Is Wall Top 5 PG?

[deneem4]

Chris Paul is one of the greatest point guards to ever pick up a basketball and play this sport. If Wall aspires to play a Chris Paul-type game for the rest of his career and Washington is unable to surround him with the talent he needs to win, that's on our front office. Not on John...

Wall will make anyone he plays with better. He doesn't even need to play with a dominant Durant-caliber scorer. Just swap Nene for someone like Paul Millsap who can consistently score in the post + stretch the floor, and Washington would be a top ~5-7 offense with Wall battling Curry and CP3 for the 'best PG in the game' label.

Wall/Beal/Pierce/Millsap/Gortat would be easily the most dangerous team in the East right now. Not to talk of him having a beastly PF like Aldridge, Griffin, etc.

exactly thats what im saying...lets surround him with talent now instead of holding our hands until durant makes a decision...lets maximize his potential while hes young as the main option so when he plays with s more elite player he can be ready to step up instead of lean on...durant is durant but okc needs Westbrook...wall needs to learn to be westbrook now at times...so when durant comes he csn play at that level...when beal and kd jumper off wall will confidence in his scoring rather than forcing others with his excellent play making....

ans yes chris paul is one of the greatest but if he played more like the hornets paul instesd of thr clippers paul in thr playoffs they wouldve made it wayy further...he relies on blake and while blake is an excellent option chris paul is still an elite scorer, who csn give you 30 with ease...sometimes you have to be a ball hog...even if it mesns your % s go down...you have to play to win....
thats honestly what stopped the heat run last yr...lebron didnt take more than 22 shots in 7bgames straight in thr finals...his % s was incredible but when u going for gold nothing else matyers but the win

Wall does not need to learn how to be Westbrook, a player who is incapable of trusting his teammates and gets by off of sheer athleticism. Wall needs to continue training himself to always make the correct basketball play, which he's been doing a great job of this season for the most part.



Chris Paul always made the CORRECT basketball play in his prime. The only reason he's not as aggressive now is because his athleticism has declined and injuries have taken their toll. It's clear he doesn't have as much confidence in that part of his game now and defers more than he should. If you put a *prime* Chris Paul on the Thunder instead of Westbrook, he has multiple championships by now.

Keeping the future of the TEAM in mind, I would rather Wall continue doing what he's doing right now, than for him to be chucking up shots he's not good at it or hurling himself into the paint and screaming for calls he won't get. I don't want him reverting back to bad habits when he's on the verge of turning a corner in his development. As he gains a greater understanding of game situations, he will know when to attack and when to set others up. Keep in mind, this is the best team he's ever been on in his life, and he's never experienced this much NBA success. So as a young guy he probably feels confident that he's progressing well, despite the fact that we as fans have minor criticisms here and there.

Furthermore, Wall has actually been pretty good in the clutch this season. He's 11th in the league in clutch ppg, shooting at 51% fg: http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/c ... F=GP*GE*10

We're typically not losing these close games BECAUSE of Wall. We're losing them because Wittman can't draw up a play to save his life that gets us a good shot in the final 3-4 minutes of the game. Something has to change about the way we execute in crunchtime, but it's not on Wall. At some point Wittman has to figure out how to get the team better looks when we need them.

[deneem4]

Chris Paul is one of the greatest point guards to ever pick up a basketball and play this sport. If Wall aspires to play a Chris Paul-type game for the rest of his career and Washington is unable to surround him with the talent he needs to win, that's on our front office. Not on John...

Wall will make anyone he plays with better. He doesn't even need to play with a dominant Durant-caliber scorer. Just swap Nene for someone like Paul Millsap who can consistently score in the post + stretch the floor, and Washington would be a top ~5-7 offense with Wall battling Curry and CP3 for the 'best PG in the game' label.

Wall/Beal/Pierce/Millsap/Gortat would be easily the most dangerous team in the East right now. Not to talk of him having a beastly PF like Aldridge, Griffin, etc.

exactly thats what im saying...lets surround him with talent now instead of holding our hands until durant makes a decision...lets maximize his potential while hes young as the main option so when he plays with s more elite player he can be ready to step up instead of lean on...durant is durant but okc needs Westbrook...wall needs to learn to be westbrook now at times...so when durant comes he csn play at that level...when beal and kd jumper off wall will confidence in his scoring rather than forcing others with his excellent play making....

ans yes chris paul is one of the greatest but if he played more like the hornets paul instesd of thr clippers paul in thr playoffs they wouldve made it wayy further...he relies on blake and while blake is an excellent option chris paul is still an elite scorer, who csn give you 30 with ease...sometimes you have to be a ball hog...even if it mesns your % s go down...you have to play to win....
thats honestly what stopped the heat run last yr...lebron didnt take more than 22 shots in 7bgames straight in thr finals...his % s was incredible but when u going for gold nothing else matyers but the win

Wall does not need to learn how to be Westbrook, a player who is incapable of trusting his teammates and gets by off of sheer athleticism. Wall needs to continue training himself to always make the correct basketball play, which he's been doing a great job of this season for the most part.



Chris Paul always made the CORRECT basketball play in his prime. The only reason he's not as aggressive now is because his athleticism has declined and injuries have taken their toll. It's clear he doesn't have as much confidence in that part of his game now and defers more than he should. If you put a *prime* Chris Paul on the Thunder instead of Westbrook, he has multiple championships by now.

Keeping the future of the TEAM in mind, I would rather Wall continue doing what he's doing right now, than for him to be chucking up shots he's not good at it or hurling himself into the paint and screaming for calls he won't get. I don't want him reverting back to bad habits when he's on the verge of turning a corner in his development. As he gains a greater understanding of game situations, he will know when to attack and when to set others up. Keep in mind, this is the best team he's ever been on in his life, and he's never experienced this much NBA success. So as a young guy he probably feels confident that he's progressing well, despite the fact that we as fans have minor criticisms here and there.

Furthermore, Wall has actually been pretty good in the clutch this season. He's 11th in the league in clutch ppg, shooting at 51% fg: http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/c ... F=GP*GE*10

We're typically not losing these close games BECAUSE of Wall. We're losing them because Wittman can't draw up a play to save his life that gets us a good shot in the final 3-4 minutes of the game. Something has to change about the way we execute in crunchtime, but it's not on Wall. At some point Wittman has to figure out how to get the team better looks when we need them.

its not westbrook dont trust his teammates but when youre that go to guy and youre in a go to situation u have to make the play...il rather see wall driving anyday than kicking it out...that what makes opponent's remember....even if he misses...the next close game the wiz are in the defense will focus on him...
and no if the thunder havent had injury issues they wouldve won a titlw by now...the clippers team are built just as well...chris paul athleticism have nothing to do with his agressiveness hes never been the fastest but ask professor miller, you will never lose your craftiness and smarts and chris paul doesnt use those abilities at the end of games like he used too...
wall is our max player...and until we gets dursnt he needs to step up as the number 1 option simply because he is the only offensive option capable...beal mostly needs to be assisted at this point...pierce is good but not the same giy he used to be...wall is a capable scorer and needs to act like it more...u cant blame whittman we been knwoing for the longest hes not an a1 coach...wall has to know when to be a passer and a scorer...

[tontoz]

As far as attacking the rim there may be an issue of self-preservation in play here. If you take it to the basket a lot you are going to take a beating. I think that is why Wall is more selective now going to the basket.

[llcc25]

As far as attacking the rim there may be an issue of self-preservation in play here. If you take it to the basket a lot you are going to take a beating. I think that is why Wall is more selective now going to the basket.

I agree that Wall needs to be selective attacking the rim to for self preservation. But it's really about finding the right balance and making the right play on a given possession. For the most part this season, he's done that great. This past week, however, especially against close losses to OKC and Spurs, he was more passive in key stretches at the end of the game when the game was tight where I saw him take long jumpers in 2-3 straight possessions when I think the right play would've been to attack the rim.


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[deneem4]

wall is ok right now...but when the playoffs come n wall is thinking about driving or passing on a game winning posession...I want him to make the righ decision n not put the weight on others

[dckingsfan]

wall is ok right now...but when the playoffs come n wall is thinking about driving or passing on a game winning posession...I want him to make the righ decision n not put the weight on others

That really cuts to the heart of where Wall is - how will he do in the playoffs this year. Personally, I think he is going to blow up.

[hands11]

At this point. Its a lock.

Dude is looking so mature.

More assists and more steals then CP

The transition is happening. Just have to get his TS up a little more.

That fact PnR pass for the 5 footer was sick. If anyone have the video or giff, please post it.

[milellie111]

Wall right now is the best guard in the East. Easily a top 5 pg. Case for MVP is talk worthy now.

[CobraCommander]

Tonight it's a easy yes- but like we all keep saying - it's a day by day thing- he goes 1-7

[jangles86]

What I'm loving about Wall is that he isn't doing anything outstanding or unbelievable to get his stats and get the wins. He's doing it by shear talent and just grit and toughness. He is so consistent and solid.
He doesn't even look like hitting a form slump. He is doing things with ease right now. I can't even remember him playing a bad game.
That one year it all eventually all clicks at once and he has that special year. Geez... Look out.

[Illmatic12]

wall is ok right now...but when the playoffs come n wall is thinking about driving or passing on a game winning posession...I want him to make the righ decision n not put the weight on others

That really cuts to the heart of where Wall is - how will he do in the playoffs this year. Personally, I think he is going to blow up.

His only playoff hurdle was the Bulls (he used to be very intimidated by their defense).. now he pretty much feels like he can do whatever he wants against them. I mean we own United Center at this point






If we play the Bulls he'll average at least 18/10 on good efficiency.. he knows how to pick his spots against that team. Raptors? He individually destroys them on a consistent basis. Hawks have a good team D but Wall generally has no problem with them either (other than that last game when he was hungover or something).

People forget that we had to face the #1 and #2 defenses in the NBA last season, that's tough for a young point guard in his first playoffs. The Bulls defense is weaker now though, and thankfully we won't have to see the Pacers this year with George and Hibbert. Wall is going to show out in the playoffs on the national stage, and will continue to ascend into superstardom.

[Illmatic12]

What I'm loving about Wall is that he isn't doing anything outstanding or unbelievable to get his stats and get the wins. He's doing it by shear talent and just grit and toughness. He is so consistent and solid.
He doesn't even look like hitting a form slump. He is doing things with ease right now. I can't even remember him playing a bad game.
That one year it all eventually all clicks at once and he has that special year. Geez... Look out.

Wall's stretch at the end of 2013 with the 30-40+ pt games, that showed him that he could be an elite player on sheer talent alone. But this season he's realizing that he can be an elite player by simply using bball IQ and trickery. Very similar to how CP3 plays. He's adding a lot of different tricks in his bag -- just in the past few weeks we've seen his new fancy yo-yo- dribble and other various trickery in the PnR, his right elbow pullup, the sudden floater game he's added, posting up smaller guards like Dre does and scoring/drawing fouls, etc.

That was the worry I once had with Wall, that he would spend his whole career wanting to rely on pure speed and would never learn the nuances of the game. I must admit I underrated him, the kid is really smart and studies the game.

Some players, like a Westbrook, they may never get it until their athleticism starts to wane and it's too late. What's exciting about Wall is that he's starting to put it all together at such a young age. John is one or two years behind where Steph Curry is now, in terms of having utmost confidence in all facets of your floor game and being in complete control on the court. Then you combine that with his athletic supremacy at his position and tenacity on defense. The sky is the limit

Wall is going to be a perennial MVP candidate soon (heck, if we finish 1-2 in the East I bet he'll be top 5 in MVP voting come May) and we should enjoy watching it happen before our eyes.

[pancakes3]

www.businessinsider.com/john-wall-dribble-move-2015-1

How Wall's improved play is "carrying" the team's success.

[tontoz]

He should be shooting 4-5 3s per game. Even if he is missing he should keep shooting them. I think he gets gunshy at times when he is off and that just causes more misses.

These last two games have been epic. Last night could have been ugly since Rose was going off and Wall was missing/turning it over. But he didn't force things and came up huge in the 4th.

[theboomking]

A lot of people have Westbrook as a top 5 player in the league, based almost purely on his scoring. Wall's FG%, 3P% and TS% are all better than Westbrook's this year. Westbrook is better at getting to the cup, and scores in higher volume, but I think the stats and team records say that Wall has been the better player this year.

[tontoz]

A lot of people have Westbrook as a top 5 player in the league, based almost purely on his scoring. Wall's FG%, 3P% and TS% are all better than Westbrook's this year. Westbrook is better at getting to the cup, and scores in higher volume, but I think the stats and team records say that Wall has been the better player this year.

Westbrook got off the a blazing start but his chucking has caught up with him. I am not a big fan of Westbrook. He plays with a lot of energy and aggression but seriously lacks BBIQ. Sometimes he is the best defense against Durant.

[Ruzious]

Westbrook - like Harden - gets a ton of foul shots - and that makes up for a lot, but... he doesn't even have a 2/1 assist/to ratio, and he's a bad 3 point shooter. I wouldn't put him in the top 5.

[Nivek]

Westbrook is having a terrific season. Chucker or not, he's extremely productive. He does get to the FT line a lot -- more than twice as often as Wall, per 100 possessions. He shoots a better percentage from the line as well. And he rebounds -- he and Wall get about the same number of defensive boards, but Westbrook gets offensive rebounds too.

Westbrook and Wall are VERY different players. Westbrook shoots a ton more -- 39.5 true shooting attempts per 100 possessions vs. Wall's 22.9, and scores more (41.9 to 24.6). Wall assists more (14.5 per 100 possessions to Westbrook's 11.3) and commits fewer turnovers. Wall blocks more shots, but Westbrooks gets more steals. Both guys rate as very good defenders.

Wall and Westbrook have very similar offensive efficiency, but Westbrook has a usage of 39.7% vs. Wall's 26.2%.

In terms of overall impact on the game, Westbrook comes out ahead in my analysis. And in the top 5 PGs. By PPA (through games played Tuesday night)

1. Curry -- 277
2. Paul -- 241
3. Westbrook -- 207
4. Lillard -- 206
5. Teague -- 205
6. Lowry -- 179
7. Conley -- 176
8. Wall -- 172

Then there's a BIG step down to a group that includes Collison, Jennings, Walker, Bledsoe, Knight, Lawson, Holiday, and Irving.

If you want to go by per game production, Westbrook moves behind Teague, and Wall slips past Conley.

[stevemcqueen1]

Westbrook has a 40.4 usage rating right now

Basketball being a five man game, that means, this season, one of Westbrook's teammates literally never does anything with the ball when Westbrook plays.

Durant's is 32.8.

That OKC offense is an abomination.

[tontoz]

Nivek are you able to easily break down PPA by month? I know Wall was pretty weak in November. Thanks