Shooting Guards
James Harden
29.0 ppg
6.1 rpg
7.5 apg
Like I previously said, I try to tune out what is going on in the current season when it is time to construct this list. However like Anthony Davis in New Orleans; James Harden has started this season on fire. And even though the season is still young; it is hard to ignore how he has jumped out the gates. Not only is he in top five in scoring, he also leads the league in assists. At this point in his career, it has become redundant to mention he has no defense. If you follow the NBA, and his game, then you know that defense is the weakest part of his game. However when you combined all the aspects of his game, including his newfound fondness for passing the ball; he is the best at this position. I wouldn’t go as far as to agree with his self-proclamation of being the best player in the game. But top five isn’t too shabby.
Klay Thompson
22.1
3.8
2.1
Chicago Bulls fans can blame the arrival of Dwayne Wade for the exclusion of Jimmy Butler from this year’s list. When D Wade came into town, Butler was shifted to small forward and Wade resume his longtime slot at shooting guard. When that happened, Butler became a victim of the same circumstances that I mentioned plagued DeMarcus Cousins. That is, playing out of position, whether by force or choice, and not being one of the best at that position.
The difference between putting Cousins at power forward and Butler at shooting guard is the competition. Like I said, I was about to put Cousins in the top ten, even though he was listed as a power forward. But it is no way I would pick Butler over LeBron, KD, Kawhi, or Paul George. Even though JB guarded those players when he was listed at shooting guard. And he usually guards the best perimeter player regardless of position. He is better served as a shooting guard. His size and game is comparable to his opponents at this position.
Jimmy Butler is 6’7; so is Demar Rozan and Klay Thompson. Those three guys would have been my finalists for this slot. With the absence of Butler, that left me with Rozan and Thompson. And even though I love Rozan game; I had to go with Klay Thompson. I think Rozan is more aggressive and a better scorer. But I think Thompson is a better shooter, defender and more explosive. This pick is separated by a hairline and was the most difficult I had to make this year.
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