Today’s modern NBA has often been described as the golden age of Point Guards. The position of Point Guard is home to some of the greatest players in the game and is arguably the deepest position group in the entire league. Some, however, take their game to a whole new level and separate themselves from the rest of the pack. These players can completely alter the course of a game and turn their team into a contender. Currently, there are roughly eight to ten elite point guards in the NBA, but the top five take their game to a whole new level.
Five Best Point Guards Currently in the NBA
Honorable Mention: Ben Simmons
The only thing keeping Ben Simmons from being not only a top-five point guard but a top three-point guard is a reliable jump shot. Simmons possesses all of the physical tools to be an elite player in this league, and this shows every night. His unique blend of size, speed, vision, and just overall athleticism makes him an elite threat along the interior. Pair this with his stout defense and flashy passing, and you get an absolute nightmare. The one skill missing from his game is the ability to hit a jump shot. If he can develop a reliable jumper, this will take his game to an entirely new level and possibly turn him into a top-five player in the NBA.
5. Kemba Walker
It’s hard to think of a player that has been more underrated than Kemba Walker over the past few seasons. Walker has consistently been one of the most well-rounded point guards in the entire NBA season after season. His ball-handling, explosiveness, passing ability, and an extensive arsenal of offensive talent make him a matchup nightmare for defenders. Walker is willing to do what is needed of him every single night. Whether that’s putting up 40 per game or primarily being a passer, Walker is up for the challenge. The change of scenery from the Charlotte Hornets to the Boston Celtics should help him cement his name as one of the best point guards in the NBA.
4. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook may be the most physically gifted player in all of the NBA. His speed and vision while attacking the basket is unmatched throughout the league. His ability to go up and get rebounds is downright incredible for a player of his size. Westbrook is a walking triple-double that is just waiting to fill up the stat sheet every single night. With all of his athleticism, it’s hard to see why he isn’t the best point guard in the NBA. The only real reasons are his inconsistencies from beyond the arc and his poor play in clutch situations. Even with these imperfections, Westbrook is still incredibly effective and continues to be one of the best guards in all of basketball.
3. Kyrie Irving
Flashy, dominant, and clutch. These are just a few words that come to mind when talking about Kyrie Irving. Irving is exactly what you think of when you envision a star point guard. His elite levels of explosiveness, ball-handling, and pinpoint three-point shooting make him one of the best players in all of basketball. If your team needs a last-second shot to win the game, there are very few players better than Irving in a clutch situation. He consistently is willing to rise to the occasion for his team and take those difficult shots. Other than some of his off-court issues, there are very few complaints anyone can make about Irving’s game.
2. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard may be the most well-rounded point guard in the entire NBA. In terms of scoring, he can do it from just about anywhere as he has showcased his limitless range throughout the years. His vision and court awareness, paired with his flashy passing ability make him a genuine threat in all aspects of the game. And while his defensive ability isn’t a strength, he has made great strides to improve. Perhaps the most significant aspect of Lillard’s skillset is when the game is on the line. This is when Lillard enters takeover mode and consistently proves he is a downright clutch player.
1. Stephen Curry
While the other point guards on this list are truly elite, none even compare to Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP and future NBA Hall of Famer is the best point guard in the league. He is arguably the greatest shooter in NBA history while being the record holder for threes made in a season. Curry is also one of the best passers in the game and continues to prove this year after year. The impact he has on his team is immense, and this has significantly shown since his most recent injury. While he does have some minor weaknesses in his game, his strengths far outweigh them. He is, without a doubt, the greatest point guard in all of the NBA.
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