My motto when it comes to writing and broadcasting is simple… be brutally honest. So, my next statement is fact, not opinion. The 4 best point guards in the NBA this season have been LeBron James, James Harden, Ben Simmons and Giannis Antetokounmpo. With that said, we are going to break down the “technical definition” of the point guard position. Below you will find:
The Sports Whisperer’s Top 5 Point Guards during the 2018 NBA Season.
#5) Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics):
Before, the man they call “Uncle Drew,” went down to a season ending knee injury, he was having one of the most productive seasons of his young career. For most of the year, the Boston Celtics, with no legitimate number two scoring option, were the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. In 60 games, Irving shot 49% from the floor, 40% from three-point range and 88% from the free throw line. He averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. When healthy, Irving should be a top PG for the next five years. Boston should get better in 2019, they have surrounded Irving with young talent like Jaylen Brown (14 PPG) and Jayson Tatum (13 PPG).
#4) John Wall (Washington Wizards):
John Wall is the only point guard in the NBA that can average 20 points and dish out 10 assists on a night in and night out basis. He has only played in 40 games this year but when healthy, he is everything to the Wizards. Wall is averaging, 19.2 points, 9.5 assists and 3.6 rebounds. Wall also leads the team in blocks. He still struggles to shoot the ball at times, shooting 41% but his strength is dribble penetration. There is no one in the NBA who goes from “coast to coast” faster with their dribble. For the Wizards to make a deep run in the playoffs, Wall must average 25 points and 10 assists per game in the post-season.
#3) Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors):
Curry won the NBA’s MVP Award in 2015 and 2016. Before he got hurt, Curry was a better season than when he won the award in back-to-back years. Curry has only played in 51 games this season, but the numbers don’t lie. In 32 minutes per game, the former Davidson star was shooting 49% from the floor, 42% behind the three-point range, and 92.1% from the free throw line. He was averaging 26.4 points, 6.1 assists and an amazing 5.1 rebounds. If Curry didn’t miss a ton of games, he would be in the MVP conversation.
#2) Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder):
Last year’s MVP, Russell Westbrook, averaged a triple double. This season he is averaging 25.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 10.1 assists. Say it out loud… That is a career night for most NBA players, Westbrook does this every game. There has not been a player to put up these numbers back-to -back years in decades. With Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams, the Thunder could have the best starting four in the NBA. If they can somehow find bench production, they can make a deep run in the playoffs.
#1) Damian Lillard: (Portland Trail Blazers):
The former 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft has been an absolute “work horse” for the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has played in 71 games and he is averaging 36 minutes, 26.8 points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest. Portland will be the #3 seed in the brutal Western Conference. They will play either New Orleans, San Antonio, Oklahoma, Minnesota or Denver. Lillard will have to put up 30 points per game if he wants his team to advance to the 2nd round. I have no doubt, he can do it. The man is an assassin downthe stretch and thrives in crunch time. He has been the best point guard in the NBA from start to finish this year, and his teams’ record reflects that.
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Not sure I can put Kyrie in there right now bc he hasn’t played in a while. But good list nonetheless