Point Guard Elite: Who's The NBA's Top Floor General?
There are a lot of opinions floating around nationally as to whom the best point guard is in the NBA today. Some say that there isn’t a clear-cut best, but rather preference of a floor leader you would choose in certain situations, like Kenny Smith. Everyone else will point to stats, track record, winning, or just flat out proclaim that one is better than the other.
So lets creative by taking a look at it from a little different perspective. I took who we thought is the best in the NBA today and coupled that with whom we would take if you were building a franchise around. I then ranked the players in each respective category and added them together to decide on the order. Like golf, the lowest score won to decide the order of who was ranked best. It’s bound to create debate and difference of opinion, which is welcomed, and hope you enjoy as SwishScout.com presents ‘Who’s The NBA’s Top Floor General?’
8. Raymond Felton
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Raymond Felton (NYK)
Key Stats (averages per game): 18.2 points, 9.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 3.5 turnovers, 2.6 A/T
He was always solid in Charlotte, but his game has gone to another level in NYC with Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense, which is why he’s in this discussion. Raymond has crossed the threshold into the upper tier of point guards in the league so far this season and is leading one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Felton is also on pace to set career highs in nearly every major statistical category.
NBA Rank Now: 8
Franchise Rank : 7
Overall PG Rank: 8 (15 total)
7. Steve Nash
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Steve Nash (PHX)
Key Stats(averages per game): 17.6 points, 10.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds, .6 steals, 3.6 turnovers, 2.8 A/T
If this was the Steve Nash of five years ago, he may very well be near the top of this list. By far the oldest player on this list at 36, and is last in ‘if you would build a franchise around him’ because of it. There’s no doubt Nash can still play at a high level and he is among the league’s elite. He has never been known as a great defender, but the two-time MVP is one of the all-time great playmakers and assist men.
NBA Rank Now: 6
Franchise Rank : 8
Overall PG Rank: 7 (14 total)
6. John Wall
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John Wall (WAS)
Key Stats(averages per game): 16.7 points, 8.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 3.5 turnovers, 2.5 A/T
If this were a dance contest, the list would start and end with him. A creative point guard with unbelievable speed and athleticism, and he’s even an innovator! Dance jokes aside, Wall is becoming a superb set up man for his teammates, and has no problem getting to the rack. However, it’s still very early in his career and too premature to declare that he belongs above anyone in front of him on this list. He’s not a proven winner yet who can lead a team on a run through the playoffs, which is why he doesn’t rank higher on the ‘franchise’ list. Given time and some better pieces with Washington, Wall could prove to belong amongst the best. It’s an accolade that only 15 games into his NBA career he’s already in the discussion.
NBA Rank Now: 7
Franchise Rank : 6
Overall PG Rank: 6 (13 total)
5. Russell Westbrook
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Russell Westbrook (OKC)
Key Stats(averages per game): 22.8 points, 8.3 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 4.1 turnovers, 2 A/T
For someone who didn’t play point guard until the NBA, Westbrook is a natural floor general. He’s a superb athlete who pushes the tempo as well as anyone in the league right now. One of the better rebounding guards in the league as well, and has a reputation for being a stellar defender. The combination of him, Durant, and the rest of the Thunder talent could prove a troublesome match up for many teams come Playoff time. Scary that he is still improving, but has a tendency to turn the ball over way too often, and does lead the NBA in total turnovers right now. Outstanding player who still has a ways to go before you can advance him up the list of the elite.
NBA Rank Now: 5
Franchise Rank : 5
Overall PG Rank: 5 (10 total)
4. Chris Paul
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Chris Paul (NO)
Key Stats(averages per game): 16.1 points, 9.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.5 turnovers, 3.9 A/T
Between 2007 and 2009, Paul was the best point guard in the league. He was averaging over 21 points, 11 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. The Hornets were winning during the regular season and had secured a 2nd seed in the playoffs, thanks to Paul’s amazing basketball IQ and consistent play. Ever since, his production has tapered due to injury, and the Hornets slumped without him. With Monty Williams as their first year head coach, things look to be back on track, and Paul is returning to star form. CP3 has already proven you can build a team around him and make the playoffs, but has yet to make a serious run in the postseason.
NBA Rank Now: 3
Franchise Rank : 4
Overall PG Rank: 4 (7 total)
3. Deron Williams
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Deron Williams (UTA)
Key Stats(averages per game): 22.4 points, 9.6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 3.2 turnovers, 3 A/T
Another player who wasn’t a true point guard until the league, but has become the poster child for exceptional game management. His sixth NBA season is proving to be the best so far, and he’s on track to score over 20 points for the first time in his career. Williams is the most solidly built player on the bunch, and is an ideal cross between scoring and distributing. The Jazz practically built the team around him, and he has in turn taken them to Western Conference Finals. Its unfortunate that they had to be on a collision course with the Lakers three years in a row, otherwise that number of appearances could be greater. Deron has been super consistent in the postseason, and Charles Barkley hasn’t been shy about expressing Williams as the best PG in the NBA currently.
NBA Rank Now: 4
Franchise Rank : 2
Overall PG Rank: 3 (6 total)
2. Rajon Rondo
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Rajon Rondo (BOS)
Key Stats(averages per game): 11.2 points, 13.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 4.2 turnovers, 3.3 A/T
The 21st overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft might be one of the biggest draft day steals in league history. Rondo has won a title as the facilitator of the ‘Big Three,’ and taken the Celtics to nearly another as part of ‘Rondo and the Big Three’ in the 2010 Playoffs. This season, Rondo is leading the league in assists with an astonishing 13.8 dimes a game. He is one of the most unselfish players you will find, and frequently opts to play make instead of score. Rondo’s still not a great perimeter shooter, and horrendous free throw, but at least his shooting is getting respectable. He has enormous hands, a curse for any player when it comes to being a shooter. His game with a consistent jumper would be incredible, but even without it, he can consistently takeover games.
NBA Rank Now: 1
Franchise Rank : 3
Overall PG Rank: 2 (5 total)
1. Derrick Rose
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Derrick Rose (CHI)
Key Stats(averages per game): 24.3 points, 8.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1 steal, 3.6 turnovers, 2.3 A/T
Rose is off to terrific start to the 2010-11 Season, and is among the top eight league leaders in both points and assists. He already has more 3-point makes early this year than his 1st two seasons combined. Rose has consistently improved year to year in every aspect of his game and is becoming a complete player. His athleticism is off the charts, he can take over a game with his scoring and creating, and knows how to win. The Bulls continue to look like a force year to year, and there are no doubts that Chicago is his city. The Bulls are playing exceptionally well thanks to Rose hot play, and even on a team of Westbrook and Rondo in the Olympics, Rose was the clear cut starter. If I’m starting a franchise, Rose is the player I build around because of his steady improvement, work ethic, ability to win, and natural talents on the court.
NBA Rank Now: 2
Franchise Rank : 1
Overall PG Rank: 1 (3 total)
