The NBA Midseason Rankings- Point Guards
By Kohl Rast
28. Jose Calderon (CLE)
Calderon’s stats: 4.1 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 rpg, 0.6 spg, 0.7 tov
The former Dallas Mavericks point guard has definitely lost his prime form over the last 3-4 years. He has always been a liability on the defensive end, but could back it up with above average shooting and excellent distributing. Those traits seem to be leaving him now as well and, since Isaiah Thomas is now back from injury, we have probably seen the last of Calderon.
(Also, who does this guy think he is picking #81?)
27. Tyler Ulis (PHX)
Ulis’ stats: 7.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 1.8 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.8 tov
It’s never easy to fill in as a starting point guard when you are a young player like Ulis. It is much harder when you are taking over for a player like Eric Bledsoe. Ulis hasn’t been terrible, but he is 5’10” and shooting the ball well below average. Makes it very tough to be a reliable player with those numbers.
26. Andrew Harrison (MEM)
Harrison’s stats: 7.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.2 rpg, 0.8 spg, 1.2 tov
Much like Ulis, Harrison had to take over when Mike Conley got injured and he has struggled with the transition as well. On the bright side, Conley will at least be coming back to relieve Harrison. He gets the slight edge over Ulis simply for being big enough to stand in between the opposing guard and the basket.
25. Jarrett Jack (NYK)
Jack’s stats: 8.2 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 spg, 2.0 tov
Jack has had such an interesting NBA career that it is hard to predict exactly what he is going to do from one game to the next. He has had moments of brilliance, being one of the leading scorers for his team on multiple occasions, but recently his play has taken a hit. He continues to start over Frank Nitlikina but his play is nowhere near the level that the Knicks would like out of their starting point guard.
24. Rajon Rondo (NOP)
Rondo’s stats: 7.4 ppg, 7.8 apg, 3.6 rpg, 0.9 spg, 2.1 tov
The New Orleans Pelicans have done a unique thing this season, starting three guards and two bigs, with no true wings in the starting lineup. As always, the balls tarts in Rondo’s hand where he distributes at an above average clip. He is past his glory days though and sits well outside the top half of current NBA point guards.
23. Jeff Teague (MIN)
Teague’s stats: 13.4 ppg, 7.2 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.6 spg, 2.9 tov
When you talk about point guards that have fallen well short of expectations this season, Jeff Teague may be high on your list. Although he has not been awful from start to finish, the Timberwolves were undoubtedly hoping for a little bit more out of their primary ball handler. That said, they do seem to have plenty of other things going their direction right now.
22. Elfrid Payton (ORL)
Payton’s stats: 12.9 ppg, 6.6 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.3 spg, 2.7 tov
Orlando has had a tough time in the draft throughout the last few years. Between Payton, Hezonja, Isaac so far, and Gordon before this year, there was a lot of disappointment on the Orlando roster. Although Payton has not reached his potential, he is starting to make strides in the right direction.
(He also may have dropped a spot or two simply because of that hair.)
21.Ricky Rubio (UTAH)
Rubio’s stats: 11.5 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.0 rpg, 1.6 spg, 2.9 tov
What started to look like a promising addition to a Jazz team desperate for a solid point guard has become yet another failed experiment. I have never been very high on Rubio personally but I was led to believe that he was going to be an impactful player in Utah. Instead, Rubio is in the midst of what is looking like the worst season of his NBA career thus far.
20. George Hill (SAC)
Hill’s stats: 10.2 ppg, 2.7 apg, 2.9 rpg, 0.9 spg, 1.7 tov
If you are going to talk about players who garnered some excitement from their new team and have fallen very short, George Hill should probably be the first name on your list. Part of the reason he is struggling could definitely be fit, but he also looks pretty unhappy playing with Sacramento. It may be time to find him a new home and get De’Aaron Fox into the starting lineup.