Nov. 23, 2012; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) attempts to shoot over Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) during the second half at the Barclays Center. Nets won 86-76. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
In most cases, the signal caller. The ball-handler. The setter- upper. The one. The point guard. Perhaps the most vital position on the team (there are a few exceptions of course). For the most part, show me a good team and I’ll point out a true point guard — especially in a guard-driven league. Though, it also happens to be one of the most difficult positions to assess.
But we’ll give it a try and, of course, probably leave out a few good ones out of the top-five, because, well, there are more than five good point guards in the NBA. Just like any other season, there will be a player or two that surprises us. So don’t take these to heart, as this list will probably be shaken up once or twice during the season.
1. Chris Paul – 16.9 PPG, 9.7 APG, 48% FG
CP3 is a flat-out floor general and the perfect definition of a true point guard in the NBA. He can dish it, beat you down the court on the break and even break you down 1-on-1, if needed. Heck, he’ll even lock you up on defense.
2. Derrick Rose – 21.8 PPG, 7.9 APG, 44% FG*
Coming off injury, I still think that Derrick Rose is the second best (if not the best) “point guard” in the NBA. He has all the intangibles that a point guard should have, as well as the explosion, speed and athleticism as a mini-LeBron James. Almost. He showed flashes during his first preseason game that he could be that same player he was before his injury. If so, watch out.
3. Deron Williams – 18.9 PPG, 7.7 APG, 44% FG
For some reason it feels like D-Will has lost a little credibility during his time with Brooklyn. It could be that the team as a whole kind of underwhelmed last season, but now with a re-tooled squad we should see him shine a little more – which is all he needs. He’s not the fastest or biggest point guard in the NBA, but he just gets it done. Williams could have a career-year this season. Besides, he is surrounded by the best supporting cast he’s ever played with since…Illinois?
4. Rajon Rondo – 13.7 PPG, 11.1 APG, 48% FG
Patience will be the key with Rondo – much like Rose last season. The reason I have Rondo in the top-5? Because if he was completely healthy, he’d be in my top-2. He’s too good to keep him off. Rondo is probably the best offensive orchestrators on this list and his scoring development over the past year and a half is only going to make him better. He almost collects triple-doubles more than Bobcats compile victories. He can rebound extremely well for a guard and his intuition to know where his teammates are constantly is insane.
5. Kyrie Irving – 22.5 PPG, 5.9 APG, 45% FG
Irving is the next big thing in the NBA, not just at the point guard position. He just makes it look so easy on the court, that it’s scary. We saw flashes of his brilliance and of his potential last season, and I can’t wait to see what strides he’ll make this year. As his supporting cast, in Cleveland, continues to improve, so will his game. To be honest, the sky is the limit for the young man. He just has that “it” factor. Whatever “it” is, it’s good. Really good.
HONORABLE MENTION(S): Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Tony Parker
(All statistics are based off the 2012-13 NBA season)
*2011-2012 statistics
Sir Charles In Charge writers Michael Saenz, Andrew Melnick, Jalen Bishop and Hardeep Sahota rank the top players at each position in the NBA for the 2013-2014 season. This weeklong series will also include ranking the top sixth men and head coaches.