The World's Five Greatest Point Guards

With the current NBA lockout going on, there is a lack of coverage on the game of basketball. I can only go so long without it. As a result, I threw in film of the game's all-time great point guards last night. The PG position runs in my family. I love the responsibilty of point guards just as much as I love watching the greats handle that responsibility. I studied the way these historic greats did just that. I tried to pinpoint and take pieces of Magic and Isaiah's skillsets in order to add to my own. Watching the all-time greats performing got me excited for the upcoming season (given the lockout ends). It reassured me that I will soon be able to study a long list of  excellent point guards. The question is, who are the ones I should study? I do not want to waste my time watching show-boats like Jason Williams or Stephon Marbury. Instead, I want to learn from the game's best. For this reason, I decided to rank the world's greatest point guards. Five talented individuals stuck out to me as the best basketball has to offer.

5. Deron Williams 

Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets makes my list at number five. As a die-hard Michigan State fan, I used to entertain ill feelings toward D-Will when he torched the Spartans while playing for Illinois. In college, he was a killer on the court. In the pros, he is no different. He has had tremendous success since joining the league in 2005. Williams maintains a great frame for an NBA point guard at 6'3, 209 pounds, and the swift athleticism to go with it. D-Will has the scoring mentality and the attack mindset each time he steps on the court. Last season he scored a career high 21.3 points per game. This encouraged many analysts to rank him as the best PG in the league. There is one reason, however, why I do not. Deron has a tendency to get lazy with the basketball. He turns it over. The basketball should be any point guard's most prized possession. Last year, that was not the case for Deron Williams, who turned it over far too often - almost four times a game (a high number for any player, let alone a point guard). If the Nets star learns to treat the ball like his wallet and guard it with caution, he might creep up on my list. But for now, Williams sits at number five on the list.

4. Rajon Rondo 

 Rajon Rondo comes in at number four. Rondo, who has the hands and arms of a big man, has a body for playmaking. His reach makes him a playmaker. The combination of his speed and length allow him to get in passing lanes and reek havoc on defense. Rondo averaged 2.3 steals per game each of the last two seasons. This allows him to get into the open court where he excels at both finishing and finding open teammates. He averaged 11.2 dimes per game this past year. He finds people. The shifty PG is also notorious for making defenders look stupid. His ability to change speeds allows him to leave opponents standing as he blows by. He is the toughest player in the NBA to keep in front. The only thing hindering him from moving up on the list is his shooting. His jump shot is improving but he will never be a natural shooter. For this reason, he is not in my top three. But Rondo's craftiness, speed, and ability to find people make him the fourth best point guard on the planet.

3. Steve Nash

Tough, gritty, Steve Nash makes my list at number three. Nash lacks the athleticism of other top notch NBA stars, but doesn't let that hinder his game. He makes up for his lack of athleticism with toned skills and a big heart. Nash is one of the most skilled players of all time. He makes passes nobody else can make. He hits shots nobody else can hit. It is no coincidence he makes one-legged fadeaways look easy. Nash hones his skills daily. Stability and balance are the basis of his workouts, which he works on after practice each day. His balance allows him to knock down tough shots. Nash's skillset is second to none. His court vision is second to none. The two time MVP averaged 11.4 assists last season. Everybody knows about his passing ability. What most do not recognize, however, is Nash is also one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He is the only player to ever be in the top five in both three point percentage and free throw percentage. His skillset and heart make him an incredibly tough player. Nash has played through multiple broken noses, cuts, and rolled ankles. He does whatever it takes. Nash isn't one of the quickest, but he is one of the best. His court vision, ability to shoot, overall skillset, and toughness make him the third best point guard on my list.

2. Chris Paul

Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is the league's second most prolific point guard. The day he was drafted critics questioned whether he was big enough. I remember his first interview as a pro. "Its not the size of the dog in the fight, but its the size of the fight in the dog," CP3 stated proudly as he pointed to his heart. Like Nash, he is small, but tough. Paul also plays with a lot of heart. He's a competitor. He gave Kobe's Lakers a run for their money in the first round of last year's playoffs. If only he had weapons around him. He is capable of taking over games himself. He has a great handle on the ball, and like Rondo, changes speeds exceptionally well. His mid-range jumper is smooth and his three point shot has improved greatly since entering the league as the 4th overall pick in 2005. The four time all-star averaged nearly a double-double this past season, putting up 15.8 points and 9.8 assists per contest. Paul has been quoted saying he sees plays before they actually happen. He not only sees plays, but he makes plays. Paul has an outstanding overall game. He can shoot, he can drive, and he can dish. Most importantly, Chris Paul is an outstanding leader. If he gets players around him, watch out. CP3 just continues to get better. If he starts doing damage in the playoffs, he has the potential to leap-frog into my top spot.

1. Derrick Rose

The number one point guard on the planet is Derrick Rose. He has recently become a superstar and a phenomenal fan favorite. Rose, last year's MVP, is the most explosive point guard in the league. He is built like a shorter Lebron James. At 6'3, 190 pounds, Rose can leap with the best of them. He has no problem finishing. Rose is known for dunking on dunkers. His crossover may be the best in the game and his first step is clearly the cream of the crop. His midrange shot has become consistent and his three pointer is getting better. The best thing about the stellar guard is that he's hungry. He is never satisfied. Rose strives to get better everyday. Just four years ago he was averaging less than 15 points and 5 assists per game collegiately for Memphis. Now he is putting up extraordinary numbers at a pace of 24.5 points and 8.2 assists per game on a team with no other offensive stars. Rose continues to improve. Now in his third year in the league, his numbers have increased drastically each season. In his rookie year, he averaged less than 17 points per game. The next season he bounced that number up to 20.8 points per game. Now that he is averaging nearly 25 points a contest, he is one of the headliners for the NBA. If I were to start a franchise right now with any player in the league, I would take Derrick Rose. He has a quiet swagger about him that induces confidence into each one of his teammates. He's a leader by example and a star among stars. Derrick Rose is explosive. He is electrifying. He is exciting. He is the best point guard in the world.

***As of 2013: New order is Rajon Rondo at #5, Russell Westbrook at #4, Tony Parker at #3, Derrick Rose at #2, Chris Paul at #1.

PLAYOFFS!!??

     Detroit Lions fans greatest optimism is the idea that there is always next year. As a loyal Lions fan, I find myself often saying "they'll be good next year." After they won their final four games of last season, I was in the same mindset. I had hope for the 2011-2012 season. Though I say this each year, I think it is finally time. Detroit fans prepare yourselves. This could be the year the Lions reach respectability and find themselves in the playoffs.
     Obviously the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are favorites to win the division title. In no way am I saying the Lions will take the division crown from the Green Machine. They won't have to. Thank the good Lord for wild cards. The Lions should be able to get second in the NFC north and claim one of the two wild card spots.
     The Bears cannot protect their quarterback, which is exciting as a Lions fan. I look forward to watching D-town take on Da Bears for this exact reason. Chicago's puny wall of an offensive line is no match for Suh and company. Suh, the beast who leads the NFL's toughest defensive line, should rack up some more late hit penalties on poor Jay Cutler. With the strength of Detroit's front four, and the Bears O-line's inabilitiy to do anything right , Detroit should be able to win playing just their defensive line. Let Delmas and the secondary take some days off. Vanden Bosch and Suh are mean enough to win the game themselves against that Bears O-line that already gave up nine sacks in its first pre-season game.
     The Vikings, moreover, don't have the chemistry to make noise in the division like they have in the past. After drafting Christian Ponder to play quarterback, they brought in Donovan McNabb. This is not Culpepper, nor Brett Favre. Leaving the Eagles was the worst possible move for McNabb's career. He may be tough but he sure is old. His prime is in the rearview mirror. It will take him until mid-season before he and his new receivers gain comfortability with one another anyways. That is, if he is still their QB. Not to mention the Vike's best weapon, Adrian Peterson, has a bad memory. He often forgets to take the ball with him. AD can keep dropping the ball all day. Though Peterson is the most explosive back in football, he's also the riskiest. Jahved Best and Maurice Morris do not have his skillset, but they sure don't fumble like AD does. They are efficient in protecting the ball, which is what the new Lions are all about. Yes I said the "new" Lions because I believe Schwartz has them turning the corner to a successful future.
     The reason they have won their last four regular season games and the first two pre-season games of 2011 is because they have been playing with discipline. Detroit will have less penalties, less turnovers, and more efficient play to go with a much improved depth chart on both sides of the ball. Not to mention Stafford is healthy and he still has the Megatron. Thats right, don't forget about Calvin Johnson, who plans on having his best season ever. Keep those hopes up and those fingers crossed Detroiter's, because the Lions are ready to roar into the playoffs this year!