Rookie John Wall Makes History

 

John Wall, Washington Wizards

Philadelphia 76ers 115  Washington Wizards 116

There was no doubt this night would come.  2010 1st pick in the draft John Wall was going to show us why he could be rookie of the year and turn the Wizards franchise around, much like Lebron James did for Cleveland.  At least we didn't have to wait too long.

The Wizards were hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at their season home opener with an 0-2 record.  Phileldelphia, with the 2nd pick in the 2010 draft Evan Turner, were 0-3 and also looking for their first win of the season.

The beginning of the first quarter was clearly controlled by the 76ers.  Great ball movement, 7 points on 7 assists and shooting 75% for most of the quarter.  All signs pointed to a long night for Washington.  It only took 5 minutes for the Wizards to be down 10 points and with 4:52 left in the quarter, they were already in the penalty, giving Philidelphia free throws on every foul.  It got to a point where the Wizards were down 14 points, but found it in them to go on a 18-5 run bringing down the margin to 1 point, 28-27.  Much of that run was fueled by Washington's Nick Young who scored 15 points in 14 minutes, much of those points scored in a back in forth 2nd quarter.  At half time the score was 50-48 in favor of the Wizards.

The 3rd quarter was all about momentum, as Wizards kept control most of it going on a 12-2 run, improving their ball movement and shot selection.  Philidelphia perhaps knowing they were in trouble, found it in them to go on a 6-0 run to end the 3rd, now down 6, 72-66.

During a hard fought 4th quarter by both teams, Washington would have possesion of the ball with 3.1 seconds left, down 106-103.  With the game on the line, the Wizards handed the ball to 2nd year player Cartier Martin for a contested 3 pointer.  Not a pretty looking shot, off balance and with a Andre Igoudala in his face, his jumper would still drop forcing the game into overtime.  Needless to say, the Verizon Center erupted with excitement and appreciation that their home team had no intention of giving up.

After a close OT quarter, with lots of free throws, it was Philadelphia's turn to try disappoint their opponent.  After 2 made free throws by Andray Blatche, the 76ers gave the ball to Andre Igoudala with 7.1 seconds, down 1 point, 115-114.  It was not meant to be.  Igoudala would miss his jump shot and the game was over.

The reference to John Wall making history was in his 31st assists in his first 3 games in the league.  No other player in NBA history has done that. Wall also had 29 points, 13 assists and 9 steals in the game.  He had plenty of help from Nick Young's and Andray Blatche's combined 43 points.

The 76ers did however put on a great show in their 4th consecutive loss of the season.  They shot 55%, Lou Williams had 30 points and 11 year veteran Elton Brand scored 21 before fouling out in the 4th.  Evan Turner, 2010 2nd draft pick, finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

The Rookie of the Year trophy winner, personally, is more exciting to me than this years MVP recipient.  Blake Griffin and John Wall will keep me glued to every Clippers and Wizards game from now on.  Not something I could have imagined myself saying a few years ago.