Derrick Rose vs. Chris Paul: Why Rose Is the Best Point Guard in the NBA

Derrick Rose vs. Chris Paul: it’s the point guard battle of this decade.  Paul is the cerebral star who now rules one side of Los Angeles while Rose is the humble athletic marvel and successor to Michael Jordan.

Which one of them is the greatest point guard of our generation?  When you compare them, an answer emerges: both Paul and Rose are exceptional future Hall of Famers but Rose is younger, more explosive, more athletic and more dominant late in games.

Derrick Rose is Younger and Has Less Mileage

Paul and Rose are both young, dynamic stars.  But Rose is a few years younger, drafted in 2008 after one year at Memphis while Paul was drafted in 2005.  Both were heralded stars coming out of college, though Rose was more hyped up and became the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. 

Rose earns an important nod in the category because he is younger and has a lot less mileage.  Paul may be in his mid-to-late 20s, but he has the knees of a star on the wrong side of 30.  If you want a star for the future, Rose is your man.

Derrick Rose Has More Athleticism and Explosiveness

Paul is an athletic player, but his nagging, recurring knee injuries have begun to take their toll.  He can still finish at the rim when he wants to and has a good first step, but neither of those skills are elite.   There is also serious concern that another knee procedure could sap him of his athleticism entirely.

By contrast, Rose is an explosive, athletic freak.  He has dealt with a recurring injury this season, but it should not require surgery or harm his career.  He is the most athletic player in the NBA and has become the game's best fourth quarter closer.  

Rose Has Closed the Gap in Other Key Areas

Two years ago, Paul was clearly the better player.  He was so much more cerebral as a passer, a much better shooter from range, a stronger defender and a better late-game finisher.

But now, Rose has closed the gap in those areas.  He has become a good system defender in Tom Thibodeau’s system and improved his three-point shooting to nearly 40 percent.  He has also learned to use his athleticism to become the best late-game finisher in basketball.  Paul remains more cerebral, but Rose has become a great passer and combines his athleticism and court vision to be very, very effective in his own way.