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Washington Wizards: Why John Wall Should Be MVP

By John Gove

Mar 29, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Verizon Center. The Houston Rockets won 99 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Verizon Center. The Houston Rockets won 99 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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What does it take to be crowned the Most Valuable Player of the NBA? In order to answer this question, I feel that it is important to look at what it means to be valuable.

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According to Merriam-Webster, valuable is defined as important and limited in amount. So in order to be considered for the MVP award at the end of the regular season, a player must prove that he is the most important player in the league, as well as a rare commodity that any team would pay a pretty penny to acquire.

In other words, an MVP candidate needs to be the soul purpose for his team’s success.

This season, most of the MVP talk has surrounded Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. Although these three individuals are highly deserving of being in the MVP discussion, I feel that there is another player that should be receiving some MVP consideration.

John Wall is the heart and soul of the Washington Wizards. Without his stellar play, the Wizards certainly would not be sitting in the fifth seed of the Eastern Conference. Wall’s importance to Washington is incomparable to any other star’s importance to their respective team.

Mar 29, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) looks on during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) looks on during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

With only seven games remaining in the regular season, John Wall is averaging 17.7 points, 9.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. At first glance, these numbers may not come off as anything spectacular. Compared to Curry, Harden, and Westbrook, John Wall’s PPG numbers are nothing to boast about.

However, it can be argued that all of John Wall’s individual numbers mean more to the success of the Wizards than Curry’s do to the Warriors, and so on a so forth. The Golden State Warriors could still make the playoffs without Stephen Curry. However, the Wizards would be far from playoff contention if they were without John Wall.

Wall currently accounts for 18 percent of the Wizards’ 98.3 points per game, 41 percent of their 23.7 assists per game, 11 percent of their 44.2 rebounds per game, and 24 percent of their 7.4 steals per game. Without him, Washington would be dead last in all but one of the categories mentioned.

The Wizards would manage to be second to last in rebounds, which does not say much for the Miami Heat who clearly struggle to rebound the ball. Obviously, one can speculate that whoever filled Wall’s place on the roster would contribute something in the way of statistics; but we cannot expect that roster-filler to put up similar numbers.

In addition to his numbers, Wall also plays an average of 36 minutes per game in order to insure that his Wizards have an opportunity to win every night. The guy has not missed a single game this season, and gives everything he possibly can each time he walks on to the hardwood. John Wall is the leader of his team, and he makes sure that basketball junkies all across this world are fully aware of it.

Mar 27, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) is congratulated by Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) after scoring a three pointer against the Charlotte Hornets during overtime at Verizon Center. The Wizards won in double overtime 110 – 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) is congratulated by Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) after scoring a three pointer against the Charlotte Hornets during overtime at Verizon Center. The Wizards won in double overtime 110 – 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

There is one thing that I want to make completely clear. In no way, shape, or form do I think No. 2 of the Washington Wizards is the best player in the NBA. Honestly, not one of this season’s MVP candidates is the league’s best player.

However, just because you are the best player in the league does not mean you are the league’s most valuable player. LeBron James is the best the NBA has to offer but his value is not as high as others due to the talent around him.

The bottom line is that the Washington Wizards would stink up the joint if it were not for John Wall. Paul Pierce’s glory days are behind him, and although Bradley Beal is making progress, he would be unable to carry this team on his back the way Wall has on numerous occasions.

Ask anybody in Washington D.C. that follows the Wizards, and I am sure they will tell you that John Wall gets their vote for MVP. Now, is he going to be? Well, the answer is no; but I do think he should at least be in the discussion.

Next: Have Wizards Turned Things Around?

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