More than anything, the NBA is a business — and for the players, that means the potential to be moved or traded anytime that it’s allowed by the NBA, and, sometimes, it can create some awkward moments.
For multiple-time All-Star John Wall, his transition to the Clippers wasn’t all smooth sailing at first. After it was first announced he’d be joining the team, some of his comments about his newest teammate, Reggie Jackson, went viral online by fans who found the whole situation quite amusing.
“Man, everybody talking about me getting $80 million and you got people getting $85 and $90 million that ain’t been an All-Star or anything like that,” Wall said back in 2015. “I guess they came in at the right time. The new CBA kicked in at the right time. That new CBA kicked in and they’re good now. Like, Reggie Jackson gets five years, $80 [million]. Like, I’m getting the same amount as Reggie Jackson right now.”
Even after hearing that quote for himself today, Jackson didn’t fire back with an antagonistic response. Instead, he took the opportunity to show some solidarity with his squad.
Jackson never publicly responded to those comments, and many people thought there could be some issues with the two guards now that they’re on the same team. Now, Reggie is here to let everyone know the two are cool and focused on the common goal.
“It’s not really that big of a deal,” Jackson explained. “We’re teammates [now]. We were young, it was a comment. He probably used it as a flame to play when you’re younger, but it’s been all welcome from both parties since he’s gotten here. We’re just all about doing something special.”
The Clippers have everything you could want in a title-contending team. They have a pair of stars and leaders, a deep and talented supporting cast, and one of the best coaches in the league game-planning from the sidelines.
They also have unity, which is important for any contender. While we have yet to see this team in action, they are saying and doing all the right things, and there is a real sense that their best days are yet to come.
