It’s
crazy as hell that James Harden wasn’t voted as an All-Star starter this
season. Crazy. As. Hell. But all is good now because The Beard is draining
buckets, taking names, and, get this, playing D!!! His Rockets? Fifth overall in
the league. Boom. And how about the other guys on this list? They’re pretty
good, too, but, by far, there’s just no SG on the planet who can lay a hand on
James effin’ Harden.
And who
are those “other” SGs? Let’s see.
Here they are – the top five shooting guards RIGHT
NOW in the 2014-2015 NBA regular season (this is based on the Player Efficiency
ratings as calculated by HoopsStats.com
as of the evening of February 27, 2015 – Manila time):
5. Kevin
Martin (MIN) - 21.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg, 2.3 triples per game, 40.2
3pt%, 87.0 FT%, 16.7 EFF
- K-Mart
has quietly become a really reliable scorer for the T-Wolves. That’s not saying
much considering where Minny is in the greater scheme of things (dead last in
the West, boys), but they’d be scraping the floor (literally) without this guy.
At least he’s a fantastic fantasy fellow.
4. Dwyane
Wade (MIA) - 20.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.2apg, 1.1spg, 47.7 FG%, 17.6 EFF
- He’s
old. He’s hobbling. He’s no longer the alpha (even without LBJ or Bosh on the
roster). And, again, he’s old. Still, few old guys can put up 21 points, 4
rebounds, and 5 dimes per night. If the NBA had age divisions like Boxing, Wade
would be the MVP of those born in or before the year Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical”
topped the charts (look that up, young’ uns).
3. Klay
Thompson (GSW) - 22.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, 3.1 triples per game, 43.9
3pt%, 18.8 EFF
- Yes,
yes – Klay can play. He can shoot. And he can defend. But he’s still not the
best SG in the NBA. In California? Sure, why not. If the Dubs can remain on top
of the league and can make a lot of headway in the postseason (read: Finals or
bust), Klay can maybe supplant the other two guys following him on this list.
Otherwise, I say we’ve seen the best he can offer.
2. Jimmy
Butler (CHI) - 20.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.3apg, 1.8spg, 1.1 triples per game, 35.0
3pt%, 21.4 EFF
- Jimmy
Buckets has dropped off a bit, but the injury to D-Rose means he’ll get more
touches and, consequently, carry much more pressure. This will be the true test
of his character and will – same with the whole Bulls organization. D-Rose’s
on-and-off relationship with knee issues has been an annual melodrama for
Chicago, but this is the first time they have multiple All-Stars on the roster
who can carry the team through such a difficult time. I have a feeling Jimmy
and the Bulls still have a lot of fight in them.
1. James
Harden (HOU) - 27.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 6.9apg, 1.9spg, 2.7 triples per game, 38.5
3pt%, 27.4 EFF
- See
the first paragraph. ‘Nuff said.
Outside
looking in:
Monta
Ellis (DAL) - 15.8 EFF
Goran
Dragic (MIA) - 15.5 EFF
Victor
Oladipo (ORL) - 15.2 EFF
*Kobe
Bryant was excluded from this list even if he’s among the top five. This is
because, well, his season is done.
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