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Friday, March 29, 2024

Bleacher Creatures: Top five shooting guards in the NBA

<p>"<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/5527923379/in/photolist-9qu42M-9qtcoM-9qxbPS-dpE28Z-4NQpBU-4NQpqA-4NLb6H-4NQpyA-4NQpBq-687Ccd-683rtn-bxD7z3-bLxdjv-bysQbw-cS5Hf5-683rMx-mmqqoz-dkTh2L-9Qwh9R-a7tCXk-9pRWcg-dUPxS6-9gnFm9-cDmdjb-fHy8Vp-fHyjMv-fHQZy5-fHQAow-fHyh5v-fHya4Z-fHQNPb-fHynRn-fHR2nG-fHQE6J-fHysiZ-fHQCwW-dA3Ahc-fHQSz5-fHQzP5-fHyijF-fHyfZg-fHyrHc-fHQMwq-fHQXCm-fHy3Ja-fHQyzQ-fHQUeu-fHQRpG-fHy6dp-fHQLx9" target="_blank">James Harden...</a>" by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/" target="_blank">Keith Allison</a>, used under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 2.0</a></p>

"James Harden..." by Keith Allison, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Today, the shooting guard position is filled with several of young, exciting players, though there are a few veterans still hanging around.  For years shooting guard was seen as the weakest position in the NBA, but it seems to be on an upswing now.

James Harden- Harden is one of the smoothest and most efficient scorers in the entire NBA. The lefty can drive and shoot, is a solid passer and does a good job setting up his teammates.  He seems to be completely disinterested with the defensive side of the ball, but has the physical tools to be a solid defender. If he ever becomes a plus defender, Harden could easily be a top 3 player.

Dwyane Wade- Wade is the resident old man in these rankings (no Kobe due to his injuries). He is declining due to his own injury issues, but still has the ability to take over the game from time to time. He’s one of the best cutters and slashers of his generation, which compensates for his lack of 3 point shooting. Wade is also a lock down defender, and the best shot blocking guard of all time.

DeMar DeRozan- After the top two the next three are very close, but I give the edge to DeRozan. He took a huge step forward this year after the Rudy Gay trade and proved he can carry a scoring load.  He has always been a fantastic athlete, but his shooting and defense jumped forward this year. While he’s still prone to inconsistency, he can be the best player on the floor for long stretches at a time.

Bradley Beal- The sweet-stroking former Gator has started to have everything come together. He and John Wall complement each other perfectly in the Wizards backcourt, with Beal spacing the floor for Wall to attack the basket. Beal improved in all areas this season and he’s not even old enough to buy a beer. With another offseason to work on his game, it would not surprise me to see him at number 2 in these rankings next year.

Klay Thompson- The other Splash Brother, Thompson is one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA. He has never shot below 40 percent from 3 point land and his tall and long frame allow him to get off shots over shorter shooting guards. Before Andre Igoudala got to the Warriors, Thompson always drew the assignment of the best perimeter player on the opposing team and he is still an above average defender.  If he can work on his rebounding and passing, he is another who can shoot up this list.

Honorable Mention- Monta Ellis, Lance Stephenson, Manu Ginobili, Arron Afflalo, Wes Matthews

"James Harden..." by Keith Allison, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

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