John Wall's profile has changed, but his focus hasn't
https://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2011/12/john-walls-profile-has-changed-but-his.html
The extended NBA offseason allowed John Wall to cash in on his burgeoning celebrity in ways that he never could have imagined just four years ago, when he was barely known outside of his home town of Raleigh, N.C.
After a relatively successful rookie season with the Washington Wizards, Wall heard his name dropped in a popular rap song and found himself filming a promotional video for his shoe company, Reebok, with Grammy-winning producer Swizz Beatz and rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill. He celebrated his 21st birthday in several cities, with hip-hop mogul Diddy and platinum-selling rapper Drake as special guests at a party in New York.
And, shortly before NBA owners and players reached an agreement that created a 66-game regular season, Wall sneaked away in late November for his first flight across the Atlantic to film another Reebok commercial and check out the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“It’s crazy how life can change in the snap of a finger,” Wall said recently. “You’ve just got to thank God. But I’m still the same person — humble and hungry.”
No matter how the circumstances may have changed around Wall, he hasn’t lost focus — even with more of his favorite musicians on his cellphone contact list and more fans recognizing him as he practices moves while air-dribbling on the street. Wall has made being an all-time great, not fame, his ultimate goal, and won’t let the ancillary benefits of his talents deter him from elevating the franchise that selected him No. 1 overall in 2010.
“That’s how I am as a person. I have a lot of goals for myself. But I’m more focused on the Wizards organization, D.C., representing them,” Wall said. “I just got to go play my game. That’s the main thing I’ve got to do here, but also do it in the right way to keep my team happy and keep myself happy and try to win games.”
Raised hopes for a new year
As Wall gets set for his second season, which begins Monday against the New Jersey Nets, his shoe company already has begun a TV, print, digital and in-store marketing campaign promoting this as a possible breakout year. And the Wizards already have given Wall, still their youngest player, more responsibility as a leader on and off the court.
When he started his first season, Wall had to contend with the presence of the former face of the franchise, Gilbert Arenas, and had Kirk Hinrich around for half the season to serve as a mentor. But at times, the pressure of being asked to lead when he didn’t exactly know where he was going and the pain of playing games when his left foot and knees were damaged were overwhelming for Wall.
Wall quickly showed he is one of the fastest players in the league with the ball. But his inability to slow down at times led to careless turnovers and poor, rushed decisions.
He also struggled with playing for a team that sometimes lost more games in a week than Wall did in his only season at Kentucky. He was prone to frowns, glares and helpless looks in tough situations in games and practices. “At times last year, he’d get down on himself and pout when things didn’t go right,” Wizards Coach Flip Saunders said. He added that Wall has matured some since the season ended.
After a relatively successful rookie season with the Washington Wizards, Wall heard his name dropped in a popular rap song and found himself filming a promotional video for his shoe company, Reebok, with Grammy-winning producer Swizz Beatz and rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill. He celebrated his 21st birthday in several cities, with hip-hop mogul Diddy and platinum-selling rapper Drake as special guests at a party in New York.
And, shortly before NBA owners and players reached an agreement that created a 66-game regular season, Wall sneaked away in late November for his first flight across the Atlantic to film another Reebok commercial and check out the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“It’s crazy how life can change in the snap of a finger,” Wall said recently. “You’ve just got to thank God. But I’m still the same person — humble and hungry.”
No matter how the circumstances may have changed around Wall, he hasn’t lost focus — even with more of his favorite musicians on his cellphone contact list and more fans recognizing him as he practices moves while air-dribbling on the street. Wall has made being an all-time great, not fame, his ultimate goal, and won’t let the ancillary benefits of his talents deter him from elevating the franchise that selected him No. 1 overall in 2010.
“That’s how I am as a person. I have a lot of goals for myself. But I’m more focused on the Wizards organization, D.C., representing them,” Wall said. “I just got to go play my game. That’s the main thing I’ve got to do here, but also do it in the right way to keep my team happy and keep myself happy and try to win games.”
Raised hopes for a new year
As Wall gets set for his second season, which begins Monday against the New Jersey Nets, his shoe company already has begun a TV, print, digital and in-store marketing campaign promoting this as a possible breakout year. And the Wizards already have given Wall, still their youngest player, more responsibility as a leader on and off the court.
When he started his first season, Wall had to contend with the presence of the former face of the franchise, Gilbert Arenas, and had Kirk Hinrich around for half the season to serve as a mentor. But at times, the pressure of being asked to lead when he didn’t exactly know where he was going and the pain of playing games when his left foot and knees were damaged were overwhelming for Wall.
Wall quickly showed he is one of the fastest players in the league with the ball. But his inability to slow down at times led to careless turnovers and poor, rushed decisions.
He also struggled with playing for a team that sometimes lost more games in a week than Wall did in his only season at Kentucky. He was prone to frowns, glares and helpless looks in tough situations in games and practices. “At times last year, he’d get down on himself and pout when things didn’t go right,” Wizards Coach Flip Saunders said. He added that Wall has matured some since the season ended.
