With the recent trends, it's east to forget that not too long ago centers were sought after as foundations
of a franchise. In a sort of NBA revolution, point guards like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook have started to become the desire of every general manager. Although it
could be argued that there has been a void of talented big men of late, this trend is
definitely at least partially attributable to the aftermath of the Greg Oden
saga. The trauma in the organization that passed up one of the league's
now-premier scorers is not something that any other team wants to risk. Oden
will serve as a reminder that drafting a big men with a high pick is often more
of a risk than it is worth.
Even
within the point guard position itself there has been a shift in
recent years. No longer do teams look for a pass-first traditional point guard,
but they often prefer a Kyrie Irving do-it-all type who can create for himself
as much as he can create for others. As good as Rajon Rondo is, there is a
degree of liability that a team would have if they relied on the Celtic star
for scoring. Whether a team prefers a traditional or scoring point guard is
often a multi-variable question, but this ranking will show that both types
have had success with their style of play.
(Note: all stats updated as of February 9.)
Just missed the top 10
11. Ty Lawson
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
15.2
|
2.6
|
7.0
|
1.6
|
.433
|
.742
|
.355
|
Although his consistency has been
questionable, Lawson runs point for one of the best teams in the NBA, which is
why he is on the outside looking in on the top 10 PGs. One game he might be a near no-show and the
next he's going off for 21 and 8 but regardless, he is instrumental to the success of the
Denver Nuggets. The combination of effort (both on offense and defense) and the
wins that he leads Denver to are what gives Lawson the slightest edge over the
likes of Brandon Jennings and Kemba Walker.
Promising young PGs…and Deron Williams
10. Greivis Vasquez
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
14.0
|
4.5
|
9.4
|
0.7
|
.434
|
.769
|
.369
|
Who
knew that the most impressive player in New Orleans would not be the former No.
1 overall pick, Anthony Davis, but rather their 6'6" point guard from Venezuela?
Vasquez has exhibited marked improvement over the three years that he has been
in the league and is running the show down by the bayou. ...Only problem is
that that show has not been very impressive with the Hornets losing about twice as
often as they have won. If he was on a better team, it would be more readily apparent that Vasquez is one of the
better PGs in the NBA.
9. Damian Lillard
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
18.4
|
3.3
|
6.5
|
1.0
|
.425
|
.848
|
.361
|
He
might be only a rookie, but Damian Lillard has already earned the right to enter the
conversation of best point guards in the NBA. Lillard jumped over some more
established guards because of his brilliant performances. After watching his
career game to-date in his homecoming against the Golden State Warriors, I was
incredibly impressed by his composure and ability to hit big shots. His
potential is sky-high and don't be surprised if he's in conversation for top-5
PGs in the next couple of years.
8. Deron Williams
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
16.8
|
3.3
|
7.7
|
0.9
|
.413
|
.853
|
.344
|
The
Brooklyn Nets point guard has been a disappointment by most standards, but that
is in large part because of the high standards that he has set. Although his
assists have steadily declined over the past four years and his PPG average has
dropped dramatically this year, Williams is still shooting 85 percent from the
line. And he is turning the ball over less than any of the previous seven
years. Deron Williams lands a spot on most top-10 lists by reputation alone but
in an updated list of the best overall players in the NBA, I
certainly would pull him out of the top 10.
Great playmakers
7. Jrue Holiday
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
19.3
|
4.2
|
8.9
|
1.5
|
.457
|
.776
|
.354
|
My
pick for most improved player of the year, Jrue Holiday
has finally made consistent what was previously glimpses of brilliance. Just
shy of averaging 20 and 10 a night, Holiday is right in the middle of the
top point guards in the league. If he can help Philadelphia make a push for
the playoffs, Holiday might rise even further than the seven spot.
6. Stephen Curry
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
20.9
|
4.0
|
6.7
|
1.6
|
.434
|
.907
|
.449
|
Injuries
have always held Curry back from performing his best, but a relatively healthy
season thus far has shed light onto the fact that Curry is one of the best in
the league when healthy. His ability to shoot threes off the dribble is unlike
anybody in the league; he and Klay Thompson make up what is unquestionably the
best shooting backcourt in the NBA. Curry was mentioned as the biggest 2013 All
Star snub, but if he stays healthy there will be plenty more opportunities in
upcoming seasons.
5. Tony Parker
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
20.6
|
3.0
|
7.6
|
0.9
|
.534
|
.821
|
.389
|
As
inconsistent as other guards like Ty Lawson are this year, Tony Parker and the
San Antonio Spurs exemplify the precise opposite. Every year, the question of
age hits the Spurs and so far those questions have been muted quickly. What's
even scarier? The Spurs .765 winning percentage is the highest that it's been
since 2005-06. Parker's .534 FG percentage is remarkable considering he's also scoring over 20 PPG. He's forcefully reminding the league that Duncan and
Ginobili may have seen better years but he is still only 30 years old.
The elite
4. Russell Westbrook
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
22.5
|
5.3
|
8.1
|
2.0
|
.423
|
.798
|
.320
|
Kevin
Durant and Russell Westbrook make up the most potent scoring duo in the NBA.
And although I have been a harsh critic of Westbrook, there is no denying his
prowess. At 23 and 8 a game, Westbrook's incredible athleticism has produced
results. His FG percentage is reasonable for a prolific scorer, but I still
believe that OKC would be even better off with their best shooter (Durant)
taking the most shots on his team...novel idea, I know.
3. Kyrie Irving
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
23.9
|
3.6
|
5.4
|
1.7
|
.476
|
.847
|
.429
|
I
seriously considered putting Kyrie in the No. 2 spot...the numbers that he has
put up are certainly worth it. He has done his best to quell the pain of LeBron leaving
Cleveland, but he just hasn't been able to help his team put together a
respectable record. Losing one of the league's best rebounders, Anderson
Varejao, was a devastating blow but Kyrie has joined the conversation of not
only one of the best point guards in the NBA, but also one of the best players.
Perhaps another year could help the chemistry in Cleveland because a
Kyrie-Varejao combo could be deadly. Cavs fans can only dream about
what success that a LeBron-Kyrie-Varejao trio could yield. (Kyrie and a healthy Varejao might even be better than LeBron's current supporting cast...)
2. Rajon Rondo
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
13.7
|
5.6
|
11.1
|
1.8
|
.484
|
.645
|
.240
|
Despite
the Celtics success without the star point guard on the floor, Rajon Rondo has
established himself as a top point guard in the league. Although most (or all)
of the other players on this list can score more prolifically than
Rondo, the facilitating ability Rondo possesses is second maybe only Chris
Paul. Also unlike most of the players on this list, Rondo has a championship
ring.
1. Chris Paul
Points
|
Rebounds
|
Assists
|
Steals
|
FG %
|
FT %
|
3PT %
|
16.3
|
3.5
|
9.5
|
2.5
|
.470
|
.897
|
.338
|
There
isn't much to say about Chris Paul that hasn't already been said. His
leadership, play-making, and defense are all the best in the NBA or just
shy thereof. Ironically, like Rondo, CP3 has battled injury of late but proved against the Knicks on Sunday that he's back. Hopefully soon enough a familiar name return to the floor (and compete with Paul for
the No. 1 slot on this list): Derrick Rose. But for now at least, the Clippers
have the league's best PG.
Not even mentioning Derrick Rose? If your excuse is that he's injured, then how come Rondo is on that list? Just base it off his past since he hasn't played this season. He's definitely elite.
ReplyDeleteI talked about it in the section on Chris Paul. As for Rondo, he's played a full season...until now. Rose hasn't played a game and is coming off of a big surgery. I could make an argument for him being 1, 2, top 5, or not even top 10. I opted to leave him out of this discussion (for now).
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ReplyDeleteScott commented with the exact same remark. Read my response for your answer.
ReplyDeleteHe has started 78 games over the course of two seasons. Not nearly consistent enough.
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