Who is the best point guard in the NBA right now?
When asking this question you need to consider factors such as passing ability, shooting ability, health, performance in the clutch, competitiveness/work ethic and how greatly his play leads to winning.
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5. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie is not a traditional point guard by any means, but he has a tremendous shooting touch and the ability to find open teammates – despite only averaging 4.7 assists per game (APG) this season.
His low total of 19.6 points per game (PPG) is a direct result of taking a back seat to LeBron and the inability to find consistency of health, appearing in just 53 regular season games.
Despite this, the dude is just clutch, nailing the biggest shot of the season in game seven of the NBA Finals to give Cleveland the lead with the clock ticking down.
This came just two games after notching 40 points in game five. When ‘Uncle Drew’ is firing there is no player in the game who can guard him – just ask Steph Curry.
4. Damian Lillard
Damian is more of a traditional point guard than Irving, but not by much. He does a great job at both scoring (25.1 PPG in 2016) and facilitating (6.8 APG).
Damian is one of the healthiest point guards in the NBA, having missed just seven games in his career.
Performance in the clutch is no issue for Lillard, nailing a fall away three in game six of Portland’s 2013 first round series against Houston.
Damian is also probably the second best leader among point guards, behind only Chris Paul.
Having seen four of Portland’s starters leave in the off-season, Lillard took what most people considered a 25-win team to the second round.
3. Chris Paul
‘CP3’ is one of the most competitive players in the league. With an early season injury to Blake Griffin, Paul put the Clippers on his back for much of the season, leading them to 53 wins.
Paul’s dynamic passing ability and un-guardable mid-range jumper have him in MVP contention each year.
Performance in the clutch is what CP does, nailing a fade-away jump shot at the buzzer and carrying L.A on his back on just one leg in game seven against San Antonio last season. Health is where things get a little sketchy.
Often injured in the playoffs – in both L.A and New Orleans – Paul has rarely been able to have a genuine crack at a championship.
2. Steph Curry
Two-time MVP. Unanimous MVP. NBA champ. Scoring leader. But not the best player at his position.
Curry broke tireless records in 2016, including leading his Golden State Warriors to 73 wins.
Steph is undoubtedly the best shooter in the game, and arguably the greatest shooter of all time. He possesses great handles, leading to open shots for his teammates out of double teams.
Health wise, Curry seems to be removed from his constant ankle injuries, despite obtaining many small niggles throughout the postseason.
His performance in the clutch is great – in the regular season. Steph again went missing in the NBA Finals, despite scoring 38 points in a game four win.
Also, he was exposed when defended tightly by Oklahoma City and Cleveland, often forcing up bad shots.
1. Russell Westbrook
This guy is unbelievable. The best competitor in the league, Westbrook is a nightmare to defend, possessing extraordinary foot speed, great vision and a more than respectable jump shot.
He made Curry look like a bench warmer for the majority of their seven-game series, breaking down the defence seemingly on every possession. The human highlight reel led the league in scoring last year and almost led it in assists this year, and easily led the league in triple doubles.
He makes the players around him great – trademark of a great point guard – dishing out numerous assists to offensively limited players such as Steven Adams and Andre Roberson.
Health wise he is unparalleled, having not missed a game at college level or NBA until his sixth season. He was easily in contention for MVP, and in my opinion is the favourite for the award next season.
Honourable mentions: Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry, John Wall, Kemba Walker.
Kdmdnd
Guest
top 3 point guards in nba 1 Westbrook 2 Curry 3 Lilliard
Swampy
Guest
No he wasn't. He started poorly and got better and better as the playoffs went along. Derozan was a lot poorer. As a team Toronto only lost one less game than the Warriors did to the eventual champs.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
I strongly disagree with you. but, thats the beauty of sport!
astro
Guest
But he NEVER made him look like a bench warmer...that's the point. It's a ridiculous comment to make. Almost as silly as saying that when Currys game isn't working (whatever that means) he makes his team worse!?!? How? In the last two finals, how did Curry make his team worse? They won one finals series, so fail to see how he hurt his team there, and against the Cavs he averaged 23 and shot 40% from 3...again, how did he hurt his team? Did he get Draymond suspended? Did he hurt Bogut? And you can say you think there's too much emphasis on the 3pt shot, but in today's game, the 3pt shot is crucial whether you like it or not. The best teams in the league take and make plenty of 3s...just the way the game is and a key reason why Russ is not a better PG than Curry
astro
Guest
PGs better than Rondo, not in your top 5 or mentions: Parker, Conley, Thomas, Teague, Hill, Jackson, Dragic, Knight, Holiday, Rubio... And for the record, I think young guys like Russell, Payton, Smart and Mudiay are well ahead of him. Assist leader he maybe, but he's also the worst shooter and maybe worst defender in the league. There's a reason he went unsigned for a long time last year before the Kings threw him a lifeline...
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
Give KAT and Davis acouple years IMO.
Swampy
Guest
James Harden comeback year for MVP... KAT into MVP when he averages 25ppg, 13rpg 5apg and 2.5bpg and wolves improve by 25 games Anthony Davis MVP when he turns into the player we thought he'd be last year...
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
Agree with your assessment on LeBron. I don't see leonard winning the award, I dont think he is quite that level yet. For me, Its between Westbrook, Durant and Curry. Westbrook could be so good that he just has to be the MVP, but GS will have the leagues best record, and the winner usually goes to the best player on the best team. Will be interesting!
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
It is clear I do not only look at assists, as Rondo is only an honourable mention. If I just looked at assists, Rondo would be top 2 (which we all know is ludicrous.)
Caesar
Guest
1. Of course Westbrook makes people better- every great NBA player does that. But over the last 3 years, we have seen a significant regression in the games of Ibaka, who should be the prototypical big man in the NBA. With his athletic prowess, Russ should be one of the premier defenders in the league. Yet as it stands, he has never made an all defensive team. He gambles far too much and rarely defends the oppositions best player. Contrast this with Curry- the last 2 years have seen Klay Thompson and Draymond Green morph into top 10 players, and Harrison Barnes land a max contract. He has also improved his defence to the point he is now a net positive defender. Obviously there are many other factors that go into this, such as coaching, culture etc - However there should be no real doubt as to who has been more valuable. 2. Mate, if getting assists is all you are using to judge PG play in 2016, I dare say that these guys would love to have a chat with you :http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060224
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Not really sure but i am leaning towards these 2 players atm. Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook (as long as he isn't traded). Although i think KD and the Warriors will gel really well i don't see one of the standing out enough to be MVP, and LeBron doesn't care for the award anymore so he won't go for it. Who are you leaning towards?
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
I really rate Rondo and what he brings to the court.. maybe thats just me though lol. Who do you think wins MVP this season?
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Russ is a head case no one knows exactly what he will do or when half the time. Great player but so damn frustrating to watch at times. Rondo gets the hard wrap because he brings it on himself, sure he can pass but this is not a league where pass first guards truly succeed, it has in the past and it will be again but right now he is too much of a liability. CP3 is always going to struggle with rebounding when you look at who he is battling against, shooting he does it well enough to make teams defend him (unlike Rondo). Injuries have always been his downside though but when he is fully healthy on any given night he can be the best pg in the league. These lists will always get people talking and critiquing as really there is no right or wrong answer.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
I think Rondo gets a hard wrap sometimes. Easily top 8 PG's in the game right now, leading the league in assists. Disagree that Russ is a head case, he is the most competitive bloke in the league. CP is the best floor general in my opinion, but loses ground in other areas such as health, shooting, rebounding
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
Pete Bloor.. how was i 'nit picking' Curry's game any more than the other players. I rate Steph extremely highly, but going to battle in a 7 game series I would rather have Westbrook on my side.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
1. Dont try to say that Russ doesn't make the likes of Adams, Kanter and Roberson significantly better. And when Curry's game is not working, eg the last two NBA finals, he makes his teammates significantly worse. Yes he is a superstar, but his only weapon is his shot. 2. Rondo led the league in assists, if you are going to talk about being a 'point guard,' Rondo's assist numbers typify a great point guard.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
The pressure he puts on defences with his athleticism is the best we have ever seen. At times, Curry outplayed him in that series, which is why i said russ made steph look like a bench warmer AT TIMES. And too much emphasis is put on 3 point scoring. There are many things russ brings to the table besides his scoring, Curry is more one dimensional in my opinion.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
I was actually considering putting Bron on the list, but seemed a bit ridiculous as he is the best small forward
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
I give Wall the slight edge over Thomas but the rest of the guys definitely, Lowry was so disappointing in the playoffs.
bexdog
Guest
Isaiah is better than all the honorable mentions listed.