The NBA's Best Point Guards

I had a load of fun listing my version of the top five best teams in the league in my last post, so I figured I would provide another list. This time, I am listing my version of the top five point guards in the NBA. Check it out:

1. Derrick Rose
This one is a no-brainer. Being the defending MVP of the league, Rose and the Bulls are on top of the Eastern Conference and looking better than ever. Rose has worked to develop a very reliable mid-range and three point shot that he did not have when he first came in to the league. His main weapon is his stunningly quick crossover move that nearly breaks the ankles of everyone who even attempts to guard him. On top of that, he finishes around the rim better than anyone in the league, in my opinion. He has unbelievable hangtime that allows him to score pretty easily.

Chris Paul

2. Chris Paul
Nearly traded to Boston just a couple months ago, Chris Paul is second to Derrick Rose on my list. Although Chris Paul is a better defender and shooter, Derrick Rose has the quickness over Paul. Chris Paul is consistently a near league leader in steals per game, assists per game, and points per game. Now the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, fans should get much more used to plenty of lobs being thrown to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

3. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo may not have the shooting abilities of Derrick Rose and Chris Paul, but he is easily the best passer in the league. Averaging more than 10 assists per game, Rondo is the floor general and facilitator of the Boston Celtics. He is also an elite defender and has made the All-NBA Defensive Team twice now. This is not to say that the man can't score. He is just as quick as Derrick Rose and gets to the basket with relative ease. He is very good at finishing around the hoop and is improving on his jump shot every season.

Russell Westbrook

4. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is surely one of the most exciting point guards in the league. Being much taller than the average PG, Russell gets to the hoops and throws down filthy dunks on a nightly basis. Westbrook isn't necessarily great at any one thing but is very good at almost every aspect of the game. He is incredibly young for his skill level and was just announced to participate in his first NBA All-Star Game this year.

5. Steve Nash
This 38-year-old 2-time NBA MVP may not make the top 5 list in most "best PG" lists, but I love Steve Nash. He is one of the most fundamentally sound players in the NBA. Although he may be slowing down quite a bit, he is still one of the best shooters, passers, and team players that I've ever watched. He is also quite the humanitarian, which is a plus in my book.

NBA Power Rankings

At this point, the NBA season is about 1/3 of the way done, so I thought it only made sense to supply you with my own personal power rankings at this point in the season. Being a shortened 66-game season, you may be slightly surprised by some teams and not so surprised by others. Before the season even started, it was a pretty safe bet saying Miami, Chicago, and Oklahoma City would be better than most other teams. But who thought Philadelphia would be in my top 5? Check it out:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant

OKC has been playing very well this season. They are leading the Western Conference and have one of the youngest cores in the league. Not only are they young, they are intimidating and pretty damn good. They've had a couple of head-scratching losses, but I see this team representing the West in the Finals.

2. Chicago Bulls
Quite possibly the team representing the East in the Finals, the Bulls have had a great first third of the season. Currently on top of the East, the Bulls depth is what I love. They have an incredible starting lineup and then have players like Richard Hamilton, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson, and Omer Asik. These four bench players could easily start on other teams throughout the league.

Derrick Rose

3. Miami Heat
Any team with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh is probably going to be pretty good. Even with Wade missing many games so far this season, Miami has still managed to only lose 6 games so far. LeBron is definitely the best player on the team and is in the prime of his career. I don't see him getting past Chicago in the playoffs again, though.

4. Boston Celtics
I may be a little biased here being a lifelong Celtics fan, but I do really think this team has what it takes to get to the Finals. After a very sloppy start to the season, the Celtics have won 7 out of their last 8 with impressive wins over teams that people say are "better" than Boston. With Paul Pierce being awarded Player of the Week honors in the Eastern Conference, he led the Celtics without the injured Rajon Rondo. Even without the all star point guard, Boston did very well, which shows me a lot about this team. Their experience and will to win will give any team a challenge in the playoffs. Keep your chin up, New England. The Patriots may have lost, but the Celtics are playing some exciting basketball at the moment.

Paul Pierce

5. Philadelphia 76ers
No one saw this coming. Philly is on top of the Atlantic division and basically has a mirror record to the likes of Miami and Chicago. They have the best defense in the league and have been using their young legs to score plenty of fast-paced points. They've beat some very good teams and are showing no sign of slowing down. I just question if they can really handle the pressure of an intense playoff series.

Why Do Fans Get To Pick The NBA All-Star Starters?

The starters for the 2012 NBA All Star Game were announced tonight for both the East and West teams and I wasn't all that surprised by the results. Voted by fans across the world, the starting line ups typically consist of the "superstars" of the league that one generally thinks of when the NBA comes in to mind. For the West squad, PG Chris Paul, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Kevin Durant, PF Blake Griffin, and C Andrew Bynum will be one of the youngest starting lineups that I have have seen in an all star game. For the East squad, PG Derrick Rose, SG Dwyane Wade, SF Carmelo Anthony, PF LeBron James, and C Dwight Howard (the leading vote getting amongst all players) will use their athleticism and experience to give the West team a great challenge. In my opinion, the East is going to absolutely demolish the West. But this is besides the point.
My real concern is why fans even get to vote for the starters in the first place. Yes, I understand the All Star Game is supposed to be a relaxed, fun game that gives fans the opportunity to cheer for all of their favorite players and also a way for players to show their appreciation to players, but it really doesn't make sense to me for one main reason: The general managers of the league get to pick the reserve players, but have no say in the starters. In my opinion, it should be the other way around. Fans should get to pick the reserves and general managers should pick the starters. In too many cases, I have seen players get selected as all stars when they really do not deserve it. For example, washed up players like Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson started for their respective conferences based solely off of their reputations and not by their skill later in their careers. This year is no different to me.