Heading into the 2021-2022 NBA season the point guard skill level is at an all-time high. Players like Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, and Damian Lillard can shoot from beyond 30 feet while Ja Morant, Russell Westbrook, and De’Aaron Fox can dunk on anybody. In this article, we will take a look at the top ten point guards entering the 2021-2022 NBA season.
Check out the top ten centers heading into the 2021-2022 NBA season here!
Top Ten Point Guards Entering the 2021-2022 NBA Season
10. Jrue Holiday
Replacing Eric Bledsoe with Jrue Holiday got the Milwaukee Bucks over the hump to win last season’s NBA championship. On the Bucks track to the Finals, Holiday was a menace on the defensive end, locking up great NBA players such as Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Trae Young. Also, when Holiday’s offensive game is percolating he is a lethal two-way player.
9. De’Aaron Fox
If De’Aaron Fox was not playing for the Sacramento Kings last season he definitely would’ve gotten much more attention placed upon his last season. Fox’s ability to penetrate and collapse the defense with his quickness and speed is a tumultuous challenge for any defender. Fox had a career year in scoring averaging 25.2 points per game while also increasing his three-point percentage to 32 percent.
8. Russell Westbrook
Concluding the 2020-2021 NBA season, Russell Westbrook is now the all-time leader in triple-doubles. Russell once averaged a triple-double in stats averaging 22.2 points, 11.7 assists, and 11.5 rebounds per game. We all understand the greatness of Westbrook, but now heading to the Lakers, will his ball-dominant attributes with dismal shooting percentages be able to work next to LeBron James? This remains to be seen, however, I am optimistic that the fit will work solely on both players’ will to win.
7. Ja Morant
Ja Morant is a dazzling young superstar in the NBA. Morant does everything for the Memphis Grizzlies on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court. Morant willed the Grizzlies into the play-in and eventually into the playoffs by going toe to toe against the great, Stephen Curry. Following that win, Morant even made the playoff series against the number one seeded Utah Jazz interesting when the Grizzlies took game one. Ja will continue to grow and improve and maybe be higher on this list next season.
6. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is the most talented handler of the ball that we have ever seen. Irving is coming off of a terrific season with the Nets becoming only the ninth player ever to join the exclusive 50-40-90 club. However, he has a couple of issues. One is his health as he was missed at least ten games in all but one season in his NBA career. Another issue is how dedicated Irving is to the game of basketball as he sometimes takes an abrupt leave of absence.
5. Chris Paul
Last season, Chris Paul did the unthinkable, leading the prior lowly Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals at the age of 36. Paul has completely changed the perception of himself among his peers by leading both the young Oklahoma City Thunder and the Suns to the playoffs in two years. Most of the time, Paul does not light up the stat sheet but you can not place a number on leadership.
4. Trae Young
Trae Young had the biggest coming-out party of anyone during last season’s playoffs. Young fully embraced the villain role knocking off both the favorited New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, on the Hawk’s way to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was electric in the playoffs averaging 28.8 points and 9.5 assists per game. Young like Morant will continue to grow and lead his team which may end up placing him higher on the list next year.
3. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is an offensive powerhouse. Lillard can fill up the basket with the likes of anybody. The problem for both Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers is that he struggles mightily on the defensive end of the court. It shall be very interesting to see if Lillard continues to stick with a front office in Portland that has not done much to help him win a championship or eventually ask out.
2. Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic almost has no weaknesses on the basketball court as a 6-7 point guard. Doncic has elite passing vision while also being able to hit three from beyond 30 feet. This Dallas Mavericks team is tailor-made for Doncic because he is surrounded by multiple shooters. I would not be surprised if Doncic won the 2021-2022 NBA MVP award.
1. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter that we have ever seen touch a basketball. Curry, like Doncic, was elite passing vision while also being able to hit threes from the half-court logo. Curry led the league in points per game by averaging 32.0 while also shooting 42 percent on threes on 12.7 attempts which is ridiculous. He may be the greatest point guard of all time.
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