Top Ten Point Guards in NBA

In anticipation of next month's All-Star Game, I thought I'd compile a list of the ten best point guards in the NBA. The point guard position has seen a remarkable renaissance in recent years, and the depth of exemplary point guards is nothing short of amazing. There are so many outstanding point guards that narrowing this list down to ten was mightily difficult, as I was forced to leave a handful of excellent players---Chauncey Billups, Steph Curry, Gilbert Arenas, Devin Harris, Aaron Brooks---off the list. So, with no further ado, here are my picks for the ten best point guards in the NBA today, listed in order of preference:





1. Chris Paul/New Orleans Hornets





In determining the best point guard in basketball, I vacillate constantly between CP3 and Deron Williams. I am giving Paul the slight edge due to the fact that he has catapulted the surprising New Orleans Hornets back to relevance in the Western Conference. Nobody expected the Hornets to contend this season, but as of this writing they are 31-16, fourth in the West. First-year coach Monty Williams deserves heaps of praise for turning around the Hornets, and Emeka Okafor and David West deserve kudos for their strong play. However, Chris Paul is the primary reason for the Hornets' resurgence. CP3 is an absolute marvel on the court. He has the intelligence and athleticism of Magic and the toughness of Isiah. For basketball fans everywhere, it is a privilege to watch Paul dazzle with his extraordinary talent.





2. Deron Williams/Utah Jazz





As spectacular as CP3 is, I came awfully close to declaring Deron Williams the best point guard in the league. If Paul is 1, Williams is 1-A. D-Will conjures memories of the great John Stockton with his superb play as floor general for the Utah Jazz. Granted, Jerry Sloan's Jazz are currently mired in a lethargic slump, but this is no fault of Williams. D-Will is averaging 21.9 PPG and 9.4 APG. That is above his terrific career average 17.3 PPG and 9.1 APG. Also, like Paul, Williams brings gritty toughness night in and night out. Somewhere, John Stockton is smiling.





3. Derrick Rose/Chicago Bulls





With all due respect to the amazing Kevin Durant, my midseason pick for MVP is Derrick Rose. Despite nagging injuries to Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, the Bulls are 31-14 on the season, third place in the East, thanks to the brilliance of Rose. Rose is a wizard with the basketball, and while this is only his third season in the association, he already has the acumen and leadership capabilities of a wily veteran. Rose is an electrifying player, and while I still consider Boston the team to beat in the East, Rose has given the Bulls as good a chance as any to dethrone the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.





4. Rajon Rondo/Boston Celtics



Due to the brilliance of Rose in the Eastern conference, Rajon Rondo has gone somewhat overlooked. That is a shame, because while Rondo may no longer be the best PG out East, he is still an elite player. Rondo will go down as one of the greatest players in Celtics history, and for such a storied franchise, that is saying something. Rondo is the best Celtics PG since Dennis Johnson. In addition to being a consistent scoring threat, Rondo is a masterful passer. Rondo's sensational passing ability has rejuvenated the likes of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. Rondo has the perfect combination of youth, athleticism, and leadership, and he has what it takes to lead the Celtics back to the NBA Finals.



5. Russell Westbrook/Oklahoma City Thunder



Coming into the 2010-2011 NBA season, I knew Russell Westbrook was good, but I had no idea he was this good. I have been a fan of Westbrook ever since his days at UCLA, but even I have been amazed by his greatness this season. Westbrook is one of the most exciting players in the league, and his tremendous speed and outstanding talent make him a nightmare cover for opposing teams. I don't mean to sound repetitive with my emphasis on leadership, but that is what makes a point guard truly great. The Thunder is Kevin Durant's team, but Westbrook shares leadership duties with K.D., and he has handled that responsibility with remarkable poise.

6. Steve Nash/Phoenix Suns

You know the NBA is incredibly loaded at the point guard position when Steve Nash, a two-time MVP and a surefire Hall-of-Famer, doesn't even crack the top five. Nonetheless, Nash is as magnificent as ever, an ageless wonder who runs the floor with breathtaking, effortless ease. Nash is a magician with the basketball, and don't let his relatively tiny physical frame fool you: Nash plays the game with ferocious tenacity. Watching Steve Nash play remains one of the game's most satisfying delights. So while we rightfully acknowledge the greatness of youngsters Paul, Williams, Rose, Rondo, and Westbrook, we must not forget that there is a familiar face in Phoenix who continues to prove why he is one of the greatest players of all-time.

7. Tony Parker/San Antonio Spurs

If somebody had told me prior to the start of the season that the great Tim Duncan would be having a relatively ineffective year, I would have said that the Spurs would be done, with no shot at contention. However, as of this writing, San Antonio has the best record in the NBA, and they are poised to contend for another championship. Certainly, guys like Manu Ginobli, DeJuan Blair, and Richard Jefferson deserve enormous credit for keeping the Spurs atop the West in spite of Duncan's decline. But I still think the MVP for San Antonio is Tony Parker. Parker runs the Spurs offense with such methodical precision that it is occasionally easy to overlook his talent. However, Parker is as good as ever, and he and Rondo are the only players on this list with championship experience. Parker, much like the franchise for which he plays, has never received the respect that he deserves. I'm sure that's just fine by him, as he will gladly take championship rings over media buzz any day.

8. Jason Kidd/Dallas Mavericks

What I said about Steve Nash can also be said for Jason Kidd. Over the past few years, Kidd has been foolishly dismissed as over the hill, yet he is still a stunningly efficient PG. Granted, Kidd does not dazzle with his numbers, and he is not the MVP of his team. That honor, of course, belongs to Dirk Nowitzki. However, Kidd is an integral part of Dallas' success. Much like Nash, Kidd is a breathtaking passer and ball-handler, the epitome of selflessness. Much like Nash, Kidd hasn't really shown any signs of slowing down.

9. Raymond Felton/New York Knicks

Felton was always a good player with the Charlotte Bobcats, but the move to New York alongside Amare Stoudamire has propelled Felton to being one of the game's best point guards. Felton is now a legitimate All-Star player who has performed masterfully under the intense scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing in the Big Apple. The Knicks finally have a stellar point guard who has what it takes to bring playoff success to Madison Square Garden.

10. Jameer Nelson/Orlando Magic

A couple years ago, Nelson's name was mentioned alongside Chris Paul in the discussion of the game's premier point guard. Unfortunately, Nelson became plagued with injury, and for a while he resided in relative obscurity. Thankfully, Jameer Nelson is back in top form, and he is playing phenomenal basketball for the title-contending Orlando Magic. There were rumors that Nelson's role as starting point guard would be in jeopardy once the magic acquired Gilbert Arenas. But after silencing his skeptics with his play on the hardwood, Nelson has no need to worry about that. All eyes are on Dwight Howard in Orlando, but let us not forget that Nelson is of immense importance to the Magic. The Magic will need Nelson to continue his terrific play if they hope to upend the Boston Celtics in the East.

Musings on Steelers-Packers

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---And then there were two. Super Bowl XLV is set, and it will be a duel of two of football's most popular, most storied franchises. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers will battle for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

---Granted, I was rooting hard for the New York Jets yesterday. However, there is no denying the fact that Steelers-Packers is an electrifying matchup. It will be a great game, and a matchup of two elite quarterbacks.

---Aaron Rodgers may not have had his best performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Bears, but he is a stellar QB who has given the Packers a chance to become the first 6-seed in NFL history to win the Super Bowl. Ever since his days at Cal, Rodgers has been a consistent, unflappable presence behind center. Furthermore, Rodgers ranks amongst the most likeable players in football. I will be rooting for him to succeed in Super Bowl XLV.

---Sadly, I can't say that I will be rooting for Rodgers' Super Bowl counterpart, Ben Roethlisberger, to succeed. After all, Roethlisberger's cringe-inducing offseason behavior has turned him into an immensely unlikeable figure. Nonetheless, Big Ben is a tremendous quarterback who is vying for his third Super Bowl championship. If Roethliberger continues to perform at such a high level, he has an excellent chance of surpassing Terry Bradshaw as the greatest QB in Steelers history.

---However, while Rodgers and Roethlisberger headline two exciting offenses, one should not neglect the prowess of both defenses. Dom Capers' Green Bay D won the game for the Packers yesterday, buoyed by a wildly entertaining pick-6 from B.J. Raji. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, Dick LaBeau's defense features the dominant forces of Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor.

---Speaking of Polamalu, there was a fascinating stat from Sunday's Steelers-Jets game. Polamalu's hair had three interceptions.

---Super Bowl XLV also features two of the game's most outstanding, criminally underrated coaches in Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy. Tomlin and McCarthy are not alike in terms of personality-----Tomlin is fiery and energetic compared to the more subdued McCarthy-----but both men are masters of their craft who deserve far more credit than they receive.

---The Green Bay Packers are in the Super Bowl. Take that, Brett (Sorry, I couldn't resist).

---Memo to the NFL: Take away the damn Bye Week!!!! Everybody is brimming with excitement for Steelers-Packers, so why make them wait two weeks before the game is played?

---What is the over-under on how many punts will hit the enormous Cowboys Stadium jumbotron in Super Bowl XLV? This is surely to be one of the most popular bets in Vegas.

---And lastly, if I'm Jay Cutler, I'm watching the Super Bowl somewhere other than Chicago.