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Sports InsiderRanking the Best Shooting Guards in the NBA? Easier said than Done.
November 27th 2006 05:59
NBALOUD struggled mightily in trying to develop a list for the best shooting guards in the league which is the position that perhaps has the most depth of talent. How does one go about in working out such a difficult question? Do we categorise the shooting guards by their scoring numbers, or overall stats? Do we rank the off guards by taking a more overarching approach in seeing how their teams have performed over the past few seasons? Or is it just simply down to athleticism and entertainment value?
This writer has spent hours pondering this question over the past few days, because let’s face it NBALOUD has nothing better to do.
Point guards may control the tempo of the game, while the big guys down low might control the style, it is the shooting guards who have the success of their teams in the palm of their hands. The number two is usually not only the most prolific scorer, but also the most athletic player on the court and where they go, they’re team usually follows.
The only thing that NBALOUD hopes for is that this list will create a lot of controversy!
5. Michael Redd
‘Who the @#$%?’ NBALOUD can hear everyone asking this question in relation to the player in the number five spot. Well, his name is Michael Redd and he plays for the Milwaukee
Bucks.
Allow this writer to clarify a few things, not only does Reddman play for the Bucks, but he stars for them as well.
Michael is not only a scoring machine but is perhaps the sweetest shooter in the league that is close to unstoppable when he is on. In a game earlier this month Redd exploded for 57 points against the Jazz which was both the highest score for a player this season so far, whilst being the first player to do it drafted from the second round.
You want to know how influential Redd is? Many observers and pundits have categorically stated that the reason that the US have not come away with the gold in recent Olympic and World Championship competition is because Michael Redd was missing.
How ‘bout this number to end this section on Redd: 29.2 points per game.
4. Allen Iverson
This is a tough one in the plain and simple fact that AI is a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. For all intents and purposes NBALOUD considers AI more as an off guard than a one man so here he is in the number four spot in our little list.
There has never been a tougher or more determined player than Iverson and the man gets to the hoop better than almost anyone in the league. He gets beat and battered but it doesn’t stop him from continually putting it all on the line.
Iverson isn’t just the heart and soul of the team – he is the team, for without AI the Sixers would be in deep doodoo. Allen’s numbers are off the charts this season averaging 30.5 points and 7.4 assists.
The superlatives have run dry for this man on NBALOUD so we won’t go any further.
3. Gilbert Arenas
The kookiest guy in the league also happens to be one of the most talented as well. Like Iverson Arenas is officially considered a point guard, but is more of a shooting guard than a PG.
Gilbert is perhaps the most outrageous scorer in the league which simply means this guy cannot be stopped. Opposing teams usually concentrate on shutting down the other Wizards players, while letting Arenas run free.
Complementing his 26.3 points per game is the 6.5 assists he dishes off nightly to his teammates.
What you have to love about Arenas is that he continually strives to become better and you can see that with every passing year where his averages in every category has gone up. This season Gilbert has made a concerted effort to improve himself on the defensive end which has resulted in a league leading two steals per game average.
2. Kobe Bryant
Bryant is perhaps the most talented player in the league and does it all on both ends. There isn’t a player around in the NBA that is loved and loathed in equal measure. What is not in dispute is his basketball playing abilities.
Can anyone go past his three rings and his ability to put the ball in the basket? Kobe has started off this season slowly for his standards due to the fact that he was coming back from injury, although we can gradually see that he is starting to take over games.
Bryant leaves NBA fans breathless with his play and is not only a renowned scorer but a dogged defender. The competitive fire that Kobe exhibits hasn’t been seen since the days of Michael Jordan.
Greatness and the number one spot will be Bryant’s once he proves that he can win a championship without Shaq by his side.
1. Dwayne Wade
‘Enough already!’ Heard you all loud and clear.
This writer has spent hours pondering this question over the past few days, because let’s face it NBALOUD has nothing better to do.
Point guards may control the tempo of the game, while the big guys down low might control the style, it is the shooting guards who have the success of their teams in the palm of their hands. The number two is usually not only the most prolific scorer, but also the most athletic player on the court and where they go, they’re team usually follows.
The only thing that NBALOUD hopes for is that this list will create a lot of controversy!
5. Michael Redd
‘Who the @#$%?’ NBALOUD can hear everyone asking this question in relation to the player in the number five spot. Well, his name is Michael Redd and he plays for the Milwaukee
Haven't heard of Michael Redd? You have now. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Allow this writer to clarify a few things, not only does Reddman play for the Bucks, but he stars for them as well.
Michael is not only a scoring machine but is perhaps the sweetest shooter in the league that is close to unstoppable when he is on. In a game earlier this month Redd exploded for 57 points against the Jazz which was both the highest score for a player this season so far, whilst being the first player to do it drafted from the second round.
You want to know how influential Redd is? Many observers and pundits have categorically stated that the reason that the US have not come away with the gold in recent Olympic and World Championship competition is because Michael Redd was missing.
How ‘bout this number to end this section on Redd: 29.2 points per game.
4. Allen Iverson
This is a tough one in the plain and simple fact that AI is a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. For all intents and purposes NBALOUD considers AI more as an off guard than a one man so here he is in the number four spot in our little list.
There has never been a tougher or more determined player than Iverson and the man gets to the hoop better than almost anyone in the league. He gets beat and battered but it doesn’t stop him from continually putting it all on the line.
Iverson isn’t just the heart and soul of the team – he is the team, for without AI the Sixers would be in deep doodoo. Allen’s numbers are off the charts this season averaging 30.5 points and 7.4 assists.
The superlatives have run dry for this man on NBALOUD so we won’t go any further.
3. Gilbert Arenas
The kookiest guy in the league also happens to be one of the most talented as well. Like Iverson Arenas is officially considered a point guard, but is more of a shooting guard than a PG.
Gilbert is perhaps the most outrageous scorer in the league which simply means this guy cannot be stopped. Opposing teams usually concentrate on shutting down the other Wizards players, while letting Arenas run free.
Complementing his 26.3 points per game is the 6.5 assists he dishes off nightly to his teammates.
What you have to love about Arenas is that he continually strives to become better and you can see that with every passing year where his averages in every category has gone up. This season Gilbert has made a concerted effort to improve himself on the defensive end which has resulted in a league leading two steals per game average.
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe looks perplexed to be the number two, two. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Can anyone go past his three rings and his ability to put the ball in the basket? Kobe has started off this season slowly for his standards due to the fact that he was coming back from injury, although we can gradually see that he is starting to take over games.
Bryant leaves NBA fans breathless with his play and is not only a renowned scorer but a dogged defender. The competitive fire that Kobe exhibits hasn’t been seen since the days of Michael Jordan.
Greatness and the number one spot will be Bryant’s once he proves that he can win a championship without Shaq by his side.
1. Dwayne Wade
‘Enough already!’ Heard you all loud and clear.
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