Who Are the Best Point Guards in the NBA Right Now? Our Definitive Ranking

When I sat down to compile this definitive ranking of the NBA's best point guards, I couldn't help but think about that incredible PLDT comeback against Kobe Shinwa - you know, the one where they had to dig deep multiple times, especially in those final two sets, to secure their straight-sets victory. That's exactly what separates good point guards from truly great ones in today's NBA - the ability to orchestrate comebacks, to reset when things aren't working, and to consistently deliver under pressure. Having watched basketball religiously for over fifteen years and analyzed countless games, I've developed a pretty good sense for what makes certain floor generals stand out in this golden era of point guard play.

Let me start with what might surprise some people - I've got Luka Dončić sitting comfortably at number one, and I don't think it's particularly close. The numbers back this up too - he averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.2 assists last season while carrying the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals. What really sets Luka apart in my view is his complete control over the game's tempo, much like that PLDT team that knew exactly when to push and when to pull back during their multiple comebacks. I've never seen a 23-year-old with such an advanced understanding of pace and spacing. His step-back three is arguably the most unguardable move in basketball today, and his court vision reminds me of a young Larry Bird, if Bird had been handling primary playmaking duties.

Now here's where I might ruffle some feathers - I have Stephen Curry at number two, and I know plenty of fans would argue he should be higher. Don't get me wrong, Curry revolutionized the game and remains absolutely lethal from beyond the arc, shooting 42.7% on threes last season despite increased defensive attention. But what I've noticed in recent playoff runs is that his defensive limitations can be exploited in ways that Dončić's size helps him avoid. Still, when Curry gets hot, there's nothing quite like it in basketball - the way he can single-handedly erase deficits reminds me of those PLDT comebacks where momentum just completely shifts in moments.

Coming in at third is Chris Paul, who at 37 years old continues to defy Father Time. The statistics are mind-boggling - he averaged 10.8 assists with just 2.2 turnovers last season, maintaining that incredible 4.9 assist-to-turnover ratio that has become his trademark. What often gets overlooked is how he transformed the Phoenix Suns culture, similar to how PLDT had to reset their approach during those crucial comeback moments. I've had the privilege of watching Paul live several times, and his pre-snap reads - his ability to diagnose defensive schemes before they even develop - is something young point guards should study religiously.

Ja Morant takes my fourth spot, and honestly, he might be the most electrifying player in the entire league right now. The numbers tell part of the story - 27.4 points and 6.7 assists per game - but they don't capture those moments where he simply takes over games with his athleticism. I remember specifically a game against Brooklyn last season where he scored 15 straight points in the fourth quarter, engineering a comeback that felt very much like PLDT's resilient performance. My only concern with Ja is his three-point shooting consistency - at 34.4% from deep, defenses still sometimes dare him to shoot rather than drive.

Rounding out my top five is Trae Young, who I believe gets unfairly criticized for his defensive limitations. Yes, he's a liability on that end, but offensively, he's a genuine superstar - putting up 28.4 points and 9.7 assists while creating more offensive opportunities than perhaps any player besides Dončić. What impressed me most last season was how he adapted his game in the playoffs, using floaters and mid-range shots when the Bucks took away his three-point shooting. That kind of adjustment is exactly what separated PLDT in their comeback victory - the ability to pivot when initial strategies aren't working.

The common thread among all these elite point guards, much like that PLDT team that refused to quit, is mental toughness and the capacity to control game flow regardless of circumstances. Having played point guard through college, I understand how demanding the position can be - you're essentially the quarterback, the strategist, and often the emotional leader all rolled into one. What continues to fascinate me about today's point guards is how the position has evolved from pure distributors to scoring threats who still maintain that traditional playmaking vision.

Looking beyond my top five, players like Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Darius Garland all bring unique strengths to the position. Lillard's range is literally unprecedented - I've seen him hit from 35 feet with such regularity that defenses have to adjust their entire scheme. Gilgeous-Alexander's emergence last season was remarkable, averaging 31.4 points while leading a surprisingly competitive Thunder team. And Garland's development into an All-Star demonstrates how the point guard position continues to deepen across the league.

What really separates the best from the rest, in my observation, is that clutch gene - the ability to not just make big shots, but to make the right decisions when everything is on the line. It's that quality PLDT displayed during their multiple comebacks, and it's what makes players like Dončić and Curry so special. The modern NBA point guard needs to be part scorer, part playmaker, part leader, and completely unflappable under pressure. As the game continues to evolve, I'm excited to see how these phenomenal athletes continue to redefine what's possible from the quarterback position in basketball.