John Wall talks Lockout after playing an exhibition game – NBA Update
With the NBA Lockout on the verge of wiping out more games in the next NBA season, there have been reports of a fan backlash against the NBA players. However, these reports were proven wrong last Saturday when Goodman League took
on Team Philly at the Coolidge High School.
A host of NBA players received a rapturous welcome as they made their entry on to the court. However, the enthusiasm from the capacity crowd reached new heights when John Wall, the Washington Wizards guard, grasped the court.
Wall arrived at the venue an hour late which led to the delayed start. But, it wasn’t his fault as a series of unfortunate events, involving a four hour flight delay and a 2 hour road trip to reach the Gym, made that happen.
The ordeal was frustrating for sure, but it was nowhere close to the frustration Wall is facing as the NBA Lockout lingers on.
“I knew it was real from Day One and they told us, ‘Don’t call no coaches.’ And I couldn’t walk up to Verizon [Center] and park my car to go work out at any time of night or any time of day. So I knew it was real, but now you’re
seeing the real aspect of the business of this NBA stuff. It’s tough. You know you’re missing the first two weeks. Hopefully after the two weeks are over, we can get back to playing basketball”
David Stern, the NBA Commissioner, has already cancelled the first two weeks of the NBA season after the last round of direct talks on Monday, October 10, failed to produce a break through. The whole labour dispute is circled around
the ‘Basketball Related Income’ or BRI. NBA owners took only 43 percent of this income in the previous CBA, however, now they want 53 percent share. There are also other issues like structure of salary caps and as of now, there has not been an agreement on
anything whatsoever.
Wall said that although he was disgusted when the first two weeks of next NBA season were cancelled, but he fully supports the players union, which has stuck for the rights of the players. According to him, owners believe the more
they will drag the lockout, players would eventually give up and start folding.
He was also critical of his Wizards’ team-mate JaVale McGee, who after a union meeting on Friday, had said that some players are willing to fold.
“If you start to fold, it’s going to hurt us. That’s what they want us to do,” Wall said. “They want us to fold. If you’re going to take 50-50, take it now. Don’t lose two games, two weeks and don’t lose no money, if you’re going
to fold in a week or two.”
Wall’s disappointment over the lockout however did not affect his game as he more than made up for his late arrival by scoring 38 points in just the three quarters. His points tally though was not enough as the Goodman league lost
out 172-169.
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