Regan: NBA's Top 5 Point Guards

Point guard is arguably the deepest position in the NBA right now. However, this prestigious list is in what my opinion is the top 5.

5. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder- I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about basketball, and I generally make good predictions and have good analysis (unless I’m biased, which I am quite often actually) but I was completely wrong on Russell Westbrook, when he was drafted I thought he was going to be a bust, even after he had a really good rookie year I still predicted failure for him. But now after his third year in the league I have to admit this guy is a stud. This past year he averaged 22 points a game 8 assists and almost 5 rebounds a game. He’s probably the best rebounding point guard in the league, which may be a result of having insane leaping ability but it’s still impressive. Likewise, he’s quick enough to explode by just about anyone and get to the rim. As a result he’s able to set up teammates for open shots, get easy shots, or get to the free throw line, all very positive things. The Thunder had one of the top offenses in the league despite starting Kendrick Perkins at center, arguably the worst offensive center in the league, whose only claim to fame is having the ability to look angry at all times, and Westbrook had a lot to do with that. In addition, he’s also solid defensively and as he matures should get even better. However, he does possess a bad qualities, he takes a lot of outside shots, which would be fine if he was the next guy on this list but he’s not and as a result misses a lot of them. He shoots way too much for a point guard and he has a tendency to turn the ball over at crucial times. As a Mavs fan I considered it a great defensive possession for us if he pulled up from outside 15 feet. But despite these weaknesses there is no doubt he has earned a spot on this list.

4. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns- He is by far the oldest player on this list, but at 37 he’s still making baffling defenses with his pinpoint passing and sweet shooting stroke. The two-time MVP may be the best pure shooter in NBA history with a career averages of 42% from long range, 48% on field goals, and a tad over 90% from the free throw line. If he has an open shot you players might as well start running back to the opposite side of the court. Over the last several years the Suns always rank right at the top in nearly every offensive category, and it’s because Nash has run their fast paced offense to perfection. Several times, such as last summer when Amar’e Stodemire signed with New York, people wondered if Nash would be the juggernaut he had been for the years with the all-star forward and sure enough Phoenix was still a great offensive team with Nash averaging 11.5 assists a game. As most of you probably already know, Nash sucks at defense but in his defense he’s really small, not as athletic as most NBA point guards, and also defense has never been a point of emphasis in Phoenix. Plus, according to stats researched by Sports Illustrated Writer Zach Lowe statistically Nash isn’t that bad of a defensive player. However, his offensive dominance outweighs his defensive weaknesses. Although a couple years removed from his prime he still runs the Suns offense as well as any point guard in the league.

3. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls- The reigning MVP of the league is only 22 years old, which is scary for the rest of the league. 22 is barely older then me which is kind of strange, however I digress. Rose is one of the most athletic, explosive players in a league of athletic, explosive human beings. Sometimes when he jumps up for one of his patented two handed slams, while he’s in midair he seems to get an extra lift like there is an invisible trampoline in the air. (I wonder if he has Flubber in his shoes, remember the Robin Williams movie? I think this is a definite possibility) Furthermore, no one in the NBA can stay in front of him (except for LeBron as we found out in the conference finals). This past season he averaged an astonishing 25 points and 7 assists a game, good assists numbers but not he’s not a natural distributor the way the two guys ahead of him are. His defense is pretty good but not great and his shooting although improved is still very spotty. He took 101 3’s during this last postseason and shot below 25%. That’s horrible, beyond horrible, like you almost have to try to be that bad. And yet, he still shot over 100 of them in just 16 games. That’s well over five a game! You would think after missing his 60^th or so he would have figured out “hey I can’t shoot 3’s maybe I should stop” but he didn’t. He may rise on this list in the future, and I think he will, but for now this is as high as I can put him.

2. Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets- Currently a member of the Turkish Basketball League, but obviously better known for his career in the USA. This guy is stupid good, his array of no-look passes, crossovers, and crazy shots make him one of the most exciting players in the NBA to watch. Having said that, he is not nearly the explosive player Rose is, and is not the reigning MVP, (Rose is) in fact Williams has never won an MVP, but he is a better point guard then Derrick Rose. Williams is a much better shooter especially from deep, and for all his greatness, and he is great, Rose tends to shoot his team out of games from time to time whereas Williams doesn’t have that problem. When it comes to passing Williams is as good as anyone in the league right now with the exception of Nash and the guy ahead of him on this list. This past season Williams averaged a double double with over 20 points and over 10 assists per game, and for his career has averaged 17 points and 9 assists per game. The only reasons I didn’t give Williams the top spot on this list is he can be turnover prone at times, whereas the guy ahead of him isn’t, likewise the guy ahead of him is leaps and bounds ahead of him defensively. However, being the 2^nd best point guard in the world isn’t bad at all, he is a really good player. Turkey will be delighted to have this tatted up American in their midst.

  

1.     Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets- Without a doubt the best point guard in the NBA right now. There are absolutely no weaknesses in his game right now. He can pass, shoot, get to the rim, and play smothering defense. Just a few months ago he almost single handedly beat the mighty LA Lakers (although I’m glad he didn’t, it was much more satisfying to see my Mavs take them down) he was by far and away the best player in that series. Likewise a couple years ago his Hornets took out my Mavs in the playoffs and it was because of Paul, he completely owned us, and I hated him for it but I’m over it now… I think. Anyways, Paul had the best Player Efficiency Rating among point guards last season, a good point guard is often referred to as a floor general and no point guard in the league epitomizes that title better then Paul. He sees the floor better than anyone else, as evidenced by his career average of 9.9 assists per game, which ranks behind only Magic Johnson and John Stockton as best assists per game for a career. Paul has made the last four all-star teams (first four out of several I’m sure) and his shooting has gotten better and better, he shot nearly 40% from three point land last season and nearly 50% from the field, very good percentages especially for a point guard. On defense, he is a menace for other teams, he’s always around the ball and he’s really good at taking it away he has made three all defensive teams and should make many more. He is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in steals and assists in consecutive seasons. Also, this last season his supporting cast was Marco Belinelli, Trevor Ariza, and Emeka Okafor that team would have trouble scoring 70 points without Paul, but with Paul they had a very good offensive attack and it’s only because they had the best point in the league. Chris Paul isn’t as flashy as some of the other players on this list, but he is the best all around floor general, which makes him the best point, guard in the NBA today.

Honorable Mention:

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics- Good defender, solid passer. Being the worst shooter in the NBA at either guard position (possibly any position) kept him off this list.

John Wall, Washington Wizards- Showed great passing ability as a rookie, impossible to stop in transition, will be a great one.

Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks- Just because he’s a Mav, and because he finally got a ring at the age of 58 (or something like that)

* Some info came from Zach Lowe’s 100 best NBA player rankings on Sports Illustrated’s website.