Let’s pick apart this list of the NBA’s 22 best point guards

It’s time to break down and analyze the latest sports ranking list. This time we have the top 22 (??) point guards in the NBA as ranked by hoopshype.com. Wondering why hoopshype chose to rank the top 22?

It’s the top 22 point guards to represent the 2021-22 season.

But before we dive in, there are a couple of notable names not on this list. Jamal Murray was left off the list due to being out most of last season with a torn ACL. So that one is understandable, and hoopshype explains this at the beginning of the article.

The second glaring omission from this list is Luka Dončić. Not only is he not included in this list, but his name doesn’t even appear on the page once. No explanation on why he isn’t on the list or anything. If you’re calling him a small forward, OK, but he is the point guard in Dallas.

Third and possibly the most puzzling name missing is James Harden. The HoopsHype team explained this, and they decided to go with Kyrie Irving at his “natural” position. I get that, but it is public knowledge that Irving graciously handed over the PG duties to Harden when Harden arrived in Brooklyn last year. The decision was already made on who plays what position, but hey, it’s not my list.

The top of this list looks to be the consensus among the NBA world in general.

1. Stephen Curry

2. Damian Lillard

3. Kyrie Irving

Others may flip Lillard and Irving at No. 2, and for a time, there was some question as to whether Irving should be in the same category as Curry. After last season and the performances Curry produced night after night, being the only real scoring threat for the Warriors, there’s no doubt in my mind that he is the best PG in the NBA right now.

Number four is where the list begins to get a little controversial. For some, it may not be, but I must question it.

4. Trae Young

5. Chris Paul

Young had an excellent season and an even more outstanding postseason in 2021. Young’s high ranking on this list must be partly due to his playoff run, leading the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference finals. I’m fine with that. He played great and deserves recognition.

Another player who had a great playoff run and played a huge part in his team advancing is Reggie Jackson of the Los Angeles Clippers. When Kawhi Leonard went down in the second round against the Utah Jazz, Jackson stepped up big, and without him, the Clippers don’t get past the Jazz. In those games where Paul George couldn’t hit the ocean from a boat, Jackson stepped up and carried the scoring load in those moments.

Chris Paul at number five seems about right. If you want to rank him above “IceTrae” at four, go ahead, but that four to five range seems suitable for Paul at this stage. Paul also had a great postseason, but it would be tough to rank him anywhere within the top three on this list since the top three are such versatile and dynamic players. CP3 is the best assist man/facilitator out of the top five, but the other four are all much better scoring guards, and that’s what the league is about now.

Most of today’s point guards are combo guards, which used to be frowned upon. Imagine Gilbert Arenas playing in 2021 but being praised as a tweener. He’d be up toward the top of this list as well, averaging 30 points per game easily.

And let’s not forget that heading into the NBA Finals, Paul was on the verge of breaking into the top five point guard’s list of all-time, yet here he’s ranked fifth. That isn’t a shot at hoopshype; it’s a shot at everyone thrusting Paul into the top five all-time after one trip to the finals.

You could argue a different order for the next few slots, but this is all subjective, obviously.

6. Ja Morant

7. Jrue Holiday

8. De’Aaron Fox

9. Ben Simmons

10. Russell Westbrook

11. LaMelo Ball

12. Mike Conley

The six through twelve tier of players isn’t bad, but an argument could be made for Westbrook being ranked a little higher on the list. Possibly in the eighth spot but with Russ now being a Laker, playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, his role is sure to diminish a little bit.

Ball, who won Rookie of the Year, should probably be ahead of Fox, who scores a lot, but he’s on such a lousy team in Sacramento. Both the Kings and Hornets have young talented teams, but Ball was able to lead his team to the play-in tournament. That has to count for something.

13. Fred VanVleet

14. Malcolm Brogdon

15. Lonzo Ball

So, wait a minute. Lonzo Ball made the list, and Reggie Jackson couldn’t make it at all? I can’t get with that. Lonzo had a solid year, but it didn’t contribute to winning much of anything in New Orleans. Even if you just take Jackson’s playoff run, that’s enough for me to rank him over Lonzo.

16. Kyle Lowry

17. D’Angelo Russell

18. Spencer Dinwiddie

So, Jamal Murray was left off the list because he was out with an injury last season. Though he did play until about mid-April. Spencer Dinwiddie played in three games last season, yet he is on the list. That isn’t adding up for me. Murray played in 48. Somebody, please make this make sense to me. Please!

19. Kemba Walker

20. Terry Rozier

21. Derrick Rose

22. Dejounte Murray

There are certainly some rankings here that I would change around and a few players I would add to the mix. Overall not a horrible list ranking the top point guards in the NBA heading into the 2021-22 season.