NBA Playoffs 2012: Ranking the Best Active Point Guards

Just one week in, and the 2012 NBA playoffs have already offered some of the most memorable moments of the season.

From Andrew Bynum's historic triple-double to Kevin Durant's game-winner to the Los Angeles Clippers' remarkable 27-point comeback at Memphis, the excitement has been at a premium.

The one event that hasn't occurred, however, is a day of recognition for the point guards.

From Chris Paul's brilliance to Russell Westbrook's leadership, NBA point guard play has been at its finest. The depth is unlike anything we've seen before, and the value of the point guard has been at an all-time high.

Here are the 10 best point guards of the postseason thus far.

Note: Derrick Rose's injury and Rajon Rondo's suspension exclude them from inclusion.

On the Bubble: Andre Miller, Denver Nuggets

If you're looking for contributions across the board, Andre Miller has given the Denver Nuggets that and more.

In Game 1, Miller scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dropped seven dimes and picked up a steal.

In Game 2, Miller overcame a scoreless effort by posting eight assists, two rebounds and three steals.

While the team could use a stronger effort on the scoreboard, as there has been virtually no half-court offense for the 0-2 Nuggets, his well-rounded contributions cannot go unnoticed.

Playoffs Averages: 28.5 MPG, 6.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG

On the Bubble: Lou Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

After a horrific Game 1, Lou Williams was terrific in Game 2, going from nine points on 1-of-6 shooting to 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

The Sixth Man of the Year candidate led the 76ers in scoring during the regular season, so it's no wonder the 11-point increase led to a Sixers victory.

It's also worth noting that Williams posted two assists in Game 1 and six in Game 2, as well as going without a turnover in Game 2 after committing two in Game 1.

Philadelphia's success hinges on Williams' efficiency.

Playoffs Averages: 14.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 47% FG

10. Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat

Mario Chalmers' play thus far should send a message to any point guard with a great team around him: Play within your game, and don't make mistakes, it'll lead to double-digit victories.

Chalmers has averaged 33.5 minutes per game these playoffs, five more minutes than his season average, and has seen a dramatic rise in production.

He's currently averaging 12.0 points on 47 percent shooting for the Heat, as well as 7.5 assists, good for fourth-best this postseason.

While Chalmers won't receive the recognition that the Big Three inevitably demand, he deserves some love for what he's done to date. It's not easy playing against Baron Davis, one of the greatest postseason performers of our time.

Playoffs Averages: 12.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 47% FG

9. Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks

In Game 1, Jeff Teague was solid. He dropped 15 points on 50 percent shooting, also grabbing six rebounds and hitting two three-pointers.

Unfortunately, efficiency was lost in Game 2.

Teague shot just 6-of-18 from the field, committing four personal foul,s and doing very little to disrupt Avery Bradley and company from lighting up the scoreboard.

Even with his highlight-reel plays, Teague's efforts just weren't enough versus Boston.

Then again, 33 percent shooting on 18 field-goal attempts never will be.

Playoffs Average: 16.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 39% FG

8. George Hill, Indiana Pacers

In Game 1, George Hill and the Indiana Pacers couldn't handle Jameer Nelson and the Orlando Magic.

In both Games 2 and 3, George Hill was a major reason the Pacers controlled the tempo and the scoreboard.

While his statistics may not show it, Hill's passing has involved each and every one of his teammates. It's also built team chemistry, a pivotal characteristic that the Pacers lacked in their opening-game loss.

Watching Hill score at will, as he's shot 58 percent from the field in the Pacers' two wins, has been a treat.

Watching him develop into a star, meanwhile, may not be too distant a sight.

Playoffs Averages: 14.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 50% FG

7. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

After another week of playoff basketball, Ty Lawson's talent could bring him to the top of this list.

Unfortunately, his Game 2 brilliance was marred by a brutal Game 1 performance in which Andrew Bynum denied any and every attempt at scoring around the basket.

With that being said, Lawson was in a league of his own during Game 2.

He scored 25 points on 65 percent shooting, tacking on seven assists and nearly leading the Nuggets to a comeback victory.

Expect this level of play to continue as the series moves back to Denver.

Playoffs Averages: 16.0 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 50% FG

6. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

You can love this pick, or you can hate it; the only thing you can't do is deny it.

Jason Kidd has been unbelievable over the first two games of the Mavericks' series with the OKC Thunder, overcoming poor shooting performances with well-rounded contributions.

Both on offense and defense, Kidd is beginning to look like the player we all became enamored with at the turn of the millennium with the Suns and Nets.

He's seventh among postseason point guards in terms of assists, first in rebounding, and leads the NBA in steals.

As soon as his shot starts to drop, the Mavericks' down-to-the-wire losses may begin to go the other way.

Playoff Averages: 9.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 6.0 RPG, 5.0 SPG

5. Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers

In Game 1, Jrue Holiday seemed lost, as he shot just 7-of-18 from the floor against Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls.

He was also held to two assists, although he did manage 16 points and seven rebounds.

Once Rose went down, however, Holiday began to display why he's one of the true stars of tomorrow, and why the Sixers used their 2009 first-round pick on Holiday after just one season at UCLA.

Holiday dominated the Bulls in Game 2, scoring a game-high 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting and dishing out six assists. He also shot a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc and managed to go the entire game without committing a turnover.

Holiday is on the brink of greatness.

Playoffs Average: 21.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 55% FG

4. Mike Conley Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Through two games, Mike Conley has taken the leap from under-the-radar point to smash-mouth, in your face, franchise point guard.

His holding Chris Paul to 5-of-12 shooting in Game 1 is only half the story.

Conley shot 5-of-5 from distance in Game 1, posting 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds before his team took its foot off the gas pedal and crumbled in the fourth quarter.

Nevertheless, his individual play cannot be criticized, nor can the way the fifth-year man out of Ohio State has involved his teammates and held his own against CP3.

Playoffs Averages: 18.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 3.0 RPG, 47% FG, 71% 3PT

3. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

What can you say?

In Game 1, Chris Paul led the Los Angeles Clippers to a historic comeback from 24 points down with 8:00 remaining in the fourth quarter.

In Game 2, CP3 dropped 29 points and filled up the stat sheet to nearly lead the Clippers to victory.

It's just a shame that he plays in the same town as Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant.

Playoffs Averages: 21.5 PPG, 8.5 APG, 3.5 RPG, 3.0 SPG, 52% FG

2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Through two games, Kevin Durant has shot a combined 15-of-44 from the field. That's a shooting percentage of 34 percent.

That's also what happens when you're matched up with Shawn Marion on a nightly basis.

In the absence of Durant's consistency, Russell Westbrook has looked like the best point guard in the league.

He cut his turnovers down from five to two between Games 1 and 2. He's also averaged 28.5 points on 52 percent shooting.

For those who thought the Oklahoma City Thunder were a team that lived and died by Kevin Durant's consistency, think again.

Playoffs Averages: 38.5 MPG, 28.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 52% FG

1. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

Tony Parker has been absolutely magnificent through two games, averaging 23 points and 8.5 assists in 32.5 minutes of play.

He's been the catalyst in each of the Spurs' blowout victories against the Jazz and picked up a full head of steam in the race for MVP.

While he might not be the most popular name on this list, he's been the most dominant.

The Utah Jazz have had no answer for him, much like the rest of the NBA over the entire regular season.

Playoffs Averages: 32.5 MPG, 23.0 PPG, 8.5 APG, 4.0 RPG, 55% FG