Where will Wall Land?
Submitted on: 04/09/2010 by
Dustin Toms
Any NBA general manager in his right mind will know exactly what to do with the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. Yes, Evan Turner is awesome and he fits in well with many of the lottery-bound teams -- perhaps even better than Wall would -- but Wall is the best talent in this year's NBA Draft. Simply put, there is only one name and one player. There is only one John Wall.
If Wall does what everyone believes he should do, which is stay in the Draft, he will be another one and done college stud. So, here are the teams with the best chance to land Wall, and what his impact could mean to the team in NBA 2K11.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have a nice crop of young talent on their squad to pair with former All-Star Baron Davis. In 2K10 they are a pretty well balanced team. They have outside threats to pair with the inside combo of Chris Kaman and Blake Griffin. Therefore, adding Wall to this team would be deadly.
Assuming 2K11 has Wall as a quick slashing point guard, he will be able to open up the Clippers' offense to previously unknown heights. He will get open shots for Eric Gordon, and will also find Kaman and Griffin waiting wide open under the basket. And, hey, there is always the possibility that LeBron James will head to LA as well. Either way, this team could be dangerous with or without James.
Utah Jazz (from New York Knicks)
The Jazz are in a position winning teams do not find themselves in very often: that is the top half of the lottery. This is one case where the Jazz may not even draft Wall because of the phenom known as Deron Williams. They could trade the pick away and grab some veterans or go for the more complete and ready player in Evan Turner.
But this article is about how Wall will change teams in 2K11, so let’s talk about that. With Williams starting at point, I am sure the thought process might be to start Wall at the two-guard position. However, his shooting stroke is one of the few weaknesses in his game, so having Wall start as a shooter seems pointless. On the Jazz, he may end up being somewhat wasted and not get the minutes he deserves or needs as a rookie. (Plus, remembering back to Deron Williams' rookie year, Jerry Sloan gave Williams sporadic minutes during the first part of his rookie year.) The best-case scenario is that he becomes a dangerous sixth man on the Jazz during his rookie campaign.
Indiana Pacers
Now here is a team that could really use Wall. It would allow the Pacers to ditch T.J. Ford for some value (assuming Ford exercises his player option this offseason), and it would finally give Danny Granger his superstar sidekick.
With the addition of Wall to the Pacers, I see this team becoming the yearly favorite "rebuilding" team. Though the team lacks an inside attack, the lineup of Wall, Brandon Rush and Granger could really do some damage in 2K11.
Philadelphia 76ers
Here is a tricky team. They are already investing part of their future into Jrue Holiday and were very close to trading Andre Iguodala during this season. It is hard to peg them as a rebuilding team, but can you say much else about a team with a ton of its money tied up in an underachieving power forward? I know Holiday is nowhere near Wall’s level in terms of potential, but it is hard to see the 76ers give up on Holiday so soon.
Personally, I think they could make a great combination as a one-two punch. Holiday is big enough to guard some shooting guards, and both are solid defenders (both could end up being great) and fantastic on the fast break. In addition, having these two out on the court would allow the team to keep the pace of the game fast. Wall or Holiday could move up and down the court while feeding athletic wings like Iguodala or Thaddeus Young for open looks or dunks. Just get rid of Elton Brand for a more athletic guy, and you could have a pretty solid -- and probably the most athletic -- virtual basketball team around.
Sacramento Kings
I do not care what anyone in the Kings organization keeps saying, Tyreke Evans is not and will not be a point guard. Evans is phenomenal. He is the closest thing to James in the last few years in terms of attacking the rim. Now move him over to shooting guard or small forward and let Wall take the reigns.
If the Kings do just that, you have a true franchise on the rise. With Carl Landry, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes down below, this team would be the 2010-2011 version of the Thunder.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are another team stuck between trying to chase a playoff spot and rebuilding. They have a ton of money tied up in Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. As of now, Rodney Stuckey is their starting point guard, but his natural position is probably the two.
People already say there are too many guards on this team, but they cannot pass on Wall. So, trade Hamilton, move Stuckey to the two, have Gordon play the sixth-man role and have Wall start. This way you will always have two of those three guards on the floor, which will allow you to score in bunches.
Washington Wizards
This is the perfect place for Wall to land. The Wizards have been gutted, absolutely gutted. Plus, they do not have much money tied up in players, except for Gilbert Arenas. This is the ultimate rebuilding spot for a franchise, and to grab a franchise player like Wall would be a great start.
Beyond that, the play style of the team could really be whatever you want it to be because the roster will be nearly brand new next season.
Golden State Warriors
No other team would be more complicated to play for than the Warriors. After all, they already have Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. Wall would fit great into the system, but it just seems too crowded. I would imagine there would be plenty of gamers spending time shopping Ellis for the right price.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Here is yet another intriguing team. The Wolves drafted Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio with back to back picks last April, so would they draft another point guard? Wall is obviously ahead of Flynn and has a higher ceiling, but Rubio is still the wild card.
With Wall on the squad, trading away Flynn would be the best bet. Getting a young wing player with potential should not be too hard to find either in 2K11.
New Jersey Nets
Now that this team has finally escaped infamy by winning their 10th game, they can focus on their odds of getting one of the best players to come out of college basketball in a long time. Adding Wall to the mix with Devin Harris may be an interesting task, but Harris can probably be moved to the two, which would then allow Terrence Williams and Courtney Lee to battle it out for the sixth-man role.
There is also another option, which is to trade Harris for a true number two. Either way, a young team with a young star equals a great team to play with in NBA 2K11.
Any other teams you think may land Wall? How do you think he will play with them next year in 2K11?
If Wall does what everyone believes he should do, which is stay in the Draft, he will be another one and done college stud. So, here are the teams with the best chance to land Wall, and what his impact could mean to the team in NBA 2K11.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have a nice crop of young talent on their squad to pair with former All-Star Baron Davis. In 2K10 they are a pretty well balanced team. They have outside threats to pair with the inside combo of Chris Kaman and Blake Griffin. Therefore, adding Wall to this team would be deadly.
Assuming 2K11 has Wall as a quick slashing point guard, he will be able to open up the Clippers' offense to previously unknown heights. He will get open shots for Eric Gordon, and will also find Kaman and Griffin waiting wide open under the basket. And, hey, there is always the possibility that LeBron James will head to LA as well. Either way, this team could be dangerous with or without James.
Utah Jazz (from New York Knicks)
The Jazz are in a position winning teams do not find themselves in very often: that is the top half of the lottery. This is one case where the Jazz may not even draft Wall because of the phenom known as Deron Williams. They could trade the pick away and grab some veterans or go for the more complete and ready player in Evan Turner.
But this article is about how Wall will change teams in 2K11, so let’s talk about that. With Williams starting at point, I am sure the thought process might be to start Wall at the two-guard position. However, his shooting stroke is one of the few weaknesses in his game, so having Wall start as a shooter seems pointless. On the Jazz, he may end up being somewhat wasted and not get the minutes he deserves or needs as a rookie. (Plus, remembering back to Deron Williams' rookie year, Jerry Sloan gave Williams sporadic minutes during the first part of his rookie year.) The best-case scenario is that he becomes a dangerous sixth man on the Jazz during his rookie campaign.
Indiana Pacers
Now here is a team that could really use Wall. It would allow the Pacers to ditch T.J. Ford for some value (assuming Ford exercises his player option this offseason), and it would finally give Danny Granger his superstar sidekick.
With the addition of Wall to the Pacers, I see this team becoming the yearly favorite "rebuilding" team. Though the team lacks an inside attack, the lineup of Wall, Brandon Rush and Granger could really do some damage in 2K11.
Philadelphia 76ers
Here is a tricky team. They are already investing part of their future into Jrue Holiday and were very close to trading Andre Iguodala during this season. It is hard to peg them as a rebuilding team, but can you say much else about a team with a ton of its money tied up in an underachieving power forward? I know Holiday is nowhere near Wall’s level in terms of potential, but it is hard to see the 76ers give up on Holiday so soon.
Personally, I think they could make a great combination as a one-two punch. Holiday is big enough to guard some shooting guards, and both are solid defenders (both could end up being great) and fantastic on the fast break. In addition, having these two out on the court would allow the team to keep the pace of the game fast. Wall or Holiday could move up and down the court while feeding athletic wings like Iguodala or Thaddeus Young for open looks or dunks. Just get rid of Elton Brand for a more athletic guy, and you could have a pretty solid -- and probably the most athletic -- virtual basketball team around.
Sacramento Kings
I do not care what anyone in the Kings organization keeps saying, Tyreke Evans is not and will not be a point guard. Evans is phenomenal. He is the closest thing to James in the last few years in terms of attacking the rim. Now move him over to shooting guard or small forward and let Wall take the reigns.
If the Kings do just that, you have a true franchise on the rise. With Carl Landry, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes down below, this team would be the 2010-2011 version of the Thunder.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are another team stuck between trying to chase a playoff spot and rebuilding. They have a ton of money tied up in Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. As of now, Rodney Stuckey is their starting point guard, but his natural position is probably the two.
People already say there are too many guards on this team, but they cannot pass on Wall. So, trade Hamilton, move Stuckey to the two, have Gordon play the sixth-man role and have Wall start. This way you will always have two of those three guards on the floor, which will allow you to score in bunches.
Washington Wizards
This is the perfect place for Wall to land. The Wizards have been gutted, absolutely gutted. Plus, they do not have much money tied up in players, except for Gilbert Arenas. This is the ultimate rebuilding spot for a franchise, and to grab a franchise player like Wall would be a great start.
Beyond that, the play style of the team could really be whatever you want it to be because the roster will be nearly brand new next season.
Golden State Warriors
No other team would be more complicated to play for than the Warriors. After all, they already have Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. Wall would fit great into the system, but it just seems too crowded. I would imagine there would be plenty of gamers spending time shopping Ellis for the right price.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Here is yet another intriguing team. The Wolves drafted Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio with back to back picks last April, so would they draft another point guard? Wall is obviously ahead of Flynn and has a higher ceiling, but Rubio is still the wild card.
With Wall on the squad, trading away Flynn would be the best bet. Getting a young wing player with potential should not be too hard to find either in 2K11.
New Jersey Nets
Now that this team has finally escaped infamy by winning their 10th game, they can focus on their odds of getting one of the best players to come out of college basketball in a long time. Adding Wall to the mix with Devin Harris may be an interesting task, but Harris can probably be moved to the two, which would then allow Terrence Williams and Courtney Lee to battle it out for the sixth-man role.
There is also another option, which is to trade Harris for a true number two. Either way, a young team with a young star equals a great team to play with in NBA 2K11.
Any other teams you think may land Wall? How do you think he will play with them next year in 2K11?