Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade? Power Ranking the NBA's Starting Shooting Guards
Blame it all on Michael Jordan.
Out of all five positions in the NBA, the starting shooting guards by far have the richest reservoir of talent.
Sure, you can blame some of that on the death of the traditional center, but point guards and small forwards should be able to measure up to the starting SGs, no?
Well, considering that two of the NBA's top four players (Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade) are shooting guards, you start to understand the depth that we're dealing with here.
You're probably not too excited if you're starting one of the guys ranked 21-30 here as your starting 2-guard, but once we hit No. 20, it's smooth sailing. Well, mostly.
But who reigns supreme in the Kobe/D-Wade debate? Read on to find out.
30. Arron Afflalo, Denver Nuggets
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2009-10 Stats: 46.5 FG%, 43.4 3FG%, 73.5 FT%, 1.3 3FG, 8.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG
This isn't a tough call to put Afflalo near the bottom of this list. He may be a solid three-point shooter, but he's not much else.
While many of his fellow lowly-ranked SGs' stats won't jump off the page, remember, Afflalo started 75 games last season. He couldn't crack 10 ppg despite nearly earning 30 minutes per game. (J.R. Smith averaged 15.1 ppg in the same amount of time.)
Truth be told, Afflalo made most of his money on the defensive end last season. There's nothing wrong with that, but you'd hope to him increase his steals this year, if that's going to be his bread-and-butter.
Granted, Afflalo could well be on the way to proving me totally wrong. He did just drop a 24-point, 10-assist, 9-rebound night on Phoenix on Friday—I know, it's only the preseason—that spoke largely to a fuller skill set that he's yet to unleash.
29. Anthony Parker, Cleveland Cavaliers
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2009-10 Stats: 43.4 FG%, 41.4 3FG%, 78.9 FT%, 1.3 3FG, 7.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Since the Cavaliers suddenly have a 30-point, 8-assist, 7-rebound void to fill in their starting lineup, the typical logic figured that all the Cavs' starters would boost their numbers this season.
So far, in the preseason, Anthony Parker hasn't been following that game plan. In seven preseason games, he managed to virtually mirror his averages from last season.
In other words, Parker's been remarkably unremarkable, both this season and last. He's solid defensively, but won't contribute much on the offensive end.
And at 35 years of age, there's no reason to believe Parker will find the elixir of youth like Steve Nash has. There's only one way this train is headed…down.
28. Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves
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2009-10 Stats: 43.1 FG%, 34.6 3FG%, 64.8 FT%, 1.0 3FG, 13.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG
As of the time of this writing, ESPN's depth chart has Wesley Johnson listed as the T'Wolves starting shooting guard. That said, it's tough to imagine the T'Wolves benching the No. 7 pick from 2007, Corey Brewer, for a rookie on opening night.
Brewer isn't a total disaster, but he certainly hasn't lived up to his draft selection as of yet. And with a rough preseason—we’re talking 25.0 FG%, 9.1 3FG%, 69.6 FT%—Brewer certainly hasn't helped himself lock up that starting job.
Then again, remember, back in college, Brewer was the key wing scorer on the two-time national champion Florida teams in 2006 and 2007. He's got championship pedigree buried somewhere in there.
But until Brewer can consistently translate his game to the NBA level, he'll be considered one of the worst starting shooting guards in the league…assuming that he can keep his starting job.
27. Marco Belinelli, New Orleans Hornets
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2009-10 Stats: 40.6 FG%, 38.0 3FG%, 83.5 FT%, 0.9 3FG, 7.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Before this year, Belinelli's never been relied on as an every-game starter—he's only started 24 games to date in his three year career.
However, Hornets coach Monty Williams has fallen in love with Belinelli's game, and slotted him ahead of incumbent Marcus Thornton for the starting 2-guard spot.
Much like many of the guards ranked here around him, Belinelli provides a solid deep-range threat and not much else.
Here's guessing that Thornton only stays on the bench because he's a better scoring threat than Belinelli (and every bench unit needs a star sixth man).
But, on the bright side, Belinelli's stats should improve across the board with Chris Paul feeding him the ball this year.
26. Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City Thunder
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2009-10 Stats: 44.0 FG%, 31.3 3FG%, 67.4 FT%, 0.5 3FG, 6.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG
It's really only a matter of time before sophomore James Harden replaces Sefolosha in the starting lineup. If Morris Peterson becomes a deep threat off the bench like Harden was last season, Sefolosha's time as a starter is likely over.
Sefolosha provides the Thunder with one of the superior wing defenders in the league…but not much else. In fact, out of everyone on this list, Sefolosha's statistical line from last year ranks dead last.
Sure, the Thunder may not need Kobe Bryant as their starting SG—Kevin Durant can handle that scoring load just fine, thank you—but 6 ppg as an 82-game starter?
Once Harden bulks up his defensive play, Sefolosha will likely become the Thunder's defensive lockdown specialist—a poor man's bench version of Ron Artest, if you will.
25. Mike Dunleavy, Indiana Pacers
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2009-10 Stats: 41.0 FG%, 31.0 3FG%, 84.2 FT%, 1.1 3FG, 9.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG
In the 2007-08 season, Mike Dunleavy averaged 19.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 3.5 apg, causing all kinds of excitement around the Indiana area. The No. 3 pick in the 2002 draft looked like he was finally living up to his potential.
The next year, he slogged through an injury-plagued season while only playing 18 games. (Also known as "returning to Earth.")
And last year, Dunleavy's transformation back into decidedly average was complete, as he missed 15 games and could barely average more than 20 minutes per game when healthy.
While he's one year further removed from that knee injury, there's little reason to believe Dunleavy can ever return to 07-08 form. If he can barely keep Brandon Rush from coming off the bench…
24. Raja Bell, Utah Jazz
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2009-10 Stats: (6 games) 45.9 FG%, 44.4 3FG%, 100.0 FT%, 2.0 3FG, 11.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
At this point in his career, we all know what you're getting out of Raja Bell, the 10-year veteran: A great three-point shooting threat who plays solid D, but not a guy who's going to explode for 40 points on a given night.
Bell's most productive years in the NBA came playing alongside Steve Nash in Phoenix. (Surprise, surprise.) After a year with PG Raymond Felton in Charlotte, having the Jazz's Deron Williams lead him on offense will be a welcome gift that never wears itself out.
If the Jazz ask Bell to become their primary wing defender (alongside Andrei Kirilenko) and to knock down some threes from time to time, they'll be utilizing Bell at his best.
Asking him for much more than that, however, could cause some long-term struggles for the Jazz this season.
23. Ronnie Brewer, Chicago Bulls
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2009-10 Stats: 48.7 FG%, 25.8 3FG%, 63.9 FG%, 0.1 3FG, 8.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Ronnie Brewer's a rare type of shooting guard—a shooting guard that can't shoot long-range. At all.
Brewer's 25.8 3FG% from last year was no anomale, as he's got a lifetime 23.4 3FG% going for him so far.
While he managed to convert on 47% of his 16-22 foot shots in his breakout 2007-08 season, he hasn't managed to knock down more than 40% of his shots from that range in any other year.
Brewer excels at getting to the rack and scoring; then again, so does Derrick Rose.
For a team that needed a long-range shooter to space the floor for Rose, Brewer appears to be a peculiar choice for a starting SG.
22. Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks
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2009-10 Stats: 47.9 FG%, 26.7 3FG%, 80.6 FT%, 0.6 3FG, 15.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Wilson Chandler is yet another SG who's yet to fully tap his immense potential, much to the frustration of his current team.
After a promising sophomore season, where he fell into the starting lineup early and shocked the Knicks by starting 70 games, he failed to tangibly improve in his third season.
And, according to Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, Chandler's starting spot may well be in jeopardy. "After seeing some things," D'Antoni is tinkering with the idea of moving Chandler to the bench and replacing him with Toney Douglas.
He's got plenty of talent, but Chandler very well may be a small forward currently in disguise as a shooting guard.
21. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
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2009-10 Stats: 49.8 FG%, 25.0 3FG%, 76.3 FT%, 0.1 3FG, 8.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Opportunity, friends, is all DeRozan needs to justify a ranking this high.
With Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu out of town, the Raptors lack any definition of a go-to guy on offense. DeRozan looks ready to step into that spotlight.
Like Ronnie Brewer, DeRozan struggled with his three-point shot all of last season. But incredibly, DeRozan knocked down nearly 70 percent of his shots within 10 feet of the basket, raising his overall FG% to nearly 50 percent.
DeRozan showed flashes of why the Raptors used a late lottery pick on him last year, but expect a breakout year for the second-year player out of USC this season.
20. Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets
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2009-10 Stats: 40.1 FG%, 31.0 3FG%, 71.5 FT%, 0.4 3FG, 8.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG
In the month of April last season, when Terrence Williams was in a nightly starting role, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 0.6 steals per game.
That's really all you need to say when you talk about his capabilities as an all-around player.
T-Will, like Ronnie Brewer and DeMar DeRozan, needs to bring his three-point shooting percentage up before being considered one of the elite guards in the league.
But any SG that can average seven rebounds and six assists a game has the potential to earn a lot of money in the NBA. (Ask Andre Iguodala.)
19. Rip Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
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2009-10 Stats: 40.9 FG%, 29.7 3FG%, 84.6 FT%, 0.9 3FG, 18.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG
For each of the past four years, Rip Hamilton's PER has dipped, from 18.23 in 2006-07 to 14.86 this past season. That's not a good sign. (An "average" player's PER is 15.)
It's not tough to see why it dropped so rapidly last season—Hamilton couldn't resist the temptation to become a chucker on a terrible team.
With the Pistons careening towards a 25-win season, Hamilton managed to get his typical 18 ppg, no matter how many shots it took.
The fact that Hamilton only played in 46 games last season didn't help his cause, either. In fact, Hamilton hasn't remained healthy for a full 82-game season once in the past four seasons.
All of these facts point to one logical conclusion: Old Man Hamilton is on the decline.
18. Caron Butler, Dallas Mavericks
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2009-10 Stats: 42.2 FG%, 26.3 3FG%, 87.7 FT%, 0.5 3FG, 16.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Back in the mid-2000s, Caron Butler teamed up with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison in Washington to make up the Wizards' Big Three (before the 07-08 Celtics really made the "Big Three" term popular).
Butler's been a consistent 16-20 ppg scorer ever since, and his career 6.0 RPG average separates him from most other shooting guards.
Granted, Butler's more of a small forward than a shooting guard, but with Shawn Marion also in the Mavericks' starting lineup, Butler's been pushed to the 2 spot.
While he's not the three-point shooter that most teams would like as their starting 2 guard (31.0 3FG% lifetime), Jason Terry and Roddy Beaubois add the long-range shooting off the bench to justify Butler's role in the starting lineup.
17. Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
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2009-10 Stats: 44.9 FG%, 37.1 3FG%, 74.2 FT%, 1.9 3FG, 16.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG. 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Eric Gordon could be the breakout SG star of the year after his Team USA performance in Turkey. Gordon started in training camp as a likely cut before the team left; he ended the tournament as Team USA's most trusted three-point specialist.
While Steph Curry, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook even struggled with the slightly shorter three-point range, Gordon was draining three-balls unconscionably for the Americans.
If Gordon can translate that degree of accuracy to the NBA, the Clippers will be hard-pressed not to make the playoffs this year, even in the always-crowded West.
Gordon's 37.1 3FG% from last year is nothing to sneeze at, but if he can boost that above 40%, while slightly boosting his overall stats, he'll end up much higher on this list later on in the season.
16. John Salmons, Milwaukee Bucks
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2009-10 Stats: 44.1 FG%, 38.2 3FG%, 83.0 FT%, 1.5 3FG, 15.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Salmons was one of the league's greatest post-All Star surprises after being traded to the Bucks last season, as he averaged nearly 20 ppg by giving Brandon Jennings the three-point threat he desperately needed.
This year, with Corey Maggette, Drew Gooden and Larry Sanders also in the Bucks' rotation, opposing defenses will only have more legitimate scoring options to cover.
If Salmons can keep knocking down three-balls like he did last season, it's no stretch to think he could average 20 ppg for the Bucks this season.
Maggette's one of the best players in the league at getting to the free throw line—that inside-outside game should free Salmons up for plenty of open long-range bombs.
Salmons won't wow you with anything besides his scoring, but this year, on this loaded Bucks team, that may be all he needs.
15. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
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2009-10 Stats: 41.1 FG%, 34.8 3FG%, 73.9 FT%, 2.0 3FG, 22.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
All the questions about Arenas' ability to mesh with No. 1 pick John Wall are entirely legitimate at this point.
With his injury faking stunt in the preseason, Arenas revealed one critical character flaw: He still just doesn't get it.
He's already suggested that he's simply biding his time as Wall's mentor before Washington trades him; however, he needs to actually obtain some trade value first.
The Wizards will certainly give Arenas the opportunity, as they plan on starting Arenas next to Wall in the backcourt this season.
Typically, having two guards that can handle the ball and control an offense is only considered a positive. However, if Arenas attempts to commandeer the offense in an attempt to return to his All-Star form, the Wizards and Arenas could be in for a long year.
14. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
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2009-10 Stats: 45.8 FG%, 25.5 3FG%, 74.8 FT%, 0.5 3FG, 20.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
After winning last year's Rookie of the Year, and becoming one of only four players in NBA history to average at least 20 ppg, 5 rpg and 5 apg in his rookie season, Tyreke Evans is off and running with his NBA career.
His three-point shooting left something to be desired last season, but that's about it. Evans handled the PG duties for the Kings and still managed to finish up as their most productive offensive player, by far.
This year, the Kings seem like they've finally figured out that Evans is better suited as a ball-handling shooting guard (think Brandon Roy or Dwyane Wade) than the team's actual point guard.
With Beno Udrih handling the duties at the point, Evans should be even freer to play his game this season. If he adds a reliable three-point shot? Watch out, NBA.
13. O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
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2009-10 Stats: 45.8 FG%, 38.3 3FG%, 80.9 FT%, 1.7 3FG, 17.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
O.J. Mayo represents a real leap of talent on this list—compared to the guys right below him, he's a world-beater. The SGs from here on out all will have a legitimate long-term spot on an NBA roster.
Mayo, the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NBA draft, has given the Grizzlies as much as they possibly could have asked for. He's a deadly three-point shooter, a more-than-capable scorer (especially for a guy with only two years of NBA experience), and he gets to the rim with ease.
The Grizzlies played around with the idea of moving the combo-guard to PG, but Mayo's at his best when he's able to focus on his ability to score.
With the Grizzlies making no major alterations to their roster since last year, expect more of the same from Mayo—and that's a good thing.
12. Stephen Jackson, Charlotte Bobcats
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2009-10 Stats: 42.3 FG%, 33.4 3FG%, 78.6 FT%, 1.6 3FG, 21.1 PTS, 5.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.5BPG
Stephen Jackson happens to be the only legitimate scoring threat the Charlotte Bobcats have—a fact that became painfully apparent as the Orlando Magic shut them out and swept them in the playoffs last season.
Captain Jack resurrected his career after complaining his way out of Golden State early last season, as the Bobcats were in desperate need of some offense and Jackson was happy to chuck up shots.
Last season, Jackson showed flashes of his 08-09 self—a year when he averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game—and one would figure his rebound and assist totals would only rise with a full offseason in Charlotte under his belt.
Charlotte still lacks any complementary help for Jackson besides Gerald Wallace, so he needs to get his 20 ppg for the Bobcats to stand a chance most nights.
11. Vince Carter, Orlando Magic
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2009-10 Stats: 42.8 FG%, 36.7 3FG%, 84.0 FT%, 1.6 3FG, 16.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
When the Magic brought in Vince Carter from Toronto last season, they believed they'd found the missing link to their championship puzzle, having just fallen short to the Lakers in the NBA Finals the previous season.
Instead, Carter never truly meshed with the Magic's offense, and the Magic couldn't even make it back to the NBA Finals after the Boston Celtics mowed them down in the Eastern Conference finals last season.
This year, Carter claims that he's got a better understanding of the offense, and more importantly, his role in it. He finally recognizes that the Magic brought him in to be Vinsanity, the high-flying, slam-dunking superstar that can take some defensive pressure off Dwight Howard.
If Carter truly does have a better grasp of the offense, and can revert to superstar form for one more season, the Magic will unquestionably have the firepower to keep playing basketball until June.
10. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
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2009-10 Stats: 47.7 FG%, 36.3 3FG%, 91.9 FT%, 1.8 3FG, 16.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
At 35 years old, Ray Allen has managed to somehow stay as consistent as ever, lurking as one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the league.
If you leave Allen open for three, it's as automatic as it's always been for him. One look at Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals (seven threes in the first half) says it all.
Allen's body won't allow him to keep driving inside for much longer, but as long as his picture-perfect three-point stroke stays true, he'll have a place in the league.
And with three fellow Hall-of-Fame teammates (plus Rajon Rondo, who could well be on his way), Allen doesn't need to do anything more than curl off screens and do what he does best: drain threes all night long.
9. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
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2009-10 Stats: 44.1 FG%, 37.7 3FG%, 87.0 FT% 1.8 3FG, 16.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
If there's one word you should use to describe Manu Ginobili, it's "tough."
As in, he broke his nose during a playoff game against Dallas this past year, popped it back into place, and jumped back out there after missing only 4 minutes and 59 seconds of gametime. As in, he can knock a flying bat from midair during a stoppage in play.
Kobe Bryant called him a "bad boy" in Kobe Doin' Work, and for good reason. Ginobili lays some of the hardest picks of any guard, and more often than not, manages to outplay his opponent in crucial moments in a game.
As part of the Spurs' 2000 dynasty, Ginobili's been well-trained as a stone-cold killer off the bench. Now, with Ginobili alongside Tony Parker in the starting lineup, the Argentinean could be in for another huge season as long as he stays healthy.
8. Jason Richardson, Phoenix Suns
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2009-10 Stats: 47.4 FG%, 39.3 3FG%, 73.9 FT%, 2.0 3FG, 15.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG
By the end of last season, the on-court chemistry between Jason Richardson and Steve Nash was palpable.
Richardson had adjusted to the "shoot if you're open!!!" mentality, and began draining threes at an unconscious rate.
With Amar'e Stoudemire now in New York, the Suns have an open void for a No. 1 scorer, and Richardson appears prime to step into that role.
Nash will continue running the show on offense, but Richardson will have the opportunity to take his game to the next level this year, given the hole Stoudemire left on offense.
7. Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets
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2009-10 Stats: 41.7 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 87.6 FT%, 1.6 3FG, 20.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG
When you think of Kevin Martin, the word "efficiency" typically comes to mind. During his time as the star SG of the Sacramento Kings, he averaged around 45 percent shooting from the field and a 20 PER.
His percentages dipped last season as he had to adjust to a new offense in Houston on the fly, but towards the end of the season, he and Aaron Brooks had developed true synergy in the backcourt.
Now, with the return of Yao Ming to the Rockets, Martin only figures to have more opportunities for wide-open scoring opportunities.
The trade of Trevor Ariza for Courtney Lee means that the Rockets will need more scoring out of their starting backcourt, and they'll likely expect Martin to step up as the No. 1 scoring option this season (closely supplanted by Brooks).
6. Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
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2009-10 Stats: 44.9 FG%, 33.8 3FG%, 75.3 FT%, 1.2 3FG, 25.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Monta Ellis has the reputation of being a bit of a chucker (then again, who doesn't in Golden State?), and his sub-45 percent field goal shooting from last season speaks largely to Ellis' penchant to jack up as many shots as possible.
Now that Ellis believes he and Stephen Curry can work in tandem, the sky's the limit for the Warriors' backcourt.
One look at Ellis the other night against the Lakers spoke largely to his potential this year—by halftime, Ellis had already scored 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting.
If Ellis learns to trust Curry in the backcourt, and Curry can deliver some pinpoint passes, Ellis' long-questioned shooting efficiency may finally be on the rise. If so, Ellis will take a huge step towards becoming one of the best shooting guards in the league.
5. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers
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2009-10 Stats: 44.3 FG%, 31.0 3FG%, 73.3 FT%, 1.1 3FG, 17.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Like Eric Gordon, Andre Iguodala's stock skyrocketed after his performance with Team USA at the FIBA World Championships, as Iggy established himself as the team's most fearsome lockdown defender.
On the Sixers, Iguodala's been forced to shoulder the offensive load ever since Philly traded away Allen Iverson—a role that many (including myself) argue he's not suited for.
Iguodala can't be a championship team's first banana, but as a No. 2 or a No. 3 option? Why not?
If Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday can take the reins of the Sixers offensively, Iguodala will be freed up to focus on defense, rebounding and passing over his scoring. Assuming Iggy goes through the same evolution Josh Smith did last season (read: less threes), his stock will only continue to rise this year.
4. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
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2009-10 Stats: 45.8 FG%, 36.9 3FG%, 81.8 FT%, 1.7 3FG, 21.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
The downside: Out of every NBA player who signed a contract this summer (including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant), Joe Johnson ended up signing the most lucrative deal of them all. He'll be 34 years old when the new deal expires.
The upside: This past year, his performance (almost) justified the max deal. Johnson was the star of the iso-Joe offense for the Hawks, and averaged Tyreke Evans-esque stats with an actual three-point shot to boot.
This season, with new coach Larry Drew, the Hawks are emphasizing this wild concept called "ball movement." There's no telling how it may work for them, or how profoundly it will impact Johnson's stats, but one would figure that Johnson only stands to benefit from the switch in offensive mentality.
Fact is, not many shooting guards in the league can average close to 20-5-5, and even fewer can shoot a three-pointer with the consistency that Johnson can.
3. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
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2009-10 Stats: 47.3 FG%, 33.0 3FG%, 78.0 FT%, 1.1 3FG, 21.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Before we get to the two title characters in the best shooting guard debate, we arrive at Brandon Roy, the Portland Trailblazers' star.
In 2008-09, Roy appeared on his way to superstardom, but injuries held him back this past season and slightly decreased his averages this past season.
If Roy's fully healthy, the rest of the NBA should be on notice. With the arsenal of weapons that the Blazers have—Rudy Fernandez, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden (when healthy), Wes Matthews and Nic Batum—defenses won't be able to constantly double-cover Roy, even if he merits it.
Assuming Roy can get back to full health this year, the gap between he and the Bryant/Wade duo may start shrinking again, as Roy's only entering his fifth year in the league.
2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
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2009-10 Stats: 47.6 FG%, 30.0 3FG%, 76.1 FT%, 0.9 3FG, 26.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG
When it comes down to it, Dwyane Wade may very well surpass Kobe Bryant as the league's best shooting guard, especially given the talent the Heat just added this summer, but Wade hasn't surpassed Bryant yet.
Five rings to one would be the typical Lakers fan's way to end the argument quickly, but the statistics in Bryant's favor run deeper than rings. Wade does have a career 1.7 apg advantage over Bryant, while also slightly edging Kobe in career steals and blocks per game.
In fact, Wade's career shooting percentage, 48.2 percent, is nearly 3 percent higher than Kobe's career average of 45.5 percent from the field.
Kobe's trump card over Wade, however, is three-point shooting: Bryant averages 34 percent from downtown lifetime, while Wade's only shooting 28.9 percent from three for his career.
Couple Bryant's large three-point shooting advantage with his penchant for knocking down game-winning and/or crucial, last-minute shots, and Wade can't surpass Kobe until he adds a couple more rings of his own.
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
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2009-10 Stats: 45.6 FG%, 32.9 3FG%, 81.1 FT%, 1.4 3FG, 27.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG
So, what beyond the five rings makes Kobe Bryant the best shooting guard in the NBA today?
For one, the Michael Jordan-esque killer instinct. Kobe isn't just satisfied beating your team—he wants to rip your heart out, embarrass you on national TV, and make you never want to play the Lakers again.
When his two adorable little daughters openly talk about how "Daddy doesn't smile during the NBA Finals," you know you've got a basketball assassin on your hands.
Then, throw in the aforementioned game-winning shots—Bryant had six in the regular season alone this past year—and you've got the perfect combination for the most feared shooting guard in all of the NBA.
Bryant's much like Michael Vick, in that you can diagram the perfect defense to stop him, and he can still outwork you and beat you. Those types of guys can deflate a defense's confidence in virtually no time, and once they do, they're coiled up, ready to strike.
You can repeat 6-of-24 until your head falls off, but fact is, the Lakers won the last two NBA championships, and Kobe Bryant's been the star player of those two teams. Until the Miami Heat and the Superfriends can dethrone Kobe and the Lakers, it's Kobe over D-Wade in my books.
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