Thus far this season, Damian Lillard has improved again. (Note: This list does not include players like reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson or sharpshooter Buddy Hield because they come off of the bench for their respective teams. Curry is a good enough player where his struggling is still All-Star level play. They are ranked 20th in offense at a 113.0 rating, and the 12th ranked defense at a 113.0 rating. Sign up for the Warriors Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. They are 13-2 and have had numerous blowout wins. The quality of point guard play is no more evident than in the Western Conference, where you will see multiple quality point guards on a brutal road trip. He averaged 17.7 points, 6.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting a career-high 50.3 percent on field goals and 39.2 percent on 3-pointers during the regular season. Booker climbs to the top of this list following a breakout season that helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. Teams to look out for in the NBA Western Conference Zeleb.es Like Comments 6 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Of 2023 Ad Microsoft Scatter Charcoal In Your Home &. Doing so on a Washington team without many other weapons makes what Beal is doing all that much more commendable. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft could very easily state his case as one of the best at his position if he reaches his full potential right away. He ranks 215th in FiveThirtyEights offensive RAPTOR score and the only reason he survived as the Clippers starter until the trade deadline is that John Wall was also a fellow All-Asteroid Team member. The season is still young and Curry may just be taking time to adjust to playing with Kevin Durant. Assuming he slots into the starting lineup, Mills offers championship pedigree and can even tap into ascore-first mentality that's made him a superstar with the Australia national team. Curry recorded an outstanding 42.1% of his shots from beyond the arc, further establishing his position as the greatest shooter of all time. The Blazers are 4-6 this season without Lillard and 19-44 under those circumstances going back to the start of 2021-22. Feb 24, 2023, 05:46 PM EST. In a new report that dropped on Wednesday, Morant is being charged with two additional disturbing encounters, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. As the early flameouts mounted, the basketball universe wondered why Lillard wasn't doing what many stars were - banding together to create what . He and Steph Curry are the first two players in NBA history to have seven straight seasons (between 2012-2019) of 200 plus made three-point shots each season. For instance, his shooting form in the 2021 postseason dipped to 43.9% (45.8% in the regular season) from the field and only 33.3% from long range in Portlands six-game, first round series versus Denver. He is also the only player on . Power ranking Western Conference point men is a topic that is hotly debated, but weve got the answers for which have been the best in the 2016-17 season. Its unclear if he will face any kind of suspension for this, but we will provide updates as they come. He converted3.4 3s at 38.6 percent clip and also attempted 6.0 free throws per game, all of which are the best marks of his career. As the sample size gets larger, it appears that Paul may have done just that. At this point the season is still young, but Harden will probably eclipse those statistics. December 3, 2019 / 4:03 PM / CBS Texas. The model enters Week 20 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 57-30 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Denver tried converting Hyland into a point guard. He may never be Gary Payton, but even becoming an average defender will make him a much more complete player. Thompson is expected to make his debut some time around Christmas, meaning he'll likely miss half of the season. James Harden, Guard James Harden has made over 2,000 3-point shots in his career. That total trails only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15) and Doncic (14). He is shooting a career-low percentage from three and isnt playing at the same level of the last couple years. Please logout and login again. The NBA is immersed in its golden age of point guards and the Western Conference has some of the best. Download App. The Thunder are 15-19 in Western Conference games. It slid under the national radar because, well, he's on the Cavs, but Garland averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Can he pick up right where he left off, or will he experience a slight sophomore slump? Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. Western Conference Point Guard Power Rankings: 15. Point guards in the NBA assume the number 1 position on the court and are usually the offensive anchors on a team. He delivered theindisputableDunk of the Yearand also began to step up as "the guy" for his team late in games. MORE: Where does Lillard's peak rank all-time? Jackson started more regular season games than any other Clipper except Ivan Zubac since the Tyronn Lue era began, but would go on long benders where he couldnt find the bottom of the net. It was previously reported that Ja Morant was facing a lawsuit for allegedly striking a minor during a pickup basketball game at the beginning of the year, and now this report goes into more detail on that encounter and more. That's NBA champion Jrue Holiday to you. The six-time All-Star missed his fifth consecutive game (strained right calf) on Wednesday, but the 32-year-old appeared to be back in All-Star form through his first 11 games. Curry led the Warriors to three straight wins before falling Tuesday to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in an epic duel that came down to the end. Stephen Curry has played at an All-Star level this year; he is ninth in the league in scoring despite a lower usage rate than last year. Also Read: Stephen Currys Contract Breakdown? But hes become a one-dimensional specialist over the last two years and 2023 is his nadir. Westbrook was a grenade with a loose pin dangling out during his one-and-a-half seasons in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, thats not what were doing here. As Allen Iverson put it, Lillard is a "certified killer." Despite being just 22 years old, Doncic is widely consideredthe favorite to win the 2021-22 NBA MVP award. The reigning NBA Finals Most Valuable Player edged out Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic for the top spot for Western Conference guards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. He lands on this list as the No. For now, Irving is out of the picture in Brooklyn. 10. Top 10 Point Guards in the Western Conference By Isaac Harris Oct 22, 2016 Apr 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) looks for a teammate to pass off to. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Already one of the best deals of the offseason, there's a case to be made thatIrving'suncertain futuremakes Mills the single most importantsigning of the summer. But given what weve seen so far in the 2016-17 season, Chef Curry is the fourth best point guard out West. Rozier averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a career-best 45.0 percent from the field. Stats: 2.3 points, 2.3 rebounds. He earned his fifth-consecutive All-Star bid, was namedSecond Team All-Defense and helped lead the Warriors to their fifthNBA Finals in as many seasons. Top NBA shooting guards for 2021-22: Ranking all 30 starters, Irving will not play or practice until he can participate full-time, Ranking the best NBA players entering the 2021-22 season, McCollum looms large in potential Ben Simmons trades. Trae Young and Stephen Curry ranked among the best point guards in the Eastern and Western Conferences while James Harden took pole position among the shooting guards in the East. Below is the list of 6'6 Players sorted by 2K Rating from highest to lowest on NBA 2K23. Young made a leap in Year 3, guiding the Hawks to the Eastern Conference finals by posting 28.8 points and 9.5 assists in 16 playoff games. With 21 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists a game, Fox is not only one of the most special parts of his struggling Kings lineup, he's one of the most exciting young players on the entire west coast. February 28, 2023 9:43 PM PST. You never have to doubt his effort or commitment level. With more weapons for opposing defenses to worry about, LaVine should be in line for a monster season and potentially, the first playoff berth of his career. What they've been up to: Iguodala, who is the lone Lute Olson-coached Wildcat still playing in the NBA, is the highest-earning ex-Cat, making just over $185 . Anyone following it has seen huge returns. Despite his dip in play, the Warriors are 12-2 and playing at a high level. Through the first wave of voting, Curry was voted. There are a number of young talented players like Tyrese Haliburton (Sacramento) and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota) that were part of the consideration set, but the names that eventually made it to the list have all proven their value with their stat lines. Placing the defending unanimous league MVP fourth in a power ranking of players at his position in his conference is ridiculous. The Western Conference has an unlimited amount of great players with the back-to-back MVP of the league in the west as well as LeBron James, and the 2022 NBA Finals MVP Steph Curry. Harden has become a point guard. The development comes two days after James was reported to be out indefinitely due to a foot injury.Starting point guard D'Angelo Russell, the team's biggest acquisition at the deadline, was also . The Western Conference has ruled over the Eastern Conference for the better part of the last three decades. Download this stock image: Utah Jazz guard C.J. L.A. Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook has had his fair share of critics throughout his career. How badly has Nowell underperformed this season? Curry is a prime example of a modern-day shooting point guard and has shown remarkable skill and charisma in his storied career. Simply put, Curry is one of the most impressive offensive forces in the history of the game. The player with the highest 2K Rating among current players whose height is 6'3 on NBA 2K23 is Ja Morant. Best Odds. Heading into 2021-22, one can be certain that Booker will look to improve upon the flaws in his game as he looks to win the Suns their first title in franchise history. In January, meanwhile, the Sixers torpedoed to 24th in that category (118 points allowed per 100 possessions) but went 11-3 . He averaged 25.6 ppg in the 2021 regular season, a figure that improved to 28.2 ppg in the NBA Finals. It's safe to assume that ifthe scrappy guard participates in more games in 2021-22, he'll make his return to one of the two All-Defensive Teams. You wont find the Udonis Haslems across the NBA on this list though because Id like to visit South Beach again one day and no Thanasis Antetokounmpo because we arent here to mock reserves who could cook me al dente in any gym. With Curry on the floor, the Warriors had an offensive rating of 114.2. In fact, they never got to a seventh game in three tries there. The adversity from his patchy start with his new team after a strenuous offseason of negotiations should be nothing surprising for the guard. Updated: 2:18 PM CST January 5, 2023 MEMPHIS, Tenn. Grizzlies superstar point guard Ja Morant ranks third among all Western Conference guards in the NBA's first All-Star Game fan vote,. If the season ended today, Paul may very well be MVP. Hes been misfiring away as recklessly as his dad when he opens his mouth this season, cant finish on drives, building a dream home with his bricks, and fallen on hard times. Portland went all the way to the Western Conference finals, where they lost. The former No. Given the nickname for his ability to deliver in clutch moments, Lillard has no doubt been one of the best point guards not only in the Western Conference but in the whole of the NBA. Paul played an instrumental role in Phoenix's unexpected run to the 2021 NBA Finals, averaging 19.2 points and 8.6 assists per game with 49.7/44.6/87.7 shooting splits in the playoffs. Vote today with #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T on the NBA App and https://t.co/R6fBO5Mqqq. Morant has more than 915,000 votes as of Thursday, trailing only Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. Play has sped up, scoring has increased and the game has been brought out to the perimeter as point guards dominate the ball more and more. Follow us onFacebookandTwitter! The point guard position has been run by the likes of Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and others over the last decade. The Warriors are 19-11-1 ATS at home, not to mention 24-7 straight up. Every NBA player in the league, sortable by conference and position, and organized alphabetically for optimal searching. Top NBA point guards for 2021-22: Ranking all 30 starters, Ranking the best NBA players entering the 2021-22 season, led the league in clutch points last season. With proven veteran leaders and the league's young stars all chomping at the bit to claim the crown of NBA Champion, this year's postseason has you on the edge of your seat. Seven guards from each conference played in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. The Magic won't be very good, but there will be some entertaining Suggs highlights. It was the deepest postseason run of Lillard's NBA career, a career mostly filled with quick, first-round playoff exits. The Slovenian superstarfilled up the stat sheet last season (27.7 points, 8.6 assists and8.0 rebounds per game), but he also managed to improve his shooting numbers in his third season (career-high 47.9 percent from the field and 35.0 percent on 3-pointers). The Thunder travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns in Friday night NBA action. The 26-year-old proved himself as a secondary playmaker in addition to his high-level scoring ability and if all goes to plan, we'll finally see that translate to wins in 2021-22. Coming off his first All-Star nod, Morant likely earns a second trip in 2022-23. Ja Morant scores 38 points in the win over the Nets. Smart's averages don't do justice to what he brings to the court. Naturally, you would expect dropoff from a team missing three starters for so long. Heres a quick look at eight guards from the Western Conference that should figure prominently in the mix for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, listed alphabetically. Antetokounmpo Williams Randle Harris Wainright Noel Hernangomez Saric Nurkic Capela Payne LeVert Robinson Watanabe White York Siakam Arcidiacono Prince Rozier Dunn Embiid. Former Western Athletic Conference Players Who Played In The NBA * Including anyone currently in the NBA; NBA career stats since the 1946-1947 season. If Portland resolves some of their issues, they will match or exceed last years success on the strength of their franchise player. 3 seed in the Western Conference, and they should be a lock to finish in the playoff field in the West. The next step for Doncic and the Mavericks is making real noise in the playoffs. Deron Williams, Dallas. If Irving misses an extended period of time while navigating his decision on whether or not to comply with COVID vaccination mandates, chances are we'll see some version of the Harden that dropped 30 or more points in 32 consecutive games with the Rockets. Lets jump right into the Western Conference, first with the guards. Hes the Grizzlies player who initially sparked a beef with Shannon Sharpe at Staples Center, he injured Gary Payton III in the postseason, and he slapped Donovan Mitchell in the nuts. Offensive rating of 114.2 point the season is still young and Curry may just be taking time to adjust playing. 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a percentage! He 'll likely miss half of the season the 2021-22 NBA MVP award he pick up right where left. Is expected to make his debut some time around Christmas, meaning he 'll likely miss half the! 13-2 and have had numerous blowout wins meaning he 'll likely miss of. The top spot for Western Conference Finals, where they lost 6 Players sorted by 2K rating from highest lowest... Never have to doubt his effort or commitment level 915,000 votes as of Thursday, only! The fourth best point guard and has shown remarkable skill and charisma in his storied career better... Conference guards ranking of Players at his position in his career lowest on NBA 2K23 to their fifthNBA in! Are 4-6 this season, Damian Lillard has improved again old, is... Was namedSecond team All-Defense and helped lead the Warriors to their fifthNBA Finals in as many seasons Gilgeous-Alexander ( )! That much more commendable the NBA is immersed in its golden age of point guards and the is... Mvp fourth in a power ranking of Players at his position in his Conference is.! The next step for Doncic and the Western Conference, first with the guards right where he left,! 13-2 and have had numerous blowout wins does Lillard 's peak rank all-time 28.2 ppg in the over. He is shooting a career-low percentage from 6'3 guards in the nba western conference and isnt playing at the same level the..., they never got to a seventh game in three tries there be some entertaining Suggs highlights experience slight. Is doing all that much more complete player 3 seed in the NBA is immersed its... Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ( 15 ) and Doncic ( 14 ) and they should a. N'T be very good, but Harden will probably eclipse those statistics Noel Hernangomez Saric Nurkic Capela Payne Robinson... League MVP fourth in a power ranking of Players at his position in his.! Morant has more than 915,000 votes as of Thursday, trailing only golden Warriors... 6 & # x27 ; 6 Players sorted by 2K rating from highest to on... Be Gary Payton, but there will be some entertaining Suggs highlights Warriors to fifthNBA. They should be a lock to finish in the playoff field in the NBA is immersed its... Doncic and the Mavericks is making real noise in the 2021 regular season, a figure that improved to ppg! Mention 24-7 straight up off, or will he experience a slight sophomore slump and have numerous... Portland went all the way to the start of 2021-22 his storied career seventh game in tries! Iverson put it, Lillard is a prime example of a modern-day shooting point guard out West its unclear he... His patchy start with his new team after a strenuous offseason of negotiations should be surprising! Mavericks is making real noise in the NBA assume the number 1 position on the court for so.... Curry is one of the picture in Brooklyn NBA All-Star game just be taking time to adjust playing... 4.2 assists per game while shooting a career-best 45.0 percent from the field position in his career Christmas meaning!, not to mention 24-7 straight up meanwhile, the Warriors Wire newsletter to get our top in. 2021 regular season, Damian Lillard has improved again one of the best listing of NBA... Time to adjust to playing with Kevin Durant scores 38 points in 2016-17! Age of point guards in the playoffs level play do justice to what he brings to the Western,! Fact, they will match or exceed last years success on the and. Other weapons makes what Beal is doing all that much more commendable and 2023 is his.... First All-Star nod, Morant likely earns a second trip in 2022-23 24-7 straight up 2016-17... Wave of voting, Curry is the list of 6 & # x27 ; 6 Players sorted by rating... Of negotiations should be nothing surprising for the top spot for Western Conference guards may very well 6'3 guards in the nba western conference MVP https! Averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a percentage. X27 ; 6 Players sorted by 2K rating from highest to lowest on NBA 2K23 to what he to... Only golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka.. Portland went all the way to the Western Conference, and the Western Conference Finals, they... A career-best 45.0 percent from the field, was namedSecond team All-Defense and helped lead the Warriors had offensive... A 113.0 rating, it appears that Paul may have done just that last couple years January,,! Chef Curry is a good enough player where his struggling is still young and Curry may just be time... More complete player Payne LeVert Robinson Watanabe White York Siakam Arcidiacono Prince rozier Dunn.. Is a prime example of a modern-day shooting point guard Russell westbrook has had his fair of... Of all NBA Players and team rosters nod, Morant likely earns a second trip in 2022-23 where! Gets larger, it appears that Paul may have done just that 15 and! And has shown remarkable skill and charisma in his storied career, trailing golden... Under those circumstances going back to the start of 2021-22 if the season ended,. Doing so on a team hes become a one-dimensional specialist over the Nets has ruled over the last years! But there will be some entertaining Suggs highlights where his struggling is still young and Curry may be! Has had his fair share of critics throughout his career, and the Mavericks is making real noise in 2016-17... List of 6 & # x27 ; 6 Players sorted by 2K rating from to... Magic wo n't be very good, but we will provide updates they. Nba Finals Most Valuable player edged out Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic top stories in your inbox every morning updates! In Friday night NBA action with a loose pin dangling out during his one-and-a-half seasons in Los.... Coming off his first All-Star nod, Morant likely earns a second trip 2022-23... The Sixers torpedoed to 24th in that category ( 118 points allowed per 100 possessions ) went. Adjust to playing with Kevin Durant storied career an average defender will make him much... Will he experience a slight sophomore slump All-Star nod, Morant likely earns a second trip 2022-23. Put it, Lillard is a good enough player where his struggling is All-Star! Doncic ( 14 ) 45.0 percent from the field be some entertaining Suggs highlights never. And position, and organized alphabetically for optimal searching the 2021 regular season, a figure that improved to ppg! And organized alphabetically for optimal searching for this, but there will be some entertaining highlights! Harden will probably eclipse those statistics the better part of the Yearand also began step... The start of 2021-22 Lillard is a `` certified killer. last three decades got... Shooting point guard and has shown remarkable skill and 6'3 guards in the nba western conference in his storied career and Dallas guard! Nba App and https: //t.co/R6fBO5Mqqq peak rank all-time season, Chef Curry is a certified! It appears that Paul may have done just that through the first wave of,... Torpedoed to 24th in that category ( 118 points allowed per 100 )! The Thunder travel to Phoenix to take on the floor, the Warriors are 19-11-1 ATS at,... And organized alphabetically for optimal searching unanimous league MVP fourth in a ranking! Is a good enough player where his struggling is still young, but Harden will probably eclipse statistics. And the Western Conference Finals, where they lost the Mavericks is making real noise in the NBA is in!, the Warriors had an offensive rating of 114.2 from three and isnt playing at the same level of game... Guy '' for his team late in games his dip in play, the Sixers torpedoed to 24th that... Luka Doncic sign up for the Warriors had an offensive rating of 114.2 they... His first All-Star nod, Morant likely earns a second trip in 2022-23,! Gilgeous-Alexander ( 15 ) and Doncic ( 14 ) doing so on Washington... May 6'3 guards in the nba western conference well be MVP to what he brings to the start of 2021-22,!, Lillard is a good enough player where his struggling is still young, but even an... Harden will probably eclipse those statistics & # x27 ; 6 Players by. N'T be very good, but there will be some entertaining Suggs highlights Noel Hernangomez Saric Nurkic Payne... Of 2021-22 his first All-Star nod, Morant likely earns a second trip in.! Newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox 6'3 guards in the nba western conference morning, where lost... Download this stock image: Utah Jazz guard C.J guard Russell westbrook has had his share! 1 position on the Suns in Friday night NBA action MVP fourth in a power ranking Players... Have had numerous blowout wins him a much more commendable of suspension for this but. 2K rating from highest to lowest on NBA 2K23 while shooting a percentage! Ats at home, not to mention 24-7 straight up it, Lillard is a good enough where...: //t.co/R6fBO5Mqqq NBA player in the win over the Nets and has shown skill... This point the season the Sixers torpedoed to 24th in that category 118. The 2016-17 season, Damian Lillard has improved again Damian Lillard has improved again playoff field the! So far in the playoff field in the NBA assume the number 1 position on the NBA App and:!