On Tuesday 29 Dec, John Wall chatted live with fans in China on the NBA’s official Weibo social media account (weibo.com/NBA), discussing the Wizards’ start so far, when he first dunked, the evolution of his game, and who wins when he and Paul Pierce bowl together.
Fan: You’re my favorite player! My friend traded you in his fantasy basketball league, and he said it was the worst decision he made in 2015!
Wall: I appreciate it! Everybody’s gotta make those tough decisions, and the way I was playing early in the season I woulda traded me, too.
Fan: What do you think of rap? And Tupac?
Wall: I love rap, I think it’s great. Tupac’s one of the greatest of all time. I wasn’t around when he was putting his music out, but I know lots of people who were. He’s real good.
Fan: Top 5 point guards in the league?
Wall: Point guards? Steph. Russ. Me. Lowry’s playing well. I’d say Dame, too. Kyrie would be in there if he was healthy, but he’s just getting back into the groove.
Fan: How has your 3-point shooting improved this year?
Wall: Just taking better 3’s. Not taking bad ones. I do take them from time to time, but those are heat checks. Just putting in work. Last year I took bad ones, now I’m taking smarter ones. And playing off the ball sometimes has helped me, too.
Fan: How are you so good with your ball control? Especially your weak hand?
Wall: People used to think I was left-handed but when I was young my coach taped my right hand behind my back for like 2 weeks, so I just improved working only on that
Fan: What’s it like being in the East with D-Rose and Kyrie?
Wall: I think it’s great. Those guys are all great players. Since I’ve been in the league they’ve been doing well and I just tried to get better and better. There are even other great PG’s in the east, too. Lowry’s been great. Reggie. The NBA’s a point guard league right now.
Fan: What’s your special skill?
Wall: My special skill? I love going bowling. Me and Pierce used to compete. We talked trash, competed a couple times. It was fun. He won once, I won once. We just have a good time.
Fan: I’m voting for you for All-Star. And I really want you guys to make the Playoffs. Can you make it in?
Wall: Main thing is we didn’t start the season the way we wanted to, but we were right around .500. There’s always gonna be that tough stretch. But we’re in a perfect spot, given that we stayed at .500. Now it’s time for us to click, esp as we get guys healthy.
Fan: We know you’re injured right now and want you to get better. How are you feeling?
Wall: I appreciate it a lot. I’m getting a little better day by day. It’s tough right now because we have guys down and I’m trying to be the leader I need to be. But I’ll get back healthy.
Fan: Who’s the most promising young player in the league?
Wall: I can’t say right now. Lots of talented young guys. AD’s proven he’s one of the best young players in this world, and I’d say him if you wanna be honest about it.
Fan: My friend just started watching the NBA and says you’re his favorite player
Wall:Thanks, I appreciate it a lot. I try to do my job and go out and be the best player and person I can be and be a role model. I’m glad to hear that.
Fan: How did you get your crossover so good? Whenever I try to go fast I lose the ball.
Wall: Just practice! Work on it every day. Just improve it, keep getting better. Kind of like my shooting. Not everybody’s blessed to be a great shooter, but you have different things you work at.
Fan: Top 5 all-time?
Wall: Magic. Jordan. Kareem. Bird. Olajuwon. There are some other guys playing right now that might make their way onto that list, too, but that’s the list of guys who aren’t active.
Fan: What’s Kobe like? Are you guys friends?
Wall: I don’t know if Kobe really has friends to be honest! He’s a great person to teach you. When he’s playing he’s one of the greatest competitors I’d ever play against. I feel like he’s always unstoppable. He’s gonna compete every minute, every second. He’s meant so much to the NBA.
Fan: What do you want to say to Eric Bledsoe?
Wall: He’s my brother. Just sad to see it happen to a person like that, somebody I call my brother. He was having a great season. I just wish him the best of luck and speedy recovery.
Fan: What are your thoughts on the Spurs?
Wall: Great. That’s one thing about them, they never do it with flash. They do it with class. They don’t care if they get noticed. They just make the playoffs and try to play for a championship. I’m glad as a team we could beat them the past 2 years!
Fan: Who’s your favorite music to listen to? Who’s your idol?
Wall: Lil Wayne’s my favorite artist. My idol was Allen Iverson.
Fan: Can you guys beat LeBron and the Cavs?
Wall: Always gonna be a tough competitor. You gotta worry about those guys but I feel like we have a great opportunity. The NBA’s so much about luck. You have talent, but you need to be healthy and playing your best basketball going into the Playoffs, like last year. We couldn’t beat the Raptors, then we finally got to them in the Playoffs.
Fan: Are you afraid of failure?
Wall: No. Never been afraid of failure. One thing that helped me a lot is my rookie year was tough because I was getting adjusted, and it was the first time I lost so many games in my life, total. My confidence dropped at times, and I got back to being myself and believing in my ability. That’s why I’m not scared.
Fan: How and why are you so fast?
Wall: I have no idea! I just thank God for blessing me with the ability to be fast.
Fan: Can you guys compete with the Warriors? What do you think of Steph?
Wall: Steph’s unbelievable. Great year last year, and even better year this year. He’s unconscious. But I think we can match up well. People have adjusted to play small ball, but they have the right pieces to do it. Other teams try, but they’ve proven it works. They’re the reason why the league’s going small.
Fan: Can you make the All-Star Game?
Wall: I think I have a chance. If our team’s not doing well I know it’s tough, and I said if this team’s playing well and I’m playing better I give myself a chance. I just try to give us a chance to win games!
Fan: What do you remember about Yi when you played together on the Wizards?
Wall: I think Yi was a cool teammate! He can shoot the ball real well. He can play.
Fan: When did you first dunk?
Wall: I think 10th grade of high school. That was great. I tried like 12 times in practice, and I finally made it and coach was like ‘alright practice is done for the day.’
