Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents the Top 30 Performing Point Guards of the 2012 NBA Season

It has finally come to the end of my little homage showcasing the NBA's best and it ends where the game begins--at the point guard position.  The point guard position was by far the most admirable position of this 2012 next to the center position because all the greatest story lines of the 2012 season had to do with them--especially a certain Taiwanese Harvard graduate that not only took the league, but the world by storm.  So celebrate with me as I recount the best players who without them, their teams would be in complete disarray and chaos.

30	Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder	Finals, Schminals, so what?! That fact is that Westbrook is a ball hog who is the worst decision maker in the league and is the reason the Thunder ranked at the bottom for assist to turnover ratio and a the top in turnovers per game—enough said!
29	Raymond Felton Portland Trailblazers	After posing the best season of his career, Felton followed it up by posting the worst season in his career at Portland.  It certainly does not give the Blazers any incentive to sign him to a long term lucrative deal as he will be an unrestricted free agent come July.
28	Darren Collision Indiana Pacers	Collison is possibly one of the most mediocre starting point guards in the league in terms of scoring (10.8ppg) and passing (4.8apg) compared to his minutes played (31.3mpg).  To add insult to injury he was replaced in the starting lineup by George Hill during the playoffs.  This may be the swan song for the player that was supposed to be Indy’s PG of the future.
27	Jrue Holiday Philadelphia 76ers	Holiday was not really much of a factor in terms of facilitating and offense as he is not the primary ball handler—that job belongs to Andre Igoudala; however, he did some up big for the Sixers in that seven game war against the Boston Celtics before he and his team were subsequently eliminated.  In all 13 games the Sixers played in the postseason, Collision led the team in scoring (15.8ppg), assists (5.8apg) and steals per game (1.5).
26	Jordan Farmar Brooklyn Nets	Yeah, yeah, you can argue that placing Jordan Farmer here is a little high as he was a backup PG on a crappy team and was more of a scorer than a facilitator when he came off the bench; however, if you add the fact that he was one of seven Nets to average double figures in scoring (10.4ppg) and shot an impressive .440 from beyond the arc, he certainly makes a case for being on this list.
25	Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Bucks	Okay granted, his assists per game average is not up to par for an elite NBA point guard at just 5.5 and his offensive production is streaky at best with a field goal percentage of .418, but he did have a 2.5 assist to turnover ratio and lead a team that was third overall in the league in assists.  So he could not be that bad of a floor general for the Bucks, could he?
24	Jeff Teague Atlanta Hawks	As in the case with Philly’s Jrue Holiday and Jersey’s Jordan Farmar, Jeff Teague cannot truly be considered a traditional point guard as he more plays off the ball than really facilitating the offense; however he has shown one of the biggest improvements of the league last season bumping his scoring average to 12.6ppg (third on the team) from 5.2ppg last season.  Add in his heroic play in the playoffs, Jeff Teauge certainly deserves mentioning as one of the best point men in the league
23	Mario Chalmers Miami Heat	After having two subpar seasons after a surprising rookie year, Mario Chalmers has bounced back this season having the best season in his career along with proving to any doubters that he was the right man to start alongside the trio of RUN DLC (Dwayne, Lebron, and Chris)
22	Andre Miller Denver Nuggets	He could have possibly been the best backup point guard in the league as Andre Miller came off the bench averaging close to 10 points and seven assists per game.  At 36 years old, while others players struggle to prove that they still have something left in their tanks, Miler showed that he was still good enough to start for an NBA let alone play for one.
21	Baron Davis New York Knicks	His final season was injury riddled and he faintly resembled the all star player he once was, but Baron Davis dug in deep and step in the huge void left with the loss of Jeremy Lin to season ending surgery to lead the Kincks to win 36 games in the regular season and to the playoffs for the second straight yesr.
20	Deron Williams Brooklyn Nets	This man was supposed to be the Nets savior as the team basically sold the farm in order to bring him to Jersey; however, he has been everything but that.  Despite leading his team in points and assists, the Nets still only won 22 games and now that he will be an unrestricted free agent in July, the Nets might possibly lose and all the picks and players that the Nets gave up for him would have been for nothing.
19	Ramon Sessions Los Angeles Lakers	Picking up Sessions at the trade deadline was the best move that the Lakers made this season as he provided the scoring punch to take the offensive load of Kobe along with leading the Lakers in assists per game going into the playoffs.  His postseason performance was lackluster to say the least (9.7ppg, .377 FG%, .167 3ptFG%), but he does give the Lakers another solid option on a team whose roster severely lacked depth.
18	Greivis Vasquez New Orleans Hornets	At 6ft 7in, Greivis stands as the tallest member of this esteemed group along with being one of the least known potential game changers in this league.  At his size, age and limited experience, Vasquez showed amazing handle along with the poise and maturity to man the point guard position for the struggling New Orleans franchise.  Can we say point guard of the future? Perhaps.
17	Goran Dragic Houston Rockets	Goran Dragic stepped up big time for the Rockets stepping in for the injured starter Kyle Lowry, as he posted all-star like number in the last two months of the regular season averaging 15.0 points, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steal per game in March and 18.0 points, 7.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game in April.  Dragic was so good that coach Kevin Mchale chose to keep him as the starter when Lowry return which created some dissent and distraction for the team that was trying to make a final run at the playoffs.
16	Jarrett Jack New Orleans Hornets	Talk about a player that no one expected to step up and become a team’s leader. This man was a career backup point guard for most of his time in the NBA; yet, Jarrett Jack took the challenge and filled in the huge void that All Star Chris Paul left leading the Hornets in scoring (15.7ppg) and assists (6.3) and was New Orleans go to guy for much of the season.
15	Jerryd Bayless Toronto Raptors	It took an eight game stretch for not only Toronto fans, but the league to see that not only was Jerryd Bayless capable of running the team as a point guard, but also had the potential to be superstar as well for the Raptors.  In the eight games he started in place for the injured Jose Calderon, Bayless averaged 20 points and eight assists per game along with sporting a 2 to 1 assist to turn over ratio.  Bryan Colangeo certainly has a dilemma on his hand as he has not only one but two elite point guards and will be forced to make a choice on which he keep and which he will be forced to let go.
14	Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls	It was a rather frustrating season for Derrick rose as he followed up his MVP campaign hobbled with injuries missing almost of the regular season.  To add salt to the wound, he fell to injury in game one of the first round of the NBA playoffs and was his Chicago Bulls, who had the best record in the league and was a favorite to reach the NBA Finals, get knocked off in six games by a lower seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
13	Kyle Lowry Houston Rockets	The man is listed at 6’ 0”, but he is more likely 5’ 9.5” to 5’10” give or take a fraction of an inch and he is one of the best rebounding point guards in the league averaging close to five per game along with being the third leading scorer on the team (14.3ppg) and leading assist man (6.6 per game) and leader in steals as well.  Similar to Toronto’s Bryan Colangelo, Daryl Morely will have the blessing and curse of have two elite point guards and not enough minutes to provide them.
12	CJ Watson Chicago Bulls	Say what you want about Derrick Rose, but if it were not for this guy, the Bulls would have never reached their 50 wins.  CJ Watson spent most of the season filling in a major void with Rose out for much of the season and stepped up when others could not or just plain did not. The Bulls essentially remained the best team in the league despite not having Rose and Watson deserves most, if not all the credit for that.
11	John Wall Washington Wizards	John Wall started his sophomore season slow but got it back together as he lead the Wizards in scoring (16.3ppg), assists (8.0) and steals per game (1.4).  His team stunk the court up, however, yet he still managed to give his teammates the heart and the hustle it neeed during the roughest of times and showed signs of being a true leader.
10	Jose Calderon Toronto Raptors	If Jose Calderon were on any team other the Raptors, he would have been already an All Star and considered as one of the elite point men in the league; however, he has spent the prime of his career playing on a team going nowhere.  He finished third in the league in assists per game with little or no recognition or acknowledgement whatsoever.  It would be the perfect time to trade him as his value is probably the highest it will ever be.
9	Mike Conley Memphis Grizzlies	Conley finished the season leading the league in steals making him any opposing point guard’s nightmare as he along with his back court mate, Tony Allen and sixth man off the bench OJ Mayo comprised of the best backcourt defenders in the league.  His defensive prowess seemed to have escaped him however, as the Los Angeles Clippers, the lower seeded team, managed to squeak past them in the first round of the playoffs.
8	Steve Nash Phoenix Suns	Canada’s greatest basketball player ended his career in Phoenix the same way as he started it with the same fighting spirit.  Give him credit for sticking with the team even though it did not even have a chance in hell to make the playoffs let alone win an NBA title anytime soon.  It’s just a shame that he will be one of those players, despite their efforts and achievements will never have the chance of having a championship ring on his finger.
7	Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers	It is not that Chris Paul was not one of the best point guards in the league, he just was not the most impressive—that’s all.  It was all but expected that he would turn the Clippers around once he arrived in Los Angeles.  In fact, I would go as far as saying that many, including myself, expected more, but were left disappointed and unfulfilled once the season ended.
6	Ty Lawson Denver Nuggets	Ty Lawson went from serviceable backup last season to potential All Star and among the NBA’s elite the following one as he lead the Nuggets in scoring (16.6ppg) assists (6.6 per game) and steals (1.3 per game).  He took his game up another notch as he pulled his Nuggets out 3-1 in their first round playoff series against the Lakers to tie the series and cause a potential upset or the greatest proportions.
5	Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers	The man was not just rookie of the year for leading his team in scoring (18.5ppg) and assists (5.4), but also for the fact that actually got fans in Cleveland to lift their heads up and see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  He raised a city who was devastated morally by the departure of their believed to be former savior and gave his team and fans hope for the future.
4	Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves	If he had not injured himself halfway through the season, Ricky Rubio would have certainly be considered as a favorite for Rookie of the Year.  He did not score like Kyrie Irving, but his impact on the Wolves far greater than anyone could have ever imaged.  Before having to sit out the rest of the regular season, Rubio led all rookies in assists per game (8.2) along leading the league in steals per game (2.2).  In addition, the T-Wolves looked as if they would finally return to the playoff after five years.
3	Tony Parker San Antonio Spurs	This past season, Tony Parker proved to be the true leader of the Spurs as he finally took his place as being the new face and foundation of the franchise.  He not only led his team in scoring and assists, but also to go as far as the Western Conference Finals redeeming both himself and his team from the rather humiliating exit from the playoffs the previous year.  His performance not only cements him as Spurs franchise player, but also amongst the league’s greatest players.
2	Rajon Rondo Boston Celtics	It boggled my mind how many Celtics fans were so willing to put this poor guy under a bus when Rajon Rondo was sole reason the Celtics stayed in striking distance during the regular season eventually taking first place of the Atlantic Division away from the Philadelphia 76ers and subsequently leading his team within one game of the NBA Finals.  Now the same fans that spewed so much venom over him will be ready to melt the Liberty Bell to mold a statue in his honor right in the middle of Boston.
1	Jeremy Lin New York Knicks	For those who scoff at me placing Jeremy Lin at the top spot, just remember this: his come out of nowhere meteoric rise not only saved the Knicks, but the also the NBA as well that was preparing to face the backlash of a shortened season due to last year’s lockout.  Linsanity essentially made people all but forget about the bickering of the ruthless billionaire owners and the spoiled rich millionaire athletes.  He essentially became a folk hero of Tim Tebow like proportions as he became the beacon of those who struggle with difficulties and hardships only to become stronger and those who still believe that despite your circumstances, hard work will pay off.