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 le 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 compe ive 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 le-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 le, 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.
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.
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.
IMO, they hit that right on the head with TP. I still believe that he will grow out of this, only being 23.9. 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 le, but his role diminished as the finals progressed.
Nash is seriously overrated i hate him as much as i do Lebron
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.
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.
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.
Thank you i'd rather have Iverson over Nash any day as well.
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.
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.
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.
I'd take Nash or Billups over Iverson for PG any day.
Iverson Is one of my favorite players... He deserves a championship ring.
I would trade Tony Parker for Iverson In a heartbeat!
We are talking point guards Tim isnt a point
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
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.
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
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 le. I can't place a finger on it exactly, but he's lacking something. Something leadership wise and running a team when it counts.
bull
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
Seriously, can someone tell me what Bibby has done that warrant him being top 6 PG?
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
Because he had a good series against the Lakers back in 2002?
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.
Parker had a great series against the Lakers back in 2003?
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