Top 10 Backcourts In The NBA, 2015-2016: Where Does The Washington Wizards’ Duo Rank?

Top 10 Backcourts In The NBA, 2015-2016: Where Does The Washington Wizards’ Duo Rank? by Ben Mehic

As Washington Wizards fans, we’ve become accustomed to seeing John Wall not get the recognition he deserves. That, however, is starting to change.

After entering the league as the first overall pick in 2010, pundits had compared John Wall to then MVP Derrick Rose. The hype that Wall entered the league with didn’t last long. Injuries never allowed him to find his rhythm in the first few seasons of his career and the Washington Wizards continued to struggle.

Two seasons ago, Washington finally had a healthy John Wall and made the NBA Playoffs for the first time in over half a decade. Ernie Grunfeld decided to get rid of virtually everyone on the roster for proven veterans, which obviously helped Wall prosper.

Now Wall has become a household name. Signature shoes, commercials, All-Star appearances and winning seasons have propelled Wall among the best in the league.

The undeserved hype surrounding some of Wall’s peers has finally died down and people are starting to recognize how great the Wizards’ point guard truly is.

Since we’re a few months away from the start of the regular season, folks have begun ranking players and teams.

Wall was the 31st best player in the league last year, according to Sports Illustrated’s rankings, but he’s taken a bump up prior to the beginning of this upcoming season.

SI has ranked Wall as the 13th best player:

Let us eat crow. We were wrong about John Wall, who came in at No. 31 on last year’s list and promptly laid waste to our modest expectations. Wall matured quickly as a steward of the Wizards offense. Defensively, he evolved from a guard with great size and timing into a stout team defender capable of championing a system from within. Seasoning has brought restraint and that restraint a ticket to high-level stardom. Consider this a course correction.

(h/t BulletsForever)

As BulletsForever noted, John Wall is ranked ahead of both Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard. Remember when both guards were considered better than Wall, even though they never were? I digress.

Wall, along with Chris Paul, is one of the only point guards in the NBA that dominates both ends of the floor while leading his team to winning seasons. Not only has Wall developed his jump shot, but he’s become the best passer in the NBA. In terms of floor generals, there might not be a better one than Wall.

Most importantly, though, Wall has become an elite perimeter defender. He was named to an All-NBA Defensive team this past season. His effort and hustle on that end of the floor sets the tone for Washington’s elite defense.

Throughout the course of an 82 game season, you’ll rarely see Wall take a play off. Prior to breaking his hand last year in the playoffs, Wall only missed some time at the end of the season due to rest. At one point, it seemed like he’d never even get a chance to rest.

The scary thing is, John Wall is only going to get better.

Washington has equipped him with shooters this off-season, so expect his already impressive assist numbers to increase. His backcourt mate, Bradley Beal, is on the cusp of making the All-Star team too.

Let’s hope we eventually get to see Wall enter the MVP conversation. Being ranked 13th is cool, but I’m more excited for the future.