Growing up, almost everybody wanted to be like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Allen Iverson. Do you see the similarity there? Those names are all shooting guards. Everyone wants to dunk like MJ, break ankles like AI, or have the mamba mentality of Kobe. This season, we are once again witnessing the power, precision, and pure magic of the shooting guard position. From clutch shots beyond the arc to dazzling drives to the rim, these players have mastered the art of scoring and left defenders trembling in their wake. So, without further ado, we present to you the top 5 shooting guards in the NBA today!
5. Anthony Edwards
It’s hard to argue if Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards is already a top 5 player in his position, but here we are.
Edwards is an amazing athlete and nobody can deny that. For three seasons, the 2020 first-overall pick has already proven why he was picked number 1. His numbers were blowing up by his third season which allowed him to be selected to his first All-star game. Despite that, the Timberwolves still fell short in the 2023 Playoffs, after losing to the Denver Nuggets. Regardless, Anthony Edwards’s future is still looking bright. Ant has got the skills, talents, and the will to become a perennial superstar in the future.
4. Jaylen Brown
Some people may disagree, but Jaylen Brown deserves to be on this list. He is a top 5 shooting guard in the NBA today for a reason. And that reason is that he is a well-rounded offensive and defensive player.
Brown constantly improves each year, and the 2022-2023 season is no different. He has bumped his averages by significant amounts. JB this season is averaging 26.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 6.9 rebounds. Looking at his output, one could say he is an impressive scorer. But, if you watch him play, his biggest asset is his defense. Before he emerged as an All-Star, Brown was known as a perimeter lockdown defender for the Boston Celtics. Now, he has managed to become a threat on both sides of the ball. This season, he has the chance to be named to an All-NBA and/or All-Defensive team.
3. James Harden
Technically, James Harden has been playing point guard for the Sixers, but you can never take away his natural position from him. Some might say The Beard is already washed, but the truth is, he is still playing great basketball.
The 2018 MVP may not be the player he once was during his time with the Houston Rockets, but his playing style nowadays is better for a team sport. He is a great facilitator for the Sixers as he leads the league in assists (10.8 per game) this season. Moreover, Harden arguably is still an amazing scorer, putting up 21.0 points per game. But his team does not need to heavily rely on his scoring since they have the 2023 MVP, Joel Embiid. In addition to that, the Harden and Embiid duo seems to be working as they try to bring home a championship to Philadelphia once more.
2. Devin Booker
It’s hard to believe Devin Booker did not make the 2023 NBA All-Star. The Kardashian Curse really is true after all. Kidding aside, there’s no doubt that Booker is a sound superstar.
Although his fans are marketing the 26-year-old star as the “next Kobe Bryant“, he is quite not there yet. He has been a great player for the Phoenix Suns, but he has not made any remarkable leaps in his career. Regardless, he is a top 2 shooting guard in the league because of his scoring abilities. The three-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA member has been in the league for 8 seasons and is just about to enter his prime. Furthermore, his average this season (27.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.5 RPG) is definitely worthy of an All-NBA selection.
On a side note, can Devin Booker finally win his first championship with Kevin Durant now playing alongside him in Phoenix?
1. Donovan Mitchell
Despite an early first-round exit, Donovan Mitchell finally found a home in Cleveland. After bringing the Cavs to the playoffs since LeBron James left in 2018, the future is bright for Mitchell.
This season, he averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game while also shooting better. In addition to that, Spida has the best PER (Player Efficiency Rating) among all the shooting guards in the NBA today with 23.13. Mitchell is number one on this list, not just because of his stats, but also because of how he became a better offensive player with the Cavaliers. With Donovan Mitchell‘s improvement comes along progress in Cleveland, and maybe one day, he may become an MVP or win a championship for the Cavs.
Do you agree with our list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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