On a recent episode of Paul George’s Podcast P, John Wall showed up as a guest and the two discussed the former superstar point guard’s claim as the best Wizard in team history.
The topic started because Paul George had recently spoken to another Washington legend, Gilbert Arenas, who gave Wall props as the Greatest Wizard. “As a Wizard player, his body of work is bigger than mine,” Arenas stated on George’s podcast.
So, with Wall in the building, George played that quote and asked for his own thoughts on that honor.
“It’s funny bro, because I do,” Wall responded in regards to viewing himself as the best Wizard. “I know how much Gil means to the city and how he embraced the community the same way I did,” he added.
“I feel like I’m that guy. Going No. 1, embracing the city the way I did, the way they embraced me — I definitely call myself the greatest Wizard. But I don’t really like to say that unless other people say it. It’s a debate to have, but I respect Gil for that.”
George then asked if Wall believed one day his No. 2 jersey should hang in the rafters? He’d be honored by such a gesture.
“That would be something I would love for my family. I would love that. For the team that drafted me No. 1, that would be great.”
Wall continued, explaining just how special his connection is with the city he played in.
“I think for the city, they would love that and embrace that for sure. But you know, D.C. will always be home to me. I connected with the fans, I connected with the community. They all will hold a special place in my heart.”
He wants that jersey up there, though: “But for damn sure, my jersey should be in the rafters, bro.”
Wall almost certainly will have his number hanging in the rafters in Washington after his incredible nine-year career there. While in Washington, John Wall made five All-Star teams, one Third-Team All-NBA, finished seventh in the 2017 MVP voting and averaged 10+ assists per game for three straight seasons at one point.
Sure, the 2017 second-round loss to the Celtics represents what could have been at the peak of the Wall-Beal era, but regardless, the former Kentucky star goes down in franchise lore.
As for Wall’s claim as the greatest Wizard, he may have a case. Of course, Washington’s franchise hasn’t always been the Wizards. They began as the Chicago Packers for one season, then became the Chicago Zephyrs for one year, followed by a decade as the Baltimore Bullets, then one season as the Capitol Bullets before changing to the Washington Bullets for the last quarter of the 20th century. They’ve only been the Wizards in the 2000s.
Wall is likely the top exclusive Wizard over Beal and Arenas, but there’s really no arguing against Elvin Hayes as the greatest player in franchise history. He only spent six years with the Bullets, but was an All-Star every single season, made three All-NBA First Teams and one Second Team, finished third in MVP voting twice and helped deliver the franchise’s only championship in 1978.
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