Mr. Wall Goes To Washington

Wizards Hope Wall Can Rejuvenate Franchise

John Wall is seen by many as the one true franchise player in this year’s NBA Draft, and the Wizards are hoping Wall will become the face of the team after selecting him with the No. 1 pick. New owner Ted Leonsis says Wall is the “kind of player who can really zap some energy into the building and the fan base,” and the team is already putting Wall banners up throughout Verizon Center. Wall clearly stands out on a night that longtime NBA writer Bob Ryan described as “one of the most boring, uninteresting drafts I have ever seen in my entire life.” ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons also calls the event one of the “most boring” drafts in recent years due to the lack of drama surrounding the proceedings. One group that likely does not believe it was boring: Priority Sports & Entertainment, which reps a draft-high four first-round selections.