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Position rankings: Young point guards conducting sweet symphonies
By Tim Povtak
Point guards are like orchestra conductors. Even the great ones can't fully shine without the right people around them, but they sure make things run a lot more smoothly.
There may have been two average point guards starting in the NBA Finals last summer, but the best ones still led their teams to outstanding seasons.
Four of the top five points orchestrated their teams to at least 54 victories during the regular season. The only one who didn't win big was the enigmatic and often-injured Gilbert Arenas.
If you were starting an expansion team today, most general managers would make young center Dwight Howard, 22, their first pick. The second, though, would be young Chris Paul, 23, the No. 1 point guard in the league.
Here are the top 20 point guards in the NBA:
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans: Because he is on the short side, there was criticism originally when the Hornets took the 6-foot Paul with the fourth pick of the 2005 draft. How foolish that was. Remember Isiah Thomas? There is only praise now for the best point in the league. More than anyone, Paul is the reason the Hornets have gone from a mediocre team to a contending team.
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix: The two-time MVP may just be starting his downside, but there still is no other point guard in the league who can set up his teammates like he does. Despite the bad hair and weak defense, he makes up for it in leadership and the ability to run an offense.
3. Gilbert Arenas, Washington: Yes, he's an oddball at times, but he sure is fun to be around. His unpredictability is endearing, unless you are trying to coach him or play with him, and your future is tied to him. Another knee surgery this summer has everyone concerned, but if he returns healthy, he can lead the league in scoring because no one really can slow him.
4. Deron Williams, Utah: Taken one spot ahead of Paul in that 2005 draft, mainly because he was bigger. Although he may never score as much as Paul, he is a better defender and also distributes the ball well. Both were excellent picks, and both have potential to be point guards with great teams.
5. Tony Parker, San Antonio: It sure is easier to be a great point guard if you have a dominating player like Tim Duncan in the frontcourt. It makes Parker look even quicker than he is and more able to get where he wants on the floor. He is cool under pressure, which helped to make him so appealing to his high-profile wife.
6. Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers: Took the money and scooted out of Golden State so fast that his own head was spinning. The move assured that he'll finish as one of those big-number players who never was on a serious contender. Thought he would have been smart enough to talk with Elton Brand before he made the move.
7. Chauncey Billups, Detroit: Some of the luster he once had is eroding. His contract makes him untradeable, or the Pistons might have dealt him this summer. He peaked during those back-to-back trips to the Finals and just doesn't seem to have the hunger he once did.
8. Monta Ellis, Golden State: The departure of Baron Davis means this is Ellis' team now. Without Davis beside him, his statistics either will soar, or he will be exposed for his weaknesses, which is a possibility, too. Great opportunity for Ellis, but it's hard to see the Warriors winning -- especially now that he's going to miss the first two months of the season because of a severe ankle injury.
9. Jason Kidd, Dallas: For the starting point guard on the USA Olympic team, he is fading, long having passed his best years. Dallas gave up its future to get him last season, which is looking like a big mistake even though he is one of the all-time greats. Kidd still can deliver the ball, but he doesn't scare the defenses anymore. Never did learn to shoot.
10. Kirk Hinrich, Chicago: Watch for a comeback season after he struggled throughout the year of turmoil in Chicago. A happier team around him should make him shine because he didn't forget how to deliver the ball. He can be a really good point guard if he has productive people around him.
11. Jose Calderon, Toronto: He is looking for a big year now that often-sour T.J. Ford is in Indiana, clearing the way for Calderon to get more playing time with the Raptors. The addition of Jermaine O'Neal also will help him. If Calderon has a big year, the Raptors could be the surprise team in the East.
12. Mo Williams, Cleveland: Had a nice season when he averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists for Milwaukee. Is looked to as the guard who can finally help LeBron James.
13. Andre Miller, Philadelphia: Always a high-assist guy but has never had any playoff success. The addition of Brand really gives Miller someone who can score off his passes. Miller, 32, is slowing, but he might be one of those point guards who can adjust his game and continue to show his leadership.
14. Devin Harris, New Jersey: Came in the trade for Kidd, and the Mavs already regret letting him get away. At age 25, he is just beginning to start his best years. Should develop into one of the best points in the East.
15. Raymond Felton, Charlotte: Was confused about what position he played in the past, but he has shown progress. New coach Larry Brown will drive him nuts, like he does every point guard he coaches. Brown also will make him better. Felton's scoring will dip, and his head might explode.
16. Mike Bibby, Atlanta: Became a stabilizing influence once he joined the Hawks, putting them into the playoffs. The team that passed on taking Paul and Williams in that 2005 draft has a guy good enough to help its young, athletic players succeed. Expectations for this team are rising.
17. Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers: Has seen better days and his numbers don't reflect much, but considering how often he has been to the NBA Finals, he must be doing something right.
18. Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix: Not a true point guard. He doesn't get many minutes there behind Nash, but if Barbosa was a starting point somewhere else people really would enjoy him. So explosive, he can dazzle you. We'd love to see what would happen if he was given the ball for an extended period.
19. Rajon Rondo, Boston: Point guard for the champs has come a long way in his two seasons. He was helped considerably by coach Doc Rivers, a former point guard himself who taught Rondo to stay out of the way of the Big Three. Rivers' confidence in Rondo paid off.
20. Jameer Nelson, Orlando: Smart enough to know that Howard should be his focus, but also is learning his two forwards also want the ball. Nelson's problem will be keeping all three happy as a low-profile point guard.
arenas 3
Deron Williams #4?
I personally prefer Deron Williams over CP3.
Andre Miller should be ahead of Mo Williams and Kirk Hinrich
I know you've been posting this series, I waited but you didn't get this one up. Sorry to jump in on you.
It's all good 228, and to be honest, you do a damn fine job of posting these articles. It's almost like you crawl into every corner of Sports news to grab a tidbit here and there...and I thought that I read alot...I've bookmarked a couple of your news sources alreadyI know you've been posting this series, I waited but you didn't get this one up. Sorry to jump in on you.
I come to spurstalk alot because you have posted articles and I don't have to search for them. So thank you very much!
nash ahead of parker?
maybe two years ago, but not now.
what a joke.
Ok, rankings are rankings and I know people get way too upset over like this when none of it matters anyway. That said, the writer is a nimwit. Several weird rankings like Arenas and Monta Ellis being as high as they are. But, the one that kills me is Kirk Hinrich at #10, his explanation how it will be a better environment and he'll be happier. Was this guy aware that the Bulls just drafted their point guard of the future with the #1 overall pick? If the Bulls don't trade Hinrich, which appears they probably won't, and Derrick Rose doesn't start at the beginning of the season, Hinrich will still end up getting unseated as the starting point guard at some point probably half way through the season, if not sooner. He's a back-up point guard. Would be one of the better back-up PGs in the league. Not the tenth best PG in the NBA.
Something tells me you'd still have a problem with it if it were two years ago.
Arenas #3
So he doesn't play...
His team is better without him...
Result : #3.
Normal.
Spurs went 7-2 in late January thru mid February without Tony Parker, all road games. Should Parker slide down as well?
I don't agree Arenas being that high. But, I don't agree with the argument that a team plays better without one of their stars and so that star must not be that good. A few years ago, the Cavs went something like 6-1 or something crazy without LeBron James. Sometimes, injury to a star forces players to step up, play better, get motivated. Sometimes, the injury takes place at the perfect time of the schedule. It's just not a good argument to me to say Washington played better without Arenas so he's not that good.
That said, Arenas is too high on the list.
Arenas played 13 regular season games in 2007-08 !!!
You're welcome. Thanks for the kind words. *blush*It's all good 228, and to be honest, you do a damn fine job of posting these articles. It's almost like you crawl into every corner of Sports news to grab a tidbit here and there...and I thought that I read alot...I've bookmarked a couple of your news sources already
I come to spurstalk alot because you have posted articles and I don't have to search for them. So thank you very much!
I love SpursTalk and I want to contribute if I can. Some people have said what you just did. That they like being able to find info here, in one place, so they don't have to search for stuff. Especially people that may be at work and not have time, or be allowed, to surf.
Contrary to popular belief I don't sit and hit refresh every few seconds.I have my regular sources, and I have some help in gathering stuff. I try to post things I think (hope) the board will like, things that will hopefully start conversations. I get a lot more on Duncan than I post, I don't want to saturate the board with him. (If I posted everything I get on Duncan ST would need a "Duncan only" forum.
I do have the time to surf, and I enjoy doing it. It's nice that it seems to benefit the board.
Just out of curiousity, what sources did you like enough to bookmark?
nah.
two years ago i would have taken nash over parker (for one year, only).
but not this year.
Heheh, that's just pure craziness. You and that Duncan fetishContrary to popular belief I don't sit and hit refresh every few seconds.
Most recently, you had "tsn.ca", I had never even heard of the place. I like it because it has commentary rather than just parroted AP reports. I think it was also you that got me going to fanhouse.Just out of curiousity, what sources did you like enough to bookmark?
Jordan played in only 18 games in 85-86, and the following season he averaged 37 ppg. Amare Stoudemire played 3 games in 2005-06 and the following season put up 20/10 and finished 14th in MVP voting.
Missing a lot of the games the previous season doesn't always mean the player can't return to form when they do come back.
Damn i would have liked to see Parker at 4 better pg than Deron..
Parker>>>>>Arenas
I think its been proven Harris is better than Kidd. He should be in top 10.
How on earth is Arenas in that 3 spot?
Isn't Arenas out till December?
problem was the wizards were significantly better, chemistry-wise, without arenas.
better for the mavs. to be more specific, better for the mavs when playing the spurs. and probably against the hornets and maybe against the jazz too.
Seriously though, a lot of PG ranking are pretty subjective just like MVP voting, especially in the top 5, which is why the top 5 it doesn't really matter who is where.
Also, Monta Ellis still hasn't really even had a chance to prove himself at point...
But seriously...Kirk Hinrich at 10? Kirk Hinrich?
That's a subjective opinion of an assertion.
They may have played at times better as a team. But, they are not a better team without Gilbert Arenas than they are with him.
And, for the long haul, especially during the playoffs, they certainly aren't a better team without him.
they are if they trade arenas for a young stud
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