Ranking the Top 5 Point Guards in the Eastern Conference
Point Guard play in the NBA has never been better. The game is completely contingent on the play of the point man as opposed to years past. Much like a quarterback in the NFL, you don’t get far without a good point guard in the NBA. You can attribute this to rule changes and the three point revolution. Defenders are no longer allowed to have their hands on a moving ball handler. This allows these talented point guards to get anywhere they want on the floor. Also, the three point shot has substantially opened things up for not only guards, but any player that likes to take the ball inside.
I feel that this season, the point guards in the eastern conference have not gotten the respect they deserve. The emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as the absurd nightly performances from James Harden and Russell Westbrook have dominated the attention of most NBA fans. I think that this season has brought a good amount of intrigue to the point guard position. Players like Isaiah Thomas and Kemba Walker are having all-star level campaigns, which is nice considering it’s a change of pace compared to the last couple of years.
I believe that the best point guards in the league are out west. Westbrook, Harden, and Lillard are simply on a different level. But why shouldn’t we look at how the best point guards in the east stack up against each other? Let’s take a look at the top five guys at the games most important position in the eastern conference.
5. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Points/Assists/Rebounds: 23.1/5.4/4.2
Kemba Walker has done a fine job this season leading the Charlotte Hornets. Similar to last season, he is probably the only player on the roster that has any star power. He lightning quick with the ball in his hands, as he can get to any spot on the floor, and can get his shot off easily despite his short stature. Walker has also increased his percentage from three point land substantially this season. Going from 37.1% to 41.9% is an impressive improvement. Improved shooting has allowed the shifty guard to increase his scoring from last year by 3 points per game.
The reason Walker is not higher on this list is because he doesn’t distribute the ball enough. It isn’t totally his fault being the main scorer on a team not all that talented, but Walker doesn’t score enough to have assist numbers that low. Maybe if he distributed the ball more while on the floor, his teammates would produce to the point where Walker wouldn’t have to carry the offense. The Hornets then wouldn’t be so inconsistent in winning games.
4. John Wall, Washington Wizards
Points/Assists/Rebounds: 23.3/10.2/4.4
John Wall has been the best passing guard in the eastern conference for the last couple of years, and his 2016–17 numbers back up that statement. Wall does a great job driving into the paint and breaking down the defense to open things up for his teammates. He then is exceptional at reading the floor to find an open man for easy shots. Wall is also an opportunistic defender, as he is averaging a career high in steals this season.
The thing keeping him from the top 2 at his position is the fact that his team doesn’t win enough. The Wizards have come back to post a .5oo record, but why were they so bad in the first place? Sometimes Wall can dominate the ball too much which can hinder his team’s offense and overall flow. The ex-Kentucky Wildcat should definitely be an all star this season, but he needs to play at a level that helps his team more consistently rather than his stat line.
3. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Points/Assists/Rebounds: 24.2/5.9/3.6
Kyrie Irving has taken on more responsibility for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. LeBron James has deferred to Irving late in games in order to develop the young point guard as a leader for the team. In those situations Irving has had success. Hitting the game winner over Klay Thompson on Christmas day, capping a furious comeback was probably the best moment for him since the NBA finals. On offense Irving has been exceptional, as usual. This season he is averaging career highs in scoring and three point percentage.
However, I feel like Irving gets too much praise while being a one dimensional player. He doesn’t play defense, at all. In every game the Cavaliers play, either Irving or Kevin Love are the players exploited by other teams on the defensive end. Not being a great defender is not the only reason why Irving is not in the top 2. It’s the fact that he has all this room to operate being on the same team as LeBron James and Kevin Love, and he still isn’t producing at the same level as the best guards in the conference. The two players ahead of Irving are playing with much less in terms of talent, but are producing at a much higher level than him.
2. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Points/Assists/Rebounds: 22.7/7.2/5.0
Kyle Lowry has continued to play at a very high level this season after he experienced his best campaign last year. He plays an all around style of basketball that is hard for opposing guards to stop. His 6'0 205 pound frame helps him power past defenders to get to the basket and break down the defense. This season he has found his stride earlier than last year, which should help the Raptors really give the Cavaliers a run for the top seed in the eastern conference.
The reason that Lowry isn’t the #1 point guard in my rankings is not a bad one. This season Demar Derozan has really stepped up his game, and Lowry has done the right thing by deferring to him. Lowry is currently sixth, I repeat sixth in all star voting among eastern conference guards. That is completely unacceptable for a great point guard playing team basketball for a winning team.
- Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Points/Assists/Rebounds: 28.0/6.1/2.6
Isaiah Thomas leads all eastern conference guards in player efficiency rating, and he is the entire conferences top scorer. There has only been one game this season where Thomas did not score 20 points, and in that game he had 18. The 5'9 point guard had a game this season in which he scored 44 points on 16 shots, and that wasn’t even his season high (52 against Miami). Thomas has been elite this season scoring the ball and distributing to his teammates.
The argument against Thomas is his defense. The Celtics defensive rating is much better without Thomas on the floor. But remember this. The Celtics back up point guard, Marcus Smart, is a defensive ace, which could be the reason for the huge difference in defensive efficiency. I realize that Thomas is limited on the defensive end but his offensive output is impossible to ignore. This makes him the best point guard in the eastern conference this season.
