Best Of The Best Floor Generals

By: Joe Colombo

Posted: 12/7/07

Year after year, arguments arise between NBA fans. And often enough, these disagreements are about how good certain players are. Well, now it is time to settle these disputes. First, we'll go through my top five point guards in the league. Next semester, I will unveil the top five players from each of the other positions.

5. Baron Davis - Golden State Warriors: There are four statistics that convinced me to make Davis my No. 5 pick. First, he leads all point guards in points per game with 23.3. Only Davis and one other point guard are currently averaging at least 20 points per game (Tony Parker). No, traditional point guards usually do not score many points, but Davis plays a different role with the Warriors. He is one of their only players with consistent scoring ability. With that in mind, the UCLA product leads his team in scoring and dishes 8.6 dimes per game (stat No. 2), which is fifth in the league. Third, Davis is second out of all point guards in steals with 2.4 steals per game. Only two point guards average at least 2 steals per game. Fourthly, Davis pulls down an average of 5.4 rebounds per game, which is also second in the league out of point guards.

4. Deron Williams - Utah Jazz: Williams can take over practically any game. If Carlos Boozer is in foul trouble or not on the floor for another reason, a switch flips in this general's head telling him to step it up. Williams is averaging 19.3 points and 9.1 assists through 18 games this season, which are both fourth-best of point guards in the league. Watching Williams play in the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs this past season was something spectacular. He looked like a young John Stockton (except he was scoring, too), and Boozer was his young Malone. The difference in Williams from his time at University of Illinois to now - in only his third full season in the NBA - is unbelievable. He wasn't half the point guard then. Man, Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan doesn't get enough credit. Williams' turnovers is an issue (averaging 3.8 per game), but he's got to be No. 4 for a reason, right?

3. Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs: I could probably get away with saying Parker has three rings in six seasons, and nothing else. But, I can throw some numbers around, too. Parker is averaging 20.7 points and 7.1 assists per game, and has a 52.6 field goal percentage. Most impressive, however, is that Parker only averages 2.2 turnovers while playing almost 35 minutes per game. Parker also does something better than any other point guard in the league - taking the ball to the rack. The man can drive to the basket and is so acrobatic that he can avoid any forward or center in the league. If he feels he can't get a good shot off, he dishes the rock to one of the many scoring threats on his team. Please do yourself a favor and watch Parker play in the playoffs. You will see why he is on the list instead of the Kidd in New Jersey (unless this list was made in 2002).

2. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets: In a few years, Steve Nash and Paul will most likely be flip-flopped. It was unfortunate to see Chris Paul leave the late Skip Prosser and Wake Forest early - Prosser could have gotten him a little bit more NBA-ready. But it doesn't matter all too much, because Paul should be an all-star every year until he retires. Numbers the Demon Deacon has put up so far in his young career have been nothing but over-achieving. Paul was one rebound shy of a triple double against the Dallas Mavericks last Saturday, scoring 33 points, recording 12 dimes, and grabbing 9 boards. On top of these numbers, Paul had 3 steals and only 2 turnovers. Most importantly, this general led the Hornets to a win against one of the best teams in the league. Twice this season Paul has recorded more assists than points - including a 19 points, 21 assists performance early last month. At a 12-6 record, Paul is the reason why every team is scared of the Hornets again. The last time teams worried about the Hornets, Larry Johnson's purple Charlotte jersey was a hot item on the market.

1. Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns: Whether you look at the statistics or not, Nash is the best point guard in the league. He passes the ball like Cheech and Chong pass a - well, you know - very effectively … and very often. Nash can throw 20 assists on any given night, but you can't blame him for liking to score points, too. After the no-look passes and behind-the-back feeds to Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, this Canadian averages 18.9 points each night. Nash leads all point guards in field goal percentage (53.3), three-point shots made per contest (2.1), three-point field goal percentage (47.4), and assists per contest (11.4). He is third out of point guards in foul shooting (94 percent) as well. Although Nash is turnover prone (3.9 turnovers per contest), his assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.92 - a very impressive number. He will lead the Suns to title contention like Derek Jeter led the Yankees for the past decade - well except for that whole different sport thing.

Honorable Mentions: Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons; Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets; Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers; Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks; Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors.

Contact Joe Colombo
at Joseph.Colombo@UConn.edu.