NBA Ranks- Top Ten Point Guards
1. Steph Curry- Golden State Warriors
Over the last two seasons, Steph Curry has propelled himself into the conversation as not only the best overall point guard in the league, but also the best overall player in the league. He’s the two-time defending league MVP, the reigning scoring champion, and has been the best player on the last two Western Conference Champions.
Barring an injury to Curry, I don’t see any possible way in which Curry regresses from the league’s best point guard. He’s improved every season in which he’s been healthy. Last year he recorded a career high in points (30.1) and steals (2.1) per game, both of which led the NBA. He also led the NBA in free throw percentage, shooting 90 percent from the line.
Curry has consistently performed as a top-notch offensive player, and his defense will only continue to improve.
Now, I do expect Curry’s scoring to regress, due to the addition of Kevin Durant, but I expect Curry’s efficiency, assists per game and field goal percentage to increase as a result of the team being less reliant on Curry as an individual scorer.
2. Chris Paul- Los Angeles Clippers
Since coming into the league in 2005, Chris Paul has been among the best point guards in the entire league. Since 2011, Chris Paul has been the best or second best point guard in terms of my pre-season ranks.
Paul is coming off of a sneaky good season (yes, you read that correctly, sneaky good). He finished the season with per game averages of 19.5 points, 10 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. He shot 50 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free throw line.
Paul also stepped up in a major way- leading the team in points, usage percentage, and PER after an injury to Blake Griffin that kept him out for over three months.
He may be coming off of a broken hand, but that does not derail my confidence that Paul will perform to his relatively high standards next season.
3. Russell Westbrook- Oklahoma City Thunder
After the departure of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook has emerged as an early season favorite to win the MVP award. Although I could see a scenario in which this could happen, I do not think it is likely, but nonetheless, Westbrook is still among the best point guards in the league.
Westbrook could very well end up with the best statistics of any point guard next season. The last time we saw a Westbrook led team without the Durant, was two seasons ago, and, in that season, Westbrook recorded some ridiculous numbers- nearly averaging a triple-double. Now, I’m not expecting Westbrook to record those eye-popping numbers, I do expect his numbers to resemble something similar to those 2014 numbers rather than last seasons numbers.
Westbrook’ scoring, assists, usage and rebounds will likely see an increase, but at the price of his efficiency and field goal percentage.
4. Kyrie Irving- Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving is arguably the best scoring point guard in the NBA. Not only did he outplay Steph Curry in last season’s NBA finals, but, with the exception of his teammate LeBron James, outplayed every other player on the court.
Irving finished last season with per game averages of 19.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds. He took his play to another level in the postseason, averaging more points per game (25.2) and posting a higher PER (24.4 compared to 19.9).
His biggest strength is his ability to create his own shot. With the exception of Steph Curry, I don’t think there is another player in the league who is as proficient at shooting off the dribble as Irving.
Health has been a concern for Irving since his freshman year at Duke University, but barring an injury, it wouldn’t shock me to see Irving finish among the leaders in points per game and PER next season.
5. Damian Lillard- Portland Trailblazers
Damian Lillard has surpassed all expectations after being drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft. Not only has Lillard been the Trailblazers best overall player, but he has also been one of the best overall players in the entire NBA.
Since entering the NBA, Lillard has averaged at least 20 points per game in three of his four seasons. Last season he took an enormous step forward in his development, averaging career highs in points (25.1), assists (6.8), free throw percentage (89%), and PER (22.2). His overall usage percentage increased, which was expected due to the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge.
Lillard’s elevated play was enough to lead the Trailblazers to the playoffs, exceeding the expectations that were set upon them by many. Lillard has proven himself a capable leader.
One of his best qualities has been his durability. He’s played at least 75 games in all four of his seasons, playing in 82 in three of the four.
Lilard is one my pre-season MVP favorites.
6. Kyle Lowry- Toronto Raptors
Four years ago, Kyle Lowry resurrected his career when he signed with the Toronto Raptors. Lowry has not only elevated his individual numbers, but he has also elevated the play of his teammates.
In his four seasons in Toronto, Lowry has average a greater number of points, assists, and rebounds than he did while he played in Memphis and Houston. His overall play in Toronto is so much better than in his previous destinations that he has become an All-Star and a player capable of making multiple All-NBA Teams, doing so twice.
Lowry has led the Raptors to the playoffs three-times, and although his play in the playoffs has been shaky at best, his status as a top-ten point guard cannot be disputed.
7. John Wall- Washington Wizards
Since being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, John Wall immediately took on the role as the face of the Washington Wizards. Although it took a few seasons for Wall to reach an All-Star caliber level of play, Wall has been a productive player, and in the last few seasons has propelled himself as one of the premier guards in the league.
Last season Wall set a career high in points per game (19.9), assists per game (10.2), and three-point field goal percentage (35%). Despite these career highs from Wall, the Wizards regressed as a team, missing the playoffs after making two consecutive postseason appearances.
Wall’s a tremendous player, but given his position of point guard, which is extremely deep in terms of talent, Wall finds himself at number seven.
8. Isaiah Thomas- Boston Celtics
From second round pick to a top-ten point guard, Isaiah Thomas’s rise has been remarkable.
Thomas has thrived since arriving in Boston a year and a half ago. In fact, he’s coming off of his best season of his career, which is why he finds himself in my top ten for the first time in his career.
Thomas’s 2015–2016 season can be summed up with one simple phrase: breakout year. Last season Thomas led the Celtics in points (22.2) and assists (6.2). His PER of 21.5 also led the team and was a career high. He produced at an All-Star level, which he was recognized for, being named to his first career All-Star game.
I think Thomas’s efficiency will increase given the level of talent around him next season, but we might see a regression of his scoring and usage percentage.
9. Mike Conley- Memphis Grizzlies
This past offseason Mike Conley signed the largest contract in NBA history, re-singing with the Grizzlies to a 5-year $153 deal.
Conley has been one of the most underrated players in the league, and despite his terrific play has yet to be named and All-Star or to an All-NBA Team. Conley, like most on the Grizzlies’ roster, was banged up last season. He played in only 56 games and missed the team’s first round playoff series.
Over the last few seasons Conley has been among the most productive point guards in the NBA, finishing in the top five of PER at the point guard position a numerous amount of times.
I’m expecting a bounce-back season out of Conley, one in which he plays around 75 games, and plays up to the high expectations that are expected out of him after signing his lucrative contract.
10. Kemba Walker- Charlotte Hornets
Like Isaiah Thomas, Kemba Walker had a breakout season last year, which is why he finds himself in my top ten for the first time in his career. He averaged a career high in points (20.9) rebounds (4.4) per game. He also shot a career high 37 percent from beyond the arc. Walker played an All-Star caliber level all-season long, which is an enormous reason why the Hornets won their first playoff game in over a decade.
Walker’s improved shooting and improved cast around him should be enough for him to advance his game even more. I‘m expecting big things out of Walker this season. I’m predicting an increase in points, assists, and overall efficiency in Walker’s game this season.
