NBA Power Rankings: Placing the League's Top 10 Point Guards

After looking at this list, it's hard to recall a group with as much talent and potential as the point guards mentioned.

In this talent pool we have a reigning MVP, as well as a former winner, but also many other candidates and elite players. The point guard position is by far the deepest in the NBA and contains some of the most exciting athletes in all of sports.

There are plenty of names left off the list, but this only strengthens the point of just how good these guys are.

Here is a power ranking of the top 10 point guards in the NBA.

10. Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets

Is it premature to put Lowry on the list over worthy names like Tyreke Evans or Jason Kidd?

Based off the fact that he currently a leader in the NBA in assists, there is no way I'm leaving off the young, talented Rocket.

He is a bit undersized compared to the average player, but makes up for it with quickness and defends with maximum effort. Lowry gets out of control sometimes with his handles, but has developed a knack for making plays and creating shots for himself.

Lowry is an aggressive player who continues to improve and garner attention, but could also average double-digit assists this year.

The Rockets are a team that could possibly steal a playoff spot this season. If so, look for the pesky Lowry to rightfully get some credit as one of the NBA's best point guards.

9. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

Parker has been a pivotal character in helping San Antonio land three NBA championships. With a veteran team in his hands, he must step up now more than ever to keep the Spurs in contention.

At 6'2", no player had a higher percentage than Parker in the three- to nine-foot range on the floor. He is a great finisher at the rim and draws plenty of attention when driving to do so. He doesn't have the most reliable jumper outside of 10 feet, but will garner attention as long as he's within the perimeter.

Parker wont wow you defensively, but he is rarely considered to be a mismatch against some of the better point guards in the NBA.

While he has good handles, he's not an elite passer and doesn't really help create plays for teammates. In fact, Parker has never averaged seven assists in a whole season.

As a scorer, Parker is one you have to watch. However, overall he remains an above-average point guard with a few flaws.

8. John Wall, Washington Wizards

He's athletic, fast and the number one pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. We, of course, are talking about the former Kentucky Wildcat John Wall.

Wall is likely to rise up this list as the season progresses, but he must improve his court vision and cut turnovers down to a minimum. Along with that, he needs to work on hitting mid-range jumpers in order to create opportunities for a drive or catch a defender off-guard.

Not many point guards are as big as the 6'4" Wall, but even the smaller ones do not possess the lightning quick hands and movements he does.

He's got the time and ability to get better over time, but there is no doubt he is one of the best raw talents currently in the league.

7. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

In recent memory, Stephen Curry is one of the most exciting players in college basketball. He was just another example of a guard with lights-out shooting ability from a smaller program.

However, Curry has translated well into an NBA point guard, and yes, he brought that shot with him.

While not the conventional point guard, Curry doesn't show the distributing talents or court vision necessary to turn heads, but is a deadly shooter from anywhere on the floor.

Curry is becoming more comfortable in his role as the facilitator and has received plenty of help from elite scorer Monta Ellis.

He's not one of the more athletic point guards in the league, but he's an aggressive defender who either gets beat or forces a turnover.

6. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash is the best point guard the NBA has had over the last decade. He has two MVPs to show for his career along with plenty of highlight-reel passes.

At 37 years old, Nash remains in peak physical condition with look of a real-life wizard with the ball. He is a tricky person to guard based on his ability to succeed in the old school triple-threat position.

Nash can shoot the lights out from anywhere in a half-court game and is one of the greatest free-throw shooters in history.

He doesn't have the lateral quickness to keep up with many of the younger talents in the league, but is a dangerous option in a transition game. Nash can pull up for an open jumper, hit a flashy floater or create a monstrous play for a lagging teammate.

Not many point guards surpass Nash in a career aspect, but as of now there are few better than him currently playing.

5. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook is another example of a player who wasn't destined to be a point guard, but has had to adjust to the role anyways.

He is a freak athlete with stellar quickness and a killer first step. Not many players in the league are as elite when it comes to scoring, but Westbrook must work on his actual point guard skills to help his team become the team to beat in the west.

Defensively, Westbrook often looks lost. It's definitely not because he lacks to talent to defend, but he often looks unfocused without the ball in his hands.

Westbrook is a strong, physical guard who cannot be bullied, but has sky-high turnover numbers and questionable shot selection.

If he settles down, Westbrook will be a fixture on All-Star teams and possibly win a championship or two in the near future.

4. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Maybe the most versatile point guard in the NBA, Rondo is truly one of the best in the game. He's resourceful on both ends of the floor and makes up for a bad jump shot with scrappy play.

Speaking of that jumper, Rondo has actually shown significant improvement in his mid-range game, which opens up plenty of opportunities for himself and others.

Rondo was drafted in the perfect situation to succeed by being surrounded by multiple stars, but has arguably made the Boston Celtics his own.

With his ability to lock down defenders defensively and create turnovers, Rondo matches that intensity offensively by being one of the better passers and playmakers in the game.

He does all of the little things coaches love and is improving in his scoring game, which will only make him a more complete player.

3. Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets

Deron Williams is sizable point guard with great strength and quickness. While he is currently a member of the New Jersey Nets, he will likely become one of the more coveted free agents in the offseason.

Averaging almost a double-double for his career, Williams has the great characteristic of making his teammates better by being an elite floor general. He can also score at a high level among point guards, making him one of the more well-rounded players in the whole league.

Often overlooked, Williams is a top-10 player in the NBA and a legitimate MVP candidate when his team is in playoff contention.

Expect Williams to receive a lot of attention as the season continues, but the most intriguing aspect will of course be where he lands next season. 

2. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul is the best ball-handler in the NBA and is an example of the classic pass-first point guard. No player in the league protects the ball as well as Paul does or makes plays for teammates in general.

Paul is also capable of scoring 20 or more points a game on the season, but is most effective while trying to create magic offensively. He has worked on knocking down his shots and extending his range, but still gets to the free-throw line a fair amount for a point guard.

Defensively, Paul is just as impressive, if not better. Even with bad knees, he has ball-hawking ability and forces turnovers and bad shot attempts. In fact, Paul set an NBA record for most consecutive games with a steal.

A triple-double threat every night, Paul is also the most efficient player in the NBA. Last year he posted the highest player efficiency rating on his way to leading the New Orleans Hornets to the playoffs.

Now with the "Lob City" Clippers, Paul will try his hand in leading a talented, athletic group to a championship run.

Don't be surprised if this happens very soon.

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

At the beginning of the year I would've said Chris Paul. However, it's getting harder and harder to make a case against the 23-year-old Derrick Rose.

The reigning MVP is the best scoring point guard in the NBA, as well as one of the true growing leaders around. While he's not a typical pass-first guard, let's not forget he is capable of averaging a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists.

Rose is possibly the most athletic point guard in the league and can rise above defenders to get good looks at the rim. Along with that, he has blazing speed and quickness and blows by opponents in attempt to get to the foul line.

Perhaps most importantly, Rose has shown the potential to be a crunch-time player and help his team win a top seed in the Eastern Conference. It's amazing how Rose led an underdog Chicago Bulls team past the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics to a better record in 2010-11, but it wouldn't be surprising for him to do it again.

While the Bulls were eventually ousted by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, Rose showed promise as one of the league's premier players and a fixture as a candidate for MVP.

Derrick Rose is for real, and he will only get better as his career furthers.

Does he have the merit to be crowned the best point guard in the NBA?

Absolutely. Expect him to continue to prove why.