The Dynamic Two-Guards: Kobe Bryant and the Top 4 Shooting Guards in the NBA

[Legacy]

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Some of the better players of all time, including Michael Jordan, have been shooting guards. This position can be very important since it calls for someone who can score or maybe even in some cases, play lock-down defense. Or perhaps both.

 

The NBA has many stars capable of being in the top rankings among shooting guards. The list ranges from former MVPs to players in new jerseys, ready to show off their skill set.

 

These next five players will be the top shooting guards in the NBA for the 2012-2013 NBA season.

 

5. Monta Ellis

Getting traded from Golden State last season was something that Monta Ellis saw coming for a long time. It did, however, put him in a better situation.

 

Ellis is one of the best scorers in the NBA despite his small frame for a shooting guard. He also has improved his playmaking skills, which will help him make Brandon Jennings more comfortable in the Bucks' offense.

 

The one man fast-break can also be a pretty decent defender when he actually puts effort on that end of the floor.

 

Playing with a similar player like Jennings could be tough for Ellis. But with the heart he plays with, he can get through it and help the Bucks become a solid team while making a name for himself in the Eastern Conference.

 

4. Andre Iguodala

Ande Iguodala has been under the radar for some time now. With a change of scenery, you better believe that the Denver Nuggets will be scary next season.

 

Denver was already surprising everyone without a legitimate star player to lead them and now they have Iggy. He can provide them with help on defense and his skill set, fits in with the up-tempo offense. Expect a rise in his production.

 

Teaming up with the young Ty Lawson, Iguodala should have a great season and surpass a few teams in the West by leading the Nuggets.

 

3. James Harden

He might not have shown up in the NBA Finals, but James Harden will be ready to prove to people that he is one of the best two-guards in the league this season.

 

Playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant helps Harden because defenses do not worry about him as much. Coming off the bench helps as well, giving OKC a spark.

 

Don't let his Finals play fool you. Harden will be ready come October and emerge as a top three shooting guard.

 

2. Dwyane Wade

If Dwyane Wade was a little younger or did not let the injuries get to him, he could have probably been the best shooting guard in the league today.

 

The league can be harsh on players, especially when they get injured often. It wastes a players prime and has them go downhill quicker,

 

While Wade may struggle, he is still one of the better players in the league. He is a good post-up player for a guard and can handle the ball well. His defense is also up there at times.

 

His athleticism might not be where it once was, but Wade can still ball with the best of them and will remain the best shooting guard in the league behind only one player.

 

1. Kobe Bryant

16 years in the NBA, 34 years old, the fingers of an 80-year-old man and 5 NBA titles. Kobe Bryant has one hell of a resume. You normally would not expect a player this old to be the best at his position, but Bryant is just that.

 

Adding Steve Nash to the team with Dwight Howard could decrease his stats, but his play will be even better than last season. With Nash feeding him the rock and Howard asking for double teams in the post, this will be a a great situation for The Black Mamba as he showcases why he is still the best shooting guard in the NBA.

 

Be honest, did you really expect anyone else here?

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1317892-the-dynamic-two-guards-kobe-bryant-and-the-top-5-shooting-guards-in-the-nba

[Check my Stats]

Last year Kobe Bryant was not the best shooting guard in the NBA, Dwyane Wade was. People act like Wade was horrible last year. 22 points a game on 50% with 5 boards and 5 assists from your shooting guard (who is now a second option playing just 33 minutes)... what more can you ask for... sure in the playoffs he was a bit worse (but statistically still probably as good as Kobe, if not better). I realize Kobe is banged up, and was relegated to a role that didn't suit him at times last year, but Wade was a more productive player... I don't see how its even up for debate. It could change this year (I doubt it... but I really don't know how serious Wade's knee is), but right now I don't see how Kobe is better. Honestly you could argue that since around 09 Wade has been better... he was a [expletive]ing beast 2 years before LBJ, and very good the year before as well and a monster in the playoffs that year before LBJ.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Check my Stats

[Guru]

Manu? I'd put him at #3 over Harden.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Guru

[Real Deal]

Last year Kobe Bryant was not the best shooting guard in the NBA, Dwyane Wade was. People act like Wade was horrible last year. 22 points a game on 50% with 5 boards and 5 assists from your shooting guard (who is now a second option playing just 33 minutes)... what more can you ask for... sure in the playoffs he was a bit worse (but statistically still probably as good as Kobe, if not better). I realize Kobe is banged up, and was relegated to a role that didn't suit him at times last year, but Wade was a more productive player... I don't see how its even up for debate. It could change this year (I doubt it... but I really don't know how serious Wade's knee is), but right now I don't see how Kobe is better. Honestly you could argue that since around 09 Wade has been better... he was a [expletive]ing beast 2 years before LBJ, and very good the year before as well and a monster in the playoffs that year before LBJ.

I doubt anyone will say that Wade was horrible, but him dropping 22/5/5 isn't going to topple Bryant's 28/5/5, even if he's more efficient (his TS% isn't much higher, anyway). Bryant still has more range, he's still receiving more defensive pressure than Wade is, and he's got a better post game...and I'll take Kobe's contested jumpers over Wade's any day of the week.

 

Playoff numbers were similar to regular season in that Kobe averaged 30/5/4, while Wade was at 23/5/4, but both shot a 53% TS%.

 

There's nothing there that tells me Wade was better last season back on the offensive end, and their allowed eFG% and allowed PER were probably similar, also (if I recall correctly, they were close, within 1% of each other), so there wasn't much there on the defensive end, either.

[Nitro]

Last year was kind of a tossup, with Kobe getting a slight edge due to the fact that he played in a lot more games. Wade was more efficient (pretty big difference in FG%, decent advantage in TS%), and per 36min averaged more rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, and less TO's. Kobe scored more points, but that's about it. Wade was also a much more impactful defender...his help defense made a big difference much of the time, and occasionally showed strong man-to-man defense.

 

Still, Kobe was more important to his team, and did have a nice season, and probably faced a little more defensive attention. So, with health considered, Kobe had the better season.

 

The previous 2-3 seasons Wade was without a doubt the better player. And I see him being better next season.

[Teletopez]

Joe Johnson, though his contract is not pretty, is probably #3 on this list.

Edited September 2, 2012 by #HelloBrooklyn

[AboveLegit]

Joe Johnson, though his contract is not pretty, is probably #3 on this list.

Not over James Harden or Manu Ginobili. And I'd probably take a healthy Eric Gordon over him as well.