The 2015-16 NBA season should be a fantastic one. Last season was incredible, and this season will be just like it but with new exciting rookies and star players like Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Chris Bosh (hopefully) returning to full health. Heading into the season, I’m going to rank the top 5 players by position, doing a position each week. Week one, point guards
Top 5 Point Guards in the NBA
1. Chris Paul
Stats Last Season: 19.1 points, 10.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .485/.398/.900
Sorry Steph Curry, Chris Paul is still the best in the business. I do expect Curry to eclipse Paul sometime in the next couple of years, or as early as this season. CP3 is no youngster at age 30, and Curry is taking the league by storm. Right now however, Chris Paul is a more complete player than Curry, or any other point guard in the league. He’s a spectacular all around the board — whether it be shooting, playmaking, or defending. Chris Paul just does it all(rhyme not intended).
2. Stephen Curry
Stats Last Season: 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .487/.443/.914
Yes, Curry is second on this list. He’s just a hair away from being first. I give Paul the slight edge because he’s more well-rounded, but truth be told we’ve never seen a player like Curry before. He’s is arguably the best shooter of all time, and he’s only 27-years-old. He can get shots off in a manner that nobody has ever done. He’s also developed into a good playmaker and a solid defender.
3. Russell Westbrook
Stats Last Season: 28.1 points, 8.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .426/.299/.835
I could also see Russell Westbrook establishing himself as the top point guard within the next couple of years. Like Curry, we’ve never seen a player like him: his blend of size, strength, speed, and athleticism sets him apart. He’s a triple-double machine, and is also a great defender. He’s coming off of an injury-plagued season, but when he was healthy he was utterly dominant, racking up triple doubles. He’s not up there with Curry or Paul when it comes to shooting, but he’ll hit the occasional three-ball, and his midrange J isn’t half bad.
4. John Wall
Stats Last Season: 17.6 points, 10.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .445/.300/.789
John Wall has developed into a truly elite player. He’s arguably the fastest player in the NBA, and now that he’s developed a serviceable jump shot, defenders can’t sag off of him. Wall is also excellent defensively on the perimeter, and at 6’4″ he has good size for a point guard. He’s the leader of a Wizard franchise with a very bright future.
5. Damian Lillard
Stats Last Season: 21.0 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Shooting Percentages Last Season: .434/.343/.861
Now that LaMarcus Aldridge is gone, Damian Lillard is officially the top dog on the Trail Blazers. He’s the only remaining member of last year’s Portland starting 5, so I’d expect him to put up great numbers next year seeing that he has less talent to share the ball with. Expect the Blazers to be much worse next season, but Lillard should thrive. His long-range shooting dipped last season, but he’s still an excellent scorer and a good playmaker. Also, he’s only 25-years-old.
