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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots as Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 111 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots as Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 111 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

14. John Wall, Washington Wizards

Position: Point Guard
Age: 26 (9/6/1990)
Experience: 7th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .463/.333/.813
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.4 MPG, 23.7 PPG, 9.9 APG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 1.2 3PM

If you still don’t believe John Wall is one of the Top 20 players in the NBA, I’m not quite sure what you’ve been watching. He’s one of the few point guards who gets the job done on both ends of the floor, and flirts with elite status as both a scorer and facilitator.

Having led the Washington Wizards to nine wins in 13 games, Wall is beginning to make a powerful case for an All-NBA bid in 2017.

Wall is leading a turnaround in Washington by embracing his ability to take over games in multiple ways. Most recently, he dropped 36 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals on 11-of-19 shooting from the field in a 111-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

The previous time out, Wall tallied 18 points and 16 assists during a 107-102 win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Wall has endured extended stretches without fellow backcourt star Bradley Beal, but he’s been the epitome of consistency. Washington knows exactly what it’s going to get from Wall on a nightly basis, which is why the recent spikes in production are so intriguing.

If Wall can continue to read the game as well as he has in recent weeks, the Wizards can compete with any team in the Eastern Conference.