Heading into this NBA season, the talent level for the shooting guard position is off the charts. Every player on this list can shoot and score from all three levels on the basketball court. In this article, we will take a look at the top ten shooting guards entering the 2021-2022 NBA season.
Check out the top ten point guards entering the 2021-2022 NBA season here!
Top Ten Shooting Guards Entering the 2021-2022 NBA Season
10. Klay Thompson
Even though Klay Thompson has not played an NBA basketball game since June 2019, he still makes the list because he is one of the greatest shooters of all time. Thompson will be returning around the end of December from his Achilles injury. Before his injuries, Thompson was an absolutely deadly shooter, ranking 20th on the all-time three-pointers made list. Thompson was not just a shooter as he defended the opposing team’s best perimeter player on most nights for the Golden State Warriors. The question though for Thompson is whether he will be able to be the same player he was before the injury. We will soon know the answer.
9. CJ McCollum
Mostly overshadowed by Damian Lillard potentially wanting out or the Portland Trailblazers playoff struggles, CJ McCollum had a terrific prior season. Many people most likely feel that the 30-year-old McCollum may have reached his peak. However, this may not be true as McCollum averaged a career-high in points at 23.1 and a career-high in assists at 4.7. McCollum also shot over 40% percent on three-point field goal attempts which is outstanding for such a high-volume shooter.
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was not playing for the rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder he would definitely be talked about more for his last season. Gilgeous-Alexander had a career year in almost every statistical category including points, assists, three-point percentage, and overall field goal percentage. Alexander averaged 23.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Alexander shot over 40% percent on threes while also shooting 50% percent on overall field goal percentage which is amazing for a scoring guard. If Gilgeous-Alexander can keep this up the Thunder will be on the right track with their rebuild.
7. Jaylen Brown
If Jaylen Brown wouldn’t have gotten hurt before last season’s playoffs events could have been different. When Brown is on the court his presence is felt as he is a terrific player on both ends of the floor. The first time all-star, averaged a career-high in points as well as assists last season. Brown averaged 24.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. The only 24-year-old Brown continues to grow and improve on his game every single season and could have even been discussed for the Most Improved Player Award.
6. Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine is an offensive powerhouse who came close to achieving the all-exclusive 50-40-90 club. LaVine can fill up the basket with the likes of anyone, achieving four 40-plus point scoring games. He also had one 50-plus point scoring game last season. LaVine averaged 27.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. If LaVine continues to have this type of offensive output the Chicago Bulls will be in the heart of playoff contention.
5. Donovan Mitchell
Last season Donovan Mitchell led the Utah Jazz to the first seed in the Western Conference. Mitchell is an extremely explosive scorer who can also guard the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer. Even though the Utah Jazz seems to always struggle in the postseason, Mitchell defiantly does not. In the six games against the Clippers, Donovan Mitchell scored 45, 37, 30, 37, 21, and 39 in the six-game series. When you are receiving player comparisons to Dwyane Wade you are in good company.
4. Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is most likely the best all-around scorer on this list. Beal is a certified bucket having both a 50 and 60 point game in a single season. What may be crazier than Beal scoring 60 points in a single game is that his team, the Washinton Wizards ended up losing that game. Aside from that, Beal averaged 31.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Beal is also only the fifth player all-time to average 30-plus points per game for back-to-back seasons. It will be interesting to see if Beal continues to ride it out in Washington or not.
3. Paul George
Paul George had an incredibly impressive regular season as well as playoffs leading the Los Angeles Clippers when Kawhi Leonard went down. George’s reputation was a bit tattered following the bubble playoffs however, he completely fixed that. Last season, George averaged 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. George was also at the top of his game on the defensive end of the floor taking on the opponent’s best perimeter player. George is one of the best two-way players that we have ever seen.
2. Devin Booker
Last season Devin Booker did the unthinkable, leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals. Even without improving in any major statistical category Devin Booker still had a fantastic year improving in leadership and toughness. Booker averaged 25.6 points, 4,2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game in the regular season. I would not be surprised to see Devin Booker take an even bigger leap this upcoming season and have himself in the middle of the MVP race.
1. James Harden
James Harden is one of the best shooting guards of all time probably ranking in most people’s top five list. Harden is exceptional at scoring, rebounding, and finding to open teammates. Harden had an amazing prior season for the Brooklyn Nets averaging nearly a triple-double with 24.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game. The one major knock on Harden is staying healthy which will be needed in order for the prohibitive favorite Nets to win the NBA championship.
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