John Wall upset he was picked 12th for Rising Star Challenge: ‘It’s a joke to me’
“It’s a joke to me,” Wall said according to the Washington Post. “If they think there are 11 guys better than me, then that’s their decision. But I know what I think in my mind and all I can do is go out there and play basketball the way I know how to play.
“If they think I’m the 12th-best player out of all of those players, then that’s their decision. That’s my mindset. I know what I worked on this summer and I know what I can do on the basketball court. That’s just one game. I’m not really worried about it. It’s one game. We got more season before the all-star break and after the all-star break, and how I want to finish.”
After a slow start, Wall has picked it up as of late. However, he was not selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Part of that is likely a result of the Wizards 7-24 record, but Wall’s 16.9 points and 7.5 assists per game are not that overwhelming. More importantly, someone should remind last year’s rookie vs. sophomore MVP that the Rising Star Challenge — like the All-Star game — is merely an exhibition for the fans. The fact that Wall is that offended by being picked late proves he has a lot of growing up to do.