The Five Most Underrated Point Guards in NBA today

Contributor Written on March 30, 2009

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DENVER - JANUARY 17: Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on January 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

In basketball, the point guard position and the center position are probably the most important positions in the game. The point guard position is often compared to the quarterback position in the NFL. The point guard controls the tempo of the game and run the offense. With the responsibility that the point guard has, it's hard to find very good point guards that are often over looked. That's why I decided to give these players the respect that they deserve.

5. Raymond Felton

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Raymond Felton #20 of the Charlotte Bobcats drives the ball against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 16, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Raymond Felton, scoring point guard of the Bobcats. He has the ability to score 30 points on any given night yet his scoring average may not reflect that. He's a strong, quick guard who can blow past many point guards. He's underrated defender and could start on almost any team in the league at point guard or shooting guard.

Career Stats: 13.5 ppg, 6.7 apg, 1.4 spg, .318 three point percentage, .397 field goal percentage in 310 games.

This season stats: 13.7 ppg, 6.8 (13th in the league), 1.63 spg (10th in the league), 2.47 assist to turnover ratio (26th in the league).

4. Mike Bibby

ATLANTA - MAY 02: Mike Bibby #10 of the Atlanta Hawks makes a shot over Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 2, 2008 in Atlanta Georgia. The Hawks de

One of the best clutch shooters in postseason history. Mike Bibby is the main reason that Atlanta made the playoffs last year and is in position to have home court advantage in the first round. No disrespect to Joe Johnson, but Mike Bibby is the catalyst to the Hawks' success. Johnson may be the best player but Bibby 's play at the point guard position for Hawks made his teammates better and allowed Johnson to focus on being a scorer. He's a great shooter and has incredible court vision.

Career Stats: 16.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, 1.3 spg, .374 three point percentage, .439 field goal percentage, .804 free throw percentage in 795 games.

This Season Stats: 15.0 ppg, 4.9 apg (28th in the league), 1.3 spg(17th in the league), .398 three point percentage, 2.93 assist to turnover ratio (9th in the league).

Postseason Stats: 17.0 ppg, 5.3 apg, 1.4 spg in 58 postseason games.

3. Kirk Hinrich

CHICAGO - MARCH 17: Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles past Eddie House #50 of the Boston Celtics on March 17, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 127-121. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

Kirk Hinrich, the forgotten man in the '03 Draft. I personally believe he's the best backup point guard in the NBA. His play, experience and leadership helped possibly rookie of the year Derrick Rose adjust to the NBA. He's the Bulls' best perimeter defender, the Bulls' best shooter behind Ben Gordan, and also has the best court vision on the team (no disrespect to Derrick Rose). Hinrich stuggled a little bit last season but I didn't expect the Bulls to draft Derrick Rose without trading away a very good point guard in Hinrich. I feel that if Hinrich was on another Eastern conference team he would probably make the All Star team.

Career Stats: 13.9 ppg, 6.1 apg, 1.3 spg, .380 three point percentage, .815 free throw percentage in 433 games.

This Season Stats: 9.8 ppg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 spg, .420 three pooint percentage.

Postseason Stats: 16.9 ppg, 7.1 apg, 1.3 spg in 22 games.

2. Jose Calderon

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Jose Calderon #8 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles downcourt against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 16, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Maybe the best point guard of the five I have on this list. He beat out T.J Ford for the starting point guard position last year and earlier this year made 87 straight free throws before missing his first free throw of the season. He has been on of the most efficient point guards over the past few years and was one of the main reasons why Toronto was sort of in the playoff race a few weeks ago.

Career Stats: 9.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, .890 free throw perentage, .500 field goal percentage, .382 three point percentage in 282 games.

This season stats: 12.9 ppg, 8.8 apg, .978 free throw percentage, .407 three point percentage, .501 field goal percentage.

Postseason stats: 12.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, .909 free throw percentage in 11 games.

1. Andre Miller

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 17: Andre Miller #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Derek Fisher #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 17, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The 76ers won 94-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Andre Miller, among the best around point guards in the NBA. He has amazing court vision, has the ability to post up smaller guards, is a very good scorer, one of the best defensive point guards in the league and a great rebounder for a point guard. Miller, as well as Iguodala, are the reasons why Philly are competing for the fifth spot in the playoffs with Miami. He's often overlooked because he's not as flashy as the other point guards in the league. The only glaring weakness of his game is his jump shot.

Career Stats: 14.6 ppg, 7.4 apg, 1.4 spg, .802 free throw percentage in 805 games.

This season stats: 16.1 ppg, 6.4 apg (15th in the league), .828 free throw percentage, 1.4 spg (13th in the league), one of thirteen players with a triple double.

Postseason Stats: 15.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.3 spg in 21 games.

Honorable Mentions

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 28: Steve Blake #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Rose Garden on December 28, 2007 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Steve Blake- 14 assists in one quarter yet not consider by many as one of the best point guards in the game today.

Jameer Nelson- All Star Game selection but still not consider among the best young point guards in the NBA.

Chauncey Billups- Few All Star games under his belt, a championship ring and 2004 NBA Finals MVP yet still not consider a top 5 point guard.

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