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Top 15 NBA Shooting Guards of 2014-15 — Preseason Edition

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By @blackirishpr

Top 15 NBA Shooting Guards of 2014-15 (Preseason Edition)

Dwyane Wade James Harden
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Politics, religion and sports are three topics that guarantee ratings and the end of friendships. So I've put together a list of the top 15 NBA shooting guards of 2014-15 for the preseason to give you something to debate about. Be sure to let me know what you think of the list, even if it’s just to argue any omissions.

15. Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Minnesota Timberwolves Training Camp Dunks after Dark
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15. Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Minnesota Timberwolves Training Camp Dunks after Dark
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Andrew Wiggins’ 18-point, three-assist, four-rebound preseason debut was enough to gain the rookie more than an honorable mention. Now let’s see if he can move into his predicted superstardom.

14. Kyle Korver (Atlanta Hawks)

Indiana Pacers v Atlanta Hawks - Game Four
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14. Kyle Korver (Atlanta Hawks)

Indiana Pacers v Atlanta Hawks - Game Four
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If a sharpshooter is what you need, Kyle Korver will always be your man. His .425 career shooting percentage goes a long way in proving that.

13. J.R. Smith (New York Knicks)

New York Knicks v Miami Heat
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13. J.R. Smith (New York Knicks)

New York Knicks v Miami Heat
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Call him misguided, a knucklehead or a loose cannon, but whatever you say will have to end with you admitting that the former Sixth Man of the Year is guaranteed to get buckets.

12. Arron Afflalo (Denver Nuggets)

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers
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12. Arron Afflalo (Denver Nuggets)

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers
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Arron Afflalo is so undervalued that he’s probably underrated on this list. But the fact is that he’s so good that every team wants him. Platinum recording artists even write songs about wanting to be him, and you can’t really blame them. He’s a stopper who put up 18 PPG on 46 percent shooting from the field, and 43 from behind the 3-point line.

Sorry Tony Allen, Afflalo just crept in and stole your spot as the list’s resident defender.

11. DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)

Demar DeRozan
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

11. DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)

Demar DeRozan
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

DeMar DeRozan is sneaky good -- sneaky enough to be the 10th leading scorer in the NBA without most people knowing it.

To say that his 23 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG looked like a breakout would be an understatement. Now we get to see if he can do the same with all eyes watching.

10. Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets)

Maccabi Tel Aviv v Brooklyn Nets
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10. Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets)

Maccabi Tel Aviv v Brooklyn Nets
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Joe Johnson has been a chronic underachiever his entire career, despite him putting up 18 PPG.

He can take over a game, but ask him to carry a team further than the second round of the playoffs, and you might have a problem.

9. Jamal Crawford (Los Angeles Clippers)

Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors - Game Four
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9. Jamal Crawford (Los Angeles Clippers)

Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors - Game Four
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Instant offense, two-time Sixth Man of the Year, a crafty dribbler who can shake any defender in the league and who has the most career four-point plays ever with 44. His name is Jamal Crawford. Need I say more?

8. Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs)

San Antonio Spurs v Alba Berlin
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8. Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs)

San Antonio Spurs v Alba Berlin
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Danny Green may be the starter, but Manu Ginobili is and always will be the shooting guard that you think of when anyone mentions San Antonio.

He may be getting up there in age, but last year’s postseason performance showed that he can still be the type of guy who captured four titles and a Sixth Man of the Year award, and he did it in the NBA Finals with a slight stress fracture in his right leg.

7. Monta Ellis (Dallas Mavericks)

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks - Game Six
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7. Monta Ellis (Dallas Mavericks)

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks - Game Six
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Two years ago, Monta Ellis labeled himself just as good as Dwyane Wade. And although he scored a ton in Milwaukee, he was laughed at.

He went to Dallas and quickly turned out to be the go-to guy to take pressure off of Dirk Nowitzki.

6. Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

Bradley Beal
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

6. Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

Bradley Beal
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Coming out of college, Bradley Beal was pegged as a more versatile Ray Allen. His sophomore season in the league saw him improve in every statistical category, from shooting percentage to scoring. Going into his third year, Beal will look to build on his 17 PPG and move himself over the cusp of All-Star status.

It doesn’t hurt that he is also part of one of the top backcourt duos in the NBA.

5. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

Kobe Bryant
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

5. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

Kobe Bryant
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Five-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time NBA scoring champion and Olympic gold medalist. There are many accolades that you can tie to Kobe Bryant. Which is why the Mamba has to round out the top five.

This may seem like a lifetime achievement award after missing almost a year, but just watch how lethal he was in his post-injury preseason debut. Plus, he’s the closest you’ll ever get to Michael Jordan.

4. Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors
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4. Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors
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At 6-foot-7, Klay Thompson is a brilliant mix of defense and post play with a smooth 3-point stroke (41 percent).

As one of the biggest two-guards in the NBA, Klay is working to become the epitome of a player who can make an impact on both ends of the floor. His 16 PPG has gone a long way in painting both he and Steph Curry as the most dynamic backcourt in today’s game.

3. Lance Stephenson (Charlotte Hornets)

Lance Stephenson
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

3. Lance Stephenson (Charlotte Hornets)

Lance Stephenson
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Mr. triple-double took his talents from Indiana to Charlotte in part to show the world that he could be more than the fourth man on a good team. Now, Lance Stephenson will be bringing his skills and pitbull mentality to a team that he should easily elevate in scoring.

This year will be a much-needed chance to prove that he’s more than a few playoff antics.

2. Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)

Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat
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2. Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)

Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat
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After four straight trips to the NBA Finals and three championship rings, Dwyane Wade has cemented himself as one of the greatest, if not third-greatest shooting guard of all time. And although he gets hurt, Wade sealed his fate in the top-two by being one of the most efficient players in the league over the last two years, as well as getting a slight upper hand against Lance in matchups.

Let's see if he slides once the season starts.

1. James Harden (Houston Rockets)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets - Game Six
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1. James Harden (Houston Rockets)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets - Game Six
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It may pain many to say, but last season’s No. 5 scorer and top-notch flopper James Harden may have stamped himself the league’s current shooting guard king. After separating himself from Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, he has become a 26 PPG, 6.0 RPG performer.

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