Veronica Mars 2.11 - Wallace

[dlgood]

So there are many things about this episode that folks on LJ have discussed. Something I haven't seen anyone bring up, so I will...


Now before I get to that, did I miss something? Wallace ran off to Chicago with his mysterious new dad. Did V ask him about the dad? Has he talked with his brother or Alicia, and if so has this been related to me the viewer. 'cause if so, then I think I missed it. I'm more than a little curious. It's not to say that there aren't other plotlines going... it's just that, I actually like Wallace as a character so it's something I'd like to hear more of. Beyond his return as giving something for Veronica to do with the time she otherwise would have spent on the now departing Duncan.

That storyline went reasonably okay, despite the general inscrutability of his character. Duncan's a tool of a sort, but he doesn't bother me much because this is a guy who doesn't do anything a lot of the time.

But, really, I'd prefer they do something with Wallace, because what they're doing with the other supporting characters...

Logan and Weevil bore me. I know folks like bothe characters, and many people like them together. It's already gotten old for me. But, they bore me. Give me more Beaver and Kendall scenes... that is interesting and it seems to be going somewhere.

Now, back to Wallace and the cut line.

So it says here he played in the Chicago League with Rashard Rucker, fictitiously, the #1 prospect in the Nation. And Wallace averaged 8 points and 11 assists per game. 8 ppg for a senior guard isn't much to write home about. But 11 apg. That's a big deal. A guy who can play in a major school league like Chicago's and be good enough to play with a national star, and get 11 ag is a guy who can play. Is a guy who will get recruited...

So here's the thing. If that's a storyline, lots of stuff is missing from Wallace's story, or at least not shown. Which is okay, because the show is called "Veronica Mars" and not "Wallace Fennell". So we won't be hearing about his AAU team. Because anybody who is anybody as a player has an AAU team. We won't hear about his shoes - because almost any HS player of consequence has probably gone to one of the camps, and has already been put in a position to align with one of the shoe companies. (I'm guessing Wallace is a Reebok Guy)

If he's a senior, then he has probably gotten some press and write-up. Doesn't necessarily mean it would take over the school. But I was around this on the back end in CFootball recruiting. And the sort of players who play DI ball in college are people who are being watched as Sophomores in HS. And many of whom are already being asked to sign in Junior Year. (Basketball has early signing periods)

Presumably, if Percy Daggs doesn't leave the show, Wallace playing ball at the next level will be a storyline. So, while the show isn't covering it, I'm gonna be over here in my corner wondering what the tip sheet on his game is...

Comments

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

You're assuming that the writer of the line knew what the implications were. And considering the entire episode was based on an absolutely insane and false assumption, I'd be damn surprised.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

You're assuming that the writer of the line knew what the implications were.

Which line - the line about Wallace's basketball stats. Oh, I'm sure they don't know the implications. They just want to use it as Wallace's means to afford college should they be using him in a future season. I doubt the writer knows a ton about the basketball industry. Though i could be wrong.

[ludditerobot.livejournal.com]

Well, they established he's college-ball level (even though he's about a foot too short, I think, but perhaps he tries harder), and that there's a school in town that would be able to give Veronica close to a full ride. But, aren't those scores magical enough to play Div.I ball and get the hell out of Neptune?

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

They gave Wallace 11 assists per game, which means he's a point guard. Which, BTW, is a very smart thing as a writer. You don't have to be tall to play the point. While it's rare nowadays, guys can play even into the NBA at less than 6'0" as a Point Guard. As long as you are really quick. And there are plenty of examples of that in the college game.

[ludditerobot.livejournal.com]

But are those "get to Duke with a possibility of Utah Jazz" numbers, "get to Iowa State, get a Phys Ed major and play b-ball in the Koln team in Europe" numbers or "hope to get into a Div II or less team and work your ass off in a degree that'll take you somewhere after you blow out your knee" numbers? Or is it too small a sample to tell?

Apologies, of course, if I misjudge the priority list for schools.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Those numbers are more in line with getting you to a Low Major program or Mid-Major and eventually to play ball in Europe or getting in to coaching. Actually - somewhat in line with the HS stats of a player named Terrell Stokes who got signed by Maryland because their top tier prospects signed somewhere else. Stokes had a decent, but not great, college career - played in minor leagues, and is now an assistant coach somewhere in college.

[canadiangirl-86.livejournal.com]

I, too, adore Wallace so I was hoping he and Veronica would at least discuss his absence a lot more than whatever we got. But next week is pretty Wallace-centric so maybe it's not too late for that.

I think having Wallace play ball when they go to college next year will probably be a major feature of his storyline. And then of course he'll have to face all the temptations that kind of life brings. Should be interesting.