Is Stephen Curry Really the Best Point Guard in the League?

Feb 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) looks for a pass defended by Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Passing

What better attribute to start with for the point guard position?

There’s much more to being a good passer in the NBA than assist numbers. The best passers at the position see plays before they develop. They set up plays for teammates and often times have to pass teammates open depending on the positioning of the defense.

Paul wins this category, as he’s been considered one of the top passers in the game since he entered the league in 2005. Paul is averaging 9.9 assists per game for his career, and has led the league in assists per game four times. He has averaged double-digit assists in five out of the ten seasons he’s been in the league, while averaging less than 9 assists only twice (his first two seasons in the league).

Curry is also one of the league’s best passers, as his signature behind the back pass to a teammate at the 3-point line can be seen on any given night.

However, Curry has been known to turn the ball over, averaging 3.1 turnovers per game for his career. The big criticism with Curry’s passing is that his flashier attempts can sometimes lead to turnovers. He has improved in this regard, especially during clutch situations, but still has a ways to go before having the same efficiency that Paul manages.

And while Westbrook is a capable passer, it’s definitely not the best part of his game. Don’t let the huge assists numbers from last season fool you: Westbrook literally had to have a hand in any basket scored by OKC during the season sans Kevin Durant. Westbrook is the king of driving to the basket and shoveling the ball off to a big man for an easy dunk after the defense collapses on him. As for complicated passes that require more court vision, Westbrook tends to be more limited in that area.

Winner: Paul

Next: Scoring