As I sit down to analyze the current landscape of NBA point guards, I can't help but draw parallels to that incredible PLDT comeback against Kobe Shinwa I recently watched. Just like that volleyball match where PLDT had to dig deep and mount multiple comebacks, especially in those crucial final sets, today's elite NBA floor generals demonstrate that same resilience and ability to shift momentum when it matters most. Having followed basketball religiously for over fifteen years and written extensively about player development, I've developed what I believe is a pretty keen eye for what separates good point guards from truly transformative ones.
The conversation about the league's best point guards has never been more fascinating, with at least seven or eight players having legitimate claims to top-five status. Stephen Curry, despite being 36 years old, continues to redefine what's possible from the position. Last season, he averaged 27.5 points while shooting 45% from the field and 41% from three-point range – numbers that would be career highlights for most players but are practically routine for him. What continues to amaze me isn't just his shooting but his incredible off-ball movement; he runs about 2.8 miles per game, more than many players who don't have the ball in their hands nearly as much. Watching Curry work without the ball reminds me of those PLDT comebacks – it looks like nothing special is happening until suddenly everything changes in explosive bursts.
Then there's Luka Dončić, who at just 25 years old is putting up numbers we haven't seen since Oscar Robertson. His 34.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game last season were absolutely historic, and what's remarkable is how he controls the game's tempo. I've always believed tempo control separates good point guards from great ones, and Luka has this almost psychic ability to know exactly when to push the pace and when to slow things down. His game isn't about flashy athleticism but about this profound understanding of angles and spacing that reminds me of chess masters seeing several moves ahead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. Two years ago, most casual fans wouldn't have placed him in this conversation, but his 31.5 points per game last season while leading the Thunder to the top of the Western Conference was a statement that couldn't be ignored. What impresses me most about SGA is his mid-range game – he shot 54% on mid-range jumpers last season, which in today's three-point obsessed league feels almost rebellious. His ability to get to his spots reminds me of those PLDT comebacks I mentioned earlier – it's not about overwhelming force but precise, calculated execution when the defense least expects it.
Damian Lillard, now in Milwaukee, continues to be one of the most clutch performers I've ever watched. His 32.5 points and 7.5 assists per game last season came with Portland, but what's always separated Dame is his fearlessness in big moments. I've lost count of how many game-winners he's hit, but what stands out is his mentality – he genuinely wants those pressure situations. That's something you can't teach, similar to how PLDT embraced those difficult comeback situations rather than shrinking from them.
The younger generation is making compelling cases too. Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana averaged 21 points and led the league with 11.2 assists per game while shooting 38% from three. His court vision is exceptional – he sees passing lanes that most players don't even recognize exist. Meanwhile, Trae Young continues to be one of the most polarizing yet productive players, putting up 26.5 points and 11 assists despite constant defensive attention. I've had debates with colleagues about whether his offensive brilliance outweighs his defensive limitations, and honestly, I lean toward valuing his creation ability – basketball ultimately comes down to scoring more points than your opponent.
What's interesting to me is how the definition of a "point guard" has evolved. We now have players like Shai who are essentially combo guards, and the traditional distinction between point guards and shooting guards has blurred significantly. The modern NBA demands versatility – your point guard needs to be a scoring threat, a playmaker, and defensively capable enough to not be targeted in switches. This evolution reminds me of how volleyball has changed, with setters now expected to be offensive threats too, much like PLDT's versatile players who adapted to mount those comebacks.
If I'm being completely honest with my personal rankings, I'd have Curry still at number one because of his transformative impact on the game, followed closely by Luka, then Shai, Dame, and Haliburton rounding out my top five. I know some will disagree – Ja Morant enthusiasts will rightly point to his explosive athleticism when he returns, and Devin Booker's case grows stronger each season – but for me, consistency, leadership, and the ability to elevate teammates matter most. The beauty of basketball, much like that PLDT match, is that comebacks are always possible, and rankings can shift in an instant with a single spectacular performance or unexpected development. What makes today's point guard landscape so thrilling is that we're witnessing multiple players who can take over games in completely different ways, each bringing their unique style to the position while maintaining that essential quality of making everyone around them better.