Washington Wizards point guard John Wall took his game to another level this season. Wall had always been a star, but he experienced career highs in PER, assist rate, effective field goal percentage and scoring this season — the Wizards’ best as a franchise since they won the Eastern Conference in 1979.
However, Wall was largely excluded from MVP conversations. With Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double while James Harden and Kawhi Leonard posted historic seasons as well, the best Wall can hope for when the vote is announced in June are a few fifth-place votes.
When asked if being spurned motivated him or made him angry, he showed maturity.
“[Not being considered for MVP] just gives me more motivation to get to where I want to be. I want to be on top of that [MVP] list. That’s always going to be a goal for me individually. I ain’t worried about it, though. Those guys are each having a heck of a season too. All I can do is keep improving, keep winning, and eventually I’ll get there,” said Wall, via Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype.
That’s the PR-friendly answer, but it’s also the right answer. If Wall can use this as motivation to get even better, he’ll be in the conversation next year when the race isn’t historically great. It shouldn’t be in Wall’s head that he isn’t being considered. And, based on this answer it doesn’t seem to be.
The most he can do right now is keep grinding.