This offseason, there has been a lot of discussion over who the best point guard is in today’s NBA. We have recently seen just how valuable and important the point guard position is to a franchise over the past few years, as major teams have lost them due to injuries; the Celtics, the Bulls and the Thunder. We have heard John Wall and Derrick Rose call themselves the best point guard today, which is something you’d like to hear from a competitive athlete. But who really is today’s best point guard in the NBA?
Here is my list of Top 10 active point guards in today’s NBA:
10) Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics
2013-2013 Statistics: 11.1PTS 8.3AST 4.5TRB 1.9STL 2.8TOV .481FG%
Rajon Rondo has played well for the Celtics throughout his career. He stepped up big for the Celtics when they needed a strong point guard. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL last year and has not played since. Rondo should be back for his regular season opener. He has always been a great defender and very vocal on the offensive side. There are many questions surrounding him right now: 1) How will he do under a new coach, without Pierce and Garnett? 2) Will the Celtics trade Rondo? Next season will be very interesting for Rajon.
9) Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers
2013-2013 Statistics: 22.5PTS 5.9AST 3.7TRB 1.5STL 3.2TOV .459FG%
Last season, Kyrie Irving avoided a sophomore slump and improved from his Rookie of the Year campaign. Irving is the best young scoring point guard in the NBA. He now has a better supporting cast, so I’m hoping he will be able to improve his passing abilities next to Jarrett Jack. One of Irving biggest weaknesses is that he is known to be a ‘weak’ defender. If he can learn to become a better defender, Irving could eventually earn his way to Top 3. Right now, he and the Cavaliers are looking playoff bound. Hopefully we can get a 70+ game season from him, something we have not seen yet.
8) Deron Williams
Brooklyn Nets
2012-2013 Statistics: 17.8PTS 9.0AST 3.2TRB 1.1STL 3.1 TOV .453FG%
Deron Williams has been a solid player in the NBA throughout his career. Unfortunately for the Nets and Williams they lost in a tight first round against the Chicago Bulls. Among active players, D-Will averages the second most assist per game in the NBA, right behind Chris Paul. But for all-time career NBA assist per game, he ranks seventh, right above Jason Kidd.
Deron Williams’s averaged double digits assist four times in his career, out of his eight years in the NBA. Now with a lot of veterans on his team, I’m hoping Williams can keep up an intense style of play and average double digit assist once more.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
7) Damian Lillard
Portland Trailblazers
2012-2013 Statistics: 19.0PTS 6.5AST 3.1TRB 0.9STL 3.0TOV .429FG%
Most recent recipient of Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard is looking to have an very bright future. Lillard was the sixth overall draft pick and immediately demonstrated his ability to score and drive to the rim. He led all rookies with averaging 19.0PPG. In comparison to recent and non-active point guards, who also received rookie of the year; Damian Lillard averaged more assist and points per game during his rookie campaign than Kyrie Irving and Jason Kidd.
6) Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
2012-2013 Statistics: 22.9PTS 6.1AST 4.0TRB 1.7STL 3.0TOV .465FG%
Stephen Curry is coming off his best season yet. He put on an amazing shooting display during last season’s playoffs. Right now, he has one of the deadliest shots in the NBA. Last season, he set the record for three-pointers in a season. Curry has a career three-point percentage of .446%. The Warriors team has changed during this year’s offseason so it will be interesting to see how Curry adapts to these changes. I’m expecting his level of game to increase along side Andre Iguodala.
5) John Wall
Washington Wizards
2013-2013 Statics: 18.5PTS 7.6AST 4.0TRB 1.5STL 3.7TOV .423FG%
John Wall is extremely fast and explosive, with a great ability to get to the rim. John Walls biggest weakness is his jump shot, pretty much past the free throw line. Regardless, Wall is a great defender and a great passer. He has great on-court vision and has a great ability to open up the floor. Right now, the Wizards are expecting to have John Wall help their franchise capture a playoff berth.
4) Tony Parker
San Antonio Spurs
2012-2013 Statistics: 20.3PTS 7.6AST 3.0TRB 0.8STL 2.6TOV .522FG%
Just like the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker is all around fundamentally sound on the hardwood. Parker has one Finals MVP trophy on his resume, that he captured during the 2006-2007 NBA Finals. He has been a major part of the Spurs dynasty and won three championships while playing in San Antonio. Though the Spurs’ dynasty and Parker’s are on its final chapters, he is still one of the best point guards in the NBA. He proved that during the most recent NBA Finals.
3) Derrick Rose
Chicago Bulls
2012-2013 Statistics: DNP
2011-2012 Statistics: 21.8PTS 7.9AST 2.7TRB 0.9STL 3.1TOV .435FG%
There has been a lot of controversy around Derrick Rose and his decision to sit out the entire regular season; along with, the playoffs. Rose has been suffering from injuries since the 2011-2012 NBA season; just after earning NBA MVP during the 2010-2011 NBA Season. Since the 2008-2009 NBA season, Rose is the only individual to win other than LeBron James. He now says he is 100% and is expected to play this upcoming season. If Rose has the explosiveness back, I am sure he will earn his was back to the number one spot.
Rose also has the Rookie of the Year on his resume. At only 23 years old, he is looking at a long career. The Bulls are one of the teams looking to knock out the Heat. It will be very interesting to see how Rose’s return unfolds.
2) Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder
2012-2013 Statistics: 23.2PTS 6.9AST 4.8TRB 1.6STL 2.9TOV .438FG%
Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose share the same explosiveness. He has a great ability to get in the lane, get a shot or find an open shooter. He also brings a level of intensity to games and is a very solid defensive player. Unfortunately, Westbrook tore his meniscus in his knee during last season’s playoffs, having the Thunder begin to regret the Harden trade. Westbrook and Durant are the best duo in the NBA right now.
Hopefully Westbrook will make a quick and solid recovery for the Thunder’s sake. I’m expecting Westbrook and Durant to take the Thunder the Western Conference Finals, with a strong possibility of returning to the NBA Finals.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
1) Chris Paul
Los Angeles Clippers
2012-2013 Statistics: 16.9PTS 9.7AST 4.4TRB 2.4STL 2.4TOV .473GF%
Hands down, Chris Paul is currently the most skilled and all-around best point guard in the NBA today. Chris Paul is one of the smartest basketball players in the NBA. It is unfortunate that the Clippers got knocked out of last year’s playoffs so early because Paul was on fire. Chris Paul’s career playoff averages are 20.9PTS 9.5AST 5.0TRB 2.2STL.
Paul is now under Doc Rivers. I’m expecting the Clippers to make a serious playoff push and doing things that this franchise has not seen yet. These guys are serious title contenders. Chris Paul has got Blake Griffin on board and I’m expecting them to go far. Paul has a great jump shot but is ability to turn defense into offense and destroy teams on transition is one of his greatest qualities.
All statistics credited to basketball-reference.com
I have to disagree with you here. Damian Lillard is not better than Rajon Rondo or Kyrie Irving. Maybe in a few years as he evolves as a player. But right now, now way. Also, I would rank Tony Parker as #1, arguably #2. He is just so fundamental and has an array of moves. He gets the W, and that’s what counts the most.
I believe Lillard is better than Rondo and Irving. Hands down Lillard is faster than both Rondo and Irving. Both Rondo and Irving show signs of inconsistency in their game; something I did not see much of from Lillard is his debut. Also, Lillard is great defensively. Lillard’s current form is better than Rondo/Irving, he also posses a strong left. D. Lillard helped the Trail Blazers and earned a better record than the Cavs, in a much tougher conference. You may not have confidence in him being #7 because he only has played a rookie year but he is young, smart and plays in Portland but can not be slept on. Lillard also posses better passing skills and is more ‘all around’ than Kyrie/Rondo.
As for Tony Park, yes, he is an extremely good and well decorated NBA point guard. But with today’s raw talent he falls behind Paul/Westbrook/Rose. Parker has such a high shooting percentage because the majority of his shots come at the rim/within the paint. I think the Spurs team is just transitioning from Duncan’s to Parker’s team. Paul also flipped the Clippers franchise upside down.I love Parker and was hoping to see him get an MVP but I would choose Paul/Westbrook/Rose over Parker, all players who are able to win, pass, shoot, and play strong defense.
It will be interesting to see things unfold this season.
I completely understand where your coming from with Lillard. I just can’t put him up there yet. Definitely has the potential, no doubt about it.