Washington Wizards’ John Wall Scores 41 Points In Loss To Los Angeles Clippers
By Ben Mehic
Washington Wizards star John Wall wasn’t always able to keep up with Los Angeles Clippers legend Chris Paul, but the gap isn’t wide anymore.
When John Wall first entered the league in 2010, there were two tiers of points guards: Chris Paul and everybody else.
Paul, averaging 19 points and 10 assists for his career, has more than made up for his diminutive size with elite skill. Efficient from virtually everywhere on the field, Paul has mastered the nuances of the game that younger players often forget.
Small aspects of a point guard’s game, like keeping the dribble alive in the paint, have made Paul one of the best to ever step onto the NBA hardwood.
Seven years later, Wall has found himself in the same tier with Paul, along with a few other notable guards.
When Paul dominated the league (and that’s not to say he still doesn’t), the likes of Jameer Nelson, Deron Williams and Mo Williams were considered All-Star caliber point guards.
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But the game has morphed, becoming more focused on athleticism, explosion and length.
Wall is a part of the golden age of point guards – those who break the mold of traditional point guards by filling up the stat sheet outside of their assist totals.
In a position-less game, Wall and others of that ilk (Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, James Harden) have taken advantage of the fast-paced offense deployed by most teams nowadays.
Paul’s consistency, like Wall’s, often goes unnoticed because fans and the franchise, even, have just come to expect nightly 20 and 10 numbers.
On Wednesday night, the Wizards sought their second win in as many nights against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Following their division title clinching comeback win against the Lakers, the Washington Wizards had momentum on their side.
Paul found himself backpedaling on numerous possessions, hoping help defense – or in this case DeAndre Jordan – would be able to stop Wall at the rim. Jordan, arguably the most intimidating big man in the NBA, wasn’t able to reject the Wizards’ star when he got there, despite the size difference.
When Wall got a rhythm scoring inside, he began draining shots on the perimeter. Paul, who’ll turn 32 on May 6, simply couldn’t keep up with Wall’s pace.
Wall dominated Paul all game long, scoring 41 points to go alongside 7 rebounds and 8 assists.
Washington couldn’t overcome Los Angeles in the back-to-back, losing 133-124, but Wall left California with a statement.
For the first time in his career, Wall can be mentioned in the same breath as Paul.
While Paul getting older is a factor, the difference in Wall’s play from now to when he first got drafted is evident in their most recent match up alone.
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Wall has picked up on many of the small aspects of the game that Paul once used to dominate. And now Wall’s using it against Paul to solidify his place among the sport’s greatest.