John Wall's First Big Test Comes Off-Court, Resulting From On-Court Play

Kentucky star John Wall has inevitably run into freshmen growing pains both off and on the court.

The freshmen guard has had his worse four-game set this season, turning the ball over 20 times while watching opposing guards out-play him.

Wall, the dashing scorer that he is, has been unable to score 20 or more points in his past dozen games after scoring more than 20 in half of his first eight games.

Wall’s struggles offensively are affecting his play defensively, with only three multiple steal games out of the last dozen, after multiple steal games in six of his first eight games.

The young phenom will need to learn that both sides of the ball are equally important in the NBA.

The best guards in the NBA are all well-defensively skilled and when their shots aren’t falling their defense still remains present.

The real test, however, came in front of the media, when the inexperienced Wall let his emotions get the best of him when talking about Calipari’s pointed criticism.

 “I just try not to listen to him and go out and play basketball and try and help my team win,” Wall said Saturday.

This is a big no-no in the NBA and coaches will not tolerate it no matter who you are.

Wall must also learn that what you feel must not always be said in front of the cameras.

Now that two days have passed, a calmer Wall intelligently escaped the trenches, saying he met with Calipari and "everything is OK."

Calipari called Wall's small outburst "a teaching point" and said he's not worried about their relationship becoming strained.

Wall’s small outburst was nothing more than a Calipari tantrum.

Have you seen Calipari dig into his players verbally?

Wall, the sponge that he is, soaked in Calipari’s quick outbursts and re-enacted the elementary saying “I will treat you, like you treat me.”

It might work outside the world of basketball, but inside it will not be tolerated.

The good thing for the soon to be NBA star is this is the time to learn from your mistakes and Calipari is the coach to get him through it. 

"If we can teach him now how you have to respond in these kinds of situations, it's going to be good for him," Calipari said.

It sounds like Wall has matured and/or learned what to say in front of the cameras after a few days to ease his mind. 

"The main thing is to listen to Coach. He knows what he is doing," Wall said. "Derrick and Tyreke are doing great in the NBA. He said for me to call those guys if I need some advice, since they have been through the same thing."

Like offense and defense, on the court problems can directly contribute with off the court troubles and the faster a player learns this the better they are.

We will see how this affects the guards play today (Tuesday) as the Wildcats host No. 25 Mississippi (16-5, 4-3).