Top 5 NBA Shooting Guards
Click here if you want to read my top 5 point guards ranking.
Click here if you want to read my top 5 small forward rankings.
Click here if you want to read my top 5 power forward rankings.
Today I'm examining and ranking the top five shooting guards in the NBA. I mentioned in my point guard ranking piece that that position was incredibly deep, and shooting guard is the same way, only the exact opposite. Ranking the point guards was difficult because there were so many to choose from, ranking the shooting guards was difficult because there were so few to choose from. It really seems like there are only three top 5 shooting guards, and I know that doesn't make any sense logically, but it makes total sense in my mind. Now that you're confused and seriously reconsidering your decision to read this article, let's get started!
Number 5: Kobe Bryant, SG/SF/PF???/This is Not a Joke, Los Angeles Lakers
Yeah, I'm not sure how this happened either, Kobe.
2014-2015 stats: 22.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 37.3 FG%, 29.3 3P%
Kobe Bryant is the second best shooting guard of all time, and one of the greatest players in NBA history, I even wrote a piece about his career, but he's been nothing close to his prime self since suffering a rash of serious injuries in recent years. He's been a wildly inefficient scorer in the last couple seasons and he can't stay on the court. That being said, he's still one of the smartest and most fundamentally sound players in the league, and his post fadeaways and pump fakes are still some of the best in the world. He's a tremendous passer when he chooses to be, and he's shown a willingness to be more a playmaker in recent years. Despite his decline, Bryant (somehow) remains a top 5 shooting guard in the NBA.
Number 4: Dwyane Wade, SG, Miami Heat
2014-2015 stats: 21.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 47.0 FG%, 28.4 3P%
No, this isn't a ranking from five years ago, yes, I know Wade is on the downside of his career, no, I'm not drunk right now, and yes, I'll stop answering questions you haven't asked. Wade was actually quite good when healthy last season, but unfortunately for Wade and the Heat, it takes him approximately 11 years to recover after playing a game (I said approximately). So the Heat have to choose between a good Wade for half a season, or a mediocre Wade for a full season. Fortunately for the Heat, they're a decent team even without Wade, so they can afford to rest him as needed to keep him as close to 100% as possible, which means Wade should still be pretty good next season...when he plays. Speaking of Wade, does anyone remember when he decided to wear Band-Aids under one of his eyes a while back? That was really cool (no it wasn't).
Number 3: Klay Thompson, SG/Best Second-Best Shooter on his Team in the League, Golden State Warriors
Whasuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup?
2014-2015 stats: 21.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 46.3 FG%, 43.9 3P%
Thompson started off last season incredibly hot, even leading the league in scoring for a few weeks if I remember correctly (YOU look it up for once, I feel like I'm doing all the work in this article. Jeez), and he set career highs in almost every statistical category. He also set the record for most points in a quarter in NBA history (37) against the Kings (obviously), and it was one of the most incredible shooting displays I've ever seen. He showed off an improved off-the-dribble game and better passing than in the past, but he still needs to improve in both those categories. He's a fantastic shooter, who uses screens and pump fakes to get open looks from deep, which he hit at a 43.9% clip last season. Thompson has also learned to use the threat of the three to get to the basket, especially in transition. If he has the ball on the break, he'll often hesitate at the three point line, forcing the backpedaling defender to lunge forward, and giving Klay an easy path to the basket. He also proved that he can be a reliable perimeter defender, often starting games on the other team's best wing player. Thompson's combination of size, shooting, and defense makes him the third best shooting guard in the league.
Number 2: Jimmy Butler, SG/SF/Player who Most Resembles an Asparagus Stalk, Chicago Bulls
I don't think I've ever seen Butler smile before. Looks weird.
2014-2015 stats: 20.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 46.2 FG%, 37.8 3P%
If you're not a fan of Jimmy Butler already, I suggest you read this piece, and if you're not rooting for the guy after you do, then you're basically a terrible human being. No offense. Butler hardly played his rookie year, averaging only eight minutes a game, but he's improved every season, including winning Most Improved Player last season. Butler first cracked the starting lineup as a lock-down defender, but he's since shown that he has some scoring chops, too. As I mentioned in my Bulls piece, if there was a silver lining to Derrick Rose's devastating injuries, it's that it gave Butler the chance to assume lead dog responsibilities, and he's flourished ever since. Butler was the Bulls best offensive and defensive player last season, and he was even in the MVP race for part of the year. Despite Butler being asked to do so much on both ends of the court, he still managed to score efficiently, as you can see from his stats above. Butler is just entering the prime of his career, so there's no reason to believe he won't continue at this pace, and possibly even improve.
Number 1: James Harden, SG/PG/Imaginary Chef, Houston Rockets
You cooked up a hell of a season, Mr. Harden, and there should be more good seasons to follow.
2014-2015 stats: 27.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 7.0 APG, 44.0 FG%, 37.5 3P%
Quick aside: Am I the only one who thinks about McDonald's when they see the Rocket's jerseys above. I really hope I'm not, otherwise I might have to get my dietary habits in check. Anyway, Harden had an incredible season, averaging better than 27 points and 7 assists per game. He functions as the Rocket's starting shooting guard and point guard, although if Ty Lawson indeed starts for Houston, Harden may focus even more on scoring. Harden's scoring ability (and foul-drawing ability) is well known, but some people may be surprised by his gaudy assist numbers. Harden is a superb passer, and he's especially adept and finding open three point shooters, which makes Darryl Morey happier than a bodybuilder directing traffic. Harden is the perfect superstar to play in Houston, because their offense is predicated on threes, drives to the basket, and free throws. He's the best in the league at drawing fouls on drives to the basket, because he swings his arms around like a crazy person, enticing defenders to swipe at the ball. Harden is also the best in the league at acting like he got fouled on drives to the basket, which, although really, really, REALLY annoying (especially if you happen to be rooting for the other team), gets him to the free throw line 10+ times per game. He also improved his defense from Otto Porter on this play levels:
To Amare Stoudemire on this play levels:
So at least he's trying...kind of. Harden was named MVP by the other players in the league, and even with his sup-bar defense, he is almost unanimously considered the best two-guard in the NBA. As if all that wasn't enough to prove that Harden deserves to be at the top of this ranking, he's got a beard. So, yeah. Case closed.
