(Someone other than Skip and Stephen A...)
March 5, 2012
Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith’s opinions sometimes grow tireless on the topic of NBA superstars, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, etc…The hot topic over the course of the past few months is that of point guards. The league is a ball handling league. Sick of another opinion on the NBA...? Well, here’s another one.
Criteria
The criteria for this list bear no weight on age or team (although I may emphasize it). It is right now, one season, to win an NBA Championship. Ability to pass, improve teammates, score the basketball, rebound on both ends of the court, leadership, ‘clutch’ gene and defensive abilities all factor themselves into discussion. Let’s get started.
6. Steve Nash
I know I said I would only rank the top 5, but I want to give Steve Nash his due credit. At 38 years of age, Nash is still a tremendous passer and play maker on the offensive end of the court. He is a dangerous shooter, great teammate and good leader. It’s too bad he’s never had the opportunity to win an NBA Championship (and won’t again in Phoenix), but I feel the only thing holding him back from the top 5 is the fact that he is a liability on the defensive end of the court. It would be fun to see him go to the Lakers at the deadline to make something happen, but anyways moving on….
5. Tony Parker
I feel as though Tony Parker gets consistently disrespected on these lists of point guards. Parker right now, has an aging Spurs team in contention once again in the Western Conference behind his 20 points and 8 assists per game. Amazingly, not yet 30 years old, he has already been in the league for 10 NBA seasons and is a noted champion, winning 3 rings in 2003, 2005 and 2007. We shall also not forget the fact that he was a Finals MVP in 2007. This year, he is playing at an extremely high level, having arguably one of the best seasons of his career. Known as one of the quickest players in the league, Parker plays pestering defense and is a potent scorer. He is proven as a leader. Watch out for him and the Spurs come May and June. Yes, June.
4. Derrick Rose
The former MVP sits at number 4. Although it may seem idiotic to place an MVP this low at his own position, a ranking this low is meant only because of the players I see above him. Rose is a talented scorer, an amazing athlete and very skilled finishing around the basket, but he still doesn’t remain quite the shooter that some of his contemporaries on this list. A ranking this low may end up causing me to eat my words, but I will take the 3 above Rose on this list to win a championship. Once thing I do love about Rose is that he is fearless at the end of basketball games. Clutch gene.3. Deron Williams
He has become almost irrelevant since moving to the Nets last season. In fact, without Stephen A. Smith’s loyal preaching for him every morning, we may have forgot he was even in the league - even though he goes for 20 a night. Now check last night (Sunday, March 4th), Williams posts 57 points and proves the type of impact player he can still be in this league. He has always been a threat as a scorer. In Utah, he was a playmaker with the ball and the ability to pass and make decisions - also being a great leader. He was a perennial playoff contender in Utah, before being shipped off. Soon enough, he’ll be in either Brooklyn, or another basketball mecca and we will again remember his relevance as a top guard in the league. Imagine him in Chicago with that cast of role players.
2. Rajon Rondo
His performance on Sunday was historic. We are used to seeing Rondo fly around the court, snagging loose ball rebounds and finding open shooters, but Sunday afternoon against the Knicks, he once again secured his place as one of the most complete point guards in the NBA. He posted a career-high 17 rebounds along with 18 points and 20 assists. He was only the 3rd player in NBA history to post a line like that (15-15-20). Rondo is quick, elusive and has proved himself as a swift decision maker. He won a title in Boston already in 2008 and has now become the heir-apparent leader of an aging Celtics team. He is the second best quarterback in New England (my apologies to the Patriots backup – Ryan Mallet?) With his improved jump shot and ever expanding repertoire, Rondo will be an anchor at the position for years to come. He is only 26….
1. Chris Paul
As much as I wanted to go elsewhere with my top guy at the one slot, Paul is indeed the best point guard in the league. He can score the ball at will (19.2 per game), is a strong defender (2x All-Defensive Team) and a tenacious leader. He wants the ball. He wants to win. Ever since his trade to LA, Paul has been the undisputed leader of a youthful Clippers organization. We saw what he was able to do in New Orleans with that supporting cast and it is exciting to think what he will accomplish in the next 5 years around other All-Star caliber players. Although he seems so much older (…to me at least…), he is the same age as Rajon Rondo. His accomplishments thus far are extensive, but the thoughts of what his future can bring are endless.
Troy Klongerbo aka TKCPIII
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