John Wall has been magic for Wizards

WASHINGTON - Donovan McNabb was benched in the final minutes of his team's game because his coach basically said a lifetime backup had a better chance of winning the game than McNabb, a 12-year pro with six Pro Bowl appearances.

That, folks, is not even close to being the hot topic of sports discussion in the nation's capital, however.

Donovan, you're not in Philly anymore.

All the hype - and it is blatantly evident as you walk the historic downtown streets amid No. 2 Wizard jerseys - is John Wall.

Amazingly, the Washington Wizards moved up to the top spot at this year's NBA draft lottery and landed the heralded point guard out of Kentucky whom many anointed the best player in the draft - by far. The 76ers, of course, landed the second pick, with which they chose national college player of the year Evan Turner out of Ohio State.

Each will be looking for his first pro win tonight when the Sixers visit the Wizards at the Verizon Center.

While Turner thus far is being looked at by the Sixers' brass in terms of what he will mean in the future, Wall is the here and now for an organization that has won 45 games combined the past two seasons and was devastated by the death of owner Abe Pollin last year. Pollin's wife, Irene, was present when the Wizards moved up to the top slot in May.

Wall has been dubbed "The Great Wall of Chinatown," as the Verizon Center is planted in that part of D.C.

"He's someone you can build on for the future," Wizards coach Flip Saunders said after yesterday's practice. "He's your cornerstone, he's your building block as far as he's not only a great player but he's a great person."

As Saunders spoke, a twinkle was in his eye and a slight smile formed. It is a familiar look. After talking to Wall's teammates, they all seem to develop the "I know something that you don't" look.

If it's that Wall already is a great player, after one college season and two games in the NBA in which he's averaged 21 points and nine assists, well, that just would be too obvious. It seems that Wall might be even better than any of his coaches, teammates or fans envisioned, or hoped.

He speaks as fast as he plays, though he was slowed a bit yesterday as he mildly sprained his right ankle in Saturday's loss at Atlanta, a game in which he had 28 points and nine assists. (He will play tonight.) He probably would be wildly successful in the league if he was simply given a ball and told to go out and play, but Wall also is a student of the game and a strong critic of himself.