NBA Power Rankings: LeBron James and Every NBA Team's Best Playmaker
At the start of this year, it looked like LeBron James' numbers may have taken a bit of a hit. However, he has definitely adapted to his new situation and is back to his 25-7-7 self.
His ability to make plays for and distribute the ball to his teammates is incredible for a 6'8", 250 pound player. He is without a doubt, Miami's best playmaker.
He is a forward that can play all five positions and is a bit of an anomaly on this list. The best playmaker on most teams is the starting point guard.
However, there are a few unconventional squads like Miami whose top playmaker does not play that position.
To determine who were the best playmakers, I looked at three key statistics: assists per game (APG), assist to turnover ratio (A/T) and assist percentage (AST%).
Assist percentage is a stat that estimates the percentage of teammates' field goals that the player assisted on while he was on the floor.
In ranking the playmakers, the most important stats to consider deal with assists. However, overall playmaking ability was also in mind (scoring, ball handling, etc.)
With those stats in mind, let's take a look.
Here are the best individual playmakers for each team in the NBA...
30: Detroit Pistons: Tracy McGrady
1 of 31
APG: 3.0
AST%: 22.5
A/T: 2.3
I'll be honest, when I first published this article I had Rodney Stuckey in this slot. However, after reading some solid comments, I've decided to make a switch.
Tracy McGrady has only been the Pistons' starting point guard for the last eight games, but he's already solidified himself as their best playmaker.
His numbers per 36 minutes are slightly lower than Rodney Stuckey's this year, but he's only been in this role for about two weeks.
If you just look at McGrady's numbers from his starts at point guard, you'll begin to see why he was chosen for this slide.
He's averaging 12 points and 4.6 assists, the team is 5-3 during this stretch, and this is all happening while McGrady adjusts to a role he's never had before.
29: Indiana Pacers: Darren Collison
2 of 31
APG: 4.7
AST%: 27.3
A/T: 2.1
Collison managed to average a full assist more per game last season (despite playing behind Chris Paul for most of the year).
His dip in production is a bit vexing, especially when you consider that he was thought to be Indiana's point guard for the future.
28: Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala
3 of 31
APG: 5.5
AST%: 23.6
A/T: 3.1
Thanks to injuries, Andre Iguodala got off to a bit of a slow start this year. That, in combination with Philadelphia's selection of Evan Turner in the draft, led many to wonder if Iggy would soon be on his way out.
Well, Iguodala is healthy now and Evan Turner is playing nothing like a second overall pick.
Iguodala is reaffirming his position as the 76ers leader, and it looks like they're going to snag the seventh or eighth seed in the Eastern Conference again.
27: Orlando Magic: Hedo Turkoglu
4 of 31
APG: 3.8 (5.8 with Orlando)
AST%: 20.5 (26.9 with Orlando)
A/T: 2.6
This was a very difficult call. I could have very easily gone with the team's starting point guard, Jameer Nelson.
However, since Orlando reacquired Hedo Turkoglu, he quickly found his way back into his role as a playmaker.
Pick and rolls with Turkoglu and Howard (and pick and pops with Ryan Anderson) are extremely difficult for Orlando's opponents to defend.
26: Houston Rockets: Kyle Lowry
5 of 31
APG: 6.5
AST%: 29.4
A/T: 3
Kyle Lowry has stepped up big this year. Due largely to injuries, Aaron Brooks has struggled to return to his stellar form from last season.
Lowry has always been a better distributor than Brooks, and this year it's becoming pretty clear.
As Brooks works himself back into his former self, Lowry could see less minutes and a subsequent drop in production.
25: Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson
6 of 31
APG: 5.5
AST%: 27.2
A/T: 2.9
Joe Johnson is a very versatile player who has the ability to play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward.
Most people think of Joe Johnson as an overpaid pure shooter, but he's a lot more than that. He knows how and when to find the open man.
24: Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
7 of 31
APG: 5.9
AST%: 29
A/T: 2.1
Some still wonder whether Stephen Curry is a point guard or a shooting guard. He is a lights-out shooter and can score in a variety of ways.
However, one cannot ignore the development he's made as a point guard over the last two and a half seasons (he started the transition in college).
23: Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley
8 of 31
APG: 6.7
AST%: 28.9
A/T: 2.8
The Grizzlies have several young, promising individual players. They just can't seem to put everything together for any significant stretch of games.
One of those up and coming players in Memphis is Mike Conley. His career got off to a slower start than many expected, but he's developed into a solid starting point guard.
22: Minnesota Timberwolves: Luke Ridnour
9 of 31
APG: 5.7
AST%: 29.5
A/T: 2.9
Luke Ridnour has been pretty solid for the Timberwolves this year, but his play hasn't led to many wins.
He's a smart player with a lot of experience, but he'll never get much recognition on a team like Minnesota's.
If he were in a faster paced system like Phoenix or New York's, he could put up pretty good numbers.
21: Charlotte Bobcats: D.J. Augustin
10 of 31
APG: 6.3
AST%: 32.2
A/T: 3.9
D.J. Augustin has been a very solid replacement for Raymond Felton in Charlotte.
His assists per game average may not blow anyone away, but he's third in the league in assist to turnover ratio.
20: Cleveland Cavaliers: Mo Williams
11 of 31
APG: 7.1
AST%: 42.8
A/T: 2.5
The Cavaliers are undoubtedly the worst team in the NBA this year, but you can hardly blame Mo Williams.
He was LeBron James' clear "Robin" over the last few seasons, and in "Batman's" absence, Williams has had to step up.
Unfortunately, there's not much on the roster after him.
19: Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings
12 of 31
APG: 5.5
AST%: 29.8
A/T: 2.3
Much like Rodney Stuckey, Brandon Jennings is a very effective scoring point guard. He doesn't shoot a high percentage from the field, but he puts up enough shots to get him up around 20 points per game.
When he learns to trust some of his solid teammates a bit more, his assists and his shooting percentages will go up.
18: Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans
13 of 31
APG: 5.5
AST%: 24.9
A/T: 1.7
Considering his sensational rookie season, Tyreke Evans' sophomore campaign has been a bit of disappointment.
His points, assists and rebounds are all down from last year. However, he is clearly the Kings' best playmaker.
I expect him to adjust to the way opponents are handling him and have a huge season in 2011-12.
17: Los Angeles Clippers: Baron Davis
14 of 31
APG: 6.8
AST%: 41.1
A/T: 2.9
He may have started this season unmotivated and out of shape, but Baron Davis is now starting to look like his old self.
He's averaging well over seven assists per game over the last two months and has helped to make the Clippers many people's second favorite team.
16: Denver Nuggets: Ty Lawson
15 of 31
APG: 4
AST%: 27.1
A/T: 2.6
Ty Lawson may not lead his team in assists per game, but he's clearly the Nuggets best playmaker.
The only other contender for the honor of Denver's best playmaker is Chauncey Billups.
Compared to Billups, Lawson averages more assists per 36 minutes, has a better assist percentage and a better assist to turnover ratio.
Whenever I watch Lawson play, I can't help but think he could be one of the league's best point guards if he just got the minutes.
The sooner Denver pulls the trigger on all these rumored trades, the better. They should feel secure in handing the reins of this team's future to Ty Lawson.
15: San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker
16 of 31
APG: 7
AST%: 37
A/T: 2.8
One of the most surprising teams of this year (at least outside of San Antonio) has been the Spurs. They are a ridiculous 38-7 and playing in a way that really compliments Tony Parker's game.
The Spurs faster pace has led to a career high for Parker in assists per game.
They are one of the most balanced offenses in the NBA and Parker has been great at distributing the ball to all the options.
14: Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant
17 of 31
APG: 4.8
AST%: 26.4
A/T: 1.6
Kobe is best at making plays for himself, but he can get his teammates involved as well.
He leads the Lakers in assists, and had a game earlier this year in which he dropped 14 dimes.
It's a matter of choice with Kobe. If he wanted to average eight or nine assists per game, he would. That's simply not his role and he knows it.
13: Portland Trailblazers: Andre Miller
18 of 31
APG: 7.1
AST%: 37.2
A/T: 2.9
Andre Miller has been a great example of a pass-first point guard for over a decade.
With Brandon Roy dealing with multiple injuries this year, Miller has taken on virtually all the distributing duties for Portland.
The trio of Miller, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Wesley Matthews has done well to keep the Blazers afloat during the storm of injuries they've found themselves in.
12: New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris
19 of 31
APG: 7.3
AST%: 42
A/T: 2.4
Devin Harris is mostly known as a scorer, but he is a solid distributor as well.
He's eighth in the league in assist percentage and 11th in assists per game.
The Nets are struggling once again, but Devin Harris and Brook Lopez seem like a solid duo to build around.
11: Miami Heat: LeBron James
20 of 31
APG: 7.2
AST%: 36.3
A/T: 1.9
As I mentioned in the introduction slide for this article, LeBron James did not instantly adapt to his new situation.
As the season has progressed, he's realized that even while playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he needs to dominate every aspect of the game.
Without a decent point guard or center on Miami's roster, LeBron has had to play positions one through five this year. He's distributed the ball beautifully from all over the floor.
10: Dallas Mavericks: Jason Kidd
21 of 31
APG: 8.4
AST%: 37.6
A/T: 3.6
Jason Kidd is a couple months shy of his 38th birthday and he's still considered one of the league's best point guards.
This guy is as defiant of age as anyone in the NBA.
The Mavericks are on their way to their 11th straight 50-win season, and Kidd's strong guard play is a big reason why.
This year, he's eighth in assists per game, 11th in assist percentage, and fourth in assist to turnover ratio.
9: New York Knicks: Raymond Felton
22 of 31
APG: 8.9
AST%: 36.1
A/T: 2.6
Most people are giving Amar'e Stoudemire all the credit for the Knicks' relative resurgence. In my opinion, Raymond Felton's contributions cannot be overstated.
He has been exactly the kind of point guard Mike D'Antoni has desperately needed in New York to run his high-octane offense.
Before the season began, there was talk of New York perhaps going after Chris Paul. Now, it looks like they may not need him.
8: Washington Wizards: John Wall
23 of 31
APG: 9.2
AST%: 41.1
A/T: 2.4
If it weren't for Blake Griffin, John Wall would be the clear front-runner for this season's Rookie of the Year award.
For a rookie to be fifth in the league in assists per game is extremely impressive (especially when you consider that he's ahead of guys like Jason Kidd, Russell Westbrook, and Derrick Rose).
Many teams have young point guards to build around right now, and John Wall may end up being the best of the bunch.
7: Toronto Raptors: Jose Calderon
24 of 31
APG: 8.4
AST%: 42.8
A/T: 4.1
Calderon's assist numbers were down a bit last year, as he had to split time with Jarret Jack. This season, he's back in his starting role and showing us once again that he can be a truly elite playmaker.
He's sixth in the NBA in assist percentage and seventh in assists per game. Just imagine how productive he could be with one or two superstar teammates.
6: Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook
25 of 31
APG: 8.4
AST%: 42.6
A/T: 2.2
Despite the fact that he's still struggling with turnovers, Russell Westbrook has rapidly become one of the NBA's top point guards.
He dominates most opposing guards with his almost unrivaled explosiveness.
He's ninth in assists per game, and seventh in assist percentage.
It doesn't hurt that he gets to pass to the league's best scorer.
5: Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
26 of 31
APG: 8.1
AST%: 40.2
A/T: 2.3
Many people already feel that Derrick Rose is the best point guard in the NBA. He's putting up huge numbers, and has himself firmly in the MVP race.
He's had to do a lot of scoring for long stretches this season due to injuries to both members of his starting frontcourt.
When Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah actually spend a good amount of time on the court together, Rose's assist numbers could go up a bit more.
4: Utah Jazz: Deron Williams
27 of 31
APG: 9.5
AST%: 43.5
A/T: 2.8
Deron Williams is yet another point guard in the conversation concerning who the NBA's best point guard is right now.
While his assist numbers are a bit down this year, he's undoubtedly remains one of the league's premiere playmakers.
Right now, he's fourth in both assists per game and assist percentage.
3: New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul
28 of 31
APG: 9.6
AST%: 47.2
A/T: 4.3
The Hornets have exceeded the expectations that many had for them. The biggest reason for their early success has been the play of their point guard.
Before the season started, no one thought Chris Paul would be on this team following the trade deadline. Now, it seems like much more of a stretch to say he'll be moved.
His assist numbers are a bit down this year, but he's still been fantastic. He's third in the league in both assists per game and assist percentage, and he's first in assist to turnover ratio.
2: Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo
29 of 31
APG: 13
AST%: 52.2
A/T: 3.3
Rajon Rondo has arguably been the best playmaker in the league this year.
I often wonder where Rondo would be without the big three, but it's also interesting to wonder where the big three would be without Rondo.
He does so much to create open shots for his teammates.
He's currently first in the league in assists per game and second in assist percentage.
1: Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash
30 of 31
APG: 10.9
AST%: 53.7
A/T: 3
To me, Steve Nash is still the best playmaker in the NBA.
He's second in assists per game and first in assist percentage this season.
What's most impressive is the fact that he's putting up these impressive numbers on a team with very limited scoring options. In fact, Nash is probably the best scorer the Suns have.
Can you imagine what his stats would look like if he had guys like Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett to pass to?
Rajon Rondo may lead the league in assists per game, but Steve Nash is still the best offensive point guard.
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