The point guard position may be the hardest to rank of any position right now.  There are so many great lead guards that it is difficult to separate them all.  It is important to note that this list is based on nothing more than what a player have done in the first part of this season.  That means if a guy has been injured like Derrick Rose, he is not on the list.  If a guy has been in a slump and his team has struggled because of it, he may be lower on the list than expected or not at all like Deron Williams.  This list is not about past performance or future potential.  It is about right now.

What makes a great point guard is someone who can lead a team, find the open man, score when needed and help his team win.

Now that the criteria is set, here are the guys who just missed the cut. Michael Carter-Williams has been a beast since day one and would have solid footing on this list but he is out indefinitely so does not make the cut.  Jordan Crawford has been playing fantastic since Brad Stevens inserted him into the starting lineup and deserves plenty of consideration to make the all-star team in the lackluster Eastern Conference.  Brandon Jennings has been a nice fit with the Pistons and is putting up impressive numbers, but turns the ball over too much for a middle of the pack team.  Jeff Teague was probably the most important signing the Hawks made all season and it shows on the floor just about every night.  Kemba Walker can really score the ball and has been a huge reason as to why the Bobcats are actually competing this season, but he needs to get his teammates more involved if he wants to become an elite guard.  Ricky Rubio doesn’t score much, but he doesn’t need to and it’s not a strong suit for him anyway.  What he does do extremely well is just about everything else.  He is a good on-ball defender and can really pass the rock.  Isaiah Thomas finally earned his starting job back with the departure of Greivis Vasquez.  He can score in a myriad of ways while shooting a solid percentage.  Thomas needs to get his teammates more involved to take his game to the next level.  Jrue Holiday is number 11 on a ten man list.  He can score rebound and defend but hasn’t done quite enough so far to warrant inclusion in the top 10.

10. Mike Conley: he has been much more assertive on the offensive end of the floor and is averaging a career high 18.2 points per game because of it.  While he does struggle shooting the three, Conley is shooting 53.1 percent from two point range and is also averaged 6.3 assists to only 1.9 turnovers for the Grizzles.

9. Ty Lawson: even though his shooting percent is down, Lawson’s assist numbers would be a career high for the Nuggets point guard.  Lawson has always been known for his ability to get to the line and this year is no different.  He is averaging 6.6 free throw attempts a game.  So far on the season, Lawson is averaging 18 points, 3.6 rebounds, eight assists and 1.3 steals a contest.

8.  Eric Bledsoe: he may be the surprise of this list but Bledsoe deserves to be here for what he has done for the resurgent Phoenix Suns.  The Suns back-court of Bledsoe and Dragic has been the catalyst for a remarkable start to the season.  He is averaging more than double his career high in points with 19.5 a game while making 54.1 percent of his two-point shots. Bledsoe is also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals which would all be career highs.

7.  Kyrie Irving: Even though Irving and the Cavaliers are having a down year he still has played well enough to make the list.  Irving is shooting a career low 41.1 percent from the field, but is still averaging 21.1 points a game.  When you add to that 3.1 rebounds and six assists a night you can see why Irving should be an elite point guard for years to come.

6. Damian Lillard: in just his second year in the league, Lillard has improved his scoring, three-point and free throw shooting and cut down on his turnovers from a Rookie of the Year campaign a season ago.  With the help of LaMarcus Aldridge, Lillard has the Blazers at the top of the NBA standing with a record of 22-4.  He is averaging 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists and deserves serious consideration to make the all-star game.

5.  John Wall: Wall has been phenomenal so far this year for the Wizards other than his shooting percentage.  He is putting up 19.5 points to go along with 4.4 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals.  If Wall can improve his outside game there is no telling the heights he and Washington can reach.

4. Tony Parker: Parker is having another great year for the San Antonio even though he is playing the fewest minutes per game since his rookie season.  In just over 30 minutes a contest, Parker is averaging 17.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the 19-5 Spurs.

3. Russell Westbrook: even though Westbrook missed the early part of the season due to injury, he has come back with a bang and put himself right back in the conversation as to who the best point guard in the world is today.  Westbrook can do a little bit of everything and always seems to do it with flair.  He is averaging 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.9 steals for the 20-4 Oklahoma City Thunder.

2. Steph Curry: Curry is a deadly shooter from all over the court who is on pace to shatter his career high in assists for the 14-12 Golden State Warriors.  To this point, Curry is averaging 24.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, nine assists and 1.9 steals while shooting over 40 percent from three-point range.

1.  Chris Paul: as well as Westbrook and Curry have played, there is still no doubt who the best lead guard in the world is right now.  Under Doc Rivers, Paul has become much more aggressive on the offensive end while still being the best passer in the game.  He is averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, a league leading 11.3 assists and 2.4 steals for the 17-9 Clippers