1/12/11

DNB Top Ten: Floor Generals

This is the first installment of a new segment here at the DinoNation Blog, called the Top Ten in which I'll be ranking various things across the NBA. This week we'll be looking at the top ten floor generals, also know as point guards. A floor general is basically a player who can effectively run the teams offense, make key shots and plays when the game is on the line as well and initiate things on the defensive ends, because if a point guard can't keep his guy in front of him, the entire teams defense will collapse and can result in kick-outs to wide open perimeter shooters.

10. Raymond Felton (18.1 PPG, 8.8 APG, 1.9 SPG, 3.4 TO)
After having a let down year last season, Felton has really rebounded and thriving in this Knicks system. Maybe a change of scenery and some new teammates like Amare and Gallo was all he needed as he is averaging career highs in points, steals, and assists. His turnovers are also at a career high, but when you are playing as well as he has been lately it doesn't seen that bad. The Knicks are a team not known for their defense though, but his 2 steal per game shows that he is active on the defensive end.

9. Chauncey Billups (16.5 PPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.9 TO)
Since leaving Detroit, Billups has yet to see the kind of playoffs dominance that he was a part off in Detroit, in which he won an NBA championship and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for six consecutive seasons. Though he is entering into the final seasons of his career, he still processes that lethal three point shot, especially in crunchtime, which is why he's still called Mr. Bigshot. Though his assist numbers have been on the decline in the last three seasons, he can still make those crucial passes to get his teammates open looks when the game in on the line. With rumours circulating of him heading to New Jersey with Melo, let's hope he can remain focused and still hit those key buckets in crunchtime, when they are needed.

8. Jason Kidd (8.0 PPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 2.4 TO)
Kidd's not to guys whose going to got out there with a mindset to score 20 or even 15+ each night. The last time he even surpassed 15 points was November 15th when he scored 16 against the Hornets. Kidd's mindset is to go out there, run the offense, play defense, rebound, hit a few clutch buckets when he has to and most importantly to get his teammates into great scoring position. This can be clearly see as 44.04% of his possessions have resulted in an assist. As he enters the final stretch of seasons in his career, this future Hall of Famer still continues to impress and climb the NBA leader-boards.

7. Tony Parker (17.4 PPG, 7.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.5 TO)
With Duncan and Ginobli already in their 30's Parker has shown that he can run that Spurs offense and take over games with his variety of scoring methods and still be able to keep the other guys involved in the game. Aside from the off-court drama earlier in the season, Parker remains a huge part of this Spurs franchise going forward and would like to add another championship or two to the three has has already won with the Spurs.

6. Steve Nash ( 16.9 PPG, 10.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 3.5 TO)
Probably, if not the greatest, NBA player to come out of Canada( sorry Leo Rautins), Nash has just continued to get better as he ages. With the departure of Amare Stoudemire in the summer, and after acquiring a few new pieces a few weeks ago in the biggest trade of the year thus far, the Suns struggling and Nash now has to try and lead them to the playoffs. There are also rumours of him being traded, but what team wouldn't want to have Steve Nash on their roster. Though he struggles defensively, Nash has to ability to make those around him better and thus he's still remains amongst the elite players in the league.

5. Russell Westbrook ( 21.9 PPG, 8.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 3.8 TO)
Probably one on the most enthusiastic young players in the league, Westbrook has stepped out of Durant's shadow and proven that he will be a star in this league. With his scoring average up by 5 from last season, Westbrook has become a lethal scoring threat, and has really improved his jumpshot. As he continues to develop, the tandem of him and Durant will be tough for many opponents to defend and a title may be in his future.

4. Derrick Rose ( 24.3 PPG, 8.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 3.6 TO)
Since arriving in Chicago, Rose has helped propel the Bulls from a bottom-feeder in the East to a legitimate playoff, if not title contender. Currently averaging career highs in almost every stat category, Rose has become an all-around threat for opposing players. Though he still struggles on the defensive end and isn't the most consistent jumpershooter, he will only get better and in time he may be leading the Bulls to their first championship since 1998, and dunk on a few more people in the process.

3. Rajon Rondo (10.6 PPG, 13.4 APG, 2.5 SPG, 4.1 TO)
If there was ever an award for a player who makes his teammates better, Rondo would automatically win it. Like Kidd he isn't a guy who's concerned with how many points he scores, because he would rather get his teammates in positions in which they will have easy shot (48.70 % of his possessions result in an assist). Not many people thought he would have become such a great player, especially playing alongside the Big 3, but he has shown that he is a great player and may be the best player on that Celtics team. He may not be the greatest shooter and currently leads the league in turnovers(4.1), but he play-making and defense makes up for that.

2. Chris Paul ( 16.7 PPG, 9.7 APG, 2.8 SPG, 2.4 TO)
After missing most of last season due to injury, Paul has come back to that he is one of the best PG's in the league when it seemed like he was forgotten about. With the Hornets missing the playoffs last season, Paul has once again led them back into playoff contention and are currently holding on to that 6th playoff seed and hoping to rise in the standings. His scoring and assists have decrease slightly in the last three seasons, but he hasn't had to do much scoring due to his teammates ability to score. Come playoff time we'll see if he can regain the form that made him the best PG in the league.

1. Deron Williams (21.8 PPG, 9.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 3.4 TO)
After last season Deron was quickly became viewed as the best PG in the league due to his stellar play. He's been running the Jazz offense for a while now and led then to the playoffs in four consecutive seasons. Currently averaging his career high in points, Deron has taken a larger part in the Jazz offense and have helped lead the team back to several comeback victories this season and he's only getting better. Though he has been in the league for six seasons he only made his first All-Star appearance last season, but is poised to make several more if his great play continues.

So there you have it, my top ten floor generals currently in the NBA. At first I thought it would have been easy to ranked these guys, but with so many great PG's out there it slowly became difficult, but in the end this is the rankings I'm more confident with. If you disagree feel free to chime in in the comments and stay tuned for the next installment next week.

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