For many NBA players, it can be a struggle to recapture their previous form after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. In the case of new Houston Rockets point guard John Wall, though, he’s expecting to come back even better than before.
One reason is that Wall believes he has added to his game during his personal downtime, pointing to work on post-ups and floaters. But the biggest reason for Wall’s confidence is that he simply feels better.
Here’s what Wall said about his health at Thursday’s training camp practice, which took place on the eve of Friday’s preseason opener.
In all reality, people don’t understand. … I can’t wait to show what my bone spurs look like, and what I was playing with the last six, seven years. It was nothing I really could control. I couldn’t plant a lot, in certain ways, to shoot jump shots. I couldn’t even do certain moves, because my leg was hurting so bad. Now, I’m able to do everything at an explosive level on either side, going left or right. That makes my game a lot better than it was before.
John Wall says he "can't wait" to show what he's able to do on the basketball court pain-free in both feet. In addition to shooting, Wall spent his downtime working on post-ups and floaters. pic.twitter.com/MDl74qlwXo
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 10, 2020
Wall does have several advantages relative to many Achilles recovery cases. For starters, the five-time All-Star waited nearly two full years before returning to an NBA game, which allowed him extra time for strengthening and rehabilitation that many players who return the next season don’t have. Second, Wall suffered only a partial rupture and not a total tear. So between the Achilles recovery and procedures to address other issues, like the bone spurs, Wall is optimistic about his health.
“I feel good, and I look good,” Wall said with a big smile at Thursday’s interview. “I’m doing media again, so I’m happy.”
Now 30 years old, Wall has played nine NBA seasons since his selection as the top pick in the 2010 draft. The 6-foot-4 guard has averaged 19.0 points (43.3% FG) and 9.2 assists in 35.9 minutes per game.
When Wall takes the court with the Rockets in Friday’s preseason opener at Chicago, it will be his first NBA action since Dec. 26, 2018.
“It’s going to be a lot of anxiousness and a lot of excitement on the floor when the jump ball goes up,” Wall said. “Once the ball touches my hands one time, it’s over. Now, let’s play basketball, get out there, have fun, just try to get better as much as we possibly can as a group. I’m enjoying this new journey I have with my new team and new city.”
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