In the NBA, a league ruled by speed and athleticism, the play of the one man can mean the difference between and championship and a first round exit. The Point Guard is the leader of a team, relied upon to control the defence and to kick-start the offense.
A team with a league leading PG can be an elite defensive squad, an outstanding offensive team or maybe an around solid unit, all because of one man.
In this list I will sort through and name the players who in my opinion fill out the top 10 NBA point guards. The list is assessed by 2010-11 play as well as their potential to rise in the next few years.
Honourable Mentions:
Jason Kidd:
The man may be getting on, (17th season) but he is still putting up great assist numbers (8.3) and is playing great defence. His low turnover numbers (2.2) and his overall play on the 47-18 Dallas Mavericks gave him consideration but his age and his poor scoring numbers mean he doesn’t crack the top ten.
Brandon Jennings:
Jennings is one of the many up and coming young point guards in the league. His stellar rookie season that included a 55 point outburst in November 2010 was outstanding.
Unfortunately the young Buck hasn’t lived up to the hype this year with his shooting percentages nearly all dropping this year (FG% has risen but only 1 percentage point from a horrid 37%).
A young player with heaps of potential he could easily crack the list in the next few years.
John Wall:
The 2011 number one overall pick is likely going to be a multi time All Star. The young PG has had stellar points and assists averages this year (15.5, 8.8), but needs to improve in his shooting percentages (particularly 3 pointers) and reduce his turnovers.
Expect him to be in the top ten next season.
10. Tyreke Evans
Whilst not a traditional point guard the 6’6 triple-double threat from Memphis University is having another good year. After wining the rookie of the year award in 2010 his scoring rebounding and assist numbers have dropped in season 2011 (now at 18.3, 4.9, 5.5). His recent dip suggests he may have reached his potential and it wouldn’t be surprising if he was to lose his spot in the next few years
9. Stephen Curry
The 6’3 combo guard for the GS Warriors is having a stellar year shooting the ball with shooting percentages of 49%, 42% and 94% (FG, 3PT , FT) His scoring and assist numbers have been very high (18.6 PPG, 5.8 AST) whist splitting minutes with superb scorer and teammate Monta Ellis. His insane talent level and key eye for the game makes him a real threat to climb higher in the coming years.
8. Chauncey Billups
Although the recently turned Knick is having a down year in scoring and assists he is still one of the big players in the league. His experience and skill will show best come playoffs time.
7. Tony Parker
At only 28 years of age the Spurs’ leader is having a solid season. Although his statistical numbers don’t jump out, he is leading in the one category that matters most: wins. His league leading Spurs are at an outstanding 52-12 record and oncourse to secure the number one seed come playoff time.
6. Russel Westbrook
The 3rd year man out of UCLA is having a career season averaging 22.4PPG, 8.5AST and 4.8RPG. His great play and his team’s great play (40-23) in the stacked Western Conference earns him his high spot. Expect his stock to rise if he can repeat these insane numbers in season 2011-12.
5. Rajon Rondo What! Rondo at 5? C’MON DUDE!
I hear what you’re saying, I understand that Rondo is leading the league in assists and is leading the Celtics to a great record.
From where I stand it seems to me that people are forgetting the stellar teammates that he shares the court with; Hall of Famers like Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett.
Although Shaq and the big three are no longer in their prime, they still have an uncanny knack for filling it up.
In all seriousness, if Rajon was taken from the Celtics and allowed to run his own team like the Knicks or the Lakers I’m not sure he could do quite so well.
His great defence and his rebounding numbers are the biggest contributors to his high spot.
If Rondo was scoring more this season perhaps he would be higher, but many of his great assists this year can be attributed to his great teammates and for that reason can go no higher than #5.
4. Steve Nash
The two time MVP and 15 year veteran is finding ways to continue to astound us at age 37. The pure point guard is lifting a well below standard Phoenix Suns team to a place that many thought they would never be able to get to without Amare Stoudemire.
The Suns are in with a shot at reaching the playoffs, sitting just one and half games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th seed. With 11.4 AST and 15.6PPG, Nash is well deserving of his spot.
3. Deron Williams
Only weeks ago Williams was forced to swap a great thing going in Utah for the lottery bound New Jersey Nets. Williams has pounced on the opportunity though with his assists numbers sky rocketing since the trade. His points per game remain solid and he is a real chance to move up the list if things go right in Newark.
He is averaging 20.8PPg and 10.2 AST on the season.
2. Chris Paul
Although his numbers don’t show it (15.9PPG, 9.6AST) Paul remains an extremely skilled and able point guard. Like Nash, Paul is lifting a team above its true value and has a shot at advancing into the second round come playoffs time.
His spot in the future will depend on how he continues his return from a knee injury that many are predicting will spell his demise as a top NBA point.
1. Derrick Rose
The most exciting thing in Chicago basketball since Michael Jordan, Rose is pushing the boundaries of the point guard position. He is having an outstanding career scoring and has also dramatically improved his assists numbers (24.5PPG, 8.1 AST).
His shooting has been his biggest improvement though, forcing defenders to take him all the way out to the arc with his 1.5 threes per-game this year.
Rose is the current favourite for the MVP award this season and is well deserving of the hype. Being aged only 22, the young man has a chance to be one of the great point guards in the leagues history and is easily deserving of his number one ranking.
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