Top Point Guards in the NBA
Before I delve into my prediction for Game 3, I wanted to respond to a question from my cousin. He apparently is a fan of Chauncey Billups, and called me out for questioning Chauncey’s clearly undeserved nickname. I still say that Chauncey does not deserve the name ‘Mr. Big Shot’ and his postseason play this year helped solidify my position. Well, my cousin dared me to come up with a list of the top-5 point guards in the NBA RIGHT NOW. However, instead of creating my own list of five players, I thought I would provide some key statistics for several quality point guards in the NBA and let some of the readers offer their opinions.
Just note that I did not include players like Gilbert Arenas, Brandon Roy, or Jason Terry because they are combo guards, and not true point guards. I only considered players that start at point guard and run at the point guard position only. Below you can see the statistics, and they are ranked according to their overal team record, which is an extremely important factor for me.
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RECORD |
GAMES |
PPG |
FG% |
3% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
TO PG |
A/TO |
EFF |
|
Steve Nash |
Suns |
61-21 |
76 |
18.6 |
53.2 |
45.5 |
90.0 |
3.5 |
11.6 |
0.8 |
3.8 |
3.08 |
24.50 |
|
Tony Parker |
Spurs |
58-24 |
77 |
18.6 |
52.0 |
39.5 |
78.0 |
3.2 |
5.5 |
1.1 |
2.5 |
2.20 |
18.10 |
|
Chauncey Billups |
Pistons |
53-29 |
70 |
17.0 |
42.7 |
34.5 |
88.0 |
3.4 |
7.2 |
1.3 |
2.0 |
3.59 |
19.60 |
|
Deron Williams |
Jazz |
51-31 |
80 |
16.2 |
45.6 |
32.2 |
76.7 |
3.3 |
9.3 |
1.0 |
3.1 |
3.03 |
18.70 |
|
Kirk Hinrich |
Bulls |
49-33 |
80 |
16.6 |
44.8 |
41.5 |
83.5 |
3.4 |
6.2 |
1.3 |
2.4 |
2.62 |
17.50 |
|
T.J. Ford |
Raptors |
47-35 |
75 |
14.0 |
43.6 |
30.4 |
81.9 |
3.1 |
7.9 |
1.4 |
3.1 |
2.58 |
15.92 |
|
Baron Davis |
Warriors |
42-40 |
63 |
20.1 |
43.9 |
30.4 |
74.5 |
4.4 |
8.1 |
2.1 |
3.1 |
2.64 |
21.40 |
|
Jason Kidd |
Nets |
41-41 |
80 |
13.0 |
40.6 |
34.3 |
78.0 |
8.2 |
9.2 |
1.6 |
2.7 |
3.46 |
22.24 |
|
Chris Paul |
Hornets |
39-43 |
64 |
17.2 |
43.7 |
35.0 |
82.0 |
4.4 |
8.9 |
1.8 |
2.5 |
3.53 |
21.22 |
|
Andre Miller |
76ers |
35-47 |
57 |
13.4 |
46.7 |
14.3 |
78.4 |
4.4 |
7.8 |
1.4 |
2.8 |
2.74 |
17.55 |
|
Mike Bibby |
Kings |
33-49 |
82 |
17.1 |
40.0 |
36.0 |
83.0 |
3.2 |
4.7 |
1.1 |
2.4 |
1.97 |
14.60 |
|
Stephon Marbury |
Knicks |
33-49 |
74 |
16.4 |
41.5 |
35.7 |
76.9 |
2.9 |
5.4 |
1.0 |
2.4 |
2.25 |
14.62 |
|
Mo Williams |
Bucks |
28-54 |
68 |
17.3 |
44.6 |
34.6 |
85.5 |
4.8 |
6.1 |
1.3 |
3.0 |
2.06 |
17.63 |
Based on all the evidence above, I would have to rank the NBA’s elite point guards in this order:
1. Steve Nash
2. Jason Kidd (still the best all-around point guard in the league)
3. Chris Paul (his team was decimated by injuries and his 3.53 assist-turnover ratio was second only to Chauncey Billups)
4. Tony Parker (soon to move up after he wins his third title at the age of 25)
5. Baron Davis (would be the best point guard in the league if he could stay healthy)
6. Deron Williams
7. Chauncey Billups (astounding assist-turnover ratio, but for a shooter, he shooting percentage stinks)
8. Kirk Hinrich (his weakness, shooting, is improving every year which would easily bump him up the list)
9. T.J. Ford (not bad for a guy who was nearly paralyzed)
10. Mo Williams (can he be this good after a fat contract, read Mike James)
11. Mike Bibby (that contract looks pretty bad right now)
12. Andre Miller (can’t shoot)
13. Starbury (and he might get bumped real soon by Rafer Alston or Jameer Nelson)
There were two statistics that completely blew me away. The first was the fact that Mike Bibby played the entire season. I thought for sure he would have missed his typical 15 games. The second stat was Andre miller’s three point percentage. I knew he was not a good shooter, but even Jason Kidd hit 34% of his threes. So, Andre Miller is completely incapable of knocking down the three ball. He does provide us with a little something extra. Take a look at the following photo.
That hair should count for something, don’t you think?
Hopefully, Shawn Livingston will return from his horrific knee injury and I will be able add him to this list next season.
