Chicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards: Position-By-Position Preview For The Playoffs

Point Guard: Derrick Rose vs John Wall

Dec 23, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Bulls won 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

As I mentioned in the introduction, Rose and Wall have been on very different paths since 2010. As Rose has worked to get back to being himself again, Wall has consistently gotten better every year.

He’s averaging 17.5 points, down from his previous two years, but he’s posting career highs of 10.0 assists (second highest in the NBA), 4.7 rebounds and 44.8% shooting from the field. He’s also getting 1.7 steals a game, which ranks him 12th in the league in that department but eighth in the league in total steals with 134.

He also boasts a 46.2 assist percentage, trailing only Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook, and has tallied 4.1 defensive win shares, 11th in the league but first among point guards.

The numbers he has posted this season are quite impressive, to say the least, and he has been getting some crucial rest sitting out these last few games of the season.

Rose in his MVP year was still statistically better than Wall, apart from the assists, but unfortunately, he hasn’t been that player this season. He showed signs against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 11, so one can only hope he continues to build off of that.

Although Rose has raised his game in every match-up against Wall and will have no minutes restriction come playoff time, it’s difficult to see him get comfortable enough by then to be able to outplay Wall in a seven game series.

Advantage: John Wall

Next: Jimmy Butler vs Bradley Beal