Why Washington Wizards Star John Wall Will Beat Out Blake Griffin for ROY

The 2010-11 NBA season is only one-fifth of the way over and already the league's Rookie of the Year award is just a two-man competition.

It's a race between this year's first overall pick, John Wall, and last year's No. 1 overall pick, Blake Griffin.

Both have separated themselves from the pack and exceeded preseason expectations, all the while becoming the stars of their new teams in the process.

Wall leads the Wizards in points, assists, steals and minutes. Griffin, on the other hand, leads his Clippers in rebounding, and has averaged a double-double in 16 games this season.

Both are worthy recipients of the award and sure, there are plenty of games left to be played, but at this point it's safe to say John Wall has the edge.

Wall almost single-handedly has the Wizards just a half game out of the eighth seed in the East, albeit at a measly 5-9, but it's still the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Clippers are 3-14, and out west that spells trouble considering there will likely be nine teams with a winning record in the conference at season's end.

Wall's team success, or better yet Griffin's lack of team success, could work out in favor of the former Kentucky point guard.

Though if both players continue to play at their respective levels, then John Wall should also have the edge statistically.

Griffin averages a double-double (19.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG), Wall also nearly averages a double-double (18 PPG, 9.1 APG), but plays point guard, a much more difficult position which could tip the scales in his direction.

Finally, there is the health aspect. Griffin missed the entire season last year after recovering from knee surgery and Wall missed a few games earlier this season with a sprained foot.

It's clearly too early to say if either one is injury-prone, but if Wall is to win ROY he must stay on the court, and the same can be said for Griffin.

However, Griffin's explosion and intensity night-in and night-out might do just as much harm to his body as it does good for his team.

It seems a bit unrealistic to expect Griffin to play an entire season at his current pace and therefore Wall should get the edge and the overall nod for Rookie of the Year.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.