NBA Power Rankings: The Top 10 Point Guards in the NBA
By HoopDon
6.) Eric Bledsoe (Blend = 10.4)
Apr 14, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dribbles against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Advanced Stats: PER=19.6, Win Shares=.140, RPM=4.06, Wins Produced=.159, ASPM=3.09
Despite appearing in only 43 game last season, Bledsoe nevertheless made a mini-leap. He managed to increase his usage, while also increasing his overall shooting percentage from a mediocre 51.3% in 2013, to an excellent 57.8% in 2014. His larger role on offense translated to a career high 5.5 assists per game, but even more impressively, Bledsoe managed this without an increase in turnover rate. Defensively Bledsoe is a monster, ranking first among all guards in D-RPM.
At this point, the only real concerns for Bledsoe involve his health, and how well he can mesh with an Isaiah Thomas/Goran Dragic back-court. Barring these potential landmines, Bledsoe is almost guaranteed to crack the top five this upcoming season.