The Top 15 Points Guards in the NBA
I don’t know about you guys, but I love ranking things and making lists. My favorite thing to rank happens to be NBA players, so I figured I’d make an article series about it. I want to make lists of my top 15 players at every position, and finalize it into my top 50 players in the NBA right now. Obviously, as with all lists, everybody has their own opinion which they are entitled to. Therefore I encourage anyone reading this to tweet at me (@BannerTownJack) their opinions on my list, as well as their own opinions. However, please be respectful of everyone else’s opinions, as they are just that… opinions. I won’t be including players who do not show up on the ESPN, Basketball Reference, and/or NBA statistical websites because of injury or otherwise. (No Curry, KD, Kyrie, etc.) Also, players listed at different positions on different websites will have their position decided by me. That being said I won’t waste any more of your time, let’s get right into it starting with the point guards.
15. Dennis Schroder - Oklahoma City Thunder
Schroder has been a quietly good point guard ever since his final years in Atlanta. He’s continued his success in OKC, and even more impressively, done so coming off the bench. Averaging just under 20 points a game, Schroder has helped the Thunder fight their way into relevancy this season, and has some highlight plays to go along with it. His extremely efficient scoring output and ability to provide a spark off the bench elevate him into the top 15.
14 . Spencer Dinwiddie - Brooklyn Nets
Dinwiddie has played an important role on this year’s Nets team due to the absence of Kyrie Irving for the majority of it. Luckily for them, he’s stepped up in a big way, and in my opinion, had a case to make the All-Star team. Like Schroder, Dinwiddie is putting up around 20 points a night, while also contributing nearly 7 assists. Although he may not be participating in the Orlando restart, the Nets have reaped the benefits of the former G-Leaguer coming into his own this year.
13. Eric Bledsoe - Milwaukee Bucks
It was super close between Dinwiddie and Bledsoe for the 13th spot on the list, but what really pushed me to put Bledsoe ahead is his defense. The dude not only plays for the best defensive team in the league, but was All-Defensive First team last season, as well. Bledsoe’s no slouch on offense, either, it’s just that he doesn’t have to carry as much of the load in Milwaukee as he did in Phoenix. His combination of strength, driving, and defensive ability lands him at 13 on my list.
12. Malcolm Brogdon - Indiana Pacers
Early in the season, Brogdon seemed to be emerging as one of the leading “Most Improved Player” candidates. While he may have cooled off from his hot stretch, he’s still putting up great numbers on a Pacers team looking to compete in the playoffs. There was a long stretch where it seemed plausible that he would put up 20-10 type numbers with his assists. He may not have reached that peak, but 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists is still great. I don’t know if he’ll ever make an All-Star game in his career, but with his defense and playmaking ability, he definitely has the potential to.
11. De’Aaron Fox - Sacramento Kings
I really love Fox’s game. So much so that I originally had him a few spots higher on this list. I ended up bumping him down a few pegs due to the fact that he’s never actually gotten to the playoffs. While that may not be all his fault, it’s starting to get to the point in his career where a playoff push can be expected. Fox is a solid defender with insane speed. He can dish the ball with the best of them, and should be able to lead the Kings to the playoffs in the near future. The real question for me is will he end up a multi-time All-Star, or will he be the next Mike Conley? A great player, but just always on the cusp.
10. D’Angelo Russell
I think the debate between Fox and Russell is so close, but I give Russel the slight edge due to his innate scoring ability and the fact that he has been an All-Star on a playoff team before. While D’Angelo may never be a great defender, I think his offense is more than enough to launch him into the top 10 for this season. You can make the argument that his numbers are merely empty stats this season, and you’d probably be right. My thing is that he’s proved that he can be the guy on a playoff team, so to see him putting up 20+ points a game this year, shows me that he’s going to make more All-Star teams, and that the Wolves have a bright future ahead of them.
9. Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies
Maybe I’m ranking Morant a little high considering he’s only a rookie, but he has led his team to a potential playoff spot already. He has more upside than any point guard in this league, in my opinion, including Trae Young. What separates the two, although Young may be the better player as of now, is defense. Ja is set up to be a much better defender than Young, and has as much athleticism as anyone in the entire league. There are many All-Star games in his future, and the Grizzlies should be contending for a playoff spot for years to come.
8. Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray might be one of the most overlooked players in the league. The guy is the second leading scorer on one of the top teams in the Western Conference, averaging right around 19 points and 5 assists a game. In my opinion, he’s the guy the Nuggets should go to when they need a bucket in clutch time. Jokic may be their best player, but Murray’s handles are elite, so his ability to create his own shot is as well. I expect Murray to be a huge playoff performer for the Nuggets for years to come, especially after the massive payday he got.
7.Trae Young - Atlanta Hawks
It’s so hard to rank a guy who plays for a team that’s at the bottom of the conference. However, Trae Young’s numbers are so impressive, it’s really hard to rank him anywhere outside of the top 5… but I did. He almost averages a 30 point double double with assists, and is a top ball handler in the league on top of that. Trae’s quick, can shoot from anywhere, and is the closest thing we’ve since to Steph Curry, well, ever. The only issue is what I said at the beginning of this - his team is awful. Who knows if these are empty stats or not? (I don’t think they are.) All of the guys ahead of him on this list are on better teams, or have proved that they can win. However, there are many more All-Star games in his future, as well as many playoff appearances.
6. Chris Paul - Oklahoma City Thunder
Chris Paul proved this year that he is anything but a washed up player in the NBA. By taking a Thunder team that many thought would sit at the bottom of the Western Conference, and helping them blossom into a top 6 seed in the conference, he showed that he still has plenty of gas in the tank. We’ve always known him to be a great passer and defender, and nothing has changed this year. Paul has averaged around 18 points and 7 assists this season, while also racking up around a steal and a half a game. Paul’s contract may be huge, but so is his impact on the court.
5. Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors
I’ve never understood the people who think Lowry isn’t a solid NBA player. The guy may be undersized and look like he has a dad-bod, but boy can he play basketball. He’s a solid defender who contributes nearly 20 points and 8 assists to a team that is 2nd in the Eastern Conference. He’s been an All-Star for the past 6 seasons, and contributed to Raptors teams that have been to every round of the playoffs, capping it all off with an NBA championship last season. At this point he’s not overrated, he’s underrated.
4. Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers
Being a Boston fan, it’s in my blood to hate the 76ers, but it’s really hard for me not to see the talent Ben Simmons has. He may not be able to shoot… at all, but he may very well be the best defensive guard in the NBA. Marcus Smart and Eric Bledsoe are up there, but it’s hard to argue against a 6 foot 10 inch behemoth on the defensive end. Especially one who’s as quick as Simmons. Not only is Simmons an elite defender, but he can drive to the hoop as well as anyone in the NBA. I’m a firm believer that if you put Simmons in the same situation as Giannis with that Bucks team around him, they would still be the best team in the league, and Simmons would put up MVP caliber numbers. Simmons is elite.
3. Kemba Walker - Boston Celtics
Call me a homer all you want, but Kemba Walker has been a starter in the past two All-Star games. How do you argue against that? He’s averaging 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds a game on a Celtics team with two other players putting up 20 points a night. This is the first time Kemba’s been on a truly contending basketball team, and he’s proving that he can be one of the key guys on a team like that. We always knew that Kemba was a good NBA player, but can he prove that he’s a great one and deserves to be even higher on this list than number 3? We shall see.
2. Russell Westbrook - Houston Rockets
Russell Westbrook is a beast. I don’t care if you like him, if you like the Rockets, or if you think he stat pads, there is no arguing that he is a beast. The Rockets getting rid of their center who clogged the paint may have been the best thing to ever happen to Russell Westbrook. Do I think that Houston should still have a center, yes, but they should have one that can stretch the floor and open up driving lanes for Russ. He’s never gotten the opportunity to play with a guy like that. Similar to the Giannis/Ben Simmons situation, if you put a team of shooters around Westbrook, it will translate into wins.
1. Damian Lillard - Portland Trailblazers
Damian Lillard is the best point guard in the NBA for a variety of reasons. First of all I am a firm believer that the Blazers’ struggles this season have not been his fault in the slightest. The team has had numerous injuries that have derailed their season from the beginning. Second of all they still have a chance at making the playoffs, meaning Lillard would be averaging 29 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds for a playoff team. Lastly, Lillard has proved that he can perform in the big moments. I would argue he’s one of, if not the clutchest player in the league. When you remove the greatness of Stephen Curry, the cover athlete for NBA 2K21 is the best point guard in the league.
