National Basketball Association

Top 10 Point Guards in the Western Conference

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) poses for a photo during Media Day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks brought back Deron Williams to be their starting point guard again this season. But is Williams still a top 10 point guard in the Western Conference?

Williams, an 11 year veteran, opted out of the second year on his deal this past summer to become an unrestricted free agent. Looking to stay home on a longer deal, Williams found himself returning to Dallas on just a one-year deal.

Once considered the best point guard in the game alongside of Chris Paul, Williams has naturally taken a step back over the past couple of years due to injuries and age. But after a bounce back season last year in Dallas, Williams looks to capitalize on running the same system again.

In the Western Conference, the point guard spot is arguably the most stacked position. It’s also a reminder to how stacked the West is in compared to the East in regards to star players.

With the two-time MVP in Curry to one of the best overall players in the game in Russell Westbrook, the West has the best point guards in the game.

The rankings had two guidelines: players being fully healthy and with just the 2016-17 season in mind.

So where does Deron Williams come in on the top 10 point guards in the Western Conference?

Oct 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

10.) George Hill

The Utah Jazz had one of the better offseason’s in the league as they capitalized on fixing their biggest weakness last season…the point guard spot.

Utah went out and traded their first round draft pick this summer for the veteran George Hill. The move is underrated to some, but in Utah, it’s a move that could push them into the playoffs.

Hill instantly gives the Jazz a veteran running their offense that they have desperately needed to lead their young core. His ability to defend other point guards in the West will be huge, not to mention his 40% from behind the arc last season.

No disrespect to Shelvin Mack, but Utah now has a top 10 point guard in the conference that should lead them to the playoffs.

9.) D’Angelo Russell

Arguably the most popular pick for the Most Improved Player Award this season, Russell comes in as the 9th best point guard in the West.

If this ranking was based on which point guards you would want for the next five years, then Russell would move up drastically on this list, but for just this season, he still has some growing to do.

With Kobe Bryant out-of-the-way, the Lakers turn the keys of their franchise over to Russell as they begin to adopt a new identity with Luke Walton at the helm. As Russell continues to grow his game, he will need to prove that he has the leadership and defensive ability to be an elite point guard in the league.

His scoring and playmaking is there as the youngster captivated fans across the league after his impressive Summer League and preseason. Now Russell looks to translate that to the regular season where it looks like he will take a big step in his career.

Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) walks off the court for a timeout in the first half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

8.) Eric Bledsoe

After playing in just 31 games last season, Bledsoe makes his return to the back court in Phoenix where he looks to hold his ground as the starting point guard.

Nicknamed the “mini-LeBron” by some, Bledsoe is going somewhat under the radar coming into this season due to his injury history over the past couple of seasons. Bledsoe did play 81 games the year before, but only 43 the year before that.

In Bledsoe’s 31 games last season, he averaged over 20 points and six assists a game. Even though the back court in Phoenix has two young guys in the shadows in Booker and Ulis, Bledsoe has his starting spot locked down until proven otherwise.

He has all the physical tools to be one of the better, more athletic point guards in the league, the only thing holding him back is his health.

Oct 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) points on the court in the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

7.) Deron Williams

Coming in at seven is the starting point guard for the Dallas Mavericks.

The 11 year veteran comes back to Dallas on a one-year deal looking to prove once again he is worthy of a multi-year contract. The former five time all-star returns to the same system he ran last year under Rick Carlisle and looks to lead a veteran cored Mavs team back to the playoffs.

Williams might not be the all-star that he used to be in his Utah days, but he still has a killer crossover and potent scoring ability from all over the court.

Health will be big again this year for Williams as he hasn’t played over 68 games in each of the past three seasons.

Commonly referred to as the Mavs best player last season by Dirk Nowitzki, Williams is still one of the better point guards in the Western Conference.

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) smell his shoe as guard Tony Parker (9) smiles from the bench against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

6.) Tony Parker

Tony Parker was the starting point guard for 72 games last season where the Spurs won a historic 67 games…he still has it.

Although it seems Parker has fallen back due to his age and injuries, he is still one of the better point guards in the game. He played more games last year than each of the previous five seasons and looks to continue his healthy streak into this season.

He still possesses one of the best penetration games in the game and can drop a floater over anyone the league.

As long as they can continue to monitor his minutes, Parker will be one of the more efficient points in the league once again. Leading the Spurs into the post-Duncan era, Parker will need to be near his best for the Spurs to hold off the Clippers for the 2nd seed out West.

Oct 13, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

5.) Mike Conley

The highest paid player in the NBA, at one point this summer, comes in as the 5th best point guard in the Western Conference.

Mike Conley has quietly been one of the most underrated players in the league as the Ohio State point guard continues to lead Memphis back to the playoffs. Although health has been key for Conley, he looks to be at full strength heading into the new season.

Conley does it all as a point guard. He can defend at a high rate, hit the outside shot, and run the offense all at the same time. So why doesn’t Conley get the notoriety as some of the other top point guards in the game? Because nothing about his game is “sexy.”

Now Conley has signed a five-year, $153 million deal that has instantly taken the ‘underrated’ tag off his back. If Conley can stay healthy, look for Memphis to push for one of the middle seeds in the Western Conference playoffs.

Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

4.) Damian Lillard

Leading arguably the biggest surprise team last season, Damian Lillard comes in as the fourth best point guard in the West.

Lillard continues to take the league by storm as he led the Portland Trail Blazers to the 5th best record in the Western Conference. Armed with a potent clutch gene, Lillard is not only one of the biggest faces of Adidas, but for the entire NBA.

After averaging over 25 points and six assists a game, Lillard joins C.J. McCollum in arguably the league’s second best back court.

Offensively, he can match any point guard in the league, but if he can round out his game as a playmaker and defender, Lillard could take the next step in his career.

Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball defended by Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

3.) Chris Paul

Arguably one of the best point guards to ever play the game, Chris Paul comes in as the third best point guard in the NBA.

Is it possible for Paul to be the third best point in the West and be one of the top five players in the league? Absolutely, especially when you take the two guys in front of Paul on this list and put them with LeBron and Durant.

Paul finished last season averaging 19 points and 10 assists a game as the Clippers secured the fourth seed out West. Looking to be on a collision course with the Warriors in the second round, both Griffin AND Paul went down with injuries. The season was over.

Now Paul comes back leading this same Clippers group for maybe the last time together. He is still the best passing point guard in the league and arguably the best defending point in the league. Most even call him the best leader in the game.

If Paul and the crew stay healthy, look for the Clippers to push San Antonio for the second seed out West.

Oct 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to a play against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

2.) Russell Westbrook

Ranking these last two guys are always fun, but arguably the best overall player in the league comes in as the second best point guard in the West…and league.

We all know about Westbrook’s elite athleticism and ability to score almost at will. We also know about his ability to record triple doubles on what seems a nightly basis. But now we all wait to see what he will do as the sole leader of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With Kevin Durant in Golden State, Westbrook takes the reigns as the team’s best player and leader. There isn’t a point guard in the league that presents more match up problems than Westbrook as he is bigger and surprisingly quicker than most point guards.

The only thing Westbrook has to prove is his late game performances and turnovers when it counts the most.

He will look to lead the league again in triple doubles and is an early favorite for the Most Valuable Player award.

Oct 19, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) flexes against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Valley View Casino Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Stephen Curry

As the two-time MVP and leader of the record-setting 73-win Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry is the best point guard in the NBA.

Yeah, the Westbrook apologists are crying at their computer, but Curry is the best point in the league. Arguably the greatest shooter to ever play the game, Curry is the Steve Nash of the early 2000’s on steroids.

Averaging over 30 points, six assists, and two steals a game, Curry was the first player in NBA history to win the MVP award unanimously. Now, he enters the season with one of the best surrounding casts an MVP has ever had.

An underrated player on the defensive end, Curry is back as arguably the league’s best player.

Barely missing the cut is Patrick Beverley, Ricky Rubio, and Jrue Holiday.