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Sports InsiderThe Best Point Guards in the NBA.
November 24th 2006 07:37
There were no games in the NBA today due to the Thanksgiving Holiday which celebrates gluttony, the consumption of turkey and oh, giving thanks for when the Pilgrims and Native Americans got along – before the shit hit the fan you can say. Since there were no games to report on NBALOUD is free to indulge in other basketball pursuits such as the issue of the best players in the league.
‘Best of…’ lists invariably court controversy but that’s what is so appealing with such debates – everyone has an opinion.
Today we’ll start off with the position that is close to this writer’s heart because the person that plays here basically more or less runs the show. What position are we talking about? The point guard!
The point guards are the pretty boys of basketball both in a metaphoric and literal sense, hence why this writer is a point guard! The one guard arguably carries the biggest burden on the basketball court because it is up to this player to distribute the ball, while being the mouthpiece of the coach on court.
As you can see NBALOUD has a soft spot for point guards and is so fearless that a list of the best PG’s in the NBA will be put in order of bad-ass-ness! Who will be the number one, one? Read on and you shall see.
5. Chauncey Billups
Mr. Big Shot has been the man for Detroit the past five or so seasons playing a controlled
type of basketball with a flair for the dramatic. However, it wasn’t always like this with his early years in the NBA dogged by inconsistency and was being widely considered a big disappointment for a third overall pick.
Billups bounced around a few teams in his first year before breaking out with Minnesota then signing with the Pistons. It was with Detroit where Billups really hit his stride culminating in their 2004 Championship run that saw Mr. Big Shot win the MVP for the Finals.
Many argue that Billups has probably lost a bit of mojo but is still a stud on the court. This number five spot was a hard choice because it was between Billups and that cheese eating surrender monkey Mr. Longoria – better known as Tony Parker.
4. Chris Paul
The second year point guard for the New Orleans Hornets has been electric since day one. Paul was easily the rookie of the season last year and has already established himself as a point guard par excellence.
Young Chris was so dominant that he was the rookie of the month for the Western Conference every single month last season. The man is quick as a flash and has a handle that is so out of this world that it is hard to believe that he is in only his second season.
Paul’s numbers are excellent averaging 18.5 points and 8.9 assists per game while being the stand out player for the Hornets. Without Chris New Orleans would be dire to say the least.
3. Jason Kidd
In terms of pure point guard talent there is no one that comes close to Kidd who has such extraordinary vision and unselfishness that it is hard to believe that he is playing in contemporary times. Before LeBron James came onto the scene the triple-double seemed to be a lost art form with Kidd the only one excelling in every facet of the game, while the rest of the league was more interested in showboating.
As of last week Kidd was just one triple-double away from matching Wilt Chamberlain to be third on the list for most triple-doubles. Perhaps the wildest statistic in Kidd’s career is the fact that in 45 games during his illustrious time in the NBA he was one digit short of finishing off with a triple-double. In a lot of those games the result was beyond doubt and the man is so unselfish that he didn’t go back into the game to get a cheap stat to add to his numbers.
The Kidd is the embodiment of the position and if anyone deserves a championship Kidd is your man.
2. Baron Davis
B. Diddy is perhaps the most talented point guard in the NBA and it isn’t too far of a stretch to
even suggest that he could’ve/should’ve been the best one man in history. Baron has speed, strength, vision and is such a complete player with ridiculous skill. When we talk about wildly talented individuals Davis is your man.
Although, B. Dizzle is outrageously gifted in every facet of the game it is deeply frustrating to watch this man play for a myriad of reasons. Davis has spent most of his NBA career with atrocious teams, and is finally with a good team and showing his skillz.
The other perplexing aspect of B. Diddy is the fact that he often comes into games and seasons grossly unfit and out of sorts, which of course leads to many injuries.
To re-emphasise a tired point if anyone wants to watch skilful excellence on the basketball court watch Davis and the Golden State Warriors operate because they’re the shit!
1. Steve Nash
Was there any surprise that Stevie Wonder is the best point guard in the league right now? It was once inconceivable that Nash would be mentioned in such a rarefied air but here we are hailing the floppy haired Canadian.
Nash was an all-star in Dallas, but became immortal in Phoenix. As soon as Nash came to Dallas he turned the franchise around and bought in a run-and-gun style of basketball that seemed to be lost in NBA history.
How bout this statistic to confirm Nash’s place as the number one point guard in the league: two time MVP. ‘Nuff said.
What do some of you readers think?
‘Best of…’ lists invariably court controversy but that’s what is so appealing with such debates – everyone has an opinion.
Today we’ll start off with the position that is close to this writer’s heart because the person that plays here basically more or less runs the show. What position are we talking about? The point guard!
The point guards are the pretty boys of basketball both in a metaphoric and literal sense, hence why this writer is a point guard! The one guard arguably carries the biggest burden on the basketball court because it is up to this player to distribute the ball, while being the mouthpiece of the coach on court.
As you can see NBALOUD has a soft spot for point guards and is so fearless that a list of the best PG’s in the NBA will be put in order of bad-ass-ness! Who will be the number one, one? Read on and you shall see.
5. Chauncey Billups
Mr. Big Shot has been the man for Detroit the past five or so seasons playing a controlled
Mr. Big Shot is Detroit's engine. (Image from palmbeachpost.com)
Billups bounced around a few teams in his first year before breaking out with Minnesota then signing with the Pistons. It was with Detroit where Billups really hit his stride culminating in their 2004 Championship run that saw Mr. Big Shot win the MVP for the Finals.
Many argue that Billups has probably lost a bit of mojo but is still a stud on the court. This number five spot was a hard choice because it was between Billups and that cheese eating surrender monkey Mr. Longoria – better known as Tony Parker.
4. Chris Paul
The second year point guard for the New Orleans Hornets has been electric since day one. Paul was easily the rookie of the season last year and has already established himself as a point guard par excellence.
Young Chris was so dominant that he was the rookie of the month for the Western Conference every single month last season. The man is quick as a flash and has a handle that is so out of this world that it is hard to believe that he is in only his second season.
Paul’s numbers are excellent averaging 18.5 points and 8.9 assists per game while being the stand out player for the Hornets. Without Chris New Orleans would be dire to say the least.
3. Jason Kidd
In terms of pure point guard talent there is no one that comes close to Kidd who has such extraordinary vision and unselfishness that it is hard to believe that he is playing in contemporary times. Before LeBron James came onto the scene the triple-double seemed to be a lost art form with Kidd the only one excelling in every facet of the game, while the rest of the league was more interested in showboating.
As of last week Kidd was just one triple-double away from matching Wilt Chamberlain to be third on the list for most triple-doubles. Perhaps the wildest statistic in Kidd’s career is the fact that in 45 games during his illustrious time in the NBA he was one digit short of finishing off with a triple-double. In a lot of those games the result was beyond doubt and the man is so unselfish that he didn’t go back into the game to get a cheap stat to add to his numbers.
The Kidd is the embodiment of the position and if anyone deserves a championship Kidd is your man.
2. Baron Davis
B. Diddy is perhaps the most talented point guard in the NBA and it isn’t too far of a stretch to
B. Diddy is magical. (Image from espn.com)
Although, B. Dizzle is outrageously gifted in every facet of the game it is deeply frustrating to watch this man play for a myriad of reasons. Davis has spent most of his NBA career with atrocious teams, and is finally with a good team and showing his skillz.
The other perplexing aspect of B. Diddy is the fact that he often comes into games and seasons grossly unfit and out of sorts, which of course leads to many injuries.
To re-emphasise a tired point if anyone wants to watch skilful excellence on the basketball court watch Davis and the Golden State Warriors operate because they’re the shit!
1. Steve Nash
Was there any surprise that Stevie Wonder is the best point guard in the league right now? It was once inconceivable that Nash would be mentioned in such a rarefied air but here we are hailing the floppy haired Canadian.
Nash was an all-star in Dallas, but became immortal in Phoenix. As soon as Nash came to Dallas he turned the franchise around and bought in a run-and-gun style of basketball that seemed to be lost in NBA history.
How bout this statistic to confirm Nash’s place as the number one point guard in the league: two time MVP. ‘Nuff said.
What do some of you readers think?
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Comment by Sports Insider
AFL Insider
If you consider Iverson to be a point guard, then he would make the list. Hinrich is worth a mention too. Arenas is another one.
In the near future it could be Shaun Livingston and Deron Williams, and maybe Jameer Nelson too.
I once had Baron Davis on the NBA fantasy team, and I will never do that again.
Very good list to look through, but here is a question about another point guard who would have been on past lists for point guards. When did Marbury forget how to shoot the ball, and how long until the Knicks send him away in a trade?
Comment by Stanley
i am a big livingston fan but he seems to have taken a backward step this season and he needs to bulk up. i really like jameer nelson and he is proving all the doubters wrong.
i did consider iverson but i wouldn't rate him as a pg he is way more of a shooting guard, and even if he was considered a pg he wouldn't be in my top 5 because he doesn't have great passing vision in my opinion. arenas is in the same boat.
baron davis is infuriating because he is so talented but is wasting it through various means! he could be so much more and yes picking him in a fantasy team would be a huge mistake due to his high rates of absenteeism.
Comment by Sports Insider
AFL Insider
I see Baron is injured again, but Monta Ellis has really stepped up.
The Warriors are much better with their new, but old, coach in Don Nelson. His different style of play should help players like Davis and Ellis, just like he did with Run TMC.
If the Warriors continue to win you will need a story on Andris Biedrins. His field goal percentage was in the 50% range his first year, over 60% last season, and right now he is shooting 71.6% from the field. Although he is doing great in his overall game, his free throw percentage is Shaq-like.
Comment by The Stool Piegeon