The Christmas Holiday not only turns the spotlight on the NBA but also marks the beginning of when teams start to seriously think about how the season is going. Most of the Association’s 30 teams will have played 40% (32 games) of their schedule by December 25, and the day means that there are about one and a half months until the trade deadline.
With the league well into the 2022 campaign, it is time to look at the season’s good, bad, and surprises thus far. This article will look at the most crucial position in the NBA today, point guard. It is also the position with the most star power, as Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, James Harden, Trae Young, and Chris Paul are among the players that man the position. Which team’s point guard units will make the cut and be among the top NBA picks?
1. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have a solid quartet of veteran point guards who can score and distribute the ball. Luka Doncic, the NBA expert picks for the No. 1 ranked player at the position, is the catalyst for the Mavericks. Their depth at the position and his versatility allow the Mavs to exploit matchups by sometimes moving him off the ball.
Doncic, a 2022 MVP candidate, is a wizard with the ball in his hands, but his defensive prowess does not nearly get enough attention. Spencer Dinwiddie, like Doncic, is a scorer though he is also an excellent distributor who can defend and does not turn the ball over.
The addition of Kemba Walker, who has a career 2.5-to-1 assist/turnover ratio, gives the Mavs three strong ball-handlers and may be one of the most underrated moves this year. Frank Ntilikina and McKinley Wright IV, on a two-way contract, are other the team’s other point guards.
2. Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry is the main reason the Warriors’ point guard unit is this high, although Jordan Poole has shown that he is perfectly capable of running the team when Curry is off the court. Curry and Poole give the Dubs’ the most explosive point guard tandem in the league. Poole is awful defensively, but Curry’s craftiness on that end of the floor keeps the unit respectful in that area.
Donte DiVincenzo, an underrated defender, and distributor, along with Ty Jerome, provides depth at the position. Rookie Ryan Rollins, on a two-way contract, is a young developmental player who some NBA predictions believe will develop into a fifth guard for a team down the road.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant, a top 2022 MVP candidate, thrives in the open court and gets into the lane, where he looks to make a play for himself or his teammates. Morant is not great defensively though he has steadily shown improvement on that end. Turnovers are also a problem for him sometimes.
Tyus Jones is one of the top backup point guards in the lead. He is a strong ball-handler, a solid distributor – who owns an incredible 5.28-to-1 assist/turnover ratio for his career – and a pesky defender. Rookie Kennedy Chandler is third on the depth chart.
4. Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton has blossomed as a point guard under coach Rick Carlisle since coming from Sacramento before the trade deadline last season. Halliburton is extremely quick, can get to the basket, and is an excellent shooter.
More importantly, he has developed into one of the best playmaking lead guards in the league. He has made strides on the defensive end and does an excellent job “taking care of the ball.”
TJ McConnell is the consummate pro and the perfect backup point guard. He is a pass-first point guard who doesn’t turnover the ball and will get “after it” on the defensive end. Rookie Andrew Nembhard is third on the depth chart. Nembhard is a strong ball-handler, a strong passer, and a good shooter.
5. Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving is one of the offensive point guards in the league when he is fully engaged. Edmond Sumner thrives on the defensive end and is Irving’s primary understudy. Seth Curry and Patty Mills have not pointed guards but can play spot minutes there. Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, and David Duke Jr. also have experience in the position.
