In today’s NBA, the point guard position is without a doubt the deepest and most talented position. Night in and night out, point guards for every team have to bring their best to will their team to success. Owning up to this task is not easy, and being the cream of the crop is even harder. Below I have ranked the top ten point guards in the league.
10) John Wall
The Raleigh, NC native and former University of Kentucky star comes in at number ten. Wall has not played in a game since December of 2018 due to a torn achilles that ended his season. Before that, Wall had his season ended due to a knee injury. It has been a rough period of time for Wall, but this does not take away what he has proven in the NBA thus far. Before his injury in 2018, Wall was putting up 20.7 PPG and 8.7 APG. In addition, Wall is a 5x All-Star and has led his Wizards team to a couple playoff runs. Wall is without a doubt one of the most explosive and athletic players in this league. His slashing and finishing ability is what sets him apart from the other talented guards. Wall is also never afraid to back down and is a hungry competitor. However, if he wants to become the best point guard in the East, he needs to develop a jump shot, especially outside the arc. Wall only shoots 32% from 3 for his entire career.
9) Chris Paul
The veteran and “Point God” Chris Paul never fails to contribute to his team. Although Paul receives criticism for never winning a championship, he has one of the best resumes that the NBA has ever seen. I have been extremely impressed with Paul this season. After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder this past summer, many thought this would be a dead end job for Paul. He has exceeded everyone’s expectations leading the Thunder to a 40-24 record, while averaging 17.7 PPG and 6.8 APG. Paul is clearly the motor behind this young Thunder squad. The 10x All-Star and 4x assist leader is everything you want in a true point guard. In addition, Paul's assist to turnover ratio is one of the highest rankings in the history of the NBA. Having a point guard that not only can distribute but also takes care of the ball is a huge advantage.
8) Kyle Lowry
In my eyes, Kyle Lowry is the most underappreciated point guard in the NBA. After Kawhi Leonard’s departure from the Raptors, most experts believed that this year's Raptors squad would end up in the four to seven seed range in the East. However, Lowry has willed his team to a 46-18 record, which is second in the East. While attaining this leadership, Lowry has put up 19.7 PPG, 7.7 APG and shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc. There is no doubt that because of Lowry’s production and ability to lead it is the reason why they are a threat yet again. In addition, Lowry has always been a reliable defender. In the 2019 season, the Raptors were the best pick-and-roll defensive team in the NBA. Lowry was always at the point of attack when it happened.
7) Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker is another highly underappreciated guard in this league. Although Kemba has received two All-Star starter selections, it still feels like he hides in the shadows of other guards. This season for the Celtics, Kemba has led his team to a 43-21 record while putting up 21.2 PPG, 4.9 APG and shooting 37.7% from three point land. We also can’t forget that Kemba has the deadliest step back jumper in the league. The best thing about Walker is that he gives so much effort every single night. He has been praised by opponents for his defense and ability to fight through hard screens. Walker wants to face the best of the best on the defensive side of the court whenever the opportunity presents itself. In addition, Walker has great finishing ability, which makes it hard for defenders to see if he is going to pull it from deep or make a flashy play inside the paint.
6) Russell Westbrook
The brodie comes in just outside the top five on the list. Westbrook is one of the most athletic and explosive players the NBA has ever seen, period. Westbrook is a triple double machine and is the only player to ever average a triple double for three-consecutive seasons. He is also the leader for most triple doubles in one season with 42. I always scratch my head on why people hate on him so much because he gives 110% every time he steps on the floor. Westbrook also isn’t on the court to make friends, he wants to dominate his opponents. This season for the Houston Rockets, Westbrook is putting up 27.5 PPG and 7.0 APG. This is an amazing feat considering his teammate, James Harden, is one of the most ball dominant guards in this league. In addition, Westbrook is helping this Houston team to a 40-24 record. The only thing to criticize Westbrook about is his jump shot and three point making ability. Westbrook is shooting a horrid 25% from three this season. I know that he can produce better than a 25% clip but it might not matter considering the Rockets have shooters all around and more importantly Harden.
5) Trae Young
Trae Young is the future of the NBA and especially at the point guard position. Young has proven to be one of the most exciting players in the league, exposing opponents with nut-megs and half court shots and it’s only his second year in the NBA. While displaying his flashy moves, Young was nodded as an All-Star starter this season. Young is putting up an unreal stat line with 29.6 PPG, 9.3 APG and shooting 36.1% from outside the arc. Although offensively Young is exceptional, he is arguably one of the worst defenders in the entire NBA. In addition, the youthful Hawks squad is 20-47 this season. I have no doubt that with some growth and experience, Young will be able to improve his defending ability. Over the next few years the Hawks can gain some key pieces in the draft and be able to improve their record as well. There is no telling where Young’s ceiling can reach but I can definitely see him being a future MVP of the NBA. It might not seem great now but being a Hawks fan in the next three to five years will be an exciting thing to watch.
4) Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons has lived up to the hype ever since his days at LSU and becoming the number one overall pick back in 2016. This season, Simmons is putting up 16.7 PPG, 8.2 APG and 7.8 RPG. Simmons has also led this Sixers squad to a 39-26 record. Although Simmons is not your typical point guard build, his ability to drive to the basket on defenders and court vision is elite already. We all know what his flaw is and that’s his jumper. Simmons has only shot a handful of three pointers in his time in the NBA. Experts before the 2016 draft thought it was essential for him to add a jump shot to his bag. However, not having a jumper has turned out to be just fine for Simmons. He has multiple All-Star selections in his young career without changing his style. However, if Simmons were to eventually add a jumper to his game, it would take his game to the next level and could make him the best point guard in the entire NBA. Simmons is also one of the best if not the best defender at his position. His size and length disrupts other guards every game. Even though his numbers are not better than the likes of Young, Westbrook and Walker his defense is truly what sets him apart.
3) Kyrie Irving
This is my personal opinion but I believe that Kyrie Irving is one of the most talented players to ever play in the NBA. Some of the plays Irving displays just makes you say “Wow, how did he do that?”. Irving has been nicknamed as the best ball handler in the NBA and possibly the best ever. There are many dimensions to Irving’s game. Irving can beat you by blowing by you and finishing with an acrobatic attempt or he can dribble and pull up from deep. It is extremely hard for defenders to read what he is going to do. This season for the Nets before his injury, Irving was putting up 27.4 PPG, 6.4 APG and shooting a 39.4% clip from deep. Although these numbers were based on 20 games played, I have seen enough from his past to know this is the truth of his game. Irving is also a great option when it comes to crunch time. Irving has proven to gain the clutch gene, especially after his three point bucket against the Warriors in the final minute of the NBA finals in 2016. The one thing to knock against Irving is his toxic personality. Irving has been heard to be a selfish teammate at times and has gotten into arguments with players on his own team in the past. Don’t forget about his promise to the Celtics fan base about signing long term, which ended with him in a Nets uniform.
2) Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has been the most exciting player to watch in the NBA this season. In early February, Lillard was on a six-game tear which he averaged 48.8 PPG. This opened the eyes of everyone who follows the NBA. It made me realize that if the Blazer’s record were to improve, Lillard could be a serious MVP candidate. Lillard’s stat line this season is 28.9 PPG, 7.8 APG and is also shooting 39.4% from three. The biggest improvement from Lillard is his outside shooting. Now, Lillard is pulling up from half court almost every single game and makes them, thus the nickname “Logo Lillard” was born. Lillard is a cold blooded killer and is never afraid to shine away from the best guards in the NBA like Westbrook. We saw this mentality in last year’s playoff series against the Thunder when Lillard sank a deep three at the buzzer over Paul George, eliminating the Thunder in just five games. Lillard’s driving and passing ability still lives on and he is a threat to every team in the league. Although the Blazers record sits at 29-37 in the West, I have faith that they can still make the playoffs. If they do, I guarantee the top seeds will not look forward to playing Lillard and McCollum in the first round.
1) Steph Curry
Love him or hate him, Steph curry is the best point guard in the entire NBA. The 3x NBA champion and back to back unanimous MVP is still running the league in the one spot. After returning from injury and playing with a deflated Warriors roster, Curry is putting up 20.8 PPG and 6.6 APG in just five games. For the sake of a strong argument, let's take a look at his numbers in 2019. Curry put up 27.3 PPG, 5.2 APG and shot an outstanding 43.7% clip from three point territory. In addition, he led the Warriors to a 57-25 record in the West. Curry is a slippery and quick guard who is always moving around the offensive side of the court to get an open shot. If you watch him, the best thing he does is move without the ball in his hands. With the help of screens from teammates, he can always find a spot up shot and usually knocks it down. His ball handling ability is superior as well, crossing up multiple superstars like Chris Paul and finishing the play off with a acrobatic finish in the paint or from deep. Steph Curry is the best three point shooter of this generation and possibly the best three point shooter to ever play. The chemistry that the previous Warriors teams had made it hard for defenders to contain Curry’s unreal range. As long as Curry is knocking down half court shots, crossing up defenders, and throwing up unusually high layups, he is the king of point guards.