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Top 5 Point Guard Rankings: Russell Westbrook

By SaintClair Edmunds III

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Westbrook vs Wall

Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

This is a pretty interesting comparison. Both of these players are “athletic point guards”. Their first step is lighting quick. End to end they’re probably the fastest guards in the league.

One thing that John Wall was criticized on early in his career, similar to Westbrook, was his passing.

Can Wall be a true point guard?

While the Wizards don’t get much national coverage, John Wall has shown he’s one of the premier point guards in the league.

Many don’t realize this, but John wall is a pass first point guard now. He rarely looks for his shot first.

However, assist wise he’s almost identical to Westbrook, who’s not considered a pass first point guard.

Last season, Westbrook averaged 10.4 assists per game. John wall averaged 10.2. Now, some may give Wall a little more of an edge here because he didn’t play with Durant and Bradley Beal was injured much of last season. But, let’s not forget when Durant went down towards the end of the 2014-2015 season, Westbrook was still putting up double digit assists with no problem.

Scoring wise Westbrook also has the edge. He averaged 23.5 points per game while Wall averaged 19.9. In addition, Westbrook shot a better field goal percentage at 45.4% to Wall’s 42.4%.

Wall did, however, shoot better from 3-point range, about 5% better to be exact.

Next: Russell Westbrook vs Chris Paul

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