Before the season began, Kobe Bryant challenged Washington Wizards point guard John Wall to make the first-time All-Defense team, which a goal that Wall had already set for himself as a part of his self-proclaimed "Wolf Season". So far during the 2017-18 season, Wall has not lived up to that goal as he has had up and down defensive effort throughout the season as he constantly switches to avoid running around and often does not get a hand up to contest jump shots.
He has struggled through left knee soreness and on Monday played through one of his many migraines that have plauged him through the last few years of his career. Putting that aside, Wall's effort can be better even though he is averaging a career-high 1.1 blocks per game to go along with 1.3 steals per game.
Early in the game, John Wall gets hung up on a Dirk Nowitzki screen that compromises the defense as Dennis Smith Jr. is able to drives into the paint uncontested.
Seconds later, Wall gambles for a steal on an outlet pass leading to an uncontested 360 dunk from Smith.
Wall goes under the screen and Smith crosses over to the other side leading that leads to an assist to Maxi Kleber.
Wall goes under another screen, which may have just been the game plan, and Wes Matthews hits an open three that Markieff Morris does his best to contest.
Although it is not his man, Wall does not attempt to contest Yogi Ferrell's jumper.
Wall does not get a hand up to contest J.J. Barea's shot even though he made the effort to run at him.
This had no affect on the made shot from Smith on the other side of the court, but Wall is unaware of a backdoor cut from Ferrell (that Oubre picks up) and ends up covering nobody in the right corner.
Wall is late to fight through a pin down screen against Matthews.
Both Wall and Beal ball watch as Ferrell runs in uncontested to putback Smith's miss.
Although I have pointed out nine defensive lapses on Wall's part in his 36 minutes of play on Monday, he did flash on more than one occassion to make impressive plays benefitting his team. That he is capable of playing extremely good defense is probably one of the more infuriating parts of his inconsistent effort on the defensive end of the court.
Wall blocks Kleba at the rim on good help defense.
Wall blocks Smith in transition to prevent the easy layup.
Wall attacks Barea on the floor and dives for the loose ball.
Wall gets in the passing lane on a kick out to Ferrell in the right corner and forces a turnover.
Wall covers a lot of ground to contest a Ferrell three in transition to help force a miss.
Wall denies Smith the ball late in the shot clock leading to a Dallas turnover.
