Thursday, May 10, 2007

Thursday Debate: Who is the 2nd best PG in the NBA?

I've got a new segment on here called Thursday Debate... this is the 3rd installment.

This is an interesting debate... who is the 2nd best PG in the NBA? Obviously this is assuming that we can all agree that Steve Nash is the best PG. I may not be high on Nash as MVP, but there's not much doubt in my mind that he is the premier PG in the NBA for different reasons.

So who is #2? The way I see it there are 7 candidates:

Tony Parker: Parker isn't a great scorer, but he has become a highly efficient offensive player. He doesn't take a lot of outside shots (only 38 attempts on the year), preferring to do most of his damage inside the lane. This has been a real effective thing for him, as he has shot over 50% each of the last 2 seasons.

Deron Williams: These playoffs have sort of been his coming out party, but he's been doing this type of stuff all season long. He finished 2nd in the NBA in assists with 9.3 per game, and also averaged over 16 PPG. He's also a pretty decent rebounder for a PG and a very good defender, and is developing a more consistent jumpshot. He has the quickness, vision, and all-around game to one day very soon be the best PG in the NBA.

Baron Davis: The playoffs has definitely been Davis' re-coming out party, as everyone sort of forgot about him for a couple of years. Honestly he's a threat to get injured at any time, but we've all seen what type of talent he has. He's quick off the dribble, has a very quick jumpshot, and like these other guys is a good passer. The other part of his game that's so good is his defense. He has shown that when he's healthy he is one of the best defenders at the PG position in the NBA.

Jason Kidd: He's getting older but he is still extremely effective. He's not a great shooter, but he's got a decent 3-point shot and he's pretty quick off the dribble. But more importantly is everything else that he does. He's probably the second best passer in the NBA, he's a great rebounder (over 8 per game this year!), and he's one of the best defensive PGs in the NBA.

Chauncey Billups: He wasn't quite as good this year as he was last year, but obviously he's still real good. The great thing about Chauncey is that even though he plays 36 minutes per game at PG, he only turns the ball over twice per game. That's fantastic, especially combined with the 7+ assists per game. Throw in the superb 3-point shooting and clutch performances, and he's a good candidate.

Gilbert Arenas: He's the best scorer on this list, but doesn't quite do as much as some of these other guys. He turns the ball over a relatively high amount of times compared to his assists, and he's not a great defender. But he's a solid shooter... and most importantly he gets to the line a lot. He averaged nearly 10 FT attempts per game which is one of the big reasons he's such an effective scorer.

Chris Paul: He's a guy that will probably always be compared some to Deron Williams because of the draft position, and he has not disappointed in his 2 years. He's extremely quick which allows him to get to the basket effectively. He was hurt some this year, but he was ridiculously good when he played. He averaged over 17 points per game to go along with 8.9 APG. He's also a pretty good rebounder with over 4 per game. His 3-point shot improved from 28% to 35% this year... if he can continue that he'll virtually be unstoppable.

This is extraordinarily tough choice that I have a hard time making. I would probably take Chris Paul right now, just because of his great all-around game... the shooting is coming along, quickness with the ball, great vision, and quick hands defensively. In only his second year, he has quickly moved up the charts.

But there is obviously room for disagreement here with lots of great choices. Who's your choice?

Who is the 2nd best PG in the NBA?
Tony Parker
Deron Williams
Baron Davis
Jason Kidd
Chauncey Billups
Gilbert Arenas
Chris Paul
Other

21 comments:

Pacifist Viking said...

Steve Nash is the second best PG in the league; Jason Kidd is the best.

SAMO said...

Baron Davis if he could stay healthy, but he can't. Maybe Billups, Maybe Kidd. But I will choose a young guy cause I would love to start a team with him. Deron Williams! In 2 years he will be a top 10 player, trust me.

Blue Viking Devil said...

I think the line between Nash and Kidd is really close, although I probably would agree with PV that Kidd is the better PG just because of the all-around game he brings to the table.

However, I think the PGs that should battle these guys who are getting older are Deron Williams and Chris Paul so I am right there with you.

I think Chris Paul is the best "all-around" PG in the NBA, the guy is always battling to be the top-thief and he brings alot to the table. I think if Chris Paul were put on any of the teams these other PGs are on he would be battling for MVP this year if not next.

twins15 said...

PV I read your post on your blog and while I agree that Kidd has had the better career than Nash, right now I'd take Nash. Obviously Kidd still has a very good all-around game, but I think the shooting edge is just huge. I think Nash is a much better shooter and a little better passer, and that makes up for the rebounding and defense (and Kidd has gotten a step slower over the years). Both are great, I'll (obviously from my post) take Nash.

Pacifist Viking said...

Nash has the gigantic edge as a shooter, Kidd has the gigantic edge as a defender. I think they're close but if they switched teams, I think Kidd dominate more than Nash does.

I really don't mean to disparage Nash by saying that, either; I love his game and love watching him play.

I'd say (as the other commenters are hinting at) throw out Nash and Kidd and look at who is the best PG in his 20s. So far, Tony Parker has had the best career, Baron Davis seems to be the best player, and Chris Paul has the greatest potential to dominate for a decade. Today, I would take Davis.

grittysquirrels said...

This is a great debate. I think it definitely has to be between Williams and Paul. They're so good and so young.

However, I think the best pick at this point might be Baron Davis....and a month and a half to two months ago people would have said Arenas.... Ahhh no I don't know who i want.

Shot in the dark---> TJ Ford?

In all seriousness I have no idea who I want....what a great Thursday Debate.

point 23 said...

What a great debate.

I think it depends on the situation. If you had to to start a franchise, I'd take Paul (altho D Wil is a great consolation prize). If you had just one season, I'd take Kidd (Nash excluded, no one else does more for a team from the PG position...this isn't even debatable). If you had to win one game, I'd take Gilbert (dude can just GO OFF). If you had just one possession, I'd take Mr. Big Shot.

How crazy is that? The only thing clear here is that Nash is the clear cut best point guard in the L. He plays a different game than everyone else right now.

If I had to take one, though, I would take Jason Kidd. The rebounding and the defense are bonuses...off everyone listed, he runs an offense better than all of them. I think that is just what you want out of your point guard.

What a great Thursday debate. I'm geeked for next Thursday already.

Anonymous said...

this is a great question to ask... every candidate has had their great moments, but its hard to argue against tony parker, who is still very young and already won some championships. parker raises his game when needed and manages to resort to duncan when the time is right.

Unknown said...

You got to go with Jason Kidd! He has experience, unbelievable court vision, dominate rebounder, not the greatest scorer, but can put up big numbers if the Nets need him to score. Triple threat every game. Oh, he second just below Magic Johnson, passing Larry Bird on the playoff triple-double list today.

Joey said...

Dang! I was trying to find Smush Parker.

Heel.Fan.4.Life said...

I have to go with Billups. Yes his play has slipped a little, but you have to look at the big picture. Look at what Denver was before he got there and look at what he transformed them into. They were on the brink of getting to the Finals. You have to look beyond pure stats. I want my PG to make my team truly into a team.

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greatsportsarticles said...

This is a great debate

I think Nash is the best PG this season. However if I was to select a PG for the future it would have to be Chris Paul. He has had some injuries this year but if I was going to start a team he would have to run the show. His talent is just beginning to show greatness.

greatsportsarticles said...

However Jason Kidd is rated as one of the greatest PG's of all time. He is listed at number 5 on my list of the greatest floor generals. One of the greatest all around players but time isn't his friend on this list.

blog for steveLi said...

i like nash,2nd is kidd,never
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Las Vegas Foreclosures said...

I'd go for Tony Parker.. He's really good but Steve Nash is better ;)

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