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NBA Positional Power Rankings: Mr. 4th Quarter And James Harden’s MVP Push

By Steven Abramo

Jan 11, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives past Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 117-108. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives past Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 117-108. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guards

1. Russell Westbrook: Until Westbrook stops averaging a triple-double every game, then I MIGHT actually reconsider someone else for the No. 1 spot. So, in the meantime, I would suggest you look at players No. 2 and No. 3 on the list because those will only be the spots that will change in the near future.

2. Isaiah Thomas: Alright, now we got some discussion at the top. Back-to-back All-Star representative and what should’ve been Eastern Conference’s starting point guard (sorry, my Celtics allegiance had to leak through there) is making his first appearance in the Top 3 this season.

Thomas’ numbers have been off-the-charts, producing the league’s second most points (29.9 per game) and the sixth most assists at his position (6.4 per game). However, it’s been what he’s done over the past month or so that’s caught the entire NBA by storm. In the month of January, Thomas completed the third-highest scoring month in franchise history, averaging 32.9 PPG while shooting 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3.

In addition, Isaiah rode a streak of 43 straight games of scoring at least 20 points, before Monday night. That such milestone has only been achieved by 17 NBA players all-time.

3. John Wall: Ah yes, the final point guard spot. There’s a myriad of players that I could put at No. 3 – Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry or Kyle Lowry, but I’ll roll with Washington’s John Wall by the slimmest of margins. Wall might not be averaging the same amount of points or shoot at an incredulous level as those players, however he’s been just as efficient.

In fact, much of the Wizards’ recent turnaround, rising from the East’s basement to the conference’s 3rd best team record wise, has been because of Wall’s resurgence. For the first time in his career, Wall is averaging more than 20 points per game (22.2) and is shooting a career-best 45.2 percent from the field. Not to mention, Wall owns the second best assist rate (10.7 per game) and best steal rate (2.2 per game) amongst starting league point guards.