John Wall says superstars like Kobe, LeBron need to take charge in the lockout

John Wall was at an event that wasn’t televised, another of those basketball exhibitions with multiple stars called “Clash of the Superstars.” At the event, Wall said something pretty interesting to Michael Lee of the Washington Post.

“I think we’re going to have to have guys like Kobe [Bryant], LeBron, the face of the NBA, to step up and say something,” said Wall, who was in Las Vegas this week when National Basketball Players Association President Derek Fisher and executive director Billy Hunter updated the players on the labor impasse. “Derek Fisher and those guys are doing a great job, but I just want it to be over. I can’t really say too much. I only have one year under my belt. . . . I just want to sit back, learn and listen and see what’s going on during the meetings.”

via John Wall shines in charity game, but he and Kevin Durant worry about NBA lockout - The Washington Post.

That’s a second-year player essentially calling out the two biggest stars in the league to get involved. LeBron is one thing, he and Wall have been close for years. But calling out Kobe is kind of a big deal. The question I have is what exactly will be gained by a star coming in to throw his weight around? One of the reason players like Bryant have constantly said to support the union is to make sure the younger players are able to earn as much as they did.

And any move by the players is just going to destabilize efforts. If Wall wants to play, he needs to advocate for leadership that’s already in place (including a superstar by the name of Chris Paul, by the way). That’s the only way to spur negotiations, which is the only way to really create progress towards a resolution.

Anything destabilizing only inflames the situation. But it’s nice to see that Wall just wants to play. That’s the kind of attitude that fans want to read about.