The NBA Position Battle – The Top 5 Point Guards after the 2016 All-Star Weekend

Images from the NBA.

In this Position Battle post, we will focus on the top five point guards in the NBA after the 2016 All-Star Weekend. Not surprisingly, most of the guys on this list play in the Western Conference, and the only East playmaker isn’t even on an American team. Go figure, right?

There shouldn’t be any shockers at #s 1, 2, and 3, but some top-of-mind players may not even make the “On the bubble” list. Among these? No Kyrie, no D-Rose, TP9, and Jeff Teague. 

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on March 26, 2016 (Manila time).



5) Damian Lillard (POR) - 29.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 5.8apg, 3.6 triples per game, 41.1 3pt%, 94.5 FT%
Representing Rip City and adidas is Lillard, who didn’t even make the All-Star Game this season. This despite the fact he has been killing it for the Trail Blazers, who are quashing preseason expectations and sitting pretty at #6 out West. I doubt if Lillard can carry Portland past the first round of the Playoffs, but, hey, just making it is already a big win for a team that lost four of its five starters from last season.
           

4) Kyle Lowry (TOR) - 25.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 7.1apg, 1.9spg, 2.8 triples per game, 49.6 FG%, 40.7 3pt%
Lowry has the distinction of being the bets point guard in the weaker conference. That’s nothing to scoff at, of course, but it also makes one wonder if his playing in the West against much tougher competition would’ve pushed him or hampered him. Still, speculation aside, Lowry has been making great magic north of the border. He’s a well-deserved All-Star, too, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to translate all that greatness to the postseason.


3) Russell Westbrook (OKC) - 22.2ppg, 8.2pg, 11.8apg, 1.4spg, 1.5 triples per game, 44.2 FG%
Jet Zero leads the league in triple-doubles this season, and the Thunder are undefeated when he puts up those monstrous lines. His greatness this season has made me realize something that has been bubbling under the surface for a long time — OKC is no longer KD’s team, which is why I think they’ll be fine even if the former MVP changes zip codes. Westbrook is the new face of this squad, and he’s also the new face of in-yo-face!


2) Chris Paul (LAC) - 21.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 10.9apg, 2.1spg, 2.0 triples per game, 48.4 FG%, 36.0 3pt%, 92.3 FT%
The Point God isn’t the stuff of most highlight reels these days, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been slaying. He still scores better than most, and is still among the best passers and defenders on the planet. All this makes me excited about an impending second round playoff match-up between him and the top dog on this list. Of course, all that means is maybe CP3 gets his ankles crossed up again via a double behind-the-back, step-back baseline J from the reigning MVP.


1) Steph Curry (GSW) - 31.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 6.4apg, 1.9spg, 5.4 triples per game, 50.5 FG%, 45.2 3pt%, 87.5 FT%
Is the MVP actually getting better? Getting deadlier? Getting more serious? Is he actually encroaching upon hallowed ground and ready to smear on the legacy of the erstwhile immortal and untainted ’96-’97 Chicago Bulls and His Airness? Yes, yes, yes, and yes all over the gaddayum scale of things. Right now the only thing that can beat this kid and his sandbox playmates is a better-than-.500 team on the back end of a back-to-back on the road. Do they have anymore of those on their sked? March 31 (Manila time) at Utah. Circle the date.


On the bubble:
John Wall (WAS) - 20.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 10.3apg
Kemba Walker (CHA) - 22.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.8apg
Isaiah Thomas (BOS) - 24.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.8apg
Goran Dragic (MIA) - 17.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 7.3apg
Ricky Rubio (MIN) - 11.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 9.5apg

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