1. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
I shouldn't have to explain too much about why I would draft this guy in front of any other point guard in the league for fantasy basketball. But I will anyway. First off, the most outstanding statistic is that his assist/turnover ratio last season was a 4.57. Yes, 4.57 assists per turnover, over 1.5 more than the next closest player (Kyle Lowry). That number speaks volumes about his passing ability, vision, maturity, and overall IQ of the game. He's one of the smartest players in the NBA and also one of the craftiest.
2013-14 Averages: 19.1 PPG, 10.7 APG, 2.5 SPG, 4.3 RPG, A/TO 4.57
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Next on the list, the sharp-shooting Stephen Curry. In addition to his 3.3 made three pointers a game, Curry managed to drop 8.5 dimes a game to his teammates. If you watch Curry play, you'll notice that his ball control and passing have drastically improved every year he's been in the league. The drawback last season was his 3.8 turnovers per game, which tied for most with Russell Westbrook. How I see it, when you ask your player to command the point guard position all game long with very little to no help, he's going to make mistakes. I think Curry is learning quickly, and I see his assist numbers hovering around nine and his turnover numbers dropping to below three this season.
2013-14 Averages: 24.0 PPG, 8.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 4.3 RPG, A/TO 2.27
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
There's just something about drafting Russell Westbrook that bothers you. I took that gamble at the beginning of last season while he was injured and saw tremendous success from him during those short 46 games he was able to participate in. He's hit-or-miss, that's all there really is to it, but when he's hitting, he's the best point guard in the game, fantasy-wise and in reality. He's the most explosive player in the league, and if you want to debate that, I'll settle for top three. Consider the fact that Russell Westbrook on any other team would be an MVP candidate. He's the most all-around point guard in the NBA, but he will have nights where he goes 5-19 with 7 turnovers, and there's nothing more frustrating. I say forgive him those 15 games, because there are another 67 games where he'll give you outstanding play, most likely grabbing 5 or 6 triple-doubles along the way.
2013-14 Averages: 21.8 PPG, 6.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, 5.7 RPG, A/TO 1.80
4. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Ooh, there's a curveball. So you're saying that out of all the point guards in the league, I'm going to sacrifice my second- or even first-round pick on a guy who's barely touched a hardwood floor in two years? Absolutely. Call me biased, call me a believer, or call me naive. This would obviously be your call, and I highly recommend it. I considered placing Rose higher in this list even, but for apparent reasons couldn't bring myself to do it. Think back a few years when Derrick Rose won Rookie of the Year in 2009 and then only two years later was awarded the MVP in 2011. Yeah, yeah, that's his claim to fame and he may never return to that state, but I disagree. Derrick Rose has been anything but timid with the USA team this summer, and that's what worries most Bulls fans. They want to see Rose on the court and don't want him throwing his body around with reckless abandon and getting injured again. But that's not ROY Rose, MVP Rose, or who Rose is. He's not going to play scared of getting hurt; two years were taken from his game. He's going to come back a little rusty, but will build his way up to one of the best guards in the league. There is no doubt in my mind he'll return to his old self.
5. John Wall, Washington Wizards
If you didn't buy into John Wall before, just consider how he tore apart the Chicago Bulls in this year's playoffs. Getting away from the stats, John Wall is probably the second-most explosive guard in the NBA and can get to the rim at will. He finally has had a few healthy years and now he has a solid supporting cast and is the unquestioned leader of the Wizards. The John Wall-Bradley Beal duo is one of the best two-guard sets in the league if not the best two-guard set, and Wall is improving his game and maturing as a player. Personally, I felt like Wall was still playing in his Kentucky years until recently, but he's made significant improvements in every facet of his game, and I think if you can nab Wall early on, you won't regret it.
2013-14 Averages: 19.3 PPG, 8.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 4.1 RPG, A/TO 2.44
6. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
2013-14 Averages: 17.9 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 4.7 RPG, A/TO 3.02
7. Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
2013-14 Averages: 20.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.4 RPG, A/TO 2.10
8. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
2013-14 Averages: 17.6 PPG, 8.8 APG, 1.6 SPG, 3.5 RPG, A/TO 2.72
9. Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers
2013-14 Averages: 20.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 3.5 RPG, A/TO 2.37
10. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
2013-14 Averages: 20.8 PPG, 6.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 3.6 RPG, A/TO 2.28
- This was definitely the hardest player to rank, but with the addition of a playmaker like LeBron James, I can't imagine Kyrie Irving's role will stay the same nor will he stay has productive as he was last season.
Honorable Mention:
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics - I think Rondo is going to have a great year, but it's just so hard to rank him because of the uncertainty of not only his health, but his future as well. If he stays in Boston, he may be pretty good but it also depends on Marcus Smart's new role in Boston. If he gets traded, it depends where he goes. Too many factors affect his fantasy value, so it was too hard to tell.
Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns - I think Goran Dragic will be the point guard that stands out of the point guard trio (Dragic, Bledsoe, Thomas). Thomas proved himself in Sacramento, posting great numbers, but I don't see that same production in Phoenix.
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns - Very similar to Thomas, I just don't see three starting point guards all being very efficient.
Make sure to check out the rest of positional rankings, coming soon!
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