The Golden Age of Point Guards
Ranking the Top Twenty Point Guards in the NBA
It seems that every era in the NBA has experienced an overwhelming abundance of stars that play the same position. In the 80s, it was shooting guards like Jordan, Drexler, Dominique, and Dumars dominating the league; The 90s had an enormous supply of hall-of-fame centers in Hakeem, Robinson, and Ewing; And the 2000s was the era of the power forward as Duncan, Garnett, and Dirk racked up All-NBA nods and MVPs. It has become apparent in recent years that we are witnessing the golden age of point guards. As the league gets smaller and positions begin to blend, point forward, stretch four, and stretch five, are becoming common terminology, but the point guard position will continue to be a mainstay. Of the following twenty guys, most are smack dab in the middle of their prime. In the top ten alone, only two are over the age of 30. That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25–30 years old. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now, are ten of the best players in the league. Even more interesting is that four of these five guys are age 28, 27, 26, and 24, respectively. Thus, not only are half of the league’s ten best players dominating at the point position, but they will be doing it for the rest of the decade. Appreciate their greatness, because we will look back at the 2010s as the most talented group of point guards the league ever witnessed. In order to properly rank the following players, age and potential were not taken into consideration. This is the twenty best RIGHT NOW. With that said, not only do stats matter, but past track record is taken into account. Without further ado, here are the top twenty point guards, in reverse order.
20. Rajon Rondo
2016 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 11.7 apg, 6 rpg, 2 stlpg, 35.2 mpg, 45–37–58%, PER 16.92
I love Rajon, I really do. And looking at his stats make you think, “wow, what a perfect blend for a consistent point guard.” Then you remember that Rondo literally quit on his team in Dallas two years ago and constantly clashed with his coach this past season on Sacramento. You don’t hear anyone saying they love to play with Rajon Rondo. Also, his free throw percentage is absolutely horrible for a point guard. It’s just sad that only a couple years ago he would’ve been in the top ten on this list. Oh well. At least we’ll always have the story of Rondo “beating the shit” out of Boys and Girls Club kids in Connect Four.
19. Ricky Rubio
2016 Stats: 10 ppg, 8.6 apg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 stlpg, 30.6 mpg, 37–33–85%, PER 17.62
Rubio has struggled with injuries since coming into the league five years ago. Last year he played in 76 games, the year before in 22, all 82 in 2014, and then 57 and 41 in his first two seasons. You just don’t know what you’re going to get with him. Despite the injury concerns, he has put up solid numbers, has a jaw-dropping passing ability, and makes his team better. The problem is he has been on a terrible team his whole career so we haven’t been able to see i he has the clutch gene, or even the balls to step up in big moments. The good news is KAT/Wiggins are KD/Russ circa 2010, so Rubio and the Wolves have a bright future.
18. Jrue Holiday
2016 Stats: 16.8 ppg, 6 apg, 3 rpg, 1.4 stlpg, 28.2 mpg, 44–34–84%, PER 19.74
Holiday’s numbers are impressive until you remember he played in only 23 games due to injuries. I totally forgot he was an All-Star at 22 years old in Philly. He’s only 26, yet so boring and irrelevant, while on the worst team in the league, that I’m not going to waste my brain or time trying to come up with a hot take on the 18th best point guard in the league, just to fill this space.
17. Deron Williams
2016 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.9 rpg, 1 stlpg, 32.4 mpg, 41–34–87%, PER 14.68
Postseason: 5 ppg, 2.7 apg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 stlpg, 16.3 mpg, 33–43–0%
Apparently Williams played the postseason blindfolded. I wasn’t aware. You would think that would be a major headline scrolling on the bottom ticker of ESPN. Anyway, Remember when Chris Paul or Deron Williams was a debate? Sadly, I do too. He peaked with Utah in the late 2000s, where him and fellow half-black, mormon, Carlos Boozer, were basically a poor man’s version of the Nash/Amare’ Suns during that same period. Then Deron sold-out, went to the formerly New Jersey Nets, and basically said he doesn’t care about winning. All I know is if I made up a list of point guards that I WOULDN’T want to take a shot with my life depending on it, DWill would be right up there, only behind Uncle Jesse.
16. Derrick Rose
2016 Stats: 16.4 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.4 rpg, 0.7 stlpg, 31.8 mpg, 43–30–79%, PER 13.52
This ranking makes me depressed. Only four years ago, Drose was the reigning MVP, 23 years old, and was Westbrook before Westbrook.
15. Eric Bledsoe
2016 Stats: 20.4 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4 rpg, 2 stlpg, 34.2 mpg, 45–37–80%, PER 20.10
Bledsoe gets injured ALOT. After playing 81 games in 2015, we finally thought he was over the hump until he got injured last year and in the Bledsoian move ever, played in 31 games!! I don’t care. Bledsoe is still one of the most freakishly athletic players in the league. AND he’s built like a bowling ball. Only 6 feet, yet 200 pounds. I love him. So entertaining and constantly capable of throwing up a triple double nightly. The main knock on him is he hasn’t shown that he can carry a team. If he were to stay on the floor, then maybe we could find out.
14. Tony Parker
2016 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 5.3 apg, 2.4 rpb, 0.8 stlpg, 27.5 mpg, 50–42–76%, PER 16.22
Postseason: 10.4 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.3 rpg, 0.6 stlpg, 26.4 mpg, 45–25–86%
Not much to say about the French Gangbanger. He recovered nicely from his split with ex-wife Eva, and bagged some other European model. In terms of his basketball ability, it’s really been ignored how old Parker looks. As seen in the Thunder series, he’s a defensive liability. Also, only TWO years ago he averaged 20 ppg. It’s safe to say Tony is approaching the end.
13. Goran Dragic
2016 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1 stlpg, 32.8 mpg, 48–31–73%, PER 15.57
Postseason: 16.5 ppg, 3.9 apg, 4.9 rpg, 0.4 stlpg, 33.7 mpg, 44–35–77%
I can’t tell if Dragic is still underrated, finally properly rated, or now overrated. His numbers are solid, he helped lead Miami to the playoffs but it’s hard to not assume that without Wade that wouldn’t have happened. During his stint in Phoenix, he never took them to the Postseason, so really Goran Dragic is an over-glamorized, under/overrated, poor man’s version of Steve Nash.
12. Reggie Jackson
2016 Stats: 18.8 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.2 rpg, 0.7 stlpg, 30.7 mpg, 43–35–86%, PER 19.62
Postseason: 14.3 ppg, 9.3 apg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 stlpg, 36.8 mpg, 46–17–100%
If Reggie Jackson just cut the antics like running around the court and flapping your arms up and down because you no-showed, yet happened to beat your former team, then he could be even better. Until then, he’s solid, but there is nothing more to say. With that said, he showed his playoff chops as much as you can when your team gets swept.
11. Jeff Teague
2016 Stats: 15.7 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.7 rpg, 0.6 stlpg, 28.5 mpg, 44–40–84%, PER 17.98
Postseason:14.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, 1.9 rpg, 0.6 stlpg, 27.9 mgp, 38–25–85%
The only reason Teague didn’t break the top ten is during his tenure with Atlanta he is the third best player on his team, behind Horford and Millsap. Also, over the last two Postseasons he has averaged 14.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, 1.9 rpg, 0.6 stlpg, with 38–25–84% shooting. His numbers dip, a lot. He decided to no-show the biggest series of his life this past May against Cleveland, putting up a whopping 8 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds on 20 percent shooting, in Game 1, and 5 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds in Game 4. The playoffs matter Jeffrey. And I know many people believe he is a top ten point guard. Maybe five years ago. But the following ten guys I would choose over him if I wanted to win a basketball game in 2016.
10. Kemba Walker
2016 Stats: 20.9 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.4 rpb, 1.6 stlpg, 35.6 mpg, 43–37–85%, PER 20.87
Postseason: 22.7 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 stlpg, 37.1 mpg, 37–33–94%
Kemba broke out this year. Carrying a lackluster Hornets team to the playoffs, his competitivness and playoff chops showed as he went mano a mano with Dwyane Wade. We already knew he had balls from his time with UCONN. Overall, He’s just a little too one-dimensional and can’t decide if he is a point/shooting guard. Regardless, in his first time on the big stage, he put up 30 plus three times in their season ending loss to the Heat.
9. Isaiah Thomas
2016 Stats: 22.2 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3 rpg, 1.1 stlpg, 32.2 mpg, 43–36–87%, PER 21.54
Postseason: 24.2 ppg, 5 apg, 3 rpg, 0.7 stlpg, 36.7 mpg, 40–28–81%
Talk about a guy who likes the moment. Isaiah’s problem is he may enjoy it too much, forcing up shots at times where he seems to be trying to be the hero. Like Kemba, Isaiah had a breakout year himself, carrying the Celtics to the playoffs and showing that he can definitely be your second option on a contender. The man’s 5'9 yet carries himself like he’s the biggest one on the floor. He epitomizes little dog syndrome to the fullest.
8. Mike Conley
2016 Stats: 15.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 2.9 rpg, 1.2 stlpg, 31.4 mpg, 42–36–83%, PER 19.45
You can’t quite call Conley underrated considering he’s been an All-Star, but he is definitely underappreciated. As the Floor General for the Grizzlies, he has been one of the most consistent point guards this decade. But when you only have one conference finals appearance out of the last six straight playoff trips, you clearly aren’t top tier. With that said, you can certainly win a title with Conley as your point guard, but not if he’s your best player.
7. Kyle Lowry
2016 Stats: 21.2 ppg, 6.4 apg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 stlpg, 37 mpg, 43–39–81%, PER 22.2
Postseason: 19.1 ppg, 6 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 stlpg, 38.3 mpg, 40–30–75%
Lowry is built identical to Bledsoe, a bowling bowl that succeeds by pummeling other point guards. He is an elite defender, superb rebounder, especially for his size, and an above-average creator. He is essentailly a poor man’s Chris Paul; Extremely intense, annoying, physical, yet also a leader who gets the best out of his teammates.
6. John Wall
2016 Stats: 19.9 ppg, 10.2 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 stlpg, 36.2 mpg, 42–35–79%, PER 19.83
The most athletic basketball player in the world is probably Westbrook barely, with Wall coming in second. Westbrook wins out only because of his explosiveness. On the other hand, in a foot-race….I have no idea. His coast to coast freakociousness is absolutely beautiful. You can tell Wall cares, and in this day and age that means alot. Despite taking a step back this year and failing to carry the Wizards to the playoffs, after their second round appareance last year, Wall gets a break for having a completely incompetent coach, and injury ridden, Bradley Beal, who is Robin to Wall’s Batman. Regardless, Wall is 25 with no apparent ceiling on his potential.
5. Damian Lillard
2016 Stats: 25.1 ppg, 6.8 apg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 stlpg, 35.7 mpg, 42–38–89%, PER 22.25
Postseason: 26.5 ppg, 6.3 apg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 stlpg, 39.7 mpg, 37–40–91%
Dame wasn’t an All-Star this year. Read that sentence again. I’m not sure if that represents the stupidity of the fans, or the depth of the point guard position. Either way, Dame’s swagger is undeniable. In his first playoff series he ended it with a walk off buzzer beater.
Very much like Westbrook, you KNOW that Dame thinks he is the best player in the league. I loved seeing him put on his swagger-suit anytime he went up against Steph this year. During the season, he put up 40, 51, 17, and 38, in those games, while averaging 32, 7, and 5 against them in the playoffs. According to a fantastic SI profile, they explain how Oakland-bred Dame would play pick up games against fellow locals Gary Payton and Jason Kidd, when he was young. Now we know where he gets his confidence from; Playing against one of the best trash talkers the league has ever seen, Payton, definitely will harden you. You want to know what really puts a stamp on Lillard’s value? After winning 51 games in 2015 and losing in the first round in five games, the Blazers traded three of their four best players, Aldridge, Batum, and Matthews. Without those guys, the Lillard led Blazers won 44 games, making it to the second round before losing to the 73 win Warriors. Believe in Dame.
4. Kyrie Irving
2016 Stats: 19.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3 rpg, 1.1 stlpg, 31.5 mpg, 45–32–89%, PER 19.96
Postseason: 25.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.7 stlpg, 36.9 mpg, 48–44–88%
This Postseason was a coming of age for Kyrie. We always assumed he could be your number 2 guy, but injuries had left us doubtful. This season he finally put everything together. Although everyone gets on him for his defense, he can create his own shot better than anyone. And as he proved in the finals, when he is on, he is ON. If not for Lebron playing slightly better, Kyrie would’ve won the Finals MVP. Regardless, his step back three over the back-to-back MVP with two mins left in Game 7 showed he has enormous testicular fortitude, AND he just turned 24.
3. Russell Westbrook
2016 Stats: 23.5 ppg, 10.4 apg, 7.8 rpg, 2 stlpg, 34.4 mpg, 45–30–81%, PER 27.64
Postseason: 26 ppg, 11 apg, 6.9 rpg, 2.6 stlpg, 37.4 mpg, 40–32–83%
There is not much you can say about Westbrook that hasn’t been said over and over again. He plays every regular season game like it’s a Game 7. He basically plays the game on steroids. His coast-to-coast speed, and overall athleticism is like nothing we have every seen before. The only reason he isn’t ranked ahead of Chris Paul is because he has had Durant to lean on his whole career. He is undoubtedly a better two-way player than Curry, but can sometimes shoot himself out of games. If he carries the Thunder to a middle of the pack seed in the West while averaging close to a triple double, I will have no problem anointing him the best point guard in the league. With that said, I will leave you with this. His highlights defy possibility.
2. Chris Paul
2016 Stats: 19.5 ppg, 10 apg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 stlpg, 32.7 mpg, 46–37–90%, PER 26.31
Postseason: 23.8 ppg, 7.3 apg, 4 rpg, 2.3 stlpg, 31.3 mpg, 49–30–100%
Chris Paul is the definition of consistency. Besides Lebron, he is the most valuable player year in and year out by default. Stick him on any team and they are making the playoffs. With Blake Griffin injured most of the year, Chris carried the Clippers to 53 wins in a LOADED Western Conference. He did it with Deandre Jordan and well, that’s it. All you have to know is that Austin Rivers was playing significant minutes. In a past article, Bill Simmons describes Chris Paul’s mastery perfectly. “CP3 actually plays both ends and loves disrupting other point guards; new advanced metrics even back up CP3’s defensive brilliance. (I went to a Grizzlies game a few weeks ago in which he absolutely destroyed Mike Conley, who’s only one of the league’s best 25 players.) And CP3’s pull-up elbow jumper remains the NBA’s best crunch-time weapon. It’s about as sure of a thing as you can get these days. He’s certainly the best pure point guard since Isiah Thomas — another fiery competitor who demanded perfection from everyone around him.” He also has one of the cutest children I’ve ever seen, which is evident below as Lil’ Chris explains beating Grant Hill in a game of one-on-one.
1. Stephen Curry
2016 Stats: 30.1 ppg, 6.7 apg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 stlpg, 34.2 mpg, 50–45–90%, PER 31.56
Postseason: 25.1 ppg, 5.2 apg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 stlpg, 34.1 mpg, 44–40–92%
The only reason Curry is #1 is because he won back to back regular season MVPs. Is he the best pure point guard in the league? No. But, Steph Curry is the best shooter of all time. That is all. Thus, I’ll leave you with this.
Originally published at www.bradcalories.com.
