Washington Wizards: John Wall's Excuses Show Immaturity, Lack of Responsibility

John Wall has a reason for why he has failed to live up to the hype we all saw after he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2010, and it's a doozy. 

According to Wall, his development has been stunted because of the fact that he played in too many charity games during the lockout.

It's almost laughable to use that as an excuse.

Wall wasn't the only player participating in charity games during the lockout months. Guys like Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade played, too, and they don't seem fazed.

As the leader of a young team, Wall can't be making excuses like that. He mentions that he wishes he had spent more time in the gym. Is that really what Ted Leonsis wants to hear from his franchise player? Doesn't he already expect Wall to be working out and getting in shape to improve his game?

It really looks like that, at times, Wall isn't committed to the franchise the way he should be.

After being selected No. 1 overall and entering the league by doing the Dougie for 30 seconds, the speedy point guard has not lived up to expectations at all. He's only averaged 16 points and eight assists in his short career, and he's turned the ball over a whopping four times per game. 

Wall's PER is 17.36, which is 23rd among all point guards behind guys like Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack, Nate Robinson, Jerryd Bayless, Rodney Stuckey and, yes, even Jordan Farmar.

With a 16-46 record, the Washington Wizards are the second-worst team in the NBA and will miss the playoffs for another season.

Is that really what the Wizards were expecting from their franchise point guard?

Most likely, the answer to that question is a resounding no.

You could point out the fact that Wall doesn't have any help on his dismal team or that he's still in his second year, but those excuses can't work anymore.

Wall may not have any solid surrounding teammates, but neither does Kyrie Irving in Cleveland. He has lifted that team out of misery, and the Cavaliers have a bright future with him leading the charge.

And he's only a rookie.

Don't get me wrong. Wall is an unbelievable talent, but he's letting it all go to waste. It just doesn't seem like he has the maturity, leadership qualities and basketball IQ to handle a starting point guard job in the NBA.

Colin Cowherd, in a livid rant last year, pretty much called this right after Wall's first week in the NBA, and we all blasted him for it. He raised a point about how Wall is more Allen Iverson than Magic Johnson, and he's completely right. 

Wall may be a skilled guard, but at times, he makes it look like it's all about him, which reminiscent of Iverson and Stephon Marbury. Unlike Irving, Wall doesn't make the players around him better, and that is exemplified by the Wizards' poor record. 

In fact, the Wizards are just 10-62 on the road since they drafted Wall. Road games are played in hostile environments, and strong leadership is needed to overcome them. The fact that Washington can't buy road wins shows that it has a poor leader.

When it seems like your main priority is figuring out why you were selected 12th overall in the NBA Rising Star Challenge rather than why your team is in the gutter in the standings, that pretty much says everything about your commitments, Mr. Wall.

Now, he's blaming the charity games.

What happens next year when the Wizards fail to make the playoffs and Wall still fails to become one of the elite point guards in the league?

It's time to take full responsibility for Wall.

He's running out of excuses. 

Leave your comments below, even if they call me a hater.