John Wall (left) and Patrick Beverley will both play in Los Angeles this season.
As the 2022-23 season approaches, our editors will cover intriguing topics around the league.
Will John Wall or Patrick Beverley have a more significant impact as Los Angeles’ new guards?
Steve Aschburner: John Wall. I’m rolling the dice that Wall will hold up physically for much of the season, in which case he’s a full-service point guard with a new lease on his career. He will have a full roster at his disposal, demanding less of him individually, and if we take him at his word, he is extremely hungry for this opportunity. Patrick Beverley’s defensive abilities won’t transform the Lakers’ entire culture, and his irritating style could irritate some teammates almost as much as his opponents.
Brian Martin: It comes down to what’s more valuable: the higher upside of a former All-Star in Wall, or the reliability of Beverley who knows what you’re going to get. I’m going with the latter because Beverley’s skills and attitude should complement the Lakers’ star power perfectly. Beverley is a defensive pest and when he’s not stalking opposing guards and making plays on defense, Beverley can spread the floor as a reliable 3-point threat (career 37.8% 3-point shooting). ). He will help make up for the loss of Malik Monk and his team-high 173 3-pointers last season and the 2021-22 campaign marked Beverley’s first since 2014-15 where he shot below 38%. in depth. Wall, who has played in just 113 games over the past five seasons, joins a Clippers team filled with “if he’s healthy” storylines, including All-Star Kawhi Leonard (missed all of last season following knee surgery) and Paul George (missed 51 games with a torn elbow tendon).
Marc Medina: Patrick Beverley will have a bigger impact as John Wall as the new guard in Los Angeles. No knock against Wall, who will have a resurgent season after sitting on the bench in Houston (either because of injuries or so the Rockets can further develop their younger players). But Wall represents just one of several key players the LA Clippers need to complement Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The success or failure of the Los Angeles Lakers mainly depends on the good health of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Still, the Lakers acquired Beverley because he offers qualities the team lacked last season. Beverley brings pesky defense, decent outside shooting, and an intensity he expects others around him to match. Only the games will reveal whether Beverley and Russell Westbrook will bring out the best or worst in each other. But Beverley will at least elevate his other teammates.
Patrick Beverley has played a key role in Minnesota’s turnaround in 2021-22.
Shaun Powell: Both guards will provide something every team needs – Beverley brings the spice, Wall the playmaking – but only from a talent standpoint, This competition is a blast. Wall is a former All-Star and, at his peak, one of the five best point guards in this league. And while injuries may have robbed him a bit (we’ll find out how much this season), Wall is only 32 years old and is capable of averaging 15 to 20 points and seven to eight assists per game. If he’s anything like he was a few seasons ago when he was healthy, the Clippers stole one from them.
John Schumann: Beverley is more important right now because he is the best defender in the Lakers backcourt and also because he has made 40% 3-point shots over the last three seasons (505 total attempts). With that, he can definitely complement his team’s best players better than Wall. Of course, come May and June, the Clippers will likely be the team still playing. If Wall can make big plays on the biggest stage (or if his inability to shoot hurts the Clippers in an important spot), that will matter more than what Beverley did for a team that (as things currently stand) ) doesn’t look like him. can go beyond the first round.
Michael C. Wright: There is a video circulating with Wall let everyone know “I am him”, but there is too much uncertainty surrounding his injury history for you to comfortably predict the potential impact for the upcoming season. If we’re talking about a fully healthy Wall, there’s no doubt he would have a more significant impact given his ability to push the pace, penetrate downhills, and find All-Star wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Beverly there are a lot of haters, but let’s give credit where it’s due. He is probably the most influential of the new guards in Los Angeles. Say what you will about his game. But the man wins by any means necessary, and he’s the type of player who builds a culture. Watch the Lakers increase their intensity on defense this season with Beverley leading the way.
