John Wall on Wizards’ playoff downfall: ‘Our bench got outplayed’

Washington Wizards guard John Wall (AP/Alex Brandon)

The reigning NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers are set for a finals rematch against the Golden State Warriors, after dispatching the Boston Celtics in five games of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Still, both fans and pundits alike are still left wondering if the Washington Wizards would have posted a better challenge to the LeBron James-led squad.

The Wizards were one win away from challenging the Cavs, but lost a pivotal game 7 against the Celtics.

Over the weekend, the Wizards’ best player, John Wall, shared why he believes his team failed to set up a date with the perennial Eastern conference powerhouse.

“We need to help our bench,” the four-time NBA All-Star told CSN’s Chase Hughes. “Just to be honest, that was our downfall in each series that we had in the [Eastern Conference] semifinals, our bench got out played.”

He also wished that the team’s young role player, Kelly Oubre, could have gotten more playing time, but refused to throw his coach Scott Brooks under the bus.

“I think Kelly Oubre could’ve played a little bit more, but coach makes the decision, and we stick behind him 100 percent,” he added.

Wall was instrumental throughout the Wizards’ playoff push, but appeared to have ran out of steam in the deciding game after missing his last 11 shots from the field.

Oubre, on the other hand, was suspended for one-game of the series for his altercation with Kelly Olynyk, but managed to produce 6.5 points per game on 51.6 percent shooting.

Earlier, Wall’s backcourt mate Bradley Beal made headlines after proclaiming that “Cleveland didn’t want to see us.” Khristian Ibarrola/JB

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