As of April 2015 the shooting guard position isn’t what is used to be in years past. With the emergence of score first point guards and combo guards, we’ve slowly began to divert our attention away from the 2 spot position. With superstar 2 guards like Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade slowly but surely aging in front of our eyes it’s time we look to future of the two guard spot, and see who are our next top dogs for the years to come.
On top of that, can you think of a better time to evaluate players than during the NBA Playoffs? If you can, oh well, here are my picks for top five shooting guards in the NBA.
Right outside the top 5: DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Victor Oladipo.
5. Monta Ellis
I went back and forth between Ellis and DeMar DeRozan for a while. If you made this list at the beginning of the season or anytime during the 2013-2014 season, DeRozan could have easily been #3 or #4 on a lot of lists. However times change, DeRozan will most likely recapture his spot as a top five two guard next season. He is only 25 with lots of upside but at this time Ellis is just the better choice. He’s always been a pretty underrated and underappreciated player throughout his career. Ellis has been the best player on the Mavericks all year. He’s hit the 30-point scoring threshold 10 times this season and even the other day against the Rockets. He was their primary option on offense back before the Rondo trade then fiasco and afterwards. Although his numbers dropped in the second half of the season, Ellis did enough to help Dallas secure that seventh seed in the dogfight out west. Did I mention he’s one of the best finishers off the drive?
4. Dwyane Wade
Wade proved why he is still such a dominant force late in the season when the Heat was pushing for that playoff spot. He still can take over a game at will (something only a handful players can do) it’s just the thing with Wade is you don’t know if he’s going to suit up for you. When he does though you arguably get the best two-way player in the game as well as the seasoned veteran that has been put in plenty of situations. He played eight more games than he did last season and averaged 21.5 PPG. His highest mark since the 2011-2012 season while playing a career low in minutes. His percentage fell but that’s bound to happen if LeBron leaves your squad. He’s one of the better rebounding guards and with the right pieces Wade can still be your number one option on a contending team.
3. Klay Thompson
Thompson is one of the best shooters we have in the league. He shoots 44 percent from three and 88 percent from the free throw line, that tops his averages last year, which set career highs. He’s had multiple 40-point efforts and even graced us with a 52-point outburst. Thompson is an above average defender as it is and can be a nuisance to the best offensive wing player on the opposing team. He’s become a better attacker off the dribble and doesn’t need an assist to score like in previous years. His four-year $70 Million extension he signed might no longer be an appropriate compensation considering the leap he’s made this year.
2. Jimmy Butler
Butler is probably the second best two-way guard in the league. If you think consistency is a big factor like me, then you might have him as the best above Wade and Thompson. If he doesn’t get the Most Improved Player Award the voters definitely need a reality check. He’s upped his scoring from 13 PPG to 20 PPG, while upping his rebounds and assists all while playing the same amount of time as last year. With the Bulls playing it so safe and cautious with Derrick Rose, I could easily see Butler becoming the Bulls new franchise player. He’s the best defender out of all the people on this list and he’s used to being the number one option. With Rose and Noah missing a decent amount of time this year, Butler has been expected to carry the offensive load (With help from Pau Gasol) and has exceeded expectations. I see him being the best shooting guard in the league in the near future. Butler has the confidence, big contract on the way, he just hit 30 points twice this playoffs and that’s something he hadn’t done in his previous playoff games. Butler is a star in the making, just wait on it.
1. James Harden
Harden is the obvious pick for best shooting guard. He might possibly get MVP; led his team to the number two seed without help from Dwight Howard for much of the year, and put up career high numbers. He’s the most unstoppable two guard in the league thanks to his craftiness around the rim, shooting ability, and obscene knack for drawing the whistle and getting to the line where he is basically automatic. Harden has been known to be lackluster on defense but this season you can’t say the same. He isn’t a game changing defender but he’s not a liability like he once was either. Harden averages 10 free throws a game, can beat his defender off the dribble, size up and drain a jumper in your face, absorbs contact and still finishes. One of the knocks on Harden has been his ability to show up once the postseason arrives as a lead option. He struggled his last two postseasons but after his performance in game three vs the Mavericks, I think he’s finally gotten over that hump.
