Top 50 Shooting Guards

1 Kobe Bryant
This is another one that doesn't really need explaining. I'm still in the boat that this man is currently the best NBA player in the league, no make that the best player in the world. He can shoot, he can slash, he can finish, he can pass, and his defense is pretty good too. What's not to like? Well, on the court that is. I don't really care what people think of him personally, on the court, he's the greatest there is.

2 Tracy McGrady
Personally I think the next closest player to Kobe is T-Mac. Their skill-sets are a pretty similar, and both can take over a game, both are amazing finishers, decent shooters. The main thing that sets Kobe apart is that he isn't as fragile as T-Mac. If McGrady didn't have a chronic back problem, then the race might be a little closer, but as it is, these two positions are undisputed.

3 Dwayne Wade
Why below T-Mac? Simple, D-Wade doesn't have a jump shot. Wade is a pure slasher, but he's shown that he can distribute the ball too, and can play the point position which still makes him valuable. His ability to create in the lane and finish at the rim in the midst of all the traffic is amazing. The Olympics showed us he's back and better than ever. Still, his shot is shaky, which is why I like T-Mac better.

4 Vince Carter
The greatest player to not care about the game. Seriously, it's been seasons since we've actually seen Vince Carter try. That being said, he still gets averages of 21.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 5.1 apg? Scary. Carter has been somewhat jaded by his stint with Toronto not going anywhere, and then landing in New Jersey, he's just kind of floated on his fat contract. He'll always be remembered as the best dunker of all time for his show at the 2000 Slam Dunk contest, but aside from that, he won't be remembered for much else (except maybe jumping over a 7-foot Frenchman). Seriously though, 21.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 5.1 apg without trying? That's crazy. It'd be crazy if he tried. Skillwise, he could've been as good as his cousin T-Mac.

5 Manu Ginobili
If only Manu were a little more durable then he'd be one of the best. Even so, he still is one of the best, I'd have put him at 2 or 3 though. The problem is that his body can't take the beatings he gives it, which is why the Spurs are always so concerned whenever he plays in the offseason for Argentina. That being said, he's still an amazing player, he can make shots, is fairly reliable from long range, can slash, and dish well. Like T-Mac he's injury prone, however, he doesn't recover well between hard series, he needs more rest to rejuvinate himself. If he can get through a season injury free and not reaggravate any old injuries, he'd be even more amazing.

6 Michael Redd
7 Joe Johnson
8 Ray Allen
9 Allen Iverson
10 Jason Richardson
11 Richard Hamilton
12 Brandon Roy
13 Kevin Martin
14 Jamal Crawford
15 Mike Miller
16 Monta Ellis
17 Raja Bell
18 Ben Gordon
19 Michael Dunleavy Jr
20 Anthony Parker
21 O.J. Mayo*
22 Rudy Fernandez*
23 Ricky Davis
24 Larry Hughes
25 Jerry Stackhouse
26 Ronnie Brewer
27 Fransisco Garcia
28 Nate Robinson
29 J.R. Smith
30 Marco Bellinelli
31 Brent Barry
32 Kelenna Azubuike
33 Morris Peterson
34 DeShawn Stevenson
35 Cuttino Mobley
36 Eric Gordon*
37 Sasha Pavlovic
38 Willie Green
39 Mickael Pietrus
40 Tony Allen
41 Bonzi Wells
42 Eddie House
43 Luther Head
44 Marko Jaric
45 Sasha Vuajacic
46 Rashad McCants
47 Matt Harpring
48 Matt Carroll
49 Keith Bogans
50 Ronald Murray

In case you haven't already figured it out, the * means rookie class.

Top 50 Point Guards

1 Chris Paul
Do I really need an explanation for this one? As much as I love Deron Williams, and all that, Chris Paul's ability to penetrate and his court vision still make him the most effective point guard in the entire NBA. He does the most for his team without all that flash. He averages double digit points and assists and led the league in steals per game last season. He's good at defending, and while a little smaller than some people would like, makes up for it in a big way on both ends of the court. Only caveat, injuries. However, he is and will continue to be the floor leader in New Orleans and he will be what makes the Hornets run.

2 Deron Williams
If Chris Paul is number one, then the number two, I think, is pretty obvious after that. His shot is better than Paul's and he has that size to go with the handles. He's the best comparison to being Jason Kidd with a jumpshot. He's fast, he's big, he has handles, and he can shoot. Add to that an amazing supporting cast of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, and Andrei Kirilenko and the Jazz are good to go. Really, it's almost like a tie for first, but I think Paul edges Williams out a little, however, I think Williams has to potential to surpass Paul, because quite simply, "you can't teach size".

3 Steve Nash
He's getting a little old, but he can still shoot and dish. Averaging double digits in assists, he also averaged 50+% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc, and 90% from the charity stripe. Those numbers are sick. Only reason he's undisputedly not the best point guard in the league: he can't defend a pick and roll to save his life. He can't really defend to save his life in general. However, that's ok on the Suns. While he does get a lot of assists, he does have the tendency to then to rack up a lot of turnovers. Still fun to watch, but the whole, not playing defense thing really hurts his team.

4 Baron Davis
I think if his head is in the game he's one of the best players in the league. Granted he's more of a volume shooter, and is known to shoot 27% as often as he shoots 62% so it averages out. However, he gets high assist numbers, oodles of steals, and scores. He's got it all, the problem then lies with attitude and injury. That hurt him in New Orleans, we can only surmise if he'll continue with the glory he had in Golden State now that he's on the Clippers.

5 Tony Parker
He's the guy that Chris Paul based a lot of his game on. He's fast, he can get into the lane like it's no one's business, has that nearly unstoppable floater, tack onto that a developing jumpshot, and playing for one of the best franchises in the league, he's top notch. He's still showing us why he was the 2007 Finals MVP.

6 Jason Kidd
7 Gilbert Arenas
8 Jose Calderon
9 Chauncey Billups
10 Andre Miller
11 Mo Williams
12 T.J. Ford
13 Rajon Rondo
14 Mike Bibby
15 Jason Terry
16 Jameer Nelson
17 Kirk Hinrich
18 Mario Chalmers*
19 Russell Westbrook*
20 Michael Conley
21 Antonio Daniels
22 Raymond Felton
23 Leandro Barbosa
24 Derrick Rose*
25 Stephon Marbury
26 Jamaal Tinsley
27 Randy Foye
28 Beno Udrih
29 Devin Harris
30 Derek Fisher
31 Sam Cassell
32 Delonte West
33 Roger Mason
34 Rafer Alston
35 D.J. Augistin*
36 Earl Watson
37 Luke Ridnour
38 Louis Williams
39 Daniel Gibson
40 Jerryd Bayless*
41 Acie Law
42 Marcus Williams
43 Anthony Johnson
44 Ramon Sessions
45 Steve Blake
46 Jason Williams
47 Kyle Lowry
48 Jarret Jack
49 Jordan Farmar
50 Rodney Stuckey