Iverson isn't just a point guard, he's the best

[Manu20]

Iverson isn't just a point guard, he's the best
Mike Kahn / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 11 hours ago

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3900858

The entire concept of putting anyone ahead of Allen Iverson in NBA point guard rankings is daunting, to say the least.

Sure, Larry Brown moved him to shooting guard his second season and insisted he was not a point guard. But the way he played last season upon his return to the playmaking role and carried the talent-challenged Philadelphia 76ers into the playoffs was reason enough to believe he'd be an even better player today had he stayed at that position.

And when you consider he earned his fourth scoring title last season while recording a career-high 7.9 assists a game — along with his requisite 2.4 steals — the answer to the dilemma is simple.

Consequently, we will name Iverson the top point guard in the NBA entering this season, and that's not to denigrate the reigning Most Valuable Player Steve Nash at all. Coming off a season in which he led the Phoenix Suns to 62 wins, a berth in the Western Conference finals and an MVP award to boot, there is are plenty of reasons to give Nash the top spot.

People will contend he makes other players better.

But just consider for a moment what the Suns would look like if Iverson would have been playing with Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson instead of Nash. Would the Suns not have won as many games?

Those are hypothetical thoughts that go into ranking these players in a purely subjective list. Undoubtedly, Iverson is more inclined to look for his shot first, which is why his ability to see the floor and pass are consistently underrated.

We'll never know if the Sixers would have made the playoffs with Nash or how well the Suns would have done with Iverson. But what we do know is going into this season — given the choice between to the two — A.I. is the man.

There are others to consider, obviously. And it's always difficult not to put Jason Kidd at the top of any point guard heap. But knee surgery and his 32nd birthday coming in the spring create some question as to where his game will be this season as the Nets are expected to regain control of the Atlantic Division.

Nobody is more underrated than Chauncey Billups, the floor leader of the two-time Eastern Conference champion Pistons. He is clutch and smart, and growing as a winner every year.

And as Gilbert Arenas continues to climb up the chart, the one player who could break out of the middle of the NBA pack could be Seattle's Luke Ridnour, cut very much out of the Nash/John Stockton-mold, a player with a pass-first mentality as well as the shooting touch and range to hit big baskets.

So without further adieu, here are the 2005-06 NBA point guard rankings.

1. Allen Iverson, 76ers
Ht./Wt. 6-0/165
Numbers: 30.7 pts., 7.9 ast., 2.4 stls
He is as fearless as he is talented, which is a dramatic combination considering he packages that with perhaps the most intense competitive spirit in the game today.


2. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Ht./Wt. 6-3, 195
Numbers: 15.5 pts., 11.5 ast., .99 stls
He became the prototype point guard last season, if he wasn't already. He's amazingly proficient at making the game-winning play, whether it is the assist or the shot that is required.


3. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
Ht./Wt. 6-4, 210
Numbers: 14.4 pts., 8.3 ast., 1.86 stls
The previous title-holder, Kidd has to prove he's all the way back from micro-fracture surgery on his knee. The Nets have a solid core to win the Atlantic Division and Kidd is behind the wheel to drive them there.


4. Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
Ht./Wt. 6-3, 205
Numbers: 16.5 pts., 5.8 ast., 1.01 stls
As each season passes, he becomes more natural at point guard and he is the inexorable floor leader of the two-time defending Eastern Conference champs. He's the best at allowing the game to come to him and make clutch plays.


5. Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors
Ht./Wt. 6-3, 220
Numbers: 19.2 pts., 7.9 ast., 1.76 stls
B.D. turned around the woeful Warriors last season and there are those who believe he is capable of carrying them to the playoffs this season. It may not happen, but he's made them fun for the first time in more than a decade.


6. Mike Bibby, Sacramento Kings
Ht./Wt. 6-1, 190
Numbers: 19.6 pts., 6.8 ast., 1.55 stls
Each season he has grown more into a floor leader. His shooting has never been in question, but we'll find out this season how well he distributes the ball with the additions of Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.


7. Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks
Ht./Wt. 6-2, 200
Numbers: 21.7 pts., 8.1 ast., 1.49 stls
The self-proclaimed best point guard in the NBA isn't even close. In fact, his self-absorption has him dropping like a rock in the esteem of many insiders. We'll see if Larry Brown moves him to shooting guard as he did with Iverson.


8. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
Ht./Wt. 6-3, 190
Numbers: 25.5 pts., 5.1 ast., 1.74 stls
The league's most improved player in 2003 was finally healthy again last season and kicked it up another notch. He still hasn't proven to be consistent enough moving the ball, but he's a big play guy who will learn in time.


9. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Ht./Wt. 6-2, 180
Numbers: 16.6 pts., 6.1 ast., 1.23 stls
He is so smooth with the ball it's almost as if he plays on roller skates. But every time Parker starts to break into All-Star form, he fades. Yes, they won another title, but his role diminished as the finals progressed.


10. Andre Miller, Denver Nuggets
Ht./Wt. 6-2, 200
Numbers: 13.6 pts., 6.9 ast., 1.48 stls
Miller struggled like the rest of the Nuggets early last season but came on once George Karl became coach. It would be logical to assume he will have a much more complete season this time around.

Also receiving consideration: Sam Cassell, Minnesota Timberwolves; Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls; Luke Ridnour, Seattle SuperSonics; Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks; Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers; Jason Williams, Miami Heat.

Veteran NBA writer Mike Kahn is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.

[batman2883]

Iverson is the best, but what makes him the best in my opinion is that he plays with heart, he goes out every night and leaves it all on the court. The man loves the game and he shows it, if every player played with his intensity i think the league would be a better place.

[sa_butta]

dont agree with I think Nash is #1, point guards job is not to neccesarily score alot of points. I think Nash makes better decisions with the ball in his hands.

[samikeyp]

9. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Ht./Wt. 6-2, 180
Numbers: 16.6 pts., 6.1 ast., 1.23 stls
He is so smooth with the ball it's almost as if he plays on roller skates. But every time Parker starts to break into All-Star form, he fades. Yes, they won another title, but his role diminished as the finals progressed.

IMO, they hit that right on the head with TP. I still believe that he will grow out of this, only being 23.

[batman2883]

Nash is seriously overrated i hate him as much as i do Lebron

[sa_butta]

hate is one thing, but the guy has game. I dont think he is overrated. Last season when he was hurt the Suns struggled w/o him.

[Taking it to the Hole]

That's funny, because I thought AI was a shooting guard. I guess you can get confused easily? Nash, Kidd, and Billups are still the best pure point guards. I can't believe Bibby, Arenas, and Marbury are ahead of Parker. They are the biggest chokers of all time. Parker hasn't reached that level yet.

[Supergirl]

ANdre Miller and TP are both better than Arenas and Baron Davis, IMO.

But other than that the list is dead on. I'd take AI over Nash anyday. He's a much better all around player and WORLDS better defensively.

[batman2883]

Thank you i'd rather have Iverson over Nash any day as well.

[Kip Fanatic]

Nash couldn't play defense if his life depended on it. I like A.I as a player. I think you can make the arguement he is the best PG in the league right now. He can score no doubt. He showed he can pass last year and we all know he can "D" up. As a person, I don't care for the guy. Manu and A.I have the most passion for the game in the league. They leave it all out on the floor every game.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I hate everyone not name tim duncan cose his the best in the universe, ooh yeh a iverson plays in teh east...and nash plays in teh west, easier to rack up stats against scrub teams when most of them come from the east and ur playin them 4 times a year compared to the west only plays easts teams twice or 3x.

[1Parker1]

Iverson is the best, but what makes him the best in my opinion is that he plays with heart, he goes out every night and leaves it all on the court. The man loves the game and he shows it, if every player played with his intensity i think the league would be a better place.


Couldn't agree more. AI seriously got jipped out of the MVP award last season, or at least serious consideration for it, due to Nash. While Nash had an obviously great season, I think the voters were blinded by the 62 turnaround win record. They forgot to mention that he had Amare, Marion, and Johnson on his team. Look at the Mavs, without Nash.

AI gets ripped so much for being a "shoot first", me , me me, etc. but look at his team! He is their 1st and second option. Spurs fans have no problem when the Spurs are losing or in 4th quarters to say, give Duncan or Manu the ball, let them shoot it and win for us! Well, that's what AI does for his team! And he did somehow average only 7.2 assists per game. His TO ratio appears extra horrendous due to his need to gamble for steals.

As for Tony Parker being #9, although that may be a fair assessment, I don't think he should be behind Mike Bibby and Baron Davis, that's for sure.

[nkdlunch]

I'd take Nash or Billups over Iverson for PG any day.

[Old School Chic]

Iverson Is one of my favorite players... He deserves a championship ring.

I would trade Tony Parker for Iverson In a heartbeat!

[batman2883]

I hate everyone not name tim duncan cose his the best in the universe, ooh yeh a iverson plays in teh east...and nash plays in teh west, easier to rack up stats against scrub teams when most of them come from the east and ur playin them 4 times a year compared to the west only plays easts teams twice or 3x.


We are talking point guards Tim isnt a point

[batman2883]

With the breakthrough of Samuel Dalembert in the playoffs last year and the spectacular play of Andrew Iguadowa , throw in Kyle Korver, and Chris Webber, and i say the Sixers make it to the 2nd round this year

[z0sa]

Bibby is higher than Parker yet Parker already has two Finals behind him...and hes only 23? Hes one (if the last) of the Spurs' Big 3... his placement on this list befuddles me.

[batman2883]

Bibby plays the at the point guard level all year long, Parker Fades away.....Bibby would be number one if he played for the Spurs

[BillsCarnage]

Nash is seriously overrated i hate him as much as i do Lebron

Kidd is the most overrated PG in the past 15yrs. Having watched him for years here and the WC in general he will never lead a team to a title. I can't place a finger on it exactly, but he's lacking something. Something leadership wise and running a team when it counts.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

bull shit

mike bibby is the most consistently overrated point guard in the NBA, and is approaching most overrated player status


i dont know how many times it will take for mike bibby to show he's a loser for people to stop this crap

tony parker below mike bibby? please

[1Parker1]

bull shit

mike bibby is the most consistently overrated point guard in the NBA, and is approaching most overrated player status



:tu Seriously, can someone tell me what Bibby has done that warrant him being top 6 PG?

[Cant_Be_Faded]

he's
1) (mostly) white
2) (realtively) Clean cut
3) Plays for a big market team

these are the only things i have been able to figure out for the past 4 years
i dont think even they fully explain why bibby is so god damn loved by the media

[Manu20]

:tu Seriously, can someone tell me what Bibby has done that warrant him being top 6 PG?
Because he had a good series against the Lakers back in 2002?

[1Parker1]

6. Mike Bibby, Sacramento Kings
Ht./Wt. 6-1, 190
Numbers: 19.6 pts., 6.8 ast., 1.55 stls
Each season he has grown more into a floor leader. His shooting has never been in question, but we'll find out this season how well he distributes the ball with the additions of Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

So? Same could be said for Tony Parker. I think his "floor leadership" and decision making skills have gotten better year after year. And while his jumpshooting has gone downhil, his fg% has gone up as has his assists and ball distribution.

[1Parker1]

Because he had a good series against the Lakers back in 2002?


Parker had a great series against the Lakers back in 2003?

[1Parker1]

Not that I'm saying Parker shouldn't be somewhere around # 7-9. I'm just saying guys like Arenas, Parker, and even Heinrich are better than Bibby.

[Leetonidas]

I agree with this artice. The only player that I look up to this side of Tim Duncan is Allen Iverson. AI is kind of the reason I started watching basketball, because the guy was so intense, and he brought everything to the court and showed what playing with heart could do. He's not like one of these pussy players complaining about money, he's not like T-Mac or VC, saying he didn't give 100% everynight, I say AI is the 2nd best player right behind Timmy.

AI could be MVP year in and year out if his team showed the same intensity he did. I feel bad because Allen wants to be a Sixer for life, which is very comendable, but he'll never win a title there, and he deserves to.

[CaptainLate]

he's
1) (mostly) white
2) (realtively) Clean cut
3) Plays for a big market team

Sacramento is "big market"?

[1Parker1]

AI could be MVP year in and year out if his team showed the same intensity he did. I feel bad because Allen wants to be a Sixer for life, which is very comendable, but he'll never win a title there, and he deserves to.


Very true, I can't believe he's 30 years old. Billy King is worse than Isiah Thomas. At least Thomas adds no good quality players around more no good quality players. King has really done a poor job of surrounding talent around a quality player like AI. Not many teams have such great players to build their teams arounds. Not to mention the good coaches he's wasted (aside from LB).

If he had surrounded AI with better players when AI was in his prime, Sixers could have gone much further than they did. That Webber trade had to be the stupiest trade ever. At the time, I had high hopes for it, but after watching C WEBB, it's obvious his injury had taken a toll on his play.

[JUUOT]

Iverson, Nash and Billups are clearly top 3 to me.
but the other7 are hard to classify. parker is somewhere betwwen 4 and 9...
at the endofnext year we will see if he belongs to top 5. However let s not worry

Iverson 1975
Nash74
kidd73
billups 76
marbury 77

maturity is 28-30 years old and at 23 parker is top 10 easely...

[milkyway21]

Iverson Is one of my favorite players... He deserves a championship ring.

I would trade Tony Parker for Iverson In a heartbeat!i agree with AI as #1. NBA's top scorer, always on top 3 in steals, and ave. 7+ assists a game? :tu

And he definitely gave a lot of headache to some power teams in the east in the last playoffs. :drunk

and I 'd only trade TP for AI. not for ageing Kidd or Nash, anytime.

[baseline bum]

They had Amare, Marion, and Johnson in 2004 and didn't make the playoffs.... but I'd take Iverson over any other point in this league. Billups would be a distant second, followed by Kidd, Nash, Davis, Parker, and then Arenas.

[milkyway21]

for me he's one player who is hard to defend. he shoots in a very awkward position. Even S.A. find it hard to defend A.I. I don't really notice how he matches against Bowen.
Not to mention he's one, if not the fastest player in the league.

[DesiSpur_21]

I'd put Parker above Marbury, Bibby and Baron Davis.

[xcoriate]

Great Article. I think I agree as well. It would depend on who I wanted to lead my team. Do I need scoring or do I have enough scoring? It's important in the decision. Lets face it Nash can flat out shoot as well, he ranks all time for 3p%. So hes no mug.

As for Parker I feel his ranking is reasonable. I was slightly dissapointed with his distrabution this playoffs in particular. He was really getting it going and then he just couldn't create when it came to the finals. If he ever gets it all working similtaneously, the jumpshot, the floaters, the assists as well as the new improved defence then he becomes a top 3 point. Maybe even the best in the league.

[my2sons]

in most cases you would want iverson over nash but not necessarily in phoenix. 7.9 assists in phoenix may not be enough. how could iverson lead the league in scoring and still make his teamates happy. how many of his assists in philly were caused because he was doubled or tripled and could not get off a selfish shot so he had to pass. too selfish for all the weapons that phoe has. his teamates in philly know he's going to shoot and need to get open to bail him out, where nash's teamates know he is a pass first point guard, until you get into the playoffs that is

[ObiwanGinobili]

the top 3 shouls've been :

1. Nash
2. AI
3. Chauncey


and no way Bibby is #6....more like #8. I'm not saying he sucks.. I'm saying he's overrated.

[Vashner]

How many rings does Iverson have again?

I don't think he's anywhere near "the best"... at what? Selfish ball playing?

Iverson is a ball hog on crappy teams.. so what his stats are bloated..

He is NOT a champion... not yet anyway.

[duncan_21]

Kidd is the most overrated PG in the past 15yrs. Having watched him for years here and the WC in general he will never lead a team to a title. I can't place a finger on it exactly, but he's lacking something. Something leadership wise and running a team when it counts.

It's called not having a jump shot.

[baseline bum]

Kidd looked pretty freaking good when he singlehandedly won game 2 of the 2003 Finals in the SBC Center.

[Sense]

Iverson is one of the most overrated players in the league.

[Dex]

My first thread on Spurstalk was a debate over whether Parker was a Top 10 point gaurd or not. The general (non-homer) consensus ended up being that he wasn't, but he was damn close.

Glad to see he's making his way up in the League, especially since he's a few years ahead of the game as compared to the rest of the competition. Nobody seems to be arguing about that 8 spot now (which is, ironically, about where I figured he would be in my original list)

At least now he's the point gaurd with the most bling.

[Dex]

Iverson is one of the most overrated players in the league.

The guy is a 27-6-2 career player. You can't overrate that. He put up 30.7 points, 7.9 assists, and 2.4 steals last season, and earned his fourth scoring title. He even rebounds decently for his position. He always plays with every ounce of heart that he can muster, and his biggest fault is that he tries to do too much by himself. But you can't really blame him for that, since he's never had a premiere team to help him get things done.

And yet, since he hasn't won a title (which, if you ask me, is due to no fault of his own), people still don't seem consider him in the elite echelon of players. He's just very, very good to most, which you really can't deny when you watch him play. He even carried that hunk of junk Sixers team into the playoffs almost single-handedly, which is a feat within itself.

If Iverson is overrated, then the Iceman is overrated for the very same reasons.

[Leetonidas]

How many rings does Iverson have again?

I don't think he's anywhere near "the best"... at what? Selfish ball playing?

Iverson is a ball hog on crappy teams.. so what his stats are bloated..

He is NOT a champion... not yet anyway.

Are you kidding me? Look at who he's surrounded with, his team sucks, which is why he usually has to take over the game. But look at his stats, 30.7 points and 7.9 assists? Yeah, a REAL ball hog.

[mavsfan1000]

I am not questioning Iverson's heart and what he does at his height is amazing. He does have some flaws in his game though. Even though he averages 7.9 APG, he shoots over 20 shots a game so that doesn't impress. Another thing is he averages 4.59 TO. That is a ton of turnovers and doesn't make for a reliable point guard. He takes alot of risks on defense to try to get steals but alot of times that breaks down the defense and makes it easier for the other team to score. I feel to be a top 5 player your flaws can't be that noticable. He has never been a high percentage shooter either from 3 pointers or field goals.

[Chris]

He has never been a high percentage shooter either from 3 pointers or field goals.

BLASPHEMY!

[mavsfan1000]

Can you prove me wrong that he is a high percentage shooter?

[Chris]

Can you prove me wrong that he is a high percentage shooter?

He averages at about 45% on both so you have got me there. But just look at these current numbers and tell me he's not great.

Ranks #1 in the NBA in Points Per Game(30.7)
Ranks #5 in the NBA in Assists Per Game(7.9)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Steals Per Game(2.4)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Minutes Per Game(42.3)
Ranks #6 in the NBA in Minutes Played(3174.0)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Field Goals Made(771.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Field Goal Attempts(1818.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Free Throws(656.0)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Free Throw Attempts(786.0)
Ranks #3 in the NBA in Assists(596.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Steals(180.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Points(2302.0)
Ranks #4 in the NBA in Field Goals Per 48 Minutes(11.66)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Field-Goal Attempts Per 48 Minutes(27.49)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Free Throws Per 48 Minutes(9.92)
Ranks #5 in the NBA in Free Throw Attempts Per 48 Minutes(11.89)
Ranks #12 in the NBA in Assists Per 48 Minutes(9.0)
Ranks #6 in the NBA in Steals Per 48 Minutes(2.72)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Points Per 48 Minutes(34.8)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Total Turnovers(344.0)
Ranks #7 in the NBA in Total Efficiency Points(1865.0)
Ranks #7 in the NBA in Efficiency Ranking(24.87)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Turnovers Per Game(4.59)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Turnovers Per 48 Minutes(5.2)

[mavsfan1000]

He is highly involved in the game so his stats should be high. I give it to him he never gets tired but I would rather go with a guy shoots well, rebounds well, and isn't a turnover machine. Stats can be a good thing but when there are alot of bad stats that subtracts from the good that he does. I would rather have Nash as a point guard or Billups. Iverson plays out of control too much and it hurts the teams rhythm also.

[my2sons]

Are you kidding me? Look at who he's surrounded with, his team sucks, which is why he usually has to take over the game. But look at his stats, 30.7 points and 7.9 assists? Yeah, a REAL ball hog.

then why is it so hard to attract players that want to play with him...perception is reality....the perception is that allen is a black hole thus the reality is why would 'i superstar' want to go play with him....is 7.9 an abberation or is it because he's gonna have the ability to heave the ball up 45 times a night that 7 or eight of those will go to a teamate for a layup

[Leetonidas]

then why is it so hard to attract players that want to play with him...perception is reality....the perception is that allen is a black hole thus the reality is why would 'i superstar' want to go play with him....is 7.9 an abberation or is it because he's gonna have the ability to heave the ball up 45 times a night that 7 or eight of those will go to a teamate for a layup

Think about it, stars don't come to Philly because AI runs the show there and no one wants to take a back seat to him. AI will always be the leader in Philly and that is why no one wants to play with him, because AI is the most important part of that team.

If you put AI on the Spurs, he'd flourish in our system and be one hell of a pickup.