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 two, shooting guards. NOTE: The omission of Kobe Bryant was intentional. He may find a spot in the top 5, but he has to prove he’s still got it first.
Top 5 Shooting Guards in the NBA
1. James Harden
Stats Last Season: 27.4 points, 7.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .440/.375/.868
Remember when this used to be a debate? 2 years ago, if you said that James Harden was the best shooting guard in the NBA, Dwyane Wade fans would have come flocking to argue. Now it’s just common knowledge. Harden is among the best scorers in the league. He’s as unstoppable on offense as anyone else in the league due to his ability to get to the rim at will and nearly always finish and/or get fouled. He’s also a great shooter, and is known for those step-back jumpers.
2. Klay Thompson
Stats Last Season: 21.7 points, 2.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .463/.439/.879
He may be the Robin to Steph Curry’s Batman, but Klay Thompson is one of the best young stars in the league. His shooting percentage from downtown is off the charts, and he’s more than just a long-range threat. Thompson has developed into a terrific finisher around the rim, and is automatic from the mid-range. He’s also a very capable defender.
3. Jimmy Butler
Stats Last Season: 20.0 points, 3.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .462/.378/.834
Step aside Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls are Jimmy Butler’s team. In 2013-14 Butler established himself as a truly elite defender, and in 2014-15 he developed into an elite offensive player as well. Who knows what sort of leap he’ll make in 2015-16? He’s only been in the NBA for 4 years, but Butler has already taken huge strides towards superstar status. A true two-way star, he’s incredibly well-rounded.
4. Dwyane Wade
Stats Last Season: 21.5 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .470/.284/.768
Two Marquette guys in a row. Dwyane Wade will be with the Heat for at least one more season. Wade is right up there with Thompson and Butler when he plays, but he falls below them on this list since he played just 1,972 minutes last season. In comparison, Thompson played 2,456 and Harden played 2,981. Jimmy Butler played 2,516 despite appearing in just 65 games; three games more than Wade. At age 33, Wade will give you superstar-level play, but only for 60 games or so.
5. Monta Ellis
Stats Last Season: 18.9 points, 4.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals
Shooting percentages last season: .445/.285/.752
There’s a pretty significant drop off in skill from the top 4 to the rest of the 2-guards in the league. Monta Ellis has never made an All-Star game despite once averaging 25.5 points per game. Why? He’s a great scorer, but he doesn’t do his scoring too efficiently. Monta’s a chucker, and he struggles to get along with whoever he shares the backcourt with(Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, Rajon Rondo). That being said, I believe that Monta will thrive in Indiana. Ellis has always played alongside ball-dominant point guards, and he’s had trouble sharing the ball. That’s why the Pacers are a perfect fit. George Hill operates best off the ball, so Monta will be the primary playmaker. That’s his ideal role, and he’s finally getting it.
For our Top 5 Point Guards list, click here.
Next time: Top 5 Small Forwards
