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Is John Wall Ready To Take On Elite Status?

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Wizards 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Wizards 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 102-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 102-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Prowess

Looking at the other end of the floor on defense, Wall is just as good as he is on offense. Each season of his five-year career he has averaged over one steal per contest. This past season he was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. Wall ranked 11th overall in the NBA in steals and was first in blocks among point guards.

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In regards to pulling down defensive rebounds, Wall is also near the top of the point guard list, finishing second last season behind the Phoenix Suns’ Eric Bledsoe (among qualified players who participated in 70 percent of their games).

Guarding on the perimeter is where Wall is most effective on defense. His opponents last season shot just 34 percent from three and 36.5 percent from 15 feet and out. In order to be effective against Wall, the team would have to run a series of ball screens because without them, he is a pure pest to the ball handler.

Here is an example of Wall matching up against Demarre Carroll of the Atlanta Hawks last season. His lateral quickness allows him to anticipate the drive and strip the ball, ultimately leading to a Bradley Beal dunk:

Another part of Wall’s defensive game to stress is how active he is. No matter what the situation is, Wall is always giving 100 percent on the defensive side of the floor, and that isn’t common with players who also are expected to carry the load offensively.

In this clip, he is matched up against the much bigger Paul Millsap. Wall is able to cut off Millsap’s driving lane, make him pick up his dribble and force him to kick it out to Carroll. Carroll beats Beal and Wall steps over to be in help position, ultimately blocking his floater attempt:

Key characteristics that help make a player an elite defender are anticipation and awareness. Anticipation, awareness and the energy that Wall plays with are the reasons why he is one of the league’s premier defenders. For instance, watch this play against Memphis. Wall is aware that he is the only one transitioning back defensively for the moment.

He’s able to anticipate the dump pass to the trailing big man to delay his timing of going up for the layup. The delay allows Wall to gather himself for a block that ricochets back into the Grizzlies’ hands. Within a matter of two seconds, Wall is able to close out well enough on Courtney Lee to block his three-point attempt:

That clip pretty much sums up what you’re going to get from Wall defensively, which is non-stop motor, extreme awareness and great anticipation. The fact that these plays are made on a nightly basis is what makes him elite when it comes to defensive point guards.

Next: Intangibles

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