In this Position
Battle post, we will focus on the top five shooting 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.
There’s no
surprise at the top, but there are a couple of names here that might make your
jaw drop. Yes, that includes Brooklyn’s own overpaid sniper finally breaking
into the top five and one of the biggest reasons the Suns SHOULD BE in the
Playoffs.
Note: All of the following stats are based on each
player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on March
12, 2014 (Manila time).
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| Ladies and gents, here are the best SGs in the league right now. (composite image by Enzo Flojo/Hoop Nut) |
5. Joe Johnson (BKN) - 18.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.6apg,
1.0spg, .529 FG%, 2.6 triples per game, .464 3pt%, 18.8 EFF
Don’t look
now, but the Brooklyn Nets might finally be delivering on their potential. Far
from the cup-spilling controversy that was Jason Kidd, the Nets have strung
together 6 wins in their last 7 games, including big ones over Chicago,
Memphis, and current division leader Toronto. In most of those wins, JJ has
been integral, hitting treys and pinch-hitting as a capable playmaker. By far
the most important stat, however, is his shooting around 53% from the field!
The only hiccup was that 1/7 barfer against the Celtics. Yes, BKN beat the
Bulls and the Raptors, but lost to the Cs. Go figure.
4. DeMar DeRozan (TOR) - 24.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.8apg,
20.4 EFF
Not to be
outdone, Toronto’s own star two-guard, DeMar DeRozan, continues to impress. The
high-flying wingman notched three straight 30+ games in late February and early
March to pad his status, while also 25 and 7 against Minnesota a couple of
nights ago. Some people are actually saying the Raptors might be a dark horse
in the Eastern pennant race, and, if they do pull the rug from under the
favorites, we can all credit DeRozan with a big part of that success.
3. Dwyane Wade (MIA) -
21.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.8apg, 1.5spg, 20.8 EFF
If not for
Wade, the Heat might have lost their fourth straight against the resilient
Wizards. The Flash dropped 22-5-6-1-1 against Washington while also nailing all
six of his freebies. He has scored at least 22 points in all but one of his
last eight games, which augurs well for Miami’s end-of-the-season run and
moving into the postseason. If this is Wade’s way of heating up (pun not
intended too much), then the rest of the league better get ready.
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| Dwyane Wade might be peaking at the right time for Miami. (image by Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images) |
2. Gerald Green (PHX) -
26.4ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.4spg, .483 FG%, 4.6 triples per game, .561 3pt%,
.893 FT%, 23.2 EFF
If the Suns
were an East team, they’d be at the third spot and in the conversation for the
Eastern Conference crown. Instead, they’re sitting just outside the top eight
of the West. There really is something worth fixing here, right? But anyway,
let’s focus on Gerald Green being an awesome SG instead. His transformation
from a Corey Maggette clone into a second-tier SG has been nothing short of
admirable. He is playing his best basketball this season, and that’s one huge
reason I’m still hoping Phoenix makes the Playoffs. Let’s go, Suns!
1. James Harden (HOU) - 28.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 7.8apg,
2.6spg, .516 FG%, 3.0 triples per game, .405 3pt%, 29.2 EFF
Harden
recently boldly declared that Houston was the best team in the NBA. Despite
being s Rockets fan, I’m not entirely sure I can get behind that statement, but
I will definitely say this – the Houston Rockets have the planet’s best
shooting guard. The Beard is ripping the nylon for three triples per game,
grabbing boards, handing out dimes, stealing basketballs, and basically
dribble-driving-and-pull-upping his way into greatness. Opposing defenders can
just shake their heads after wiping Harden’s dust off their faces. Oh, and
Houston has been 16-4 since the flip of the calendar into 2014, so maybe he has
a point after all.
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| James Harden is still the best and boldest out there. (image by Bill Baptist/Getty Images) |
Outside
looking in:
Monta Ellis (DAL) - 17.2 EFF
Kyle Korver (ATL) - 16.6 EFF
Jodie Meeks (LAL) - 15.8 EFF
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