Owner Real Deal Posted March 11, 2010 Owner Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/images/photos/000/836/891/kbryant_feature.jpg?1268348568 Since the great Michael Jordan represented the number 23 on his Chicago Bulls jersey, the shooting guard position has arguably been the most exciting spot on the floor in the NBA. Also known as two-guards, these players can do anything from shooting mid-range jumpers and slashing to the rim, to running the offense and making their teammates noticeably better on the court. Today, the typical shooting guard is ball-dominant, although you do tend to run into those who are excellent playing without the ball in their hands, such as Detroit’s Richard Hamilton and Boston’s Ray Allen. Two-guards love a good screen, and the elite players welcome the defensive attention, not only to draw defenders away from their opponents, but to increase the chances of drawing a foul as well. The following five shooting guards are all-stars, franchise players, and most of the time, the key component to their teams’ success in both the regular season and the playoffs. 1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (27.8 PPG on .459 FG, 5.3 RPG, 4.8 APG) Bryant is the complete NBA player and, without a doubt, the best overall player to grace the game since Jordan. This season, despite injuries to three fingers on his shooting hand, an ankle, and back spasms, Kobe is leading the Lakers to a possible third-consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, holding on to the second best record in the NBA. A top three candidate for the 2010 MVP award, Bryant has hit six game-winning shots this season, is a pest on defense, and is averaging over 27 points for the seventh time in his 14-year career. Topping this list may not be enough for Kobe Bryant; many will state that he is still the best player in the NBA. 2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat (26.4 PPG on .465 FG, 4.7 RPG, 6.6 APG) The Heat may be clinging to that final spot in the weaker Eastern Conference, but Wade is the most consistent player on the team, and his contributions on offense and defense do not go unnoticed. It’s a known fact that numerous teams will be gunning for Wade this summer, as he headlines a free agent class packed with superstars and all-stars, and there is nobody more deserving of a max contract than he is. Nicknamed Flash by his teammates, his ability to get to the rim is unmatched by most players in the league, and even though his numbers are somewhat down from last year’s, he is still one of the most effective and dangerous guards in the East. 3. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers (21.9 PPG on .472 FG, 4.5 RPG, 4.8 APG) Roy is a versatile combo guard that can play three spots on the floor, and his ability to create for his teammates has been beneficial to Portland’s success this season. Considering the amount of times he does handle the basketball, his turnovers are low (2.2 per game). Unfortunately, like Wade, most of his numbers have taken a hit due to injuries, but not enough to effect the Blazers in a negative manner. The most intriguing part of Roy’s game is not his offensive game, but his defense. Roy has had plenty of success defending elite scorers in the league, including Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, both of which you will find ahead of him, but his overall body of work sits him at third in the rankings. 4. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (21.5 PPG on .458 FG, 4.7 RPG, 4.7 APG) Similar numbers, but less defense–that’s why Joe Johnson sits below Brandon Roy on the Fab Five list. There are similarities between the two. Both can run the point for their respective teams, both can shoot the rock, and neither shy away from contact on the drive, but Johnson’s defensive game isn’t as polished. Fortunately, his Hawks are the superior team, and with all due respect to Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford, Johnson is the clear-cut leader and the player sitting in the driver’s seat in Atlanta. Similar to Roy, Johnson turns the ball over just twice per game, just below his career average and 1.3 less than his career high, which also occurred as a Hawk. 5. Stephen Jackson, Charlotte Bobcats (20.7 PPG on .427 FG, 5.0 RPG, 3.8 APG) He may not score as much as Monta Ellis, or shoot 45 percent from the floor, but Stephen Jackson is a top defensive player at the two-guard position. The Bobcats are 29-25 with him in the lineup, 3-6 to start the season without him. The record may not sway many fans’ decisions until they glance at Charlotte’s struggles last season: 35-47 in the standings, ninth in opponents’ points per game. This season, Charlotte is a top three defensive team in the NBA, ranked first in opponents’ points per game, holding those teams to under 45 percent shooting. Jackson not only leads the team in steals, but also in points, providing relief for Gerald Wallace at both ends of the hardwood. That Other Five (in no particular order): Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors (25.7 PPG on .453 FG, 4.2 RPG, 5.3 APG) Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings (20.3 PPG on .462 FG, 5.0 RPG, 5.5 APG) O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies (17.5 PPG on .456 FG, 3.8 RPG, 3.1 APG) Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks (17.3 PPG on .446 FG, 2.6 RPG, 2.9 APG) Ray Allen, Boston Celtics (16.2 PPG on .467 FG, 3.4 RPG, 2.6 APG) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/361172-nbas-fab-five-shooting-guards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Caron Butler is technically a shooting guard now, I'd definitely rank him up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poe Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Jackson > Ellis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 11, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Caron Butler is technically a shooting guard now, I'd definitely rank him up there.I would've, but he hasn't played enough games at that position just yet. Jackson > Ellis It wasn't like that until Curry started playing solid basketball, and it made everyone realize Ellis needed traded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 I would've, but he hasn't played enough games at that position just yet.True, I guess. Well by the end of the season he'll definitely be in that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Vince Carter > Ray Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 11, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Vince Carter > Ray Allen I thought about Vince, but he's had some horrific games this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeff Colborn Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 1. Dwyane Wade2. Brandon Roy3. Kobe Bryant4. Ray Allen5. OJ Mayo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 1. Dwyane Wade2. Brandon Roy3. Kobe Bryant4. Ray Allen5. OJ MayoWow... failed list. Not even a mention of Joe Johnson, and Kobe at 3rd? You're crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeff Colborn Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Wow... failed list. Not even a mention of Joe Johnson, and Kobe at 3rd? You're crazy. Kobe Bryant is old and injury prone at this point. I would rather have the dazzling Dwyane Wade who is unquestionably better at this point in their careers. Wade is faster, more explosive, and overall tougher to defend. Kobe is slow now and with all of his injuries his reign of dominance is over. Joe Johnson is too plain for my taste and doesn't have the makings of a true star. Give me the best shooter of all-time in Ray Allen over him and a stud in OJ Mayo that is young and plays well on both sides of the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Kobe Bryant is old and injury prone at this point. I would rather have the dazzling Dwyane Wade who is unquestionably better at this point in their careers. Wade is faster, more explosive, and overall tougher to defend. Kobe is slow now and with all of his injuries his reign of dominance is over. Joe Johnson is too plain for my taste and doesn't have the makings of a true star. Give me the best shooter of all-time in Ray Allen over him and a stud in OJ Mayo that is young and plays well on both sides of the ball.Brandon Roy over Kobe Bryant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Kobe Bryant is old and injury prone at this point. I would rather have the dazzling Dwyane Wade who is unquestionably better at this point in their careers. Wade is faster, more explosive, and overall tougher to defend. Kobe is slow now and with all of his injuries his reign of dominance is over. Joe Johnson is too plain for my taste and doesn't have the makings of a true star. Give me the best shooter of all-time in Ray Allen over him and a stud in OJ Mayo that is young and plays well on both sides of the ball.Kobe rarely ever sits for an injury and still puts up amazing numbers despite the physical problems he has. Kobe > Wade. Joe Johnson is too plain? Is that really your argument? I guess Duncan isn't a top 5 power forward either because he's boring. Ray Allen is struggling with his shooting and OJ's numbers are not that impressive. He will be good later in his career, but right now Joe Johnson [expletive]s on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AboveLegit Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Nice list RD, completely agree. Love the SJax pick, very underrated IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeff Colborn Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Kobe rarely ever sits for an injury and still puts up amazing numbers despite the physical problems he has. Kobe > Wade. Joe Johnson is too plain? Is that really your argument? I guess Duncan isn't a top 5 power forward either because he's boring. Ray Allen is struggling with his shooting and OJ's numbers are not that impressive. He will be good later in his career, but right now Joe Johnson [expletive]s on him. Yeah but do you actually watch and realize how inefficient Kobe Bryant is at this point in time? Its a joke. I'll take a Wade hard attack at the rim over a Kobe Bryant contested fadaway jumpshot or pullup jumper. Duncan is not plain. He is a championship anchor and does it with a vast arsenal of moves. Johnson doesn't do anything exceptionally well, plays average defense and is just a poormans version of Brandon Roy in every facet of the game. Ray Allen is struggling, but he has proven his worth with his HOF career he has shown he can get it done. OJ Mayo > Joe Johnson on defense and he is much faster than him. Johnson's offensive game is superior, but not enough where I take him over the oozing OJ Mayo. You wanna lick some Mayo?Brandon Roy over Kobe Bryant? Yes I'm glad you can read Edited March 12, 2010 by Jeff Colborn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Yes I'm glad you can readBrandon Roy over Kobe Bryant? Are you retarded? Explain why you think Roy is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 12, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Joke account. Remember this guy, fellas? http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/topic/9745-im-here Yeah...it's the virgin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 That dude was an idiot... saying Joe Johnson is a poor man's Brandon Roy lmao. And yeah Kobe is so inefficient. I hate unknowledgeable people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Oh yeah. His name sounded hella familiar. Forum chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 12, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Yeah, he wrote some obscene stuff on OTR's Facebook page, also, so I had to ban him from that. He's kind of an odd little guy. Anyway, back to reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Wolf Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Joke account. Remember this guy, fellas? http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/topic/9745-im-here Yeah...it's the virgin.lol. His new account name pretty much gave it away.. I'd put Evans as a PG, not a SG, to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 12, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 lol. His new account name pretty much gave it away.. I'd put Evans as a PG, not a SG, to be honest.He does play the point, but the majority of his minutes come at the two (Udrih is the point guard). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Built Ford Tough Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 I know the guy was just a joke/troll account, but I have to admit that I laughed pretty hard when I read this: but not enough where I take him over the oozing OJ Mayo. You wanna lick some Mayo? Some people may not find it funny but for some reason I actually laughed when I read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 12, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 I know the guy was just a joke/troll account, but I have to admit that I laughed pretty hard when I read this: Some people may not find it funny but for some reason I actually laughed when I read it.Should've kept him around, so you can post the infamous smiley you absolutely LOVE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Greatness Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Who was ranked at fifth before this season? Carter? Ginobili? Jackson and Ellis just don't feel right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 12, 2010 Author Owner Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Who was ranked at fifth before this season? Carter? Ginobili? Jackson and Ellis just don't feel right.Probably Carter, when he was averaging 21/5/5 and shooting 44% from the floor, 39% from the three...for the Nets. Different numbers this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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