Chris Paul and the 10 Best Point Guards in the NBA Right Now

Point guard has become an increasingly imperative position to build a team around.

Three of the last five first overall draft picks were point guards. During the 2009 draft, eight of the first 20 picks were point guards—David Kahn drafted three point guards and then traded the best point guard of the three (Ty Lawson). 

Here's the NBA's 10 best point guards right now. 

Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)

Jason Kidd grafted for 17 long years and was set to join the illustrious yet unfortunate likes of Elgin Baylor, Pete Maravich, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and John Stockton—Hall of Famers with no rings.

Up until he started showing the clutch gene, something devoid in the make of LeBron James.

Kidd demonstrated that a high basketball IQ coupled with taking care of the ball can cheat a deteriorating body. 

What I find more fascinating about Kidd, aside from his awkward love triangle with Jim Jackson and Toni Braxton, was he used to shoot bricks.

There was a reason they used to call him Ason Kidd: because he had no J. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
7.9	.361	8.2	3.66	.340	.870	1.7

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

For a while, Stephen Curry was threatening José Calderón's 2008-09 FT% record, but he fell short.

I recall when Curry was coming out of Davidson College and the word "bust" was emanating out of several basketball aficionados. 

Boy, were they wrong. 

Defense is an issue and something he needs to work on if he wants to transition into an elite point guard. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
18.6	.480	5.8	1.91	.442	.934	1.5

John Wall (Washington Wizards)

For a rookie, John Wall was so promising that you could turn a blind eye to his propensity to turn the ball over.

He is just a rookie.

If he plays like this in his rookie season, what type of player will he be in several seasons' time? 

He's one of the most explosive players in the league. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
16.4	.409	8.3	2.20	.296	.766	1.8

Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)

Tony Parker may have lost Eva Longoria, but he hasn't lost his touch (yet). 

Parker was a main reason why the San Antonio Spurs won 61 times during the regular season. 

For a guy who isn't a solid shooter, he still finds creative ways of getting to the basket and finishing. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
17.5	.519	6.6	2.57	.357	.769	1.2

Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns)

In a league increasingly filled with combo guards and shooting guards playing at point guard, it's refreshing to see Steve Nash play. 

His court vision is second to none. His ability to create, even to Marcin Gortat, is something that needs to be appreciated. 

With his skills declining, I wonder if he would play for next-to-nothing and take his talents to South Beach to help the three kings win not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven—okay, maybe just one ring. 

Too bad the Miami Heat can't afford him, so they'll have to make do. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
14.7	.492	11.4	3.23	.395	.912	0.6

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Well, you'd think Russell Westbrook can only improve—as opposed to deteriorate. 

Second only to Derrick Rose as having the best driving game of "point guards."

Nonetheless, why did he insist on being the alpha male when he had Kevin Durant?

Pass the ball to Durant. 

He's there to make you look better. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
21.9	.442	8.2	2.12	.330	.842	1.9

Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)

Shaquille O'Neal believed President Barack Obama's dig at Rajon Rondo shooting ineptitude further shattered the point guard's shooting confidence. 

So therein lies the issue. 

If only Rondo could shoot. 

I've always wondered how effective Rondo would be if he was dishing passes out to J.J. Hickson, Ryan Hollins and Anthony Parker as opposed to three future Hall of Famers at the Boston Celtics. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
10.6	.475	11.2	3.25	.233	.568	2.3

Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets)

Deron Williams is a bison at point guard compared to the rest of the point guards in the league.

So strong and explosive, he has become the face of the New Jersey Nets and Mikhail Prokhorov is guilt-tripping Williams into staying long-term. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
20.1	.475	10.3	2.90	.331	.844	1.2

Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)

There is something special about Derrick Rose. Hence, he was voted the MVP. 

Yet, I find it curious that he was given the MVP even though he isn't the best player at point guard. 

When you talk about point guard, we're talking about creating for your teammates as opposed to shooting them out of the Eastern Conference Finals.

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
25.0	.445	7.7	2.24	.332	.858	1.0

Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets for Now...)

Did anyone watch Chris Paul in the postseason against the Los Angeles Lakers?

Yet some people think he is inferior to Derrick Rose at point guard? 

Paul defines a franchise point guard—an elite shooter, an elite passer and a tenacious ball winner. 

There is no question that he is the best point guard in the league. 

Remember, he's playing at this level even after what seemed like a career-debilitating knee injury. 

That being said, if I was Mitch Kupchak, I'd take Dwight Howard over Paul in a heart beat. 

PPG	FG%	APG	AST/TO	3P%	FT%	SPG
15.8	.463	9.8	4.42	.388	.878	2.4

Your Opinion

Comment below with your top 10 point guards. 

Who is the best point guard in the league?