NBA Preview - Top Shooting Guards

1. Kobe Bryant – Two words for ya brotha: Black Mamba.

2. Dwayne Wade – On the last day of camp this year, I was going through the lost and found to see if the kids left anything good behind. And what do you know? A Marquette Dwayne Wade jersey just chilling in the bottom of the box. Don’t mind if I do. I’m proud to say it’s become my official Shirt Before the Shirt. (Seriously, what did you want me to write? “I hear Dwayne has some new friends in town?” There, I said it.).

3. Brandon Roy – Arguably the most underrated player in the league. One day the Blazers will finally put all the pieces together and people will get to see how good B-Roy really is.

4. Joe Johnson – I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but other than Kobe, I fear Joe Johnson late in the 4th quarter more than any other player. Every time the Celtics play the Hawks, JJ goes off for like 12 points in the last 5 minutes.

5. OJ Mayo – Quietly put up 17.5 ppg last year and shot 38% from 3-point range. And that’s with Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay getting more than their fair share of the rock. Mayo’s also one of the most naturally gifted offensive players in the league. Passing, shooting, scoring all just come so easily to him.

6. Eric Gordon – I know Gordon made Team USA this year and Mayo did not. I also know that Gordon plays better defense than Mayo. But I feel like I know 99% of the player that Eric Gordon will become. I know what his ceiling is. He can be your No. 3 guy on a championship team. Never a No. 2.

7. Kevin Martin – Honestly I’ve never understood what all the fuss is about with this guy. All he can do is score the basketball. But he’s 27 and in the prime of his career so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he can put up 20 a game once again.

8. Ray Allen – So he shot 3-14 from the field in Game 7 and kinda/sorta/maybe cost us the title. He still was one of the Celtics’ most consistent performers all season long. One thing that has surprised me over the years is how well conditioned Ray is. Of the Big Three, Ray will undoubtedly last the longest before he starts breaking down.

9. Vince Carter - Remember in the Dunk Contest a few years ago when Vince put a cupcake on top of the rim and then blew out the candle? Oh wait. That was Gerald Green. Never mind, Vince HASN”T done anything significant in the past 6 years.

10. Manu Ginobili – It’s really too bad he hasn’t been able to stay healthy, because a few years ago he was No. 3 on this list. But now when I think about Manu I just picture his gross fingernail and him swatting that bat.

HONORABLE MENTION
Gilbert Arenas
(Kinda funny how Arenas is being moved over to SHOOTING guard this year. I’m not sure if this is a done deal yet, but I'm going to pull the trigger and say that it is).