2016-2017 Preview: The Top 10 Point Guards!
(c) PBA Media Bureau
Who cannot wait for the season to begin? Raise your hands! With a lot of player movements this offseason, I expect a very fascinating and entertaining season.
For today, we will tackle the most loaded position in the league, point guard. So, who are the top 10 point guards entering the season? Let us find out!
I score the point guards in four areas that encompasses the position:
Defense (20 Points) - Their ability to lockdown their assignments, play team defense and grab rebounds.
Scoring (15 Points) - Their expertise of putting the ball through the basket with effectiveness and efficiency.
Playmaking (15 Points) - Their capacity to call the right plays, open up their teammates and control the flow of the game.
Leadership (10 Points) - Their ability to supervise, organize, direct and develop the team.
#10 TERRENCE ROMEOScoring: 15
Playmaking: 11
Defense: 6
Leadership: 5
Total = 37
Romeo is the most effective scorer in the league today but he really needs to develop the other facets of his game. He put more effort on the defensive end this season but he wa very inconsistent and he still needs to learn the nuisances of defending.
#9 CHRIS NEWSOMEScoring: 11
Playmaking: 11
Defense: 12
Leadership: 5
Total = 39
Newsome's versatility has led coach Norman to play him at the point in the last two conferences. Being a rookie, his leadership still need time but he is already above average on the other aspects.
#8 SOL MERCADOScoring: 11
Playmaking: 11
Defense: 11
Leadership: 7
Total = 40
Yeah, he is playing off-the-bench in Ginebra but this guy once average 16.2 points, 6.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds a few seasons ago. And he is actually playing well in Ginebra. Remember his defense against Durnham?
#7 PAUL LEEScoring: 13
Playmaking: 13
Defense: 11
Leadership: 5
Total = 42
Paul can play the PG and SG position but as a PG, he hasn't exhibited good leadership. On the other aspects, he is elite.
#6 CHRIS ROSSScoring: 5
Playmaking: 14
Defense: 15
Leadership: 9
Total = 43
Ross is the most unique quarterback in the league. Call him the Rajon Rondo of the PBA because he doesn't care about putting points beside his name. He is the best thief in the Philippine hardcourt and one of the best passer.
#5 ALEX CABAGNOTScoring: 12
Playmaking: 13
Defense: 10
Leadership: 9
Total = 44
Cabagnot is slowly transitioning into the 2 but he is still one of the most poise point guard in the league, today. His ability to knockdown clutch shots is topnotch. I am pretty sure all the coaches in the PBA want a very accurate clutch player like Chris.
#4 MARK BARROCAScoring: 10
Playmaking: 12
Defense: 15
Leadership: 8
Total = 45
A lot of people is underrating him because he is not the flashiest ball handler out there but he worked his butt-off to be one of the best on the defensive end. He can score and make plays very well.
#3 STANLEY PRINGLEScoring: 15
Playmaking: 12
Defense: 12
Leadership: 7
Total = 46
Pringle has evolved into the most efficient scorer in the league in this era. In his first two seasons in the league, he produced 19.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 38.3% 3FG and 47.6% FG. I am quite positive that he will take the #1 spot already after the upcoming season.
#2 LA TENORIOScoring: 11
Playmaking: 15
Defense: 11
Leadership: 10
Total = 47
Tenorio could be the last 5'10 and below point guard to thrive in the league because it is not that easy to do it. You will need to be a superb leader, clutch scorer, intelligent playmaker and most of all, you need to learn to handle bigger players on the defensive end.
#1 JAYSON CASTROScoring: 15
Playmaking: 15
Defense: 11
Leadership: 8
Total = 49
Castro has evolved into the best point guard in Asia with his speed, shooting, passing and handle. In the recent Governors' Cup, I saw the Blur 2.0 as he pushed his production to 23.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists. That the Blur took over plenty of games in the 4th quarter and led them to victories.
