The point guard position is about as stacked as it’s ever been in league history. With Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Luka Doncic, it’s clear that the era of the guard is alive and well in the NBA today.
But when you talk about who is the best at the position, there is one player in particular who seems to be taking over the conversation: LeBron James. Despite having been a forward for his entire basketball career, James has been playing point guard since becoming a Laker two years ago.
Obviously, James has excelled at the position — but does it mean he should be considered an actual point guard, or is he just a point forward technically playing out of position?
According to anNBA GM’s Survey, there are at least some who consider James to not only be a point guard, but also the NBA’s best point guard.
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 30%
2. Damian Lillard, Portland – 22%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 19%
4. Chris Paul, Phoenix – 15%
5. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 11%
6. James Harden, Houston – 4%
On ESPN’s “The Jump” NBA veteran Paul Pierce, who has been known to be critical of James, actually sided with the Lakers superstar, citing that, since he’s the NBA’s best player, and that he’s playing point guard, LeBron James has got to be considered the best point guard.
“Originally I said Luka Doncic but if LeBron is the best player, and he plays point guard, how is he not the best point guard in the league? He led the league in assists. He’s clearly the best point guard in the league.”
As Rachel Nichols point out on the program, he did take the point guard spot on the All-Star team and All-NBA team this year, so the league must consider him a representative at the position.
For NBA GMs, it’s likely they many of them consider LeBron more of a point forward than a true “point guard,” hence why he only got 11% of the votes on the GM survey.
As for Steph and Dame, they’ll have the chance to claim the top spot this upcoming season, but it won’t be easy. Coming off his 4th Championship, LeBron James looks as ready as ever to dominate the NBA once again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pHaf7LGsjg
