Commentary

Ranking NBA's top shooting guards

Kobe and D-Wade top the list, but some up-and-comers also make the cut

Updated: July 26, 2011, 2:18 PM ET
By Chris Palmer | ESPN The Magazine

We're officially in the dog days of the lockout. Negotiations between the players and owners have stalled and seemingly every day there's talk of another star jumping overseas. But not even the lockout is cause to stop evaluating the best players in the game and seeing how they stack up against their peers based on talent, skill and productivity. This week, I'll be ranking the top five players at each position and breaking down what makes them so special. Each day, I'll look at a different position, starting with point guards and finishing with centers. Today, we'll look at shooting guards. Toss out postseason awards and career accomplishments and find out who's the best of the best.

SHOOTING GUARDS | POINT GUARDS


1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Thanks to an absolutely tireless work ethic, Bryant is the most skilled player in the league with virtually every weapon at his disposal. His turnaround jump shot is the best since Michael Jordan's, and his footwork is unmatched by any active player. His will to win and focus are unparalleled, making him the single most intense competitor in the game.

To see the rest of Palmer's evaluation of Kobe Bryant, plus the remaining four shooting guards who made his list, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Chris Palmer

ESPN the Magazine
  • chadfordinsider Chad Ford
    Here's video from Dion Waiters' workout in Vegas. Video for PJ3's workout coming tomorrow. http://t.co/MWSo6Pcz
    2 minutes ago     
  • ESPNChrisPalmer chris palmer
    Tonight was the 34th time LeBron & D-Wade have scored 25+ points in the same game.
    10 minutes ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    For those who don't know, my career was born and raised in the @ESPNStatsInfo department. Could ya tell?
    28 minutes ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    Dig this @ESPNStatsInfo nugget: Average Pacers shot distance by quarter: 1Q-7.6 ft, 2Q-10.5 ft, 3Q-13.5 ft, 4Q-13.6 ft.
    30 minutes ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    With Roy Hibbert on the floor this series: Pacers +26. Roy Hibbert off the floor: Heat +65. #saysitall
    37 minutes ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @WallaceNBA_ESPN: With Knicks unsettled, Bulls uncertain next yr about Rose & Boston rebuilding, Indy could be Heat's emerging rival.
    38 minutes ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @WallaceNBA_ESPN: With Knicks unsettled, Bulls uncertain next yr about Rose & Boston rebuilding, Indy could be Heat's emerging rival.
    38 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    With Knicks unsettled, Bulls uncertain next yr about Rose & Boston rebuilding, Indy could be Heat's emerging rival
    44 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    But Wade was truly on his game 2nite. Shot back by reminding LeBron of the blueberry skinny jeans he wore to accept MVP
    51 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    And of course, LeBron tried to clown Wade a bit: "Those your close-out game pants, D-Wade? Really?"
    53 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    Postgame cameras may have missed entire ensemble. Wade had matching pink sole shoes & finger wrapped in pink bandage.
    54 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    1st up. Wade's official statement on hot-pink pants when I approached: "Knew u'd be on me. But not many can rock this."
    about an hour ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    Over last three games: LeBron+Wade 197, Pacers' entire starting lineup 184.
    about an hour ago     
  • jadande J.A. Adande
    #mushrooms RT @MrMichaelLee: You have to co-OR-dinate
    about an hour ago     
  • jadande J.A. Adande
    Wait, D Wade is accessorizing those pink pants with a pink sleeve on his left index finger
    about an hour ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @tomhaberstroh: After being down 2-1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James averaged 33.0 pts and 32.7 pts, respectively, to clinch the series.
    about an hour ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @tomhaberstroh: After being down 2-1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James averaged 33.0 pts and 32.7 pts, respectively, to clinch the series.
    about an hour ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    After being down 2-1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James averaged 33.0 pts and 32.7 pts, respectively, to clinch the series.
    about an hour ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @Pacers: "I couldn't be more proud of our guys. I'm very, very excited about the future of the Indiana Pacers." - Coach Frank Vogel
    about an hour ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    What LeBron and D-Wade just did for three games was not easy. The kind of moment every baller wishes for, they just had over and over again.
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