Dunk Base

Shooting guard is one of the most exciting positions in the NBA, and the most star-studded one at that. The competition here is very strong right now, with players like Brandon Roy and Joe Johnson climbing up the ranks into stardom, just behind Kobe and Wade. The shooting guard position is vastly important, as this player will not only be asked to be the focal point of the offense at times, but also be asked to take on the point guards duties on both ends of the floor. Being as there are so many talented young guards in the league, it was difficult for me to pick just ten to put on this list, but alas...

10. Allen Iverson

Iverson had a terrible year last year, taking shots away from his teammates and clashing with the Pistons staff to the point that they left him off the playoff roster. However, with his new home in Memphis, we should see a rejuvenated Iverson who will be back to his high scoring ways. The Grizzlies team will be somewhat like a circus act this year, and AI should have free reign to take as many shots as he wants. When Iverson is given that kind of freedom, there aren't many players in the league that can score like him. Expect his already wavering assist totals to dip, but his scoring average should balloon too a respectable number.

9. Michael Redd

For a shooting guard, Redd doesn't do a whole lot of things particularly well, such as pass. However, what he does do, much like Iverson, is flat out score the basketball, and he does so at an efficient rate; Redd has posted field goal percentages of 45 and above for most of his career. He'll never be the first option type of player he's asked to be in Milwaukee, but his efficient scoring and deadly 3 point shot that can get absolutely sizzling to the point where he won't miss, combined with his above average defense on the perimeter, make Redd a formidable force. If he can stay healthy this year, he'll take on more of an offensive load with Jefferson gone and I expect a big year for him, although his efficiency may drop a little.

8. Andre Igoudala

Some would consider Iggy a small forward, but with the emergence of Thaddeus Young in Philly, expect Iggy to be logging most of his minutes at the 2 spot this year. Igoudala falls into the category with a player like Redd, in the sense that he'll never be a truly elite player that you can build your team around. However, Igoudala is an explosive athlete who can get to the rim, he rebounds the ball well and keeps his turnovers under wraps when compared to his assist totals. He can facilitate an offense and he also plays very good defense, using his athleticism and length to bother opposing players, along with some solid footwork. Iggy's point totals decreased ever so slightly from 2007-08 to last season, but his efficiency increased, and with a healthy Brand back taking some of the offensive pressure off of him, expect this trend to continue.

7.Richard Hamilton

Hamilton had a tough go around last year when the team brought in Iverson, a player who was not willing to share the ball and wanted all the plays ran through him. Considering all this, though, Hamilton was able to post the second highest assist average of his career and kept his turnover percentage down to a stunning 10.3. Hamilton is one of the best in the business at coming moving without the ball and he's already being pegged to be the starter over off season acquisition Ben Gordon. I expect a big year scoring wise from Hamilton who's touches should increase when he's on the floor with the starting unit.

6. Manu Ginobili

Ginobili struggled with injuries last year, limiting his action to 44 games. Injuries have plagued him in the past, which is why he isn't a spot or two higher on this list, because when he's on, Ginobili is one of the best in the game at what he does. Coming off the bench for the Spurs, he's a versatile scorer who can beat you from the outside or take you to the hole, and he plays smart, hard nosed defense on the other end. Manu is an amazingly efficient player who only needs about 11 shots per game to get his, and he rarely lets his TS% waver below 60. With another low post threat added to the team in Antonio McDyess to help create space for him, expect Ginobili to be back where he left off before the injury.

5. Joe Johnson

Johnson is one of those players who is teetering on the edge of stardom, but can't quite put it all together. He has bad shot selection and isn't a very efficient player for a shooting guard - only a 53 TS%, a type of number usually reserved for low post bangers - but what puts him higher on this list is his ability to pass. Johnson averaged 6 assists per contest last, showing court vision and passing skills only found in point guards. He can beat you off the dribble and has deep range on his jumpshot. Also, he plays pretty decent defense, even though he sometimes loses focus in this area. The addition of Jamal Crawford as a combo guard to spell Johnson when he goes cold was a great signing by the Hawks, and I expect it to make Johnson's efficiency go up while looking to get his teammates even more involved than he was last year. I can see a 19/7 type of year from Johnson, with a much higher shooting percentage.

4. Vince Carter

This year is a make or break type of year for Vince. As his career starts to wind down towards the end, he's missing one key thing from his otherwise impressive resume - a title. Never before has Vince played with the amount of talent he is going to take the court with in Orlando, I expect him to take this challenge head on. He'll likely become the second option next to Howard, and be used in much the same way Turkoglu was in facilitating the offense. Carter can slash to the hoop with the best of him, and is a very solid rebounder for a shooting guard. One thing that seperates him from a player like Johnson is his ability to take care of the ball - he posted a mere 9% turnover rate last season - and the fact that he can beat anyone in the league off the dribble. With a team that went to the Finals last year surrounding him as a motivator, expect Carter to come with a season that we haven't seen from him since Toronto.

3. Brandon Roy

Roy is one of my absolute favourite players in the league, and it pains me that he can't quite be put into the discussion with the top 2 guards in the league. However, I don't think it will be long before he gets there. Roy proved last year he is capable of carrying a team, taking a very young Portland squad on his shoulders en route to a 50+ win season. He's an extremely smart player for someone so young, and amazingly efficient as well. He gets other players involved, he rebounds, he defends and he rarely turns the ball over, whether he's playing at the shooting guard spot or running the point (a feat he showed he is fully capable of taking on). With some key players returning from injury and the emergence of Greg Oden, expect Roy to continue his stellar play as the season goes on.

2. Dwyane Wade

Wade, as we all know, is one of the most unique talents in the league. He sky rocketed his scoring average to a scintillating 30 points per contest last season, and posted an incredible TS% for a player who isn't very good at hitting 3 pointers. He also dished out a mind boggling 7.5 assists, no easy feat considering the macabre supporting cast he's working with. Injuries have been a problem throughout his career, but he only missed three games last year as he carried the Heat to a 5th place finish. The fact that his team dropped to a ridiculous 15 wins the season he was out for less than half of, shows how valuable he is to this club, and I don't expect and drop off in performance from D-Wade this season.

1. Kobe Bryant

Yep, he's still got it. No matter what other players seem to do, nobody can surpass Kobe on this list. Not only is he the best shooting guard in the league, he's still making a case for the best player in the league, fresh off his fourth championship with the Lakers. Bryant vested more interest in getting his teammates involved, seeing his minutes decrease by 2 per game and posting assist totals that match his career best. He once again put the team on his back in the playoffs, carrying them through tough stretches against both Houston and Denver when the powerhouse looked to be a little shaken up. There aren't many players in the league with the numbers and corresponding success like Kobe has, and quite honestly, until he retires he is the best shooting guard in the game.

Comments (4)