthy. Having been forced to sit out all of last season despite being heathy, Wall no longer wants to spend time on the bench if he does not need to. Currently under a minutes restriction that the team has capped at 24 minutes per game, Wall has not gotten to play as much as he’d like to.
Following a recent win over the Houston Rockets, which happened to be what some would call a “revenge game” for John Wall, the veteran point guard was very unhappy with his limited minutes. Wanting to perform well against his old team, Wall was unable to get into much of a rhythm. Speaking with reporters after Friday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs, Wall admitted he could have maintained his composure better than he did following the Rockets game, but once again reiterated his frustration with his minutes restriction.
The need for more John Wall
Lifting John Wall’s minutes restriction is not only something that will be beneficial to him, but it will also be beneficial for the team. So far, the Clippers have gotten very inconsistent guard play from players like Reggie Jackson and Norman Powell, and both players have been forced to play trough struggles that would likely get them benched if Wall were more available.
Currently averaging similar per minute statistics to his prime years, Wall has been fantastic in a limited role. Perhaps the most frustrating part for him right now, is that he is fully healthy. This is not a situation where Wall is coming off of an injury so they team has to be cautious. Wall was 100% healthy last season, and says he is 100% healthy now as well.
Similar to the situation with Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have their sights set on a bigger picture with John Wall. The team wants him to be the best version of himself in the playoffs, even if that means sacrificing some of what he brings early in the season. Wall knows this, and accepts it, but that doesn’t make it any easier for a competitor like himself.
Continuing to be a star in his role, John Wall hopes that role can expand soon. Once it does, it will undoubtedly help both he and the Clippers be at their best.