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Top Ten Guards in the NBA
By: Jessica Camerato Last Updated: 12/25/07 6:33 AM ET | 3239 times read
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A team's success starts with the execution of plays and strategies in the backcourt. Guards are more than just position players -- they areleaders. Here is a look at the top ten guards in the league today.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
On Sunday, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points. Bryant, 29, has shown no signs of slowing down, making him one ofthe best guards year in and year out. His statistics are impressive (26.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.9 apg), but the way he single-handedly changes a game cannot bemeasured in numbers.
Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
Not only does Iverson dish the rock (7.3 apg), but he leads the team in scoring, shooting, and steals. Iverson's performance would have been impressiveif he were the only superstar on the Nuggets, but the fact that he is surrounded by so much talent and is still posting those numbers makes him that much moredangerous this season.
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash is the standard to which all dime-dropping guards should be measured. His ability to find anyone, anywhere on the court is unmatched around theleague. Nash (12.4 apg) epitomizes unselfish basketball and he is the backbone of the Suns perennial playoff contender.
Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
From the backcourt to the low post, Jason Kidd has been an overall unstoppable force this season. Kidd is averaging a near triple-double (11.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg,10.3 apg) and there's no telling where he will burn his opponents on the court. He is posting the same numbers on the road as he is at home, a testament tohis poise and ability to handle the pressures of an opposing crowd.
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Even though Paul is only 22, he has been put at the helm of the Hornets and has been running the team with veteran precision. His numbers speak forthemselves (20.9 ppg, 10.0 apg, 48.1% FG, 91.3% FT). Oh, he also leads the league in steals. At 6' and 175 lbs, Paul may not look like the biggest playeron the court, but he has one of the biggest games in the NBA.
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Williams is another standout from the 2005 draft class. It has taken him just two seasons to become of the top guards in the league and at 23-years-old, heis poised to have a successful NBA career. Williams is averaging nearly 20 points per game off and shooting better than 50% from the floor. He is also banking40% of his three-point shots while dishing off close to nine dimes a game.
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
Pump, fake, hit the J. Chauncey Billups showed off his skills last week when he nailed the game winning shot and handed the Boston Celtics their first homeloss of the season. The veteran point guard doesn't just play good basketball, he plays smart basketball. His last second spoiler proved that is game isjust as much mental as it is physical.
Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
Last season's Rookie of the Year Award wasn't wasted on Brandon Roy. He is the real deal. The Trail Blazers seemed doomed without Greg Oden, but Royhas led his team to a 10-game winning streak. Just imagine how good Roy can make the Trail Blazers next season with Oden in the middle.
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
His numbers are down from seasons past but numbers only tell so much. Ray Allen's contributions to the Celtics go beyond the box score. Allen spreadsthe floor for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and his absence was felt when he recently missed two games with a sore ankle. Opponents can devise a plan to stopKG and Pierce, but it has been nearly impossible to stop all three because of Allen's prowess.
Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors
Davis picked up right where he left off from last season's inspiring postseason performance. Heis playing some of the best basketball of his career, including consistent scoring, keen court vision, and an improvement at the line. The Warriors thrive onenergy, and as long as Davis is moving the ball and knocking down his outside shots, his team will be ready for another playoff run.
Top Ten Guards in the NBA
By: Jessica Camerato Last Updated: 12/25/07 6:33 AM ET | 3239 times read
Adjust font size:
A team's success starts with the execution of plays and strategies in the backcourt. Guards are more than just position players -- they areleaders. Here is a look at the top ten guards in the league today.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
On Sunday, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points. Bryant, 29, has shown no signs of slowing down, making him one ofthe best guards year in and year out. His statistics are impressive (26.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.9 apg), but the way he single-handedly changes a game cannot bemeasured in numbers.
Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
Not only does Iverson dish the rock (7.3 apg), but he leads the team in scoring, shooting, and steals. Iverson's performance would have been impressiveif he were the only superstar on the Nuggets, but the fact that he is surrounded by so much talent and is still posting those numbers makes him that much moredangerous this season.
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash is the standard to which all dime-dropping guards should be measured. His ability to find anyone, anywhere on the court is unmatched around theleague. Nash (12.4 apg) epitomizes unselfish basketball and he is the backbone of the Suns perennial playoff contender.
Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
From the backcourt to the low post, Jason Kidd has been an overall unstoppable force this season. Kidd is averaging a near triple-double (11.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg,10.3 apg) and there's no telling where he will burn his opponents on the court. He is posting the same numbers on the road as he is at home, a testament tohis poise and ability to handle the pressures of an opposing crowd.
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Even though Paul is only 22, he has been put at the helm of the Hornets and has been running the team with veteran precision. His numbers speak forthemselves (20.9 ppg, 10.0 apg, 48.1% FG, 91.3% FT). Oh, he also leads the league in steals. At 6' and 175 lbs, Paul may not look like the biggest playeron the court, but he has one of the biggest games in the NBA.
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Williams is another standout from the 2005 draft class. It has taken him just two seasons to become of the top guards in the league and at 23-years-old, heis poised to have a successful NBA career. Williams is averaging nearly 20 points per game off and shooting better than 50% from the floor. He is also banking40% of his three-point shots while dishing off close to nine dimes a game.
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
Pump, fake, hit the J. Chauncey Billups showed off his skills last week when he nailed the game winning shot and handed the Boston Celtics their first homeloss of the season. The veteran point guard doesn't just play good basketball, he plays smart basketball. His last second spoiler proved that is game isjust as much mental as it is physical.
Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
Last season's Rookie of the Year Award wasn't wasted on Brandon Roy. He is the real deal. The Trail Blazers seemed doomed without Greg Oden, but Royhas led his team to a 10-game winning streak. Just imagine how good Roy can make the Trail Blazers next season with Oden in the middle.
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
His numbers are down from seasons past but numbers only tell so much. Ray Allen's contributions to the Celtics go beyond the box score. Allen spreadsthe floor for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and his absence was felt when he recently missed two games with a sore ankle. Opponents can devise a plan to stopKG and Pierce, but it has been nearly impossible to stop all three because of Allen's prowess.
Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors
Davis picked up right where he left off from last season's inspiring postseason performance. Heis playing some of the best basketball of his career, including consistent scoring, keen court vision, and an improvement at the line. The Warriors thrive onenergy, and as long as Davis is moving the ball and knocking down his outside shots, his team will be ready for another playoff run.
