John Wall: 4 Reasons the Washington Wizards Point Guard Is Still a Future MVP

After an embarrassing 4-17 start to the Wizards’ 2011-2012 season, it comes as no surprise that franchise centerpiece, John Wall, is taking much of the heat for the team's troubles. 

What is surprising is the number of fans who are ready to jump ship and lose hope on the second-year player from Kentucky.

As the first overall selection in the 2010 draft, Wall was expected to be the first and main piece in an extensive rebuilding process for the Wiz: A process that was elongated before it began, with the decision to drop $100 million on Gilbert Arenas and his childish antics.

Resultantly, Washington is stuck with the league’s second highest player spending half the game on the bench, and one of the NBA’s most inexperienced teams.

Criticism is expected in a league where players are ultimately judged on wins and losses.

But the fact remains that we have not yet given the point guard sufficient talent or time to judge.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Nor were Jordan’s Bulls. Nor Kobe’s Lakers.

So why is it expected from Wall's Wizards?

Here are four good reasons he is still a future MVP--

High Expectations

As the top overall draft pick heading to a city plagued by home team let-downs, John Wall entered his rookie season with big shoes to fill.

And contrary to popular belief, he filled them pretty well given the circumstances in Washington last year. 

Second only to Blake Griffin in scoring among rookies, Wall averaged 16.4 points a game while running the point for the 23-59 Wizards. His eight assists, and nearly two steals per contest, both ranked in the top ten among the entire league.

The North Carolina native erased any doubts that he lacked superstar potential, with several flashes of brilliance including a triple-double (and six steals) performance in his sixth career game. He finished second in ROY voting, and tied a franchise record with nine steals in his first ever home game.

If you are not sold yet, consider Wall averaged more rebounds, assists and steals per game than Derrick Rose did in his freshman campaign.

Google "2011 Maurice Podoloff Trophy winner", and give me call. 

Here's more--

The Calipari Effect

Speaking of Derrick Rose, the Bulls point guard and John Wall have something else in common besides their tremendous talent. 

They both played under John Calipari.

The Kentucky basketball coach appears to have an eye for first round draft picks, yielding a fresh harvest of NBA-ready talent each season. With seven top-30 picks in just the past two seasons (and five more on the way), Lexington has become the go-to pit stop for the nation's premier players. 

While many continue to criticize the whole "one and done" concept, Calipari embraces it.

His superior recruiting skills compensate for the players lost to the draft each year. It is a cyclical process that consistently produces lottery draft selections, and he has mastered it.

Especially with point guards.

Derrick Rose (#1 overall in '08) and Tyreke Evans (#4 overall in '09), both exemplify Calipari's ability to turn raw talent into star potential. After running the point for him in Memphis, both Rose and Evans have experienced success in the NBA, proving Calipari's system effective and the naysayers wrong. 

Now it is Wall's turn to silence the critics. 

And this is why he will--

Growing Pains

At 20 years, 65 days old, John Wall became the third-youngest player to record a triple-double in the NBA. Adding six steals to the already impressive stat line slotted Wall next to names like Magic Johnson and LeBron James in the record books. 

What many would consider a teasing performance in just his sixth career game was really a display of his true capability. 

Now just 21, the face of the Wizards organization has plenty of time to realize his true potential. 

The biggest knocks on Wall (no pun intended) are his high turnover rate and tendency to get too emotionally invested in the game. Both of which are not only common in young players, but fixable. 

Yes, I do realize his numbers have dropped slightly through the first 22 games of his second year. But such a decline can be expected as a result of the lockout shortened season. 

Coping with an 0-8 start and a coaching change just weeks into the year have proven strenuous on the point guard who has been a main target of media attention and criticism in the nation's capital.

But he has to keep his head up and hopes high.

He has room to grow and the time to do it.

Let's see why he'll succeed.

Riding Solo

Kareem had Magic. Jordan had Scottie. Wall has...

Javale McGee?

Exactly.

Just recently, we witnessed the closest thing to a successful one-man-team on record with LeBron James in Cleveland. His failure to secure a ring and ground-breaking departure for South Beach confirmed the belief that no single player, no matter how talented, can win alone. 

Three doesn't cut it either (see: 2011 NBA Finals).

No, the magic number is 12. And as far as I am concerned, the Wizards are at square one.

The closest thing Wall has to a legitimate scorer is the consistently, inconsistent Nick Young. His starting center, Javale McGee, is more focused on the slam dunk competition than his teammates. And Rashard Lewis is being paid $22 million to criticize the coaching staff and miss open jump shots. 

As we anxiously await the expiration of Lewis' massive contract, it is important that fans remain patient while the organization tries to piece together a team capable of competing with the NBA's elite.

Meanwhile, improvement is inevitable while the young core of John Wall, Jordan Crawford, and Jan Vesely continue to play and mature together. Additionally, another potential lottery pick this June could yield a viable option at center: something Washington has lacked for seemingly decades. 

With a formidable post presence, Wall could finally run the pick-and-roll effectively; freeing up space for perimeter shooters.

Unfortunately, the process of rebuilding is one that will take time.

But once the front office can surround him with a sufficient supporting cast, Wall will finally have a chance to show fans why he was so coveted coming out of Kentucky.

He will finally live up to the hype, bringing success to a city in need and some shiny hardware home for the trophy case.