7. John Wall, Washington Wizards
Counting Stats: 19.9 points, 10.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds
PER: 19.83
WS: 5.7
VORP: 3.7
There was a lot to make regarding Wall’s brilliant 2016 season. Without any notice whatsoever, Wall was forced to live up to the pressure of being Washington’s No. 1 option without his backcourt mate Bradley Beal, who went down during the latter portion of the season.
Wall responded by producing at incredible levels, finishing in the top 10 in the NBA’s respective categories among point guards: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and double-doubles. Of those categories, he was top-three in assists, blocks, and double-doubles.
Wall has evolved his game in almost every facet since entering the league in 2011. His three-point shooting efficiency, which was classified as his biggest detriment coming out of Kentucky, has rose significantly; rising from a woeful 7.1 percent in 2012 to a respectable 35.2 percent last season. A role as a pinpoint shooter will never be Wall’s calling card but it doesn’t mean he can’t use it to his advantage.
Wall’s game revolves around explosive drives to the rim and as a pick-and-roll catalyst for Washington. But when a player is putting up numbers like he did last year, you can overlook the fact that he committed 300-plus turnovers, simply because — historically — high volume point guards are turnover prone (Wall committed 4.1 turnovers a game in 2016). Wall is somewhat of an exception as he’s averaged at least 10 assists per game each of the past two seasons.
In order for the Wizards to break the bank next season and make it back to the playoffs, Beal’s recovery needs to be swift. Wall isn’t the same point guard as far as ball security goes without his complimentary piece in the backcourt.
Next: No. 6