The NBA: March 2014 Position Battle – The Top 5 Point Guards Right Now

In this Position Battle post, we will focus on the top five point guards at this point in the season. We will take into account just the players’ stats for the latest five games of their respective teams. This will, hopefully, give us a more current picture of each player’s production.

What’s very interesting in this list is that neither Chris Paul nor Steph Curry are included. Yes, maybe the two consensus best PGs on the planet aren’t among the current top five. Instead, we have a guy who’s bouncing back after being in sick bay, an All-Star snub, and a host of other great playmakers.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on March 11, 2014 (Manila time).

A lot of young 'uns in this set of top five.
(composite image by Enzo Flojo/Hoop Nut)

5. Goran Dragic (PHX) - 23.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 6.4apg, .513 FG%, 2.2 triples per game, .478 3pt%, 21.8 EFF

It’s just the first half of March but already Dragic has faced Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, and Chris Paul (twice). He pretty much held his own against all those guys, though his Suns only won once out their last four games. Like I feared prior to the All-Star break, Phoenix is on a bit of a tailspin as the team has dropped four of its last six assignments. They’re outside of the West’s top eight, half a game behind the surging Grizzlies. Needless to say, Dragic should be a monster to end the season if the Suns are to make a late-season run at a postseason spot.

           

4. Kyrie Irving (CLE) - 23.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 6.8apg, 1.8spg, 2.0 triples per game, 22.4 EFF

For now, let’s forget Uncle Drew’s 5/17 disappointment against the Bobcats. For now, let’s remember that the Cavs still actually have a shot at making the Playoffs, and if they are to do so then this man is the guy to lead them. Irving has the makings of someone who could, one day, be in the Hall of Fame, although, if he doesn’t play his cards right, he might as well be in the same bundle as, say, Rod Strickland.

3. John Wall (WAS) - 18.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 11.4apg, 1.8spg, 1.0bpg, .493 FG%, 1.0 triples per game, 23.2 EFF

For a time this season, the Wizards were as high as third in the East, but they have since fallen down to fifth spot in the conference. Sure, they still have a pretty good chance of getting back into the top four if they can string several wins together and unseat either/both Toronto and Chicago, but the odds of being able to do that are only as good as John Wall’s game. The All-Star continues to register nifty double-doubles and remains a steady defensive hand, but he will need to be nothing short of his best for the Wiz to end the regular season on a strong note.

2. Ty Lawson (DEN) - 24.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 11.8apg, 2.0spg, .500 FG%, 2.5 triples per game, .526 3pt%, 28.0 EFF

Lawson and his Nuggets are far fro the form that made them a dangerous Playoff team last year. Now, they’re just shells of that squad, and, truth be told, the Colorado quintet probably won’t finish better than tenth or eleventh in the West, but that shouldn’t dampen how great Ty Lawson has been. Without Lawson, the Nuggets might not even be better than the Pelicans or the Kings. He has been a double-double demon of late, while also sniping very effectively from beyond the arc.

1. Russell Westbrook (OKC) - 23.2ppg, 6.0rpg, 8.4apg, 3.0spg, .526 FG%, 2.4 triples per game, .414 3pt%, .917 FT%, 28.2 EFF

By all intents and purposes, it looks like the old Jet Zero is back for OKC. Westbrook continues to shoot a lot, but, thankfully, he has made more than he has missed. He’s nailing better than two triples per outing, and distributing the basketball quite effectively, too. Quite simply, no other PG is playing better hoops than Westbrook at this point in the season. Of course, the Thunder just lost to Phoenix and the Lakers, so Westbrook’s awesome play hasn’t really translated into the Thunder becoming a superbly stronger (or more consistent) team.

Russell Westbrook is back to his old fine form.
(image from Getty Images)

Outside looking in:

Chris Paul (LAC) - 20.4 EFF

Rajon Rondo (BOS) - 20.2 EFF

Steph Curry (GSW) - 20.0 EFF

Tweet