[moximusParticipant]

John Wall was clearly outplayed by Deron on both ends. He had poor showing on both preseason games as well. How long do you think it will take for Wall to be on the list of the premier PG that many think he will be?

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

The issue is we don’t really know how hard he worked during the lockout, do we?  What we do know is Deron was playing in actual games, so he’s in midseason form.  From that perspective, it’s less surprising.  Wall, however, will still develop.  His work ethic will determine how long that will take.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I’m not a huge fan of Walls, I don’t think he has true pont gaurd skills. Also he isn a great shooter either. I’m going to get a crazy amount of negatives like last time I said this.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Your really asking a ton from a young PG who played one year of college, and is only in his 2nd season to be a complete PG. His development is right on track, yeah he doesn’t have a jumpshot (yet) but what do you expect? I swear people expect too much of young high draft picks early on. 16PPG 8APG his rookie year, I say that’s a hell of a start so far, and if our not a fan of that, then you need to lower your ridiculous expectation.

[db24kb24Participant]

Wall’s IQ is too low to be an elite point guard. His athleticism alone is the only attribute that gives some people reason to even consider him as being elite (Blake Griffin is in the same boat). His game is built off flash and flare which has made him a streetball icon, like Jennings, but their games don’t translate all that well to the NBA. They have that 1-on-1, me against you mentality that often gets them in trouble as point guards (Russell struggles with this as well). The elite guards like Dwill, CP3, and Rondo are all about Team and Winning. 

You can say CP3’s ball handling, passing, penetration, and poise are unparralled, he gets wherever and can knock down the midrange consistently. You could say Dwill has range,  a strong overpowering frame, excellent change of pace/direction, and great passing. Rondo’s quickness, vision, and ability to thread tough passes makes him great. What can you say about Wall? He’s fast. He really hasn’t established a niche. He doesn’t really understand how to use his speed efficiently. His shot selection is pathetic. Right now I don’t want him running my team, no thank you. 

[Tobe BryantParticipant]

Come on guys, this is his 2ND YEAR! Last year’s stats were insane, 16 PPG and 8 PPG is better than the average starting PG in the NBA. How bout you ask Kobe if he would rather have John Wall or Derek Fisher. Matter of fact, that’s the official response to everyone who bombs on a young player with above average NBA stats, "Ask Kobe if he wants him…"

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 I’m not saying he will not be good. But everyone is saying read the older threads on him. That he will be getting 25 and 15. He doesnt have the scoring skills of CP3, Deron ,Rose, or the passing skils of Rondo, CP3, Nash.That doesnt mean he won’t be good.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@db24kb24

I can agree with you about everything, except Blake Griffin having a low IQ.

He’s only an average defender and his jumper isn’t consistent, but he actually has a very good IQ… Especially for his age.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Wall has both the tools and the intangibles to be an elite NBA PG, Wall has low BBall IQ? I’ve never heard that one before, you have to have some sort of court vision to average 8APG on your first year. The guy will be a perenial 20PPG 10APG, joining very small company (CP3 and DWill). 

[OllstarParticipant]

Wall needs to learn how to change pace and get range on his shot. Once that happens he’ll be a top 5 PG if he already isn’t there. Griffin is coming along great, this should be a tough year for him with the expectations the team has and the way teams will defend him. I don’t see him having better numbers then last year.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

He seem’s to show off more than most players dances even talk’s trash. Yeah I’m not a fan of that, cause when thing’s don’t go they’re way they get all sour.

[Tobe BryantParticipant]

I guess 22 and 7 are AVERAGE for a PF when the opposition is doing all they can to stop you. Smh…such lofty expectations we throw out for these players.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Ok people are putting him in the same group with CP3 Dwill Rose all over again.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Not sure about that assessment

[surveParticipant]

 Walls IQ is too low?  His game doesnt translate well to the NBA?  WTF?

Ok, Wall is not elite yet, but barring injury there is no doubt he will be.  He wont avg 25 and 15, but he doesnt need to.  His pace dominates.   Yeah, he is not a great shooter but he will get better, even still, Magic was never great either and I liken parts of Walls game to Magic’s, particularly his ability to rebound and start and finish the break.  No he doesnt have Magic’s all around skill, vision or passing….before you go apechit…

The biggest issue with Wall to me right now is, turnovers.  His decision making needs improving.  A lot of times he passes when he should shoot.  Sometimes his teammates arent ready.  Once they get used to each other it will be better.

Wall is not a scorer like Rose or a passer like Rondo….but what he is…is in between and something unique.

Wall is a FINISHER.  That is the best part of his game.  Open court finishes, either from the score or the assist.  He finishes plays on the break as well as anyone.  He is probably the most aggressive PG in the league on the fast break.   Maybe Russ is as aggressive but he has better PG skills than Russ.

To say Wall is just fast is really wack.  Ish Smith is faster than Wall…..probably even with the ball.  It probably doesnt look like Wall has much to his game because it looks like he is just outspeeding opponents, but its more than that.  His handle and moves in the opencourt are untrackable.  He is physically strong and absolutely fearless.  He truly believes that whenever he gets on the break there is no way it doesnt result in at least 2 points.

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

See thats why you dont go off SUMMER PICK UP GAMES!

I was one of FEW that stated, "It doesnt matter if his jumper is looking better or he’s dropping 50 every SUMMER game he plays in, the real NBA season is different.

Yes give him time, but dont make that mistake again and go off summer league games and thinking its going to translate the same, because its not.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I agree with most of what db24kb24 said.

[delfamParticipant]

 ^ I agree with db24kb24 as well. He just doesn’t seem to understand tempo and how to run a team, how to take over and when to lay back and let others take over. His only good attribute at this point is speed and athleticism, and at the PG position in the NBA it’s more about intangibles than physical attributes.

[butidonthavemoney]

Everything considered, it’s clear that Wall as a player is not yet on the level of Williams, Paul, Rondo or Rose. However, we need to keep in mind that he’s in an environment that prefers scoring and athleticism over a high basketball IQ and intangibles.

So I’m curious if you guys think…

Are his teammates holding him back from a heady leader?

or

Would he play like Russell Westbrook if he had a more intelligent team surrounding him?

[WizardofOzParticipant]

"Are his teammates holding him back from a heady leader?"

His teammates are kind of holding him back. The only good shooter on the team is Nick Young. Everybody else is a average or below-average shooter. The lack of shooting kills the floor spacing, which is shuttiing of some of Wall’s driving lanes, and preventing him to kick out for spot-up jumpers.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I’m not going to go overboard after one poor regular season games, but Wall has some flaws that need some serious imrpovement.

1. Ball-handling. His handles are below-average for a PG. When he’s in the half-court, he can basically only go in a straight line, and when he gets to the rim, he can’t slow down, and has to force the layup, no matter how contested it is, instead of being able to pull back, and find the open cutter or wait for the right time to shoot, because his handle is too loose. CP3, Nash, and Rondo are the best at doing it, and that’s what makes them such special playmakers (even though Wall is taller than them, and it’s probably harder for him to keep his handle low to the ground). And his center of gravity it too high. That and his handle is what prevents him from getting to the lane at will.

2. Jumpshot. He hasn’t taken many jumpshots so far this season, so I can’t really say if I’ve seen any progress. His jumper might have gotten better, but his shot mechanics are the exact same as before (barely gets any lift, low arch, and elbow flares out), and it makes it tough for him to shoot in front of defenders. And he needs to add a floater. When he’s driving, you know he’s going all the way to the rim.

3. Pacing. He needs to improve on knowing when tio change speeds. He’s plays at 0 an 100 mph. Even in the half-court, when he gets the opportunity, he’ll drive all the way to the rim, with a full head of steam, and looks to score and doesn’t look to see his teammates.

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