Top NBA Point Guards

I have heard this debate countless times since the NBA season began and the question is an intriguing one to think about: Who is the best point guard in the NBA? With so many talented point guards in this league, many find it hard to decide who is the best. I have come up with my top NBA point guards as food for thought and perhaps more fuel for debate.

5) Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Chris Paul drives the lane against Miami on Monday night.
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(Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chris Paul has had one of the most well-rounded games at the point guard position since he has entered the league. He was drafted in 2005 out of Wake Forest and has started every game he has played in since coming into the NBA. What makes Chris Paul a great point guard is his leadership. The Hornets were a below-average team when Paul came in and right away he had to take charge of the team. In his rookie season, Paul averaged 16.1 points along with 7.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game. His achievements won him the Rookie of the Year award for the 2005-2006 season. Since his rookie year, Paul has not let up as he has become a much better shooter, increasing his field goal percentage by about six percentage points over his five seasons in the league. In this Paul's sixth year, he has managed to get the entire team performing at a high level this season as they are now in seventh place in the Western Conference at 14-10. This year, Chris Paul is among the top ten point guards in scoring, top five in assists, and leads in steals. Paul's all-around solid play on offense scoring points and dropping dimes along with his defensive prowess garnering pilfers makes him an easy pick for a top five NBA point guard.

4) Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook fires a pass over Minnesota's
Sebastian Telfair. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

This only being his third year in the league, many people would find it difficult to list Russell Westbrook above Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo in a top point guards competition. However, I think that the 2010-2011 season will be the season that locks this guy in as a prime-time performer in the NBA. The thing that really sets him apart from other point guards in the league is his athleticism. Westbrook is a player that is a game-changer. He is a dynamic scorer that can also rack up assists and steals. Another advantage Westbrook has over other point guards is his rebounding ability. This year he leads the league in rebounds among point guards and in his short two-year career Westbrook has averaged nearly five rebounds to go along with 16 points, a couple of steals, and about seven assists. His rebounding ability and incredible elevation is something that puts him above Paul in my book. In the few years since the Seattle Sonics underwent a move and a name change, the Thunder have become one of the teams to beat in the West as this year they are fifth in the conference at 17-8. Westbrook along with Kevin Durant have got the Thunder looking thunderous indeed and Russ's play at point guard is a huge factor in their success over the past few years and that is why he makes my top five.

3) Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose drives on Pacers' guard TJ Ford.
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(Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images)

Derrick Rose may be ranked at number three right now, but he is a player on the rise on a team on the rise. Right now, not even the sky is limiting Rose as he is already an elite player in this league in only his third year. His stats don't jump too far away from Westbrook's, but watching Rose play you can tell what a terrific leader this guy is. Rose has the leadership of Paul and the skill set of Westbrook (just a little more skilled, in my opinion). Another thing that Rose has on Westbrook is the fact that he doesn't have Kevin Durant on his team. No offense to the Bulls, but they don't have a player that comes close to the talent of Durant. Rose is clearly the leader of his team, whereas Durant is the clear leader of the Thunder, not Westbrook. Rose has greatly improved his three-point percentage (up nearly 16 percentage points from last year) and has led his team to a 15-8 record so far this season, third in the Eastern Conference. Rose also leads all point guards in scoring at 24.7 points per game to go along with 8.3 assists per game. Derrick Rose is an obvious MVP candidate early in the season and the Bulls are looking to make a big impact in the playoffs this season as well, putting Rose in my top three.

2) Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

Deron Williams goes up and around the Warriors'
Dan Gadzuric. Mandatory Copyright Notice:
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(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

This is where the job of ranking the top point guards gets tough (not that it was easy before). A top five gives me a little leeway and allow some room for interpretation, but when as we enter into the top two there is little room for error. The next two point guards are as close to being tied as can possibly be, but just for the sake of argument I have to go with a hard ranking system. Deron Williams is one of the most talented players in this league. The way he runs the Utah Jazz down the floor is amazing to watch. Williams is consistently one of the best shooters in the league with a career field goal percentage of almost 47 percent. "D-Will" has averaged a double-double for the past three years of his career and is a few assists away from having that this year as well. His scoring average is up by more than four points this season and is third among point guards. Williams' free throw percentage is up by 16 points since his rookie year as he is now shooting 86 percent this season. In all of the major stat categories (points, assists, and rebounds) Williams has improved each year. Now with the additions of center Al Jefferson and forward Gordon Hayward the Jazz are looking to make a playoff run as they are 18-8 and sitting in fourth in the West. The point guard play and leadership of Deron Williams may be the biggest reason why the Jazz are playing so well. He's easily in the top two point guards in the NBA.

1) Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash fires a pass against the Blazers' Andre Miller.
(AP Photo/Matt York)

There are only a few things that put Steve Nash apart from Deron Williams. Both are terrific scorers, insane passers, and all-around incredible point guards. However, Nash is one of the best shooters the NBA has ever seen and, in my opinion, the best passer in NBA history. When playing the popular video game NBA 2K11 by 2K Sports, the analysts talk about Nash's history playing soccer and that when he was allowed to use his hands to make passes in basketball it was just unfair. I think the one thing that makes Nash different as a passer (other than his soccer skills) is the fact that Nash isn't afraid to turn the ball over. He takes big risks taking passes and a lot of the time it pays off. He makes the passes that other point guards are afraid to make. Nash is currently in second place in the league for assists averaging ten a game. He's having one of his best scoring seasons of his career at 36 years old. Age is another thing that sets Nash apart from other point guards in the league. Among my top five, Nash is at least ten years older than the other four. Nash is sixth in scoring and second in assists among point guards at 36! I think that is the main reason why I chose Nash over all other point guards is because he is an elite point guard with a below-average team and he is a decade or more older than the competition. Steve Nash should easily be a first-ballot hall-of-famer. All he's missing is a ring. With how he is playing, I don't think age will limit his chances at getting one. Though it was tough, I think Steve Nash is very deserving of the title of best point guard in the NBA.

There you have it. Among all of the talented young point guards in the NBA, the old warrior Steve Nash is the one that emerges as the best on my list. This NBA season has been one to remember so far and the best part is: we're just getting started.

p.s. Good luck to my Ohio Bobcats today on the basketball court and on Saturday on the football field.

p.p.s. For more senseless babble, follow me on Twitter @Bradley_W_Parks.