Ty Lawson vs. John Wall
Entering this season I predicted Ty Lawson to finish ahead of Rajon Rondo on the ESPN Player Rater, he did. It's no secret that I'm a Ty Lawson fan and that the Denver Nuggets are my second favorite team (Lakers 1st). What many people don't know is that I'm actually a little bit of a sucker for John Wall. If your entering next season with either John Wall or Ty Lawson on your fantasy team, use this breakdown as a tool in your keeper selection process.
John Wall changed his shot selection this past year from his rookie season big time. In 2011, his rookie year, Wall shot 115 three's and made only 34 of them (29.4%). This season he didn't shoot as much from outside but still shot a horrible 7.1% (3-42). He made strides from the field as a whole shooting 42.3% while averaging 16.3 points per game. He did continue his rookie success this season, in terms of rebounds (4.5 RPG) and assists (8 APG). Wall, at the end of last season, led his Wizards on a 6 game winning streak. In the final 5 games Wall had the following assist numbers: 10, 13, 14, 13, 12. In those final 5 games he also averaged 14.2 points and 2.6 steals per game (including a 7 steal game on April 25th against the Cavaliers). During the final 5 game stretch Wall was paired with newcomer Nene, who seemed to provide major energy off the bench. The new look Wizards look to carry the momentum they had during the final two weeks of last season, when they won 8 of their final 10 games (including wins over the Heat twice, Bulls and Magic). I think that John wall is a potential breakout point guard that is going to challenge averaging 20 points and 10 assists in 2013.
Ty Lawson had a breakout season in 2012 averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 free throws, 82.4 FT% and 1.3 steals, all career highs. Lawson emerged as a full time starter this year and averaged 34.8 minutes per game. He was a 5th round fantasy draft pick entering the season (John Wall was a second round pick) and Lawson finished a few spots higher than Wall on the ESPN Player Rater. The key to Lawson's game is penetration in the paint and getting to the rim. The Nuggets led the league in short shots and lay ups this past season and Lawson was the major contributor. If Lawson can continue his aggressive play he should benefit from having a healthy Danilo Gallinari for a full year as well as JaVale McGee (came over from Washington March 17th ) and Kenneth Farried (became a starter halfway through 2012). The "No Name Nuggets" are quietly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Western conference.
Decision:
I would prefer to own Ty Lawson if, I can get him in the 4th round of next year's fantasy drafts as opposed to John Wall in the second round. If Wall is available in the third round I would take him there no questions asked. I tend to lean on position values in certain rounds of drafts and not a players overall rank. I can't see myself taking a point guard in the second round unless he is a top 10 guy that has fallen. Next year I'm going to target post players in the second round.
If I had to pick between these two players, in a vacuum (no outside effects, just one on one comparison), I would have to go with John Wall slightly over Ty Lawson. It hurts me to pick against Lawson after he made me look good this year but I feel that the momentum Washington had at the end of last season will help them grow together as a team. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of these two point guards.
On a side note, if your a Brandon Jennings owner, I would take the Bucks floor general over both Lawson and Wall. I probably won't write about Brandon for a while but I think he is in line for a monster season in 2013. I mention him here because I feel he is a for sure keeper in almost every format. I try to write about players that I feel are borderline keepers.
Feel Free to hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
Entering this season I predicted Ty Lawson to finish ahead of Rajon Rondo on the ESPN Player Rater, he did. It's no secret that I'm a Ty Lawson fan and that the Denver Nuggets are my second favorite team (Lakers 1st). What many people don't know is that I'm actually a little bit of a sucker for John Wall. If your entering next season with either John Wall or Ty Lawson on your fantasy team, use this breakdown as a tool in your keeper selection process.
John Wall changed his shot selection this past year from his rookie season big time. In 2011, his rookie year, Wall shot 115 three's and made only 34 of them (29.4%). This season he didn't shoot as much from outside but still shot a horrible 7.1% (3-42). He made strides from the field as a whole shooting 42.3% while averaging 16.3 points per game. He did continue his rookie success this season, in terms of rebounds (4.5 RPG) and assists (8 APG). Wall, at the end of last season, led his Wizards on a 6 game winning streak. In the final 5 games Wall had the following assist numbers: 10, 13, 14, 13, 12. In those final 5 games he also averaged 14.2 points and 2.6 steals per game (including a 7 steal game on April 25th against the Cavaliers). During the final 5 game stretch Wall was paired with newcomer Nene, who seemed to provide major energy off the bench. The new look Wizards look to carry the momentum they had during the final two weeks of last season, when they won 8 of their final 10 games (including wins over the Heat twice, Bulls and Magic). I think that John wall is a potential breakout point guard that is going to challenge averaging 20 points and 10 assists in 2013.
Ty Lawson had a breakout season in 2012 averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 free throws, 82.4 FT% and 1.3 steals, all career highs. Lawson emerged as a full time starter this year and averaged 34.8 minutes per game. He was a 5th round fantasy draft pick entering the season (John Wall was a second round pick) and Lawson finished a few spots higher than Wall on the ESPN Player Rater. The key to Lawson's game is penetration in the paint and getting to the rim. The Nuggets led the league in short shots and lay ups this past season and Lawson was the major contributor. If Lawson can continue his aggressive play he should benefit from having a healthy Danilo Gallinari for a full year as well as JaVale McGee (came over from Washington March 17th ) and Kenneth Farried (became a starter halfway through 2012). The "No Name Nuggets" are quietly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Western conference.
Decision:
I would prefer to own Ty Lawson if, I can get him in the 4th round of next year's fantasy drafts as opposed to John Wall in the second round. If Wall is available in the third round I would take him there no questions asked. I tend to lean on position values in certain rounds of drafts and not a players overall rank. I can't see myself taking a point guard in the second round unless he is a top 10 guy that has fallen. Next year I'm going to target post players in the second round.
If I had to pick between these two players, in a vacuum (no outside effects, just one on one comparison), I would have to go with John Wall slightly over Ty Lawson. It hurts me to pick against Lawson after he made me look good this year but I feel that the momentum Washington had at the end of last season will help them grow together as a team. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of these two point guards.
On a side note, if your a Brandon Jennings owner, I would take the Bucks floor general over both Lawson and Wall. I probably won't write about Brandon for a while but I think he is in line for a monster season in 2013. I mention him here because I feel he is a for sure keeper in almost every format. I try to write about players that I feel are borderline keepers.
Feel Free to hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
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