The NBA off-season hasn’t ended yet, but everyday in my DM’s I get asked to compare point guards. While this list may change after the pre-season, I’m going to rank the top 10 point guards for the 2018-2019′ NBA season, based on past performances and how I predict they’ll perform next season. This list includes players who are predominantly listed at the point guard position at most times. That excludes combo guards like James Harden and Jrue Holiday. You can read last year’s list here as well.
1. Steph Curry- Golden State Warriors
As you all know, Russell Westbrook is one of my favorite players in the NBA and I am not a fan of the Golden State Warriors. However, Steph’s brilliance with the basketball is on constant display every single time he touches the basketball court. Whether it’s making a pass with his left hand, handling the basketball, finishing at the rim, or shooting the basketball from deep, Curry is as good as any of them in NBA history. You may be wondering what separates him from the crowd? One thing the average fan does not pay attention to his how well Curry moves without the basketball. There are many players who are non-factors without the basketball; Curry is not one of them. He impacts the games in so many ways with or without the ball on the offensive end, and plays his role in a ‘team defense’ scheme which was originally enforced by Mark Jackson.
2. Russell Westbrook- Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook brings a unique blend of talent and athleticism to today’s NBA, which allows him to dominate in multiple ways. Russ is revered by non-Thunder fans around the league due to his commitment to playing hard night-in and night-out. Many haters accuse him of ‘stats-padding’, those people are stupid. His triple-double nights, more often than not, come with wins. I’ve also never heard any of his teammates say anything bad about Russ. His shot selection may be a necessary evil, but it’s also the main reason why he isn’t no.1 on my list.
3. Chris Paul- Houston Rockets
We already knew what Mike D’Antoni could do for skilled point guards. However, we did not know if he’d find a way to bring the most out of CP3 while playing next to another ball dominant star. However, Paul proved that he can pivot on the dime once again with a new coach and a new system. Much like Curry, CP3 moves well without the ball as well, which allows him to impact the game in more ways than one. Unlike Curry and Westbrook, he is a good individual on-ball defender. Unfortunately, his size and health is what keeps him out of big games and my top two spot.
4. Damian Lillard- Portland Trailblazers
The middle of the pact is where it starts to get difficult to project. However, I’m standing firm with Damian Lillard in my top 5. Leading the Trailblazers to the 3rd seed in the Western Conference was no easy task. Lillard also proved time, and time again, that he is the most clutch player in the NBA with multiple clutch performances throughout the year. Yes, the Pelicans were a bad match up for him. However, he wouldn’t be the first star player to get embarrassed and learn from it.
5. John Wall- Washington Wizards
As a Celtics fan, it does pain me to lift a player whose game I really dislike over our star point guard. However, I have high expectations for John Wall. John is already one of the most skilled players in the game. He is also one of the best two way players in the game. However, his health and team chemistry issues have been the biggest set backs to Wall’s success with the Wizards. I’ve seen footage of him working out with David Alexander, who had Julius Randle and Victor Oladipo in superb shape last season. The Wizards have also traded away a player Wall did not seem to get along with in Gortat. Looking at Wall to have a bounce back year with the Wizards.
6. Kyrie Irving- Boston Celtics
James Harden is the best isolation offensive player in the NBA, and iso-ball still isn’t as good as team ball as made evident by Wardell’s oldest son in Golden State. I got on Thomas’s case for it, and I’m getting on Irving’s case for it. Irving could be the no.1 slot on this list from a talent perspective. In addition to that, Brad Steven’s system has Irving player better than he ever has on a consistent basis. My one worry for Irving, among a list of elite guards, is taking over games and trying to do a little too much, too often.
7. Ben Simmons- Philadelphia 76ers
To be honest, if he just does what he did last year plus like, 4 three pointers, he’ll be 7th at worse. I don’t even need them to be made three pointers, just attempt them. Honestly, if he just pump fakes from the three point line, I’ll count it at this point.
8. Jamaal Murray- Denver Nuggets
If I had to make an early pick for the NBA’s “Most Improved Player” award, I’d pick Jamaal Murray. Murray showed flashes of being an absolute “dog” on national television last season. As a League Pass subscriber, I was already aware of what Murraw was capable of. He’s confident, talented, athletic, and clutch. He can score from multiple positions and I believe that playing off of Nikola Jokic will only make his life that much easier. To all to all that, I really hope that he can learn a thing or two from newly acquired guard, Isaiah Thomas.
9. Kyle Lowry- Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry’s statistics are not often an indication of the value he brings to the Toronto Raptors. Many “analysts” said Lowry had a down year; I disagree. Lowry’s leadership helps keep the Raptors locked in on both ends of the court. While he may have repeatedly fallen short to King James, that doesn’t take away from what he has been able to achieve as the star point guard for the Raptors for several seasons now. As long as his morale is intact, Lowry should continue to have an all-start worthy impact on the Raptors’ success.
10. Dejounte Murray- San Antonio Spurs
No offense to Michael Conley Jr. and Goran Dragic fans. Yes offense to Kemba Walker and Eric Bledsoe fans. The point guard is supposed to be the floor general, an extension of the head coach. Murray is the definition of that, on both ends of the court. He brings above average individual defense to a developing offensive game, within a brilliant Gregg Popovich system. With Parker passing the torch to Murray, and the addition of DeRozan, I fully expect Murray to take that next step in his development as one of the best point guards in the game.
Point guards like Rondo, Conley Jr., Dragic and maybe even Ball could have arguments to be made to be a part of this list. Walker and Bledsoe do not until they start to impact winning.
Care to argue? Tweet me via @tprx11
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