1) Chris Paul Although his
struggles against other elite point guards (especially Tony Parker)
are a concern, Paul still leads this talented pool of players. He is
still the best floor general out there, leading the league with an
amazing 4.26 assist-to-turnover ratio last season. He's also one of
the best closers in the game, not afraid to take the big shot, but
never forcing it either. His defense is somewhat overrated due to his
high steals total (led the league last year), but he is still a
capable defender as well.
2) Derrick Rose He may have
missed all of last season, but Rose is still the only player not
named LeBron to win the MVP in the last 5 seasons. His ability to
change to change directions is matched only by Russell Westbrook, and
he's a much better passer and defender than he is given credit for
being. If he can stay healthy (and he looks great athletically in the
preseason), he'll return to being one of the elite players in the
game.
3) Russell Westbrook Westbrook
is one of the most divisive players in the game, but his value to the
Thunder was seen by all after his injury last season. Unfortunately,
he has started out this season injured again, and, if he doesn't get
fully healthy, the Thunder's title hopes will not be realized.
Westbrook's an amazing athlete, and his shot chart understates his
ability as he is great at getting to the free throw line. He still
gambles a little too much on defense, but his athleticism makes it
very tough for opponents.
4) Tony Parker Long one of the
under appreciated players in the game, Parker finally got his due
last season as he lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals. He's an elite
midrange shooter, and his change of pace game makes him one of the
toughest covers in the NBA. Parker will need to be at the top of his
game for the Spurs to make another run.
5) Stephen Curry Curry has a
chance to be the best pure shooter the NBA has ever seen, and is an
excellent passer as well. When he gets into the lane, he often looks
to set up his teammates. He needs to improve his finishing at the
rim, and, most importantly, stay healthy. If Curry is on the floor,
he's one of the most exciting players in the league.
6) Kyrie Irving Irving
is the main reason for the Cavaliers optimism, and needs to
remain on the floor. He has yet to play a full NBA season, but, if he
can this year, will be one of the best offensive players in the
league. He combines great athleticism with a good jump shot and an
array of shots he can get off from any angle. He has the ability to
be a decent defender, and needs to dedicate himself to that end of
the court to move higher on this list.
7) Deron Williams It'll be
interesting to see if Williams touches go down with Garnett and
Pierce now in the fold. However, Williams has proven he can be
effective both with the ball and off it, as he's a solid spot up
shooter. His efficiency will most likely rise this year, and his
biggest challenge will be getting the entire team involved.
8) Rajon Rondo Rondo is coming
off an ACL tear, and will be asked to do more than ever when he
returns for a rebuilding Celtics team. His lack of shooting will be
an even bigger problem this year, as it will be difficult to play
Avery Bradley and him together. But Rondo's still one of the best
playmakers in the league, and seems to be gelling nicely with Brad
Stevens.
9) John Wall Wall's shooting
went from abysmal two years ago to subpar last year, which is
certainly an improvement. His might be the fastest north-to-south
player in the league, and it's that speed coupled with playmaking
ability that give him elite player potential. He should be a perfect
compliment to Bradley Beal in the Wizards backcourt of the future.
10) Jrue Holiday Holiday took a
big leap forward last year, and will be asked to keep that level of
play up as the Pelicans go all in on making the playoffs this season.
His decision making was much improved, and he can still make shots
from all over the court. He definitely needs to cut down on his
turnovers (second in the league last season), but now heads to a more
talented offense.
11) Damian Lillard Lillard
surprised everyone with his amazing play during his Rookie of the
Year campaign. He was one of the most NBA ready point guards on the
offensive end ever, and was so valuable to the Blazers that he led
the league in minutes last season. He was very bad on the defensive
end, and will need to improve somewhat for a defensively challenged
Portland team.
12) Ty Lawson Lawson is another
player coming off a much improved season, as his tutelage under Andre
Miller seems to have paid off. He'll be asked to use his speed even
more on offense this year, as Andre Iguodala left for the Warriors.
13) Mike Conley
Conley had more offensive responsibility last year, and will need to
further his game even more for the Grizzlies to be contenders. He has
a very quick first step with the ball, and last season
developed a better sense of movement without the ball while one of
his bigs was going to work.
14) Jeff Teague Teague broke out
in the playoffs a few years ago when Kirk Hinrich got hurt, and
hasn't looked back since then. He should mesh well with newcomer Paul
Millsap, and looks like a great bargain piece for the Hawks.
15) George Hill Hill is an
excellent point guard for Indiana's smash mouth offense. He might be
the best player in the league at making entry passes to post, and is
a solid spot up shooter as well. On defense, his length and ability
to get around picks gives the Pacers the option of playing him on
shooting guards at times.
16) Steve Nash Nash can't play
defense anymore, and he's hardly a lock to stay healthy. But he still
offers great playmaking and solid spot up shooting for a Lakers team
that might be without Kobe Bryant for a while.
17) Brandon Jennings Jennings
will have to redefine the way he plays in Detroit, as he won't be
allowed to take as many atrocious shots. His decision making will be
key for a Pistons team trying to make the playoffs.
18) Ricky Rubio Rubio might be
the best passer in the league, and should see his assist numbers go
up as the Timberwolves actually signed some players who can shoot
this year. He's also a better defender than most things, using his
length to fill the passing lanes.
19) Kemba Walker Walker's
scoring touch was one of the few bright spots for the Bobcats last
season. It'll be interesting to see how he plays off of a post scorer
in Al Jefferson.
20) Goran Dragic Dragic is
likely to be traded this season, as Eric Bledsoe will likely move to
point guard in the future. He's a solid playmaker who could help
several contenders.
21) Jeremy Lin Lin couldn't
build on his amazing run with the Knicks last season in Houston. But
his role will be simplified this year with Dwight Howard in the fold,
and he presumably won't try to do too much (which seemed like the
problem last season).
22) Jose Calderon Calderon can't
defend anymore, which will be an issue next to Monta Ellis next
season. But he still has excellent courtvision and should be a
nightmare to defend in the pick and roll with Dirk Nowitzki.
23) Isaiah Thomas Thomas will
probably come off the bench so Greivis Vasquez can start, but he's a
great third guard capable of lighting up the scoreboard. There are
still too many shoot first players in Sacramento, however, so how he
fits in the Kings future plans remains unclear.
24) Greivis Vasquez Vasquez
brings a player who actually likes to set up his teammates, and will
definitely benefit his teammates. He looks to build on an unlikely
outstanding season last year, which saw him first in the league in
total assists.
25) Raymond Felton Felton looked
better (both physically and on the court) back with the Knicks, but
still needs to improve his efficiency to be the playmaker the Knicks
want at point guard.
26) Jameer Nelson Nelson's deal
was bizarre when it was signed, but he's now the veteran on a
rebuilding Magic team. If Orlando can get anything of value for him,
he'd almost certainly move up this list.
27) Ramon Sessions Sessions
chose to go to Charlotte and still was able to get his points last
year. He's still a scoring threat, but isn't the kind of playmaker or
defender most teams look for in their starting point guard. Still,
he's an excellent third guard.
28) Brandon Knight will need to
make it as a point guard, as he isn't big enough to defend most
shooting guards. His decision making did seem to get better as the
season went on last year, and he'll be asked to anchor what will
likely be a woeful Bucks offense.
29) Jarrett Jack Jack is a great
option off the bench for Cleveland. He probably played a little over
his head last year, but is still a dynamic scorer. If he can learn
how to play with Irving, he could see a lot of crunch time minutes.
30) Kyle Lowry Lowry should
shoot up this list during the year, but can't start any higher
because of how poorly he played last year. All the tools are there,
though, and he should be much better in his first season as the
unquestioned starter in Toronto.
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