Friday, January 7th, 2011 at 8:00 am  |  23 responses

Draft 2011: Top Five Point Guards, Vol. 1

Need a floor general? You can’t lose with these five.

by Jeff Fox

We are in the midst of a golden age of point guards in the NBA. Paul. Williams. Rondo. Rose. Nash. Wall. Westbrook. Parker. The list goes on and on. It seems every team has an elite point guard, and if they don’t then they want to get one, fast. For those teams in the market for a point guard, here are the best floor generals that the 2011 NBA Draft should offer.

1) Kyrie Irving | Duke | FreshmanJosh Selby

His injured big toe could still potentially keep him off of the floor for the rest of this season, but scouts have seen enough of Kyrie Irving to know what he brings to the table. Speed. Craftiness. Poise. Passing. Scoring. Defense. What more could you want in a point guard?

2) Josh Selby | Kansas | Freshman

After missing the Jayhawks first nine games while serving a NCAA-imposed suspension, Baltimore’s Josh Selby burst on to the collegiate scene, scoring 21 points in his debut. He’s an explosive athlete who can score from anywhere on the court, but at this point he is more of a combo guard than a pure point guard. But, standing only 6-2, that will have to change at the next level.

3) Brandon Knight | Kentucky | Freshman

Brandon Knight is in the similar category as Josh Selby — he has good size for the point guard spot, great scoring ability and blazing speed. The only problem is he still needs to work on his point guard skills — he pretty much turns the ball over as often as he gets an assist. But he plays for John Calipari, who has a pretty good history at producing NBA point guards.

4) Kemba Walker | Connecticut | Junior

The elder statesman on the list is Huskies’ junior guard Kemba Walker, who is an early favorite for National Player of the Year honors. The speedy Bronx native is an incredible scorer (26.1 ppg this season) and has become an outside shooting threat. The real concern regarding him is his size — he’s listed at 6-0 (which probably really means he’s a sub-six footer).

5) Cory Joseph | Texas | Freshman

More than likely Cory Joseph will stick around college for at least one more season, but if he does declare for this year’s draft he could be a high pick. Not the greatest athlete, Joseph nonetheless gets the job done, is a heady player and can score on his own or set up teammates.

Next in line: Nolan Smith, Duke; Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas; Maalik Wayns, Villanova; Demetrei McCarney, Illinois; Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech.

Read more of Jeff Fox at The Hoops Manifesto and The MMA Manifesto.

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  • mike

    Kemba Walker should not be number four on this list. He should be two. Selby and Knight are not true point guards.

  • Scott

    1. Kyrie Irving
    2. Kemba Walker
    3. Josh Shelby
    4. Brandon Knight
    5. Nolan Smith

    That’s better you had it screwed up Jeff.

  • http://www.hoopsmanifesto.com Jeff Fox

    Thanks for fixing it for me, Scott!!

  • Ctp

    Jimmer Fredette!! BYU. Kid can hoop.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    Love your stuff as always, Jeff.

    For arguments sake, I haven’t seen the young bucks enough to know, but I would want McCamey and Jimmer on my top 5.

  • D-Block

    I think Joseph is going to be a top player, but right now I wouldn’t put him elite category. He obviously has the potential though. Fredette is a straight up two, Knight is basically a two (would be fun to watch him play more off the ball next year if he stays with Marquis Teague at the 1), Kemba is mad underrated because of his size, and Selby/Irving are like Rose but with jumpers. Shout out to my man Isaiah Thomas though.

  • http://www.slamonline.com/ niQ

    I remember when Tyreke and Rose weren’t considered TRUE point guards pre-NBA. Rose has flourish in the PG role and Tyreke.. I don’t know, I guess he’s still considered a combo guard?

  • Tyler Whitcomb

    1. Kyrie Irving
    2. Nolan Smith
    3. Kemba Walker
    4. Brandon Knight
    5. Jimmer Fredette

    I like Selby and would pick him over all these players except Irving, but he is a 2 guard( no way he can run the point!)

    Niq – Rose was always considered a PG and Tyreke ran the pg for memphis when they went on that huge run. Selby plays the 2.

  • Saku 39

    Wayns top-3; might be the best distributor of this group. Also, might really shine next year when Fisher graduates.

  • http://www.hoopsmanifesto.com Jeff Fox

    Tyler, Selby might primarily be a two guard in college, but I’m basing this on what position players project to play at the next level. Selby’s lack of size makes it imperative for him to play the point.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    Selby plays similar to arenas. …He doesnt run point too much now cuz thats what taylors been doing. And that guy should be creeping up on this list. Tyshawn plays solid d, has improved his range, is very fast, aand ccan pass well.

  • a_whiteman

    Corey Joseph all day wooooooo team canada

  • add

    kemba should be higher on the list, im not sure but i think hes still leadin the league in ppg

  • Groves

    1. Irving
    2. Knight
    3. Walker
    4. Selby
    5. Fredette
    6. Smith

    second Round: Paul Lacombe… great player

  • http://www.dunkuverymuch.blogspot.com DrewEbanks

    Where’s all the love gone for my Canadian boyz in the comments?

    Cory Joseph is simply a winner! Has been a winner where ever he’s gone! 2 Ontario Provincial titles in Canada…two ESPN Rise National titles Stateside as well!

    Love all the guys on the list too! Jimmer Fredette
    balls! Irving, Knight and Walker got mad game too!

    You are so right…the basketball world is abuzz
    with PG’s! Watch out for few more Canucks PG’s…
    including of Course Myck Kabongo, Kevin Pangos and
    Dylan and Tyler Ennis to make their mark also!

    Nice piece Mr. Fox.
    Keep doin’ ur thing SLAM!

  • http://www.dunkuverymuch.blogspot.com DrewEbanks

    Hey see what’s going on above the border peeps…
    http://www.crownmagonline.com
    The best in Canadian High School Hoops!
    Peace out Slam!

  • TO loves TXS

    Drew,

    Love your work….I’m a big Cory fan and he is not playing elite right now. I don’t know how much the Devoe situation has affected him but the last two games were not his best.

    Not worried because he is so tough mentally and such a hard worker. He needs a year or two to be a top five guard. I’m not a fan of his shooting stroke, too much loft and a flying elbow. I know he won the three point contest at McDonald’s but bad strokers are not consistent as we’ve seen this year. Needs to become a little more aggressive and a little more athletic.

  • Pingback: SLAM ONLINE | » Draft 2011: Top Five Shooting Guards, Vol. 1

  • http://twincityslim@yahoo.com Jahi

    Corey Fisher of Villanova or Chris Wright didn’t make the top 5?

  • r2j

    Take Irving, Walker and Fredette off then you got a weak PG class. And I co-sign with Jahi, where the F**k is Corey Fisher on this list???

  • jarrett

    brandon knight > josh selby.

  • add

    selby and knight cant be better than walker

  • mike

    1.walker2.ivring3.who cares

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