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Kentucky Basketball: Former Wildcat John Wall’s Magic Lifts Wizards in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs

By Nick Thelen

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots a layup as Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) look on during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards won 114 - 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots a layup as Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) look on during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards won 114 - 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Wall lights up the Atlanta Hawks in Game one. The former Kentucky Basketball star is having himself quite the season.

Former Kentucky Basketball guard John Wall put on an impressive display in the Washington Wizard’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks in their first game of the NBA Playoffs. He scored a career playoff high 32 points and dished out 14 assists. Wall also made 50 percent of his three-pointers, showcasing just how far his offensive game has come.

More than just a speed demon

We know John Wall is fast. Like, really fast.

That speed will make you say, “He Did What?!” But it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.

Wall is cited by many as the fastest player in the entire NBA. But what really impressed me about his performance against the Hawks was how well he controlled his speed. He would coast in first or second gear for a moment, and then go zero to 60 in the blink of an eye.

Sure, it helps to be fast, but if you play at one speed for an entire game the defense will quickly learn how to stop you. Wall kept the Hawks’ defenders guessing the entire game by intelligently manipulating his acceleration.

Kentucky Basketball helped Wall develop a complete game

But there’s more to Wall than understanding how to change speeds. He can finish in traffic with either hand, he hits mid-range jumpers for fun, and he’s always among the league leaders in steals. Wall is the complete package as a basketball player.

I mean, just look at this play:

Or this one:

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/853673029460688896

Even the other team had to recognize greatness:

^LOL.

Next: Former Kentucky Basketball Players in the NBA Playoffs

How far the Wizards can go in the Playoffs will be dependent upon many things: Can they rebound better? (They got out-rebounded 60 to 47). Can they get to the free throw line more often? (Washington shot only 16-17 compared to Atlanta’s 32-39).

But if the Wizards win this first series, John Wall will almost certainly be the one who leads them to victory.

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