Freaky Play

NBA Fact Sheet: Point Guards

It started in 2005 with the drafting of Derron Williams and Chris Paul, in the midst of Steve Nash's back-to-back MVP campaign. Over the last 5 years we have seen a surge of exceptional floor generals enter the league. With point guards winning the Rookie of the Year 3 of the last 5 seasons (Chris Paul, Tyreke Evans, and Derrick Rose) John Wall likely to finish second in the 2011 ROY race and Rose on pace to win the MVP it is clear that the point guard position has the greatest abundance of talent of any other position in the league.

Rajon Rondo is not a franchise player.

I was arguing with a couple of my friends about who is the best point guard in the league. They thought that Rajon Rondo was top 2, mostly because they are overzealous Celtics fans. I think Rajon Rondo is immensely overrated, that could be because I live in the greater Boston/Providence area and every time he does that overused, often unnecessary halfway around the back move people have put on their Facebook statuses how great he is. Seriously, it's so obnoxious when everyone blows up their Facebook whenever the Celtics win or make a good play. We get it, you watch Celtics games it doesn't make you cool, but I digress. Rondo couldn't hold Derron Williams, Chris Paul and Derrick Rose's jock strap, and on top of that I'm not even sure of Rondo would be an all-star if he wasn't playing with 3 other hall of famers. Seriously,  it's pretty easy to dish out assists when you have the second best shooter of all time in Ray Allen, one of the best scorers in Celtic history in Paul Pierce, and an NBA legend like Garnett. Don't get me wrong he is a great athlete, passer and defender. However he is a horrendous shooter, I'm not so sure if the league has ever seen a guard with such a poor jump shot. His skill set is not equal to the aforementioned point guards and those players, unlike Rondo are the definitive team leaders who have the responsibility of being the primary scorer, distributor and defender. We'll see how well Rondo does when Pierce, Allen and Garnett retire. I guarantee he won't be leading the league in assists.

Pertinent Statistics

Rajon Rondo ranks 389th in the league in FT% with .471

Unless Deron Williams wins a title, he will never surpass John Stockton

Derron Williams is one of the top 3 point guards in the league and this isn't necessarily a slight against him, but people tend to compare him to John Stockton and well that just isn't fair. John Stockton is one of the 5 greatest point guards of all time. Even though he left the NBA with bare fingers, he's been pardoned by many as a victim of Michael Jordan's dominance. Derron Williams has hall of fame potential but he won't even come close to the records set by Stockton. The only plausible way for D-Will to be considered the best guard in Jazz history is to win a title or multiple titles.

Pertinent Statistics

John Stockton's records and achievements: 10 time all-star, one of three players to dish out 1,000 asissts in a season, doing it 7 times, career 10.5apg (second all-time), highest single season apg average 14.54, all time leader in steals, all time leader in assists

Mike D'Antoni can maximize a point guard's potential.

Years down the road, when Steve Nash is being enshrined in Springfield, the first person he should thank is his former coach, Mike D'Antoni. It is proven that D'Antoni's offense in conjunction with Amare Stoudemire can bring out the best in any point guard. Before his return to Phoenix, Nash was a two time all-star, who put up some pretty good numbers but nothing even close for HOF consideration. Since pairing up with D'Anonti in 2005 Nash has  averaged over 10apg every season with the exception of 2009 (9.7) leading the league for 4 seasons, is a 3x All-NBA 1st teamer and just the second point guard to win multiple MVPs. Although D'Antoni has left Phoenix, Nash is playing under Alvin Gentry who was D'Anoni's assistant for five seasons. Now, Raymond Felton is reaping the benefits of D'Antoni's high octane offense in New York. Before this season Felton was a middle of the pack player who had never really met the expectations of a top 5 draft pick. Now, Felton is just outside the top 5 in assist per game (8.9) and getting serious all-star consideration for the first time in his career.
Pertinent Statistics

                               Before D'Antoni        After D'Antoni                        

Steve Nash:          12.5ppg 6apg             17.1ppg 9.1apg                 

Raymond Felton: 13.3ppg 6.4apg         17.5ppg  8.9apg

Jason Kidd is the best point guard of the post-Jordan era, not Steve Nash.

I think we are going beyond post-Jordan and entering a new era in the NBA. I just haven't found a name for it yet. But when it comes down to the best point guard of the post-Jordan NBA it comes down to Jason Kidd and Steve Nash. Steve Nash has a solid argument with his back-to-back MVP awards and outstanding play in the twilight of his career but Jason Kidd will go down as the better point guard and when you look at the stats, it isn't even close. Don't get me wrong, I am a big Nash fan, I love watching him play. He has lead the league in assists four times and is probably the most creative passer in the league. The way he can play like this in his late 30s is astounding. He is one of the greatest shooters of all time too and while Jason Kidd's jump shot isn't nearly as accurate, Kidd is better at everything else. Kidd lead the league in assists 5 times, and has finished top 5 in assists every season since '96 and top 10 every season of his career. Kidd's career 9.2apg is second among active players and sixth all time. He also ranks second all-time in total assists. Nash fails to be effective on the defensive side of the ball and Kidd is one of the greatest defensive point guards to ever play. He is a 9x all defensive team selection averages of 6.5rpg, 2spg and is 4th all time in total steals. His all around game has helped him record over 100 triple-doubles. In his prime, he was the closest thing to Oscar Robertson since.. well, Oscar Robertson.

Pertinent Statistics

Steve Nash

Stats: 14.6ppg, 8.4apg, 3rpg, .8spg

Accolades: 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 8,843 assists (eighth all-time)

Jason Kidd

Stats: 13.4ppg, 9.2apg, 6.5rpg 2spg

Accolades: 10x All-Star, 6x All NBA, 9x All Defensive Team, Co-Rookie of the Year, 2 Finals appearances, 2,419 steals (fourth all-time) 106 triple-doubles (third all-time), 11290 assists (second all-time)

John Wall is going to be a top 5 point guard in years to come.

John Wall is a special talent. He is currently averaging 15.1ppg 9.3apg (fifth in the league) 4rpg and 1.8spg (eighth in the league). He is still raw, and needs to work on his turnovers with a league leading 3.9 per game but he's getting better every game.
Pertinent Statistics

In just his first season as an NBA player, John Wall is already the all-time leader in dougies.

There is Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Derron Williams and the rest of them.

These three players have set themselves apart from the rest.  After several years of being shunned, Deron Williams finally made his first all-star appearance in 2010 and exploded in last seasons play-offs averaging 24.7ppg and 10.3apg before bowing out to L.A. in the second round. If the NBA had a Comeback Player of the Year Award, Paul would be the leading candidate. He played just 45 games last season but has come back strong averaging 16 points, 9.6 assists,4 rebounds and is leading the league in steals for the third season. Derrick Rose is having a breakout third season, he the only player who is top 10 in points (24.7ppg) and assists (8.0apg) and is the front-runner for the MVP. While there is a plethora of talent at the point guard position with players like Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook leading the second tier, the battle for best floor general comes down CP3, D-Rose and D-Will.

Pertinent Statistics

Highest Player Efficiency Rating among point guards
1. Chris Paul, 25.7
2. Derrick Rose, 22.9
3. Deron Williams, 22.8


This is my revised ranking of the top point guards. There have been some major changes since my preseason rankings.


20. Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons

19. Andre Miller, Portland Trail Blazers

18. Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic

17. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors

16. Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets

15. Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets

14. Mo Williams, Cleveland Caviliers 
13. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks

12. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

11. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors

10. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

9. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

8. John Wall, Washington Wizards

7. Raymond Felton, New York Knicks

6. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

5. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

4. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

3. Deron Williams, Utah Jaz

2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Islanders Nabokov Exclusive

This once proud franchise (won 4 straight Stanley Cups from 1979 - 1983) has now become an absolute joke. 

Chicago Car Salesman FIRED For Packers Tie!

Not going to bust out the Vince McMahon you're fired video for this (the thought did cross my mind) since this is absolutely absurd. I'm pretty sure the United States is a free country and you are allowed to wear whatever kind of tie (within reason of course) you want to work. It is very common for people to move away from the city they were born and raised as well as root for a team that may be a rival to the local squad. This man had every right to wear his Green Bay Packers tie and should actually file a wrongful termination lawsuit. I guarantee you every lawyer out there would love to get their hands on this case, even lawyers who root for the Bears.

"I didn't know you could get fired for wearing a tie," said Stone, 34, of Chicago's Roseland neighborhood. "I'm supposed to dress up. I'm a car salesman."

The Actual Letter A Uconn Donor Sent The AD

Tuesday's Picks

Uconn +4 vs. Marquette: The 5th ranked Huskies enter tonight's matchup winner's of five in a row and going 4-1 ATS during that mark. Marquette is 13-7 overall, but 11-1 at home this season. Marquette has also been winning better's a lot of money of late going 7-1 ATS. Huskies's star Kemba Walker is coming off a season low 16 points and will look to get back to his high scoring ways. Marquette will need a big game from Darius Johnson-Odem, who is coming off a 25 point performance if they want to upset Uconn.
Pick: Uconn

Denver -5 vs Washington: Denver has been a terrible road team this year going just 5-13, but that is no where near as bad as Washington's 0-21 road record. Washington has lost 3 of 4 coming into tonight's game and is 2-7 ATS in their last 9. Denver on the other hand is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games. Denver does not play much defense which could be a problem when their facing a team who has four players who can all score.
Picks: Denver

Season: 8-7-1

The Nabokov Saga Continues! (Claimed & MIA)

"I haven't put much though into it, but the Islanders are terrible so I'm not sure why they did that" - Chris Osgood commenting on the Islanders claiming Evgeni Nabokov.

While it seemed unrealistic Nabby would fall all the way to Detroit, after signing with the Red Wings and going through the waiver process, literally no one (well except the Islanders brass) thought New York would snatch him up. The Islanders are no where near the race and have no outside shot of even getting in the playoffs. If they wanted to bring in the veteran, as he pursues 300 career wins (currently at 293), it would have made more sense to have signed him as a free agent over the summer. Although, they may have had to pay him more, at least it would have actually paid off somewhat to bring in fans and maybe create a buzz. I could have maybe understood this, if it was a Detroit rival looking to keep him from Hockeytown, any other reason for a team not in the hunt is just absurd. As of now, New York is left with an aging goalie, and an unhappy KHL runaway refusing to report. Well done Mr. Snow, you really thought this one out....