For the past two years, the argument for best point guard has been a good one. The past four or five years, no one came close to Chris Paul. Some gave the nod to Tony Parker, but Paul always proved who was the best. But recently, there is a feel that Paul’s reign as the best point guard is coming to an end. There are two players that come to mind when thinking about who will end Paul’s reign: Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook. Both of these players have had outstanding seasons, and are looking to make their case for best point guard come playoff time. The real question is, Curry or Westbrook?
Best Point Guard: Stephen Curry or Russell Westbrook?
The point guard position has changed over the years. The point guard used to be labeled as the quarterback of the team. They would keep the game under control and know what was going to happen before anyone else. Old-fashioned point guards never really cared for scoring. The focus was more on getting teammates open and making the right basketball play. In today’s NBA, that isn’t necessarily the case. While point guards are still great playmakers, they often look to score before passing. This has been done by both Curry and Westbrook. Also, point guards have never been as athletic as they are today. Players such as Westbrook, Derrick Rose, and Tony Parker are some of the best finishers in the league. Curry and Westbrook’s ability to score, yet still be a great teammate, has shown the evolution of the point guard position. Keeping this all in mind, let’s evaluate which superstar has the edge in a few of the most fundamental and essential basketball skills.
Shooting: Stephen Curry
Okay, everyone knows that this one is not even close. It is not that Westbrook is a bad shooter; he is one of the best mid range shooters in the league. Curry is just a pure shooter and arguably one of the greatest shooters of all time. He has the ability to stop on a dime and get a shot off, regardless of how far away from the basket he is. And every time, his shooting form and release do not change. That is the beauty of watching Curry shoot.
Rebounding: Russell Westbrook
This category is also pretty lob-sided. Curry is averaging four rebounds per game, while Westbrook is averaging nearly eight per game. Westbrook loves having the ball in his hands, and he often looks to get the rebound and take off. In today’s game, rebounding is simply all about motivation. Westbrook has eight triple doubles this season. I’m sure the motivation is noticeable from that.
Athleticism: Russell Westbrook
Westbrook has already been labeled by some as the most athletic point guard of all time. While Curry is a solid athlete, Westbrook takes it to a whole new level. His ability to get to the rim and finish with contact is truly amazing to watch. Trust me, the big men know what I am talking about. He has put them on a poster many times. He isn’t only the most athletic point guard, but he is also one of the most athletic players in the entire league.
Passing: Stephen Curry
This one was tough to decide, but Curry gets the nod here. Westbrook does average more assists, but Curry is a better passer on a more consistent basis. One of Curry’s best attributes is passing, and he reminds us why every time he is on the court. Curry is able to always find the open man even when he adds a little flare to his passes, sparking the energy of the crowd. Whether he is doing a behind the back or between the legs pass, the ball always gets to where it needs to be.
Basketball IQ: Stephen Curry
Curry is one of the smartest players in the league. He always has a feel of what is going to happen, and knows how to control the court. Westbrook is a very smart player as well, but he tends to play a little out of control sometimes. Curry can carve a defense with his knowledge and get the bucket.
Conclusion: Westbrook over Curry
While Curry has been given the nod in more categories, it is just too hard to not give this to Westbrook. He has been on an absolute tear lately, and no one expects to see him slow down anytime soon. Westbrook is also a better defender than Curry. It is time for the league to recognize that Westbrook is the best point guard in the NBA. If I had one game for all the marbles, I would take Russell Westbrook.
