NBA Player Power Rankings: Mid-March MVP Rankings

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) prepares to shoot as Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. The Dallas Mavericks won 112 – 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

6. John Wall, Washington Wizards

Position: Point Guard
Age: 26 (9/6/1990)
Experience: 7th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .450/.319/.805
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.8 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 10.7 APG, 4.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.1 3PM

The Washington Wizards have been the third-best team in the NBA since Jan. 1 and the fourth-best team in the NBA since Dec. 1. A 41-26 record puts Washington on pace for 50 wins, but that only scratches the surface of how well this team has played since its slow start.

Washington is 35-15 since Dec. 1 and 25-10 since Jan. 1, and the driving force behind team success has been point guard John Wall.

Wall is providing elite production for his position as a scorer, facilitator, and defender. His defensive consistency may not be as reliable as it was a season ago, but he’s taken on a powerful and heavy burden on offense.

Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. are breaking out in 2016-17, but a measure of credit should go to the player who consistently collapses defenses and allows them to operate freely: Wall.

Wall began this past week by recording 25 points and 12 assists during a comeback win over the Sacramento Kings. He followed with 39 points and nine assists during a second comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Washington may have lost its final two games of the week, but it’s well on its way to competing for an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.