Behind the Bucks Pass
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Taking a Look at the Eastern Conference’s Five Best Players

By Ti Windisch

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May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard

John Wall

(2) passes as Atlanta Hawks forward

Paul Millsap

(4) and center

Al Horford

(15) defend during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

John Wall

This was even harder than the Paul George-Carmelo Anthony internal debate I had earlier in this post. I felt that John Wall and Kyrie Irving were the next two best players in the Eastern Conference–I just had no idea which one was better.

They’re very different players. Kyrie is by far the better scorer–he shoots better from two- and three-point range, and he scores more than Wall does. On the other hand Wall is the better defender and passer, averaging nearly double the assists Irving does per game.

I was going to give the very slight edge to Wall, until I asked myself one very important question–which of these two would I rather put on the Bucks. I immediately knew Wall was the right choice, and here we are.

Nov 21, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard

Kyrie Irving

(2) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 91-78. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

John Wall is amazing. He continues to get better at pretty much all aspects of his game, and although he only barely hit 30 percent of his looks from three-point range this season he’s still an offensive weapon based on quality shooting inside the arc, and of course his passing ability.

Wall makes every player on his team unquestionably better, and the Washington Wizards were smart to lock him up to a max deal a few years back. His defense and passing are exactly what you want from your point guard–Irving is an elite scorer, but I’m not sure that’s the best thing for a team.

Either player is dangerous, but I feel just a tad worse about playing a talented team led by Wall. There’s no double-teaming anybody on the Wizards–Wall is the best in the Eastern Conference at finding the open guy, and he’ll give the Bucks defense fits when the two teams match up this season.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: All-Time Greatest 15 Man Roster

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