Where does Darius Garland rank among NBA’s point guards?
Ranking the NBA’s point guards: Tier 4 – All-Star Candidates
This group of players are those who should be mentioned in the All-Star conversation this season and every year. They include some young up-and-comers, one old-timer, and one much-maligned guard who is actually having a really solid season.
10. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland leads the way, checking in at 10th for those keeping track at home. He has really elevated his scoring game this season, including that deadly floater that can easily turn into a lob. His shooting is a weapon that is desperately needed on the Cavs, and as a playmaker he is adding advanced reads and defense manipulations. He deserves to be an All-Star this year.
11. Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
The heir apparent to Russell Westbrook’s triple-double crown, Dejounte Murray is one of the league’s best rebounding point guards. He has grown as a passer as well, perhaps in part because of the departure of DeMar DeRozan, and has taken on the mantle of the Spurs’ best player. Have we mentioned he is an All-Defense candidate?
12. Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors
This is one of the bigger surprises of the season, but Fred VanVleet is perpetually on fire this year, hitting shots from everywhere. Through games played January 23rd, VanVleet was hitting 3.9 triples per game (second only to Stephen Curry) on 39.3 percent shooting from deep, even more impressive given that VanVleet is creating nearly all of his own shots.
13. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Rising up the ranks along with Darius Garland is LaMelo Ball, who likewise brings an exciting and impactful combination of shooting and passing. The Charlotte Hornets are on track to be a playoff team this season and while they have plenty of contributors, LaMelo is the straw that stirs the drink.
14. Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
The elder statesman of this tier, Mike Conley has continued to have an elite per-minute impact on the Utah Jazz. His scoring is down but his efficiency is way up; he leads all point guards on this list in effective field goal percentage and 3-point shooting and the Jazz are pummeling opponents when he is on the court.
15. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
Perhaps the surprising entrant to this tier, Lonzo Ball’s impact is consistently that of an above-average starting point guard. He is incredibly versatile on defense, guarding anyone from Darius Garland to Kevin Love for the Bulls, all while shooting 42.3 percent from deep and fitting into his lower-usage role. Lonzo can’t be the top guy for an offense, but he’s perfect as a scaleable running mate.
16. D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves
Wait, isn’t D’Angelo Russell supposed to be a vastly overrated guard who sucks up shots and doesn’t help his team win? That’s the rap on Russell, and at times it has fit. This season, however, he has shown that he can fit in alongside other high-usage players and do the little stuff that helps teams win. He is averaging 19 points per game, 7.1 assists and playing vocal defense.