Ranking Tony Parker and Derrick Rose with the League's Best Point Guards

Point guard play goes a long way to winning in the NBA.

Without a good one, you better have a ton of other talent around you because chances are, you aren't going to be a very good team.

Similar to how an NFL team must have a quality signal-caller, an NBA team must have a quality floor general.

A good point guard isn't a score-first type of guy, but instead, a guy that makes the team run by involving all of his teammates. But he also needs to be able to pick his spots and score as well.

Here's a look at the top point guards in the league currently starting for their current teams.

We aren't just looking at each player's stats here, but taking a look at how each guy performs per 36 minutes of play and put a lot of stock into each point guard's PER.

So with that being said, let's take a look at the current top 15 point guards in the NBA.

Best of the Rest

30. Derek Fisher

29. Jamal Crawford

28. Brandon Knight

27. Devin Harris

26. Greivis Vasquez

25. Isaiah Thomas

24. Jameer Nelson

23. Mario Chalmers

22. Jason Kidd

21. D.J. Augustin

20. Darren Collison

19. Jeff Teague

18. Jrue Holliday

17. Mike Conley

16. Kyrie Irving

15. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors

If Calderon played on a better team, he likely would be higher on this list, but he's a fantastic point guard that more people need to know about.

He averages a solid 11.6 points and 9.5 assists per 36 minutes, and his 17.87 PER is above the league average.

Calderon is a guy that takes care of the ball and a good decision maker. He's the subject of trade speculation, and on a better team, he could prove to be a difference maker.

14. Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks

It's understandable for some to disagree about Lin's inclusion in this list, but the impact he's made in New York gets him in the conversation.

His per 36 minute numbers are off the charts at 21.6 points and 8.6 assists to go along with 2.3 steals per 36, numbers that would be even higher if you only factor in his latest 12-game stretch.

Lin's 22.33 PER ranks him fifth in the NBA among point guards, behind names like Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Steve Nash.

His 5.4 turnovers per 36 minutes knocks him down the list a bit, as does the fact that he's only been a starter for 11 games, but like him or hate him, you can't dispute the success that he's had, even if it's a short sample size.

13. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

Rubio has proven well worth the wait for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a year or two from now, it could be hard to keep him out of the top five on this list, but he cracks the Top 15 for now.

His 15.52 PER isn't even the highest on his team, but his 11.5 points and 8.9 assists per 36 minutes are impressive.

The most impressive part of his game, though, is the command he's taken over the Timberwolves offense and the fact he's a big reason why the Wolves are a game over the .500 mark right now at 18-17.

Since he's been a starter, Rubio ranks among the top five in the NBA in both assists and steals.

Comparing his per 36 numbers to fellow rookie Kyrie Irving, who dwarfs Rubio in scoring (21.4 per 36), Rubio has a decisive edge in assists and steals.

Rubio has the more impressive total stats line and the fact that Minnesota is winning gets him the nod.

12. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

Lawson is another guy that could be soaring up the charts in the next few seasons, and with good reason,. He's loaded with talent.

He ranks 11th among NBA starting point guards with a PER of 18.36 and puts up solid per 36 numbers of 16.3 points and 6.5 assists, all career highs.

With Denver having the talent around him to be very competitive in the future, Lawson has the potential for big things ahead of him.

11. John Wall, Washington Wizards

Wall is on a bad Wizards team, and some feel like he's taken a step backwards from his rookie season, but let's see how he does with some talent around him before we write Wall off just yet.

He's put up solid 16.5 points and 7.6 assists per 36 minute numbers, and while he's been knocked for his shooting, his field goal percentage, free-throw percentage and rebounds are up from his rookie season as well.

Wall also posts a solid PER of 18.02, and while you can question his leadership, you can't really question his production.

He's got all of the skills to be a great point guard for years, and it's scary to think what could happen to his numbers when he gets some talent around him.

10. Brandon Jennings, Miwaukee Bucks

Jennings is turning himself into a very good point guard and had numbers worthy enough of making the All-Star team this year.

While that may have to wait another season, Jennings is showing why he was a lottery pick in 2009.

This season has been his best to date with a PER of 18.08 and per 36 minutes numbers of 18.7 points and 5.6 assists.

He's another one that makes you wonder just how good he can be with a solid supporting cast around him, something he doesn't have the luxury of having right now.

9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry's been a solid 18.5 points and 7.0 assists guy per 36 minutes this year and is averaging career per 36 minutes highs in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, assists and steals.

His 21.71 PER ranks him seventh among NBA point guards, and there's nothing but good things ahead for Curry.

The only question going forward is the health of that ankle.

8. Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets

Lowry's quickly becoming one of the NBA's best point guards, and his numbers back up that claim.

He's improved statistically almost across the board, averaging 16.1 points, 7.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per 36 minutes to go along with an impressive 20.61 PER.

Houston has started winning, and he's one of the best rebounding and defensive guards currently in the league.

7. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Rondo's shooting still leaves something to be desired, but there's no doubting his overall ability.

His PER is at 18.06, which you think would be higher given his pedigree, but his per 36 numbers are solid at 13.8 points and 9.7 assists. However, he's done that with the Celtics struggling.

His scoring numbers are slightly up, but all of the other numbers would likely be better if Boston wasn't 26th in the NBA in points per game.

6. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

With all he's done in his NBA career, Parker remains a very underrated point guard who really doesn't get the credit he deserves.

His 11th season in the NBA is turning into one of his best yet.

Sure, he's won three NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP in 2006-07, but he's had a near MVP-like season so far, leading the San Antonio Spurs to the second best record in the Western Conference, doing so without the services of Manu Ginobili for the better part of the season.

His 22.32 PER ranks him sixth among all point guards, right behind Lin, while his per 36 minutes numbers of 20.3 points and 8.5 assists have been nothing short of outstanding.

For some reason, though, when there are discussions about the NBA's best point guards, his name is usually left out.

It shouldn't be the case any more, though, after the outstanding season Parker is currently putting up.

5. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook just keeps getting better and better and is a huge part of why the Thunder should challenge for an NBA championship this season.

His PER is outstanding at 23.30, ranking him third among NBA point guards, and he's averaging 24.1 points and 5.6 assists per 36 minutes.

That draws a bit of a concern, though.

While his scoring is up, as are his field-goal attempts, his assists are down almost three assist per game compared to the past two seasons.

While it's something to keep an eye on, right now, it's not worth making a big deal over because Westbrook is playing at an extremely high level.

4. Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets

Despite playing on the struggling New Jersey Nets, Williams is putting together one of his best season's of his career.

Still one of the best point guards in the NBA, Williams is averaging 21.2 points and 8.0 assists per 36 minutes and has a 20.94 PER.

His assists are down and his turnovers are up, but that can be attributed to playing on a bad team.

Otherwise, he's putting together a solid season across the board. It will be nice to see what he does when he's on a good team.

3. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

It was very difficult not to have Nash ranked No. 2 after a solid first half of the season.

At age 38, the two-time MVP has posted a solid 15.6 points and 12.3 assists totals per 36 minutes to go along with a 22.53 PER.

His great first half numbers have come playing on a bad Suns team, but it hasn't stopped him from leading the NBA in assists.

It will be interesting to see if the savvy veteran will remain in Phoenix or request a trade to chase that elusive ring.

If so, we will see what happens to his numbers.

2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

The reigning MVP has put together another solid season, leading the Bulls to a 28-8 mark so far, averaging 22.5 points and 7.8 assists per 36 minutes to go along with a 24.88 PER, ranking him second in the NBA among all point guards.

Rose has put up solid numbers despite being banged up for parts of the first half of the season.

If he stays healthy, there's no doubting that his numbers will be just as good, if not better, in the season's second half as Rose tries to lead Chicago to the NBA Finals.

1. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Paul tops the list, as he's the premiere point guard in the NBA today.

His presence alone has helped the Clippers become winners, and he's shown leadership ability along the way to go along with his outstanding production.

Paul tops the list in PER among NBA point guards, with a 26.36 rating. His per 36 numbers aren't too shabby either, averaging 19.3 points and 8.4 assists.

His scoring is his highest total since 2009, while his assists are his lowest since 2007.

But that's because the Clippers offense runs the best right now when he's looking to score, so there's going to be a slight drop in the assists numbers.

Paul's field goal and three-point percentages are up, and he's been his usual excellent self on the defensive end of the floor.