Derrick Rose or John Wall? Which Young NBA Star Has the Most Potential?
You hear it every time.
"This kid has the potential to be better than...." Usually, the player who's name was left off is one that is already established in the NBA. Sometimes, you even hear how this new guy has better natural ability than the guy who just last year, was proclaimed "The fastest player in the NBA".
The latest example of this, is the Derrick Rose v. John Wall comparison. These two have so many similarities it's extraordinary, but their games are so different when you examine them closely. This article will give my opinion on who is the better player and who has the most potential, I will examine their careers up to this point and then give my analysis of how they'd do beyond that.
Hope you enjoy
Comparing Raw Abilities
1 of 8John Wall is not faster than Derrick Rose.
There, I said it. I hear constantly on ESPN how John Wall is the fastest player in the NBA, but that statement is simply not true. Check the video on the side for Rose's speed, and compare it to this one from John Wall . Speeds are comparable, as they start from a similar position on the court, but Rose gets to the rim about a second or so sooner than Wall does. Of course, this is not valid proof to make the claim, but I believe if you watch these two guys play, you'll see who's faster.
Rose has the better physical attributes as well, while Wall is taller and apparently weighs more, Rose has more muscle on his build and is stronger, making knocking him off his position harder. Don't believe me? I'll elaborate more on this in one of the upcoming slides.
Jumping ability goes in Rose's favor. Wall has a 39" inch vertical leap per combine results, as compared to Rose's 42" inch vertical. Personally, I'd say this is a wash, as I haven't noticed a major difference in their jumping ability. Ultimately, its up to you guys who you favor more for this category...
Now, on to the next one...
Comparing Collegiate Success
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Although Rose's lone season in College has been wiped from the Record Books (Which is completely
unfair, and only happened as the result of a rule I think the NBA shouldn't even have - The Age Limit), his collegiate career was far more spectacular than John Wall's.
Statistically, Wall was the better player.
(Scroll Down to see the Table)
| Name | GP | MPG | PPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | APG | RPG | BPG | SPG |
| John Wall | 37 | 34.8 | 16.6 | 46.1 | 32.5 | 75.4 | 6.5 | 4.3 | .5 | 1.8 |
| Derrick Rose | 40 | 29.2 | 14.9 | 47.7 | 33.7 | 71.2 | 4.7 | 4.5 | .4 | 1.2 |
However, stats don't tell the whole story. John Wall's Kentucky team, led by the same coach as Rose's Memphis team, finished their season at 35-3. Rose's team, finished the season at 38-2. The
latter team, however, made it to the National Championship during one of the toughest March Madness' in recent memory. Many of the players featured on these teams are studs in the NBA now.
Personally, I can't see any team from the 07-08 Final Four losing to any team from the 09-10 Final Four. Rose's team came within a free throw of winning the national championship, a testament to his leadership ability. Wall's team flamed out during the Elite 8Another point to consider is the teammates of the respective players. Besides Rose, the next best player on the Tigers was Chris Douglas-Roberts, a less than stellar NBA player now who was a late round draft pick. Wall's team? Almost a Prep All-Star team of sorts, with lottery pick DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe, another 1st rounder.
As far as leadership goes, it is clear Rose is superior in this regard from their College careers
Offensive Ability
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Now that both of these guys have faced NBA defenses, let's examine their abilities to score at the NBA level. Statistically, this season Rose is putting up MVP type numbers, so I don't think it's fair to compare his game now to a rookie John Wall's. Instead, I'll compare Rose's rookie year statistic's to Wall's, in the name of fairness.
Both of them average(d) 16 points per. Wall has the advantage in assists per game with 8.9. That is the only major offensive advantage, but Wall also has better 3PT% as well as FT%.
Rose's advantages come in that he commits less turnovers (2.5 to Wall's 3.5), less fouls (1.5 to 2.7) with a much greater FG% (.475 to .407). So pretty much, Rose is the more controlled and efficient player, while Wall has the more well rounded offensive game, and is a better facilitator.
This just so happens to be very true. Derrick Rose is a much better penetrator than Wall, he gets to the rim at will and can contort his body any number of ways and still finish the play. We saw this countless times his rookie year, as well as a few posters and ankle breaking crossovers (Andre Miller). Wall on the other hand, I've seen him miss quite a few layups, even fast break layups, due to him going to fast. That seems to be the problem, he plays faster than he can control. Rose seems to be in full control of his speed, and can stop on a dime and make amazing plays.
If you disagree, watch these two play. You'll see what I mean.
While Wall had an advantage on Rose as far as range goes during Rose's rookie year, efficiency is key here, and you can't go wrong with Rose's FG% and less turnover rate.
Advantage: Derrick Rose
Defensive Ability
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These two guys are both pretty underrated as far as defense goes, yet they both have tons of potential to influence a game from the defensive end. We've seen many chase-down blocks by Rose during his rookie year, even a few in the historic playoff series against the Celtics.
In comparison, John Wall has been absolutely abusing opposing offenses with his steals, at one point leading the league in this regard. He's averaging 2.3 steals per, which is higher than any steals average Rose has had in his career. Much higher.
Rose has a wider, stronger body which could make him a better defender against smaller guys and prevent him from being posted up by bigger guards, but Wall has quick hands and instincts which lets him play passing lanes well and pick the oppositions pocket.
It's pick your poison here, but defensively, Wall has shown to be superior
Leadership Ability
5 of 8These are two premier floor generals in the NBA. Both of them are great scorers as well, but Wall gets more assists per than Rose does. Although, I do believe when you factor in Assist-to-Turnover ratio, Rose would come out on top given Wall's penchant for turning the ball over.
Still, determining who has better leadership qualities goes beyond the stat line. In Rose's rookie year, he put the team on his back and led them to the playoffs. Once there, he put on a historic performance in a historic series against a far superior team, taking them to 7 games.
John Wall has not had a chance to do this at the time of writing this, but so far, I haven't seen the same level of leadership from him as I saw Rose command the moment he stepped on the court.
When you add in these player's pre-NBA careers, Rose's leadership outshines what Wall has accomplished, he's a proven champion on every level.
So far, this one is a no-brainer. Rose has better leadership ability than John Wall
Intangibles
6 of 8How do you measure intangibles? It's tough, but some small things you see tell you who's got it and who doesn't. Between these two players, Rose definitely has it, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. I'll let Kobe tell you himself:
"I think the sky's the limit for him. You see now with the improvement he's made on his jump shot from last year to this year how much his game has really gone to another level."
"I think he's just scratched the surface. I think he's realizing now what a jump shot can do. Hopefully, he'll continue to work on it and he'll become a pure shooter."
In regards to Rose having a killer instinct.
"I don't think you can develop that," Bryant said. "I think you either have it or you don't and I think he's had it since he was in high school. That's what separates players of equal ability. It's about the engine you have inside. It certainly gives him an edge."
Spoken like a true champion..
Potential
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Now this is interesting. Which of these two guys has the most potential? If I could answer this question, I'd probably be on an NBA team's payroll scouting the next big thing. Unfortunately, I'm not, so this is only my opinion. So bear with me.
Looking at the physicals skills, body of work and the foundation both of these players have exhibited, I believe the player with the higher potential ceiling is...Derrick Rose.
Sorry if it comes off as a surprise, but looking at how good this guy is now and the areas he can improve just seem like he's going to be in a class by himself if he realizes his full potential.
He's faster than Chris Paul and a better scorer, is about as strong as Deron Williams and can run the pick and roll quite well, and has a killer instinct/clutch ability exceeding that of any current point guard, with the possible exception being Rajon Rondo.
As Kobe said, the sky is the limit for him. Already, Rose is now a legitimate threat from deep, recently drilling 5, count it 5 three pointers in a game. The kid is an offensive powerhouse, and his shot can only get better. Defensively is where the most potential lies. Rose has all the tools to be a great defender. Quick hands, feet, body control, instincts, size and strength. You name it. Under coach Tom Thibodeau, this potential should be tapped into a lot sooner.
Wall has a great foundation as well, but his leadership ability is inferior to that of Rose's, and so it seems is his ability to score. If I were to predict these players' careers 15 years from now, I'd say Wall may have put up better statistical numbers than Rose all-around, but Rose will have been much more efficient while winning more games.
And The Winner Is....
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Derrick Rose!!
With a superior resume coming into the NBA, along with a better grasp of the intangibles and a more efficient game, Rose is the better player of the two young guards. This is no knock on John Wall, he is very good and will be great if he keeps at it, but as of now and even comparing when they first came into the league, Derrick Rose is the better overall player.
Hope you guys enjoyed the article, I look forward to writing many more in the future. Anything you disagree with? You're more than welcome to comment
