5. Damian Lillard Team: Portland Trail Blazers RPM rank: No. 9 WARP rank: No. 7 #NBArank: No. 15 Now that Lillard is the unrivaled alpha option in Portland, his playmaking ability can climb to the same level as his off-the-charts shot-making prowess. Hidden talent: A big hole in Lillard's game was his inability to finish at the basket. Last season, he improved his rate at the rim from 50 percent to 62 while getting fewer shots blocked. Taking it to the next level: That very ability to play smarter in the paint will bleed into Lillard's playmaking. As Portland surrounds him with shooters, Lillard's assist rate will soar. Then we can focus on his defense. http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/stor...ppers-chris-paul-top-point-guard-rankings-nba
11. George Hill, Indiana Pacers 12. Goran Dragic, Miami Heat 13. Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks 14. Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets 15. Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans 16. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets 17. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics 18. Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons 19. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls 20. Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks 21. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs 22. Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings 23. Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic 24. Michael Carter-Williams, Milwaukee Bucks 25. Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets 26. Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn Nets 27. Isaiah Canaan, Philadelphia 76ers 28. D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers 29. Raul Neto, Utah Jazz 30. Jose Calderon, New York Knicks
I hope Conley doesn't see this before tonight's game. He had quite the chip on his shoulder in the playoffs last year.
I think it's hard to make a case that Dame is better than Curry, Westbrook, or Paul, but I don't know if I agree that Wall is better. I know it's a small sample size, but right now their averages are: Dame - 27 ppg, 7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and he's shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three. His PER is 23 Wall - 21 ppg, 8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and he's shooting 44% from the field and 31.6% from three. His PER is 24 So Dame is vastly outscoring him so far. The assists are REALLY close, and this was supposed to be the year that Wall led the league in assists? The rebounds are a wash, and the PER is really close as well. If I had a choice between the two, I would pick Dame.
And it's not like Wall lit the world on fire last year either. They're the same age, but Wall has been in the league for going on six years. This is Dame's fourth year. Look at their numbers last year as well: Dame - 21 ppg, 6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, while shooting 43% from the field and 34% from three. PER of 20.7 Wall - 17.6ppg, 10 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 steals, while shooting 44.5% from the field and 30% from three. PER of 20 Very close.
Think the difference comes on the defensive end. Wall is elite, Dame is improving, but still a turnstile. Total impact wise, they're close.
Eh..... it's pretty close actually. So far this year: Dame - 102 DRTG, 0.2 DWS, -1.1 DBPM Wall - 100 DRTG, 0.2 DWS, 0.9 DBPM Dame was at a 112 DRTG last year, while Wall was 102, so Dame has actually improved quite a bit and Wall has stayed the same.
Bledsoe shreds a lot of people. As does Dame. What point guard has ever really been able to shut down Lillard?
Good call. Dame has pretty much sucked against the Clippers. http://www.basketball-reference.com...equest=1&p1=lillada01&p2=paulch01#stats::none
