BlueDevil Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 (edited) The Point guard position has always been considered the most important part of any basketball team. It is hard to win a championship without a playmaker at the guard position, who can handle the ball with ease, pass effectively, shoot, drive, guard, and most importantly lead. As we look at some of the great point guards in the league, some of the obvious choices for best in the league would be Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. While they are no doubt great players, this list looks to show the next generation of great point guards. While these players are already well known, they are still young and have a chance to leapfrog over the likes of Nash and Kidd, to become considered some of the best to play the game. No. 5 Russell Westbrook- Age 20 Russell Westbrook is one of the most physically gifted players in the NBA. A 6’3 point guard, who’s just as lethal off the ball. He has the ability to get to the rim at will, and is known as being a tenacious defender. Drafted fourth overall in 2008 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook began his career in the NBA coming off the bench to play good defence and look to slash to the rim. Later in his rookie season, he exploded down the stretch, earning Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards in December and February, and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He also was the first rookie since Chris Paul (you’ll hear that name again) to record a triple double, with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. With a young nucleus of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and James Harden, Westbrook should look to add to his assists total from last year, and continue to grow as a player, now that he is their starting point guard. No. 4 Derrick Rose- Age 20 At just 20 years old, Derrick Rose has more accolades than some seasoned veterans. He played college ball at the University of Memphis, where he lead the team to the National Championship game, coming up just short in overtime. He quickly jumped ship to the NBA, and was rewarded with the number one overall pick to his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Rose started all but one game in his rookie season, which resulted in the Rookie of the Year award after averaging almost 17 points per game to go with 6.3 assists, which lead all rookies, and 3.9 rebounds. Rose is already being compared to some of the great point guards before him, as his height and long arms create mismatches with most guards in the league. He has the ability to get to the rim at will, and has a nice mid range game. If he continues to work hard and develop a more consistent three point shot, he could be the most dangerous scoring point guard in the league. No. 3 Rajon Rondo- Age 23 Rajon Rondo is one of the truly surprising characters in the NBA. He is a gifted athlete, and plays with heart every game. He is known as a rebounding point guard, and is always in the top ten in steals, earning NBA all-defensive second team honours. He has also improved his jump shot to keep defenses honest, but remains a slasher first. Rondo was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns, but like many of their draft picks was traded away for nearly nothing. In his rookie year, he split time with the likes of Sebastian Telfair and Delonte West. He put up a respectable 6.4 points, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.7 rebounds per game in 78 games as a rookie, earning second team all rookie honors. It wasn’t until his second season that we truly saw what Rondo was capable of when he was teamed with the big three in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. He flourished in their system, creating enough looks to keep his superstars happy while upping his own statistics across the board. Rondo earned an NBA championship that year, and earned the respect of the NBA fans and players alike. No. 2 Deron Williams- Age 25 Williams is the oldest member of this list, but there is no doubt he is anything less than one of the great young players in the league. Williams is known for being one of the top assist men in the league year in and year out, and is also one of the bigger guards that can overwhelm the opposition. He is a good lockdown defender, and has a nice midrange game, but gets most of his points near the rim. Williams was taken third overall in the 2005 draft by the Utah Jazz, and immediately filled the void left by John Stockton. He earned all-rookie second team honours, mainly coming off the bench, yet still putting up an impressive 11 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. He was the only other player besides Chris Paul to receive a first place vote for rookie of the year honours, with one. Since that first year he has been one of the best guards in the league, yet always overshadowed by the other high profile point guards in the league, having yet to make the All-Star game. While he doesn’t play with flash, he is the calming presence Coach Jerry Sloan loves in his point guards, and Williams has earned his absolute trust. This alone shows Williams’ value in this league, when he can come in and fill in for the great John Stockton without missing a beat. He should continue his competitive rivalry with the man at the top of this list for another decade or so, as these two warriors will be forever compared. No. 1 Chris Paul- Age 24 Chris Paul is without a doubt the best point guard in the NBA. He possesses the ability to score, assist, steal, and rebound, all at the height of 6'0". He’s one of the quickest players in the league, as well as one of the most elusive. His shooting has improved dramatically since his rookie season, and he has possibly the best court vision of any player in the NBA. He plays passing lanes well, and has a high IQ for rebounding considering his size and position. He has been an NBA All-Star twice, an All-NBA first and second team selection, an All-NBA defensive first and second team selection, not to mention Rookie of the Year in 2006 and the first runner up to the NBA MVP award in 2008. Chris Paul has increased his scoring average every year he has been in the league, plus has lead the league in assists, and steals in the same season, twice, and last year was second in total triple doubles behind LeBron James. He is also the record holder for consecutive games with a steal, which lasted 108 games. This guy is simply a monster, and a fantasy players dream. He has helped rebuild a struggling franchise in New Orleans, and is the starting point guard on the USA Olympic National team that recently won the Gold medal. Needless to say, the other players on this list have a lot of work to do to catch Paul. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/217550-the-five-best-point-guards-under-the-age-of-25#page/1http://www.alldaynba.com/nbageneral/the-five-best-point-guards-under-the-age-of-25/#more-108 Edited July 23, 2009 by bluedevil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Rose > Rondo IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDevil Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Rose > Rondo IMO.Ya i got that alot. Rondo barely wins because he did everything the celts asked. He lead the big 3 to a championship, improved his shot when asked, and registered countless triple doubles. Rose will be better then him as far is im concerned though too, just not yet. I say by December though this list would be changed. I was thinkin about doing this article again next yr. Williams wouldnt be eligible, and i think rose would jump to #2, possibly #1 if the bulls do well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great iBoldin Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 This is a good list I think, I could have some qualms about Rondo over Rose, but it's nothing major. One thing on your articles, though, is to space them out a little bit, so they don't look like one gigantic paragraph, that's what I've learned from Bleacher Report editors, they say it's much more presentable and sleek. Something like this; Chris Paul is without a doubt the best point guard in the NBA. He possesses the ability to score, assist, steal, and rebound, all at the height of 6′0″. He’s one of the quickest players in the league, as well as one of the most elusive. His shooting has improved dramatically since his rookie season, and he has possibly the best court vision of any player in the NBA. He plays passing lanes well, and has a high IQ for rebounding considering his size and position. He has been an NBA All-Star twice, an All-NBA first and second team selection, an All-NBA defensive first and second team selection, not to mention Rookie of the Year in 2006 and the first runner up to the NBA MVP award in 2008. Chris Paul has increased his scoring average every year he has been in the league, plus has lead the league in assists, and steals in the same season, twice, and last year was second in total triple doubles behind LeBron James. He is also the record holder for consecutive games with a steal, which lasted 108 games. Needless to say, this guy’s a monster, and a fantasy players dream. He has helped rebuild a struggling franchise in New Orleans, and is the starting point guard on the USA Olympic National team that recently won the Gold medal. Needless to say, the other players on this list have a lot of work to do to catch Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastNiner Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Switch Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDevil Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 One thing on your articles, though, is to space them out a little bit, so they don't look like one gigantic paragraph, that's what I've learned from Bleacher Report editors, they say it's much more presentable and sleek. Something like this;Ya i always forget that. Made some changes. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Rose > Rondo IMO.Cosign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Tzu Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Rose should be in front of Rondo. Other than that, I agree with the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I would definitely switch Rondo and Rose after the Playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATL Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 First of all, Rondo is better than Rose so you got that right. He's a walking triple double point guard. He's the best defensive point guard and he's the best rebounding point guard in the NBA. His offensive skills is getting better as well. Rose is a great young point guard and he has shown a lot of ability to lead a team throughout the season and the playoffs, but his defense is just average and he could work on his jumper a little bit more like Rondo. Anyway, I agree with #1-4. As for 5, I rather see Rodney Stuckey be there instead of Russell Westbrook. Their stats on ppg, rpg, apg are pretty similar, but Stuckey is a smarter player than Westbrook right now. Westbrook still plays a little bit erratic at times and he would force shots that he can't make. Also, Westbrook plays in one of the worst teams in the league right now, so his stats may be a little inflated. Stuckey meanwhile is playing in a playoff contending team, and had to deal with all on-court troubles of having AI on the team and having Michael Curry as a coach. Now that AI is gone and Curry is fired, I expect Stuckey to have a breakout season, and he will have a better season than Westbrook statistically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastNiner Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I would definitely switch Rondo and Rose after the Playoffs. Ughhh, with the way they performed in the playoffs, if that is what you want to go by, they should stay the same. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Rose > Rondo and I might even stick Devin Harris in there considering the year he had. Rodney Stuckey? Are you kidding me? All the guys up there on that list are elite point guards, Stuckey is nowhere near any of those guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATL Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Rose > Rondo and I might even stick Devin Harris in there considering the year he had. Rodney Stuckey? Are you kidding me? All the guys up there on that list are elite point guards, Stuckey is nowhere near any of those guys.I believe Devin Harris is 26. No doubt he would be on the list if he was under 25. Tell me exactly how Westbrook is so much better than Stuckey. Please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDevil Posted July 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Ya i got questions about harris, but like ATL said, hes 26. And ATL i think you might be the first person who agreed with me about Rondo ahead of Rose. Although I think Rose will overtake him after this year.As for stuckey over Westbrook. Thats very interesting, and Ill be honest, I didnt really consider stuckey. Stuckey and Monta Ellis are two "point guards" who could have made this list. While they do play the point guard position, I dont really consider them point guards. They are both more suited to shooting guard. But if Stuckey were to play well at that position this year, he could very well be on this list. Ellis I dont think Ill ever buy as a point guard though. Westbrook how ever is no doubt a point guard, and I agree does play erratic. But he made a huge transformation over the year, and along with Durrant, Green, and Harden, should have a very productive year. Im also a sucker for guys who play hard defence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Ya i got questions about harris, but like ATL said, hes 26. And ATL i think you might be the first person who agreed with me about Rondo ahead of Rose. Although I think Rose will overtake him after this year.As for stuckey over Westbrook. Thats very interesting, and Ill be honest, I didnt really consider stuckey. Stuckey and Monta Ellis are two "point guards" who could have made this list. While they do play the point guard position, I dont really consider them point guards. They are both more suited to shooting guard. But if Stuckey were to play well at that position this year, he could very well be on this list. Ellis I dont think Ill ever buy as a point guard though. Westbrook how ever is no doubt a point guard, and I agree does play erratic. But he made a huge transformation over the year, and along with Durrant, Green, and Harden, should have a very productive year. Im also a sucker for guys who play hard defence. Same can be said for Westbrook in regards to not being a true PG. There were a lot of questions about his PG skills coming out of HS. Even then I put him over Stuckey. Monta is more of a 2 I agree. Westbrook is a great defender as well. Love his game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wall2Wall Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 I agree with all of them right where they are. Westbrook is a monster and he CAN be a pure PG. And yes, Rondo is much better than Rose right now. The only complaint I have is that you have CP3 listed as a god, even though Deron and him are pretty equal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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