By With this time off I have has really struck up some ideas and pieces for this blog but was difficult to write and put together. But I think I finally can and with the season ending why not look ahead to a pyramid of point guards, from the elite to the bottom. So, let us start with the elite tier or tier one of this point guard pyramid.
Tier One
Damian Lillard: Going into the 2021 season Dame time maybe the best time when it comes to point guard play, his play in the bubble was a sneak peek into what seems to his prime years which will be hopeful for Trailblazer and Lillard fans alike.
Stephen Curry: Despite missing the 2019-2020 season, Curry is still in the elite tier of point guards, the upcoming season could be one of Curry’s best seasons yet because of rest and rehabilitation along with potentially a refreshed new roster to play with can bring the best out of Curry’s return for 2020-2021.
Chris Paul: Now some people may disagree with where Chris Paul is placed on this pyramid, but he is in the elite tier for me despite not winning or getting to an NBA final in his career. Paul’s play last season caught many off guard as he led an Oklahoma City Thunder team that was not expected to make the playoffs to the playoff bubble unfortunately to lose in round one. But Paul’s ability to make others who are not as good look good or belong on the court is almost unmatched along with his leadership making him an elite point guard.
We move on to Tier 2 where there are more names of players who are on the come up, downside of their prime or all-star quality floor generals.
Tier 2
Russell Westbrook: Russell Westbrook has always been hit and miss with me and this season was a shining example of that. While Westbrook gave maximum effort as he often does his play sometimes did not match it with reckless decision making and mentality during tough times led to more exposure of what some see and feel about Westbrook. He may not be elite or in the peak of his prime, but he still can be an all-star quality point guard.
Jamal Murray (Nuggets): One of the many young, up and coming rising stars in this tier is Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray who proved he’s close to being an elite player during the bubble with some of the more impressive individual performances. Murray also established that he is the perfect sidekick for his superstar center Nikola Jokic to lead the Nuggets for a long time.
Ben Simmons: Another polarizing or maybe complexed point guard is Ben Simmons. The 6’10-point hybrid has all the tools to be in the elite tier one day, so why is not there right now? 1 obvious reason his shooting or lack of wanting to at least. Many believe it’s a personal thing with Simmons but for me it’s a combination of lack of self confidence and the shooting coach or staff that is in Philadelphia are same ones who attributed to another former #1 draft pick’s shooting woes in Markelle Fultz.
Simmons has taken baby steps in shooting more and hopefully next season with Coach Rivers in control things will change where he will be confident in his ability to do catapulting him to the level many us feel he should be at.
Kyle Lowry
Kemba Walker
Gordon Dragic
Trae Young
Ja Morant: This is not premature but rookie of the year Ja Morant belongs in the second tier of this pyramid. Morant’s rookie season was exceptional with his leadership, athleticism and having the Grizzlies in the playoff picture putting them ahead of schedule for their rebuilding. The sophomore jinx always hangs over successful rookies but expect Morant to beat the jinx and continue leading Memphis in the right direction.
Tier 3 and Tier 4
Tier 3 and Tier 4 is the mixed bag tier for sounded and steady guards,steady hands, the underrated and big names who need validation. So, I begin with a big name who has been out for a while and has a lot to prove, John Wall.
John Wall: A few years ago, John Wall would have easily been in the top 2 tier unquestionably, but after suffering major injury with some setbacks Wall is set to return full strength for 2020-21 with a lot of expectations. For that reason alone is why Wall is in third tier and hopefully return to the elite level we saw before his injury.
Kyrie Irving: This is probably my hottest take on this subject, but Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving is in my third tier for a ton of reasons. From his injury history to his team chemistry issues to Kyrie being Kyrie is why Irving is here and not where many would put him in the top 2 tiers. Obviously the first year in Brooklyn did not go to plan but next season is almost title or bust for them with Steve Nash as the head coach as well a healthy Kevin Durant returning should mean a exceptional season for Irving in 2020-21 if Kyrie doesn’t get in his own way.
De’Aaron Fox
Lonzo Ball
Malcom Brogdon
Patrick Beverley: Arguably the biggest mouth and antagonist in the league today, Patrick Beverley has worked his butt off to be respected as a player and is underrated as a point guard. Beverley is sound as far as setting his teammates up, taking his shots at the right times and is possibly the best perimeter defender in the NBA has been a positive to the Clippers but also putting him ahead of other point guards who are considered more talented than him respectfully.
Ricky Rubio: One of the biggest mishandling of a career is Ricky Rubio, Rubio has been the ideal floor general on not so ideal teams or situations. Rubio went to Phoenix this season and added much needed veteran seasoning that young group needed to get into the playoff race for the 8th seed in the West due to his play and leadership.
Tier 4
Mike Conley Jr: In the new chapter of his career Mike Conley Jr was expected to have a good season in Utah but that did not happen. With Injuries and not enough time to gel with his new teammates led to an underwhelming first season for Conley with the Jazz putting him in this tier.
D’Angelo Russell
Derrick Rose
Dejounte Murray
Eric Bledsoe: For Bucks fans Eric Bledsoe is properly place in this pyramid just based on his playoff performances or lack of performances. Bledsoe who is solid player and athlete seems to self-destruct in the playoffs especially these past few years, causing the possibility of Bledsoe being traded this offseason as well as doubt in him to be reliable support for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
We come to the bottom of the pyramid, the less than desired, underachieving and below average point guards who may have some potential or simply are not good and are more harm than good for their teams.
Tier 5
Terry Rozier
Colin Sexton/Darius Garland
Elfrid Payton/Dennis Smith Jr/Frank Ntilikina (Knicks Point guards)
Tomas Satoransky
Markelle Fultz: Markelle Fultz is the poster boy of bad luck for an NBA player. The injury, shooting woes and all has put Fultz at the bottom of this pyramid when his talent should have him a lot higher than this. Luckily, Fultz was given a second chance by being traded to the Orlando Magic where he starts over and can just play basketball. But out of this group Fultz, Garland and maybe Ntilikina and Smith Jr could come out of this tier and possibly live up to their promise after all.
That is the point guard pyramid from your truly going into next season, the next one will be Centers, going from top to bottom so any feedback is appreciated and thanks for reading!