Deron Williams and the 5 Best Point Guards in the NBA

Back in the 1990s, the NBA was filled with talented centers such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning.

Nowadays, there aren't many star centers other than Dwight Howard, as the league is jam-packed with top-notch point guards instead. The current group of floor generals include big name players like Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and many more.

Here's a look at the top five points guards in the game today. Feel free to comment on who you would choose for your list.   

5. Russell Westbrook

Dropping in at the No. 5 spot is the Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook.

Following last season's playoffs, the 2011 Western Conference All-Star was given the unpleasant "ball hog" label.

However, during the regular season, Westbrook averaged a not-so-ball-hoggish 8.2 assists per game and handed out a total of 670 assists (fourth best in the league).    

He also put up nearly 22 points per night and finished among the top five in steals with 155.

You can call him a ball hog all you want, but he's definitely one of the game's better point guards; just look at his stats.  

4. Rajon Rondo

Rondo is the ultimate quarterback.

No, he can't shoot the lights out like his Boston Celtics backcourt mate Ray Allen, but he passes the rock and defends like few others in the league can.

Rondo averaged 11.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 4.4 rebounds per game last season for the men in green.

He averaged just 10.6 points, but that's only because the Celtics have scorers like Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett on the roster.

Rondo led the league in steals in 2009-10 and then ranked fourth last season. Also, he's earned a spot on an NBA All-Defensive Team each of the last three seasons.    

3. Deron Williams

Last season, everybody knew Carmelo Anthony was going to be traded, but who saw the Deron Williams-to-New Jersey deal coming?  

Splitting time in Utah and Jersey, D-Will put up 20.1 points, 10.3 assists, four rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. It was the fourth straight season in which he reached a minimum of 18 ppg and 10 apg, which are truly fantastic numbers.

Barring any serious injuries, Williams should remain one of the league's top point guards for the next 10 years or so.

2. Chris Paul

Several people consider Paul the NBA's best current point guard, which makes sense.

The four-time All-Star floor general is the type of player who is capable of producing at least 20 points, 10 assists and 2.5 steals per game every year.

Paul, who can become a free agent next summer, will likely be traded from New Orleans in the near future to avoid a LeBron James-type of situation down in Louisiana.

Where will he go? Will he end up with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, or what about the New York Knicks to play alongside Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony? 

Wherever he goes, some lucky team will get its hands on a possible future Hall of Fame point guard.  

1. Derrick Rose

Rose was last season's MVP, and he's the best point guard in the league today.

The youngest MVP in NBA history led the Chicago Bulls to the league's top record in 2010-11, despite the injuries of key players Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer.

Rose averaged 25 points, 7.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and one steal per game, and made his second straight All-Star appearance.

He's one of the quickest and most athletic players in the game and has a chance to lead the Bulls to a title for the first time since Michael and Scottie was around.

With so many standout point guards around, can D-Rose continue to be the best?