It’s not really a diss, but speaks volumes to the sometimes negative transformation a team will make upon signing an aging star.
Paul Pierce was a huge piece for the Washington Wizards last season, but he also made them much slower and more easier to defend on offense.
On Friday Wall told J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic that the 37-year-old Pierce did hold back the Wizards’ ability to push the pace last year.
“No disrespect to Paul but we wanted to kind of be a half-court team. He couldn’t get up and down the floor,” Wall said. “He’s not the young Paul anymore. He helped us out a lot in so many other ways in making big shots and being a leader.”
“Now this is an opportunity to let Otto exhale, running the floor, being able to create off the dribble, slashing to the basket … Now Otto is getting rebounds and pushing the pace,” Wall said. “(Head coach Randy Wittman) is believing in everybody and letting those guys know they can make plays just like I can.”
he Wizards are looking to play at a faster pace this year — hoping to move up from being the 19-ranked-offense in the league a season ago.
Otto Porter should allow Washington to push the pace on opposing teams more this year.