Daily MVP Film Breakdown: John Wall, Point God
John Wall is averaging the third-most assists in the NBA, and he dropped some of the filthiest dimes of the year in Sunday night’s 40-point, 14-assist performance against the Lakers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twM5ZP4_j-o
The 12-18 Wizards are certainly struggling, and Wall has several significant and well-documented flaws as a player, but games like these remind us why the nine-year veteran has been an All Star for the last five seasons.
John Wall put 40 points and 14 assists on the Lakers last night.
He’s the only person to do that since Oscar Robertson (four times) and Wilt Chamberlain. https://t.co/6Yxe6SP4WU pic.twitter.com/iECFwrRld5
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall’s ability to push the pace and create baskets in transitions is one of his main calling cards, and it featured prominently in this game. There are only a handful of point guards capable of going baseline to baseline in five dribbles and finish over anybody, but that’s what Wall does for a living.
Defense, board, five dribbles, euro, ringer roll 💨💨💨 pic.twitter.com/rsB2uAr78H
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Coast to coast in five dribbles, stiff arm, spin move, layup. pic.twitter.com/jPk0btFLdJ
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall completely commands the attention of the defense on the break, and that’s when he makes some truly dazzling passes.
Look away bomb for a dunk after a made basket pic.twitter.com/3HjGjl7fqT
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Such a beautiful, nuanced play here.
Wall could take two steps to the basket here, but instead fakes that way, turns Kuzma around, and leaves it for Dekker. pic.twitter.com/XGK9eqtzLR— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Pause this when John Wall jumps, turns and throws this pass. All five Lakers are within five feet, eyes on him. pic.twitter.com/25CGbmrCrJ
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall also made a ton of plays in the half-court offense. He had the gravitational pull of a small planet, consistently pulling multiple defenders into his orbit before ishing it off for a high-percentage look.
Wall loses Lonzo on the screen, crosses Kuzma over just as quickly, and takes Chandler out of the play to give Dekker an easy slam. pic.twitter.com/6qBnnMJcRF
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall draws three defenders on the drive, jumps, protects the ball from LeBron and throws a two-handed bounce pass to the corner. pic.twitter.com/8pF648vvP0
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall is so patient here. Loses Lonzo, occupies Chandler, lobs it over him for a jam. pic.twitter.com/thYVKv6kda
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
The night before, LeBron and Lonzo became the first Laker teammates to have triple doubles in the same game since Magic and Kareem, and they looked quite tired from that effort. Los Angeles pretty much lost this game in the first half, and they played the second half like it didn’t matter.
Sick pass, and you gotta love LeBron hustling back into the play 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/te7uMAUTa2
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
LeBron looks like a 6’9″ prairie dog in the headlights on defense here. pic.twitter.com/0rgPQSVwwR
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
This made for a stark contrast with the notably energized Wall. He’s often maligned for sluggish, sedentary play, but he was the hardest-working man in the league on this night. He electrified the arena with saucy passes, crazy dribble moves, and deft finishes at the rim.
Cross-tween, cross-tween, cross-tween, cross-tween, cross-tween BAP BAP hoooooWEEEE pic.twitter.com/YSKnHSkOTU
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
This is how a bull would euro step. pic.twitter.com/XhmMxfKw2Q
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
John Wall is in the conversation for sauciest passer in the NBA right now. pic.twitter.com/wDljNo4MuB
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
He also provided a spark on defense, contributing 3 blocks and 2 steals.
This was after Wall’s only miss on his first seven shots. pic.twitter.com/wYEHElLk4v
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
This is a volleyball spike. pic.twitter.com/mOc3PNkkcX
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall isn’t the best outside shooter, but he stroked 4-8 from deep in this one. It was just one of those nights where he shot confidently and accurately, and he’s tough to guard when that’s happening.
Wall is only 31% from deep on the year, but you can’t leave him wide open. pic.twitter.com/7Bd2NBd2wb
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
This was a heat check to get Wall to 20 points, not even halfway through the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/5iKZsEJHkn
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Right out of the gate in the second half pic.twitter.com/yX5mUolf8e
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 17, 2018
Wall also shot 7-9 on two-pointers outside the restricted area. Most weren’t as well-contested as this one over Tyson Chandler to beat the halftime buzzer, but the defense didn’t seem to matter all that much,
John Wall (28 PTS) beats the buzzer to cap off his dominant 1st half 😤
Watch NBA League Pass for free on @brlive: https://t.co/0kXG4iaRnQ pic.twitter.com/GeSGh4WiOZ
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) December 17, 2018
Wall has never had this many points and assists in the same game before. The scoring and shooting will vary from night to night, but you can always count on this true Point God to put on a passing performance most other players could only dream of.