Who is the best point guard in the NBA?

We have seen this movie before. For the umpteenth time, NBA fans have forgotten how great Stephen Wardell Curry is. It’s certainly not exactly undeserved this time, of course, as the Golden State faithful had to watch the former MVP start the season 0-2 and not once score more than 20 points in any of the games.

And be it a case of recent bias or media agenda setting, Portland guard Damian Lillard sparked not only comparisons between himself and Curry, but also conversations that he may have surpassed the three-time champion after their lively playoff performances in the NBA bubble, a debate that has endured to this day.

.@KendrickPerkins says Damian Lillard is the best PG in the NBA today, ahead of Steph Curry. pic.twitter.com/sIdI5Fhi1Z

– First take (@FirstTake) December 23, 2020

Here is a brief comparison of the two.

Curry vs Lillard: score

For obvious reasons, conversations surrounding any of the guards should always begin with their offense. Curry and Lillard have exhibited polished and comprehensive offensive packages throughout their careers thus far, as either of them can score from deep, medium, or take it inside for an acrobatic finish.

Most games with 40+ PTS and 10+ AST
(Active)

James Harden – 30
Russell Westbrook – 16
LeBron James – 12
Damian Lillard – 10
Trae Young – 7
Doncic Luka – 5
Bradley Beal – 4
Stephen Curry – 3
Chris Paul – 3 pic.twitter.com/cMv2F27vCe

– NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 27, 2020

When it comes to shooting, it’s clear that Curry has an advantage over Lillard, without competition. While the latter is obviously a very competent marksman with an extended range of his own, Stephen Curry is heralded as the greatest marksman of all time for a reason.

While Lillard is likely to be as skilled as Curry in this department, the difference is in efficiency. For his career, Curry shot the 3-ball with a 43.5% shooting efficiency, while Lillard has a 37.3% clip of 3-point shooting, according to Stathead Basketball. The field goal percentage tells the same story, with the former shooting 47.6% overall on 65% of actual shots, while the latter scoring 43.7% of his field goal attempts at 59. % of real shots.

Make no mistake: Damian Lillard is a prolific scorer in his own right, and when it comes to shot creation and isolation, he is arguably the most accomplished and celebrated player. The five-time All-Star scored at least 31 points in each game during a brief stretch in the NBA restart, scoring 45, 51, 61 and 42 points in that span while the difficult and contested shots looked easy.

There’s a reason it was awarded the Kia NBA Player of the Seeding Games when all was said and done. He’s also the strongest and fastest slasher, capable of slicing through paint with relative ease against taller defenders and even getting monster dunks every now and then.

The general managers of the NBA did a poll asking who they would like to take a chance with the game at stake;

1. Damian Lillard – 32%
2. Stephen Curry – 25%
3. Kevin Durant – 18%
4. Doncic’s Wounds – 11%
5. Chris Paul: 7%

Devin Booker and Jamal Murray also received some votes

(via @NBA)

– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 21, 2020

But what Steph lacks in athletics, he makes up for in efficiency, range, and cunning, opening up more opportunities for Golden State’s offense every time he’s on the court – a trait not listed on the stat sheet and that ultimately contributes to a team’s success on the offensive side, as seen in the power of Golden State’s offensive attack.

While acknowledging the benefit of Curry’s three All-Star teammates in the past, this writer has him as the best scorer.

Curry vs Lillard: Defense

Neither player has been truly recognized for their defense throughout their careers, and neither has such a significant impact on this end of the court. Curry has averaged 1.7 steals and just one-fifth of a block per game during his career. Lillard’s numbers aren’t much better with a steal and a third block per game over eight association seasons.

To put it bluntly, his defensive numbers are equally impressive, not surprising for the guards who score first.

In the 2019-20 season, when Curry only dressed just five times for the Warriors, he kept defensive matchups at an abysmal 52.9% shooting on a 113.4 defensive rating, while Lillard kept his at a competent 46.4% shooting. on track to a 117.1 defensive rating.

Curry’s defensive FG% was much better the year before during his final full season in the league, when he sported an overall defensive FG% of 44.9%. That season, Curry had a defensive rating of 105.8 compared to Lillard’s 107.9.

Given the difference in strength and athleticism, Lillard can overcome the screens notably better than Curry, although the latter’s defensive IQ has been made clear in the Warriors’ team defense in previous years.

It’s a pitch on this side of the court, but Dame Time takes the cake for this writer solely because of his athletic advantage, though not by a huge margin.

Curry vs Lillard: leadership and playmaking

How one leads a team is also difficult to measure in numbers alone, especially when the two players in question lead their respective basketball clubs in very different ways. While Steph has proven himself to be the centerpiece and soul of the Warriors offense, Lillard has undoubtedly exhibited his ability to carry the team on his back for longer periods, often taking on the responsibility of scoring when the team cannot. generate no offense.

If we are going to consider leadership in terms of improving teammates, the most logical starting point is playmaking. Though the two superstars remain side by side here, with Lillard averaging 6.5 assists per game career, Curry has a miniscule advantage in this case at 6.6 dimes.

In the 18th annual NBA.com GM poll, it was Lillard who was voted the best leader in the NBA after garnering 41% of the total vote. Curry was on his heels with 37%. In the same poll, Lillard was also voted the second-best point guard in the league, just behind Curry.

It’s certainly a more admirable feat than Lillard has accomplished: leading the Blazers, who are heavy at the top but struggling, to the playoffs. After his Game 1 win over eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers, there was even talk that Lillard could lead the team beyond the behemoth led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While it’s an irresponsible take at best, it also says a lot about leadership of a team in order to inspire this kind of hope in fans.

Next in leadership is the ability to generate winning basketball. Although Lillard has a reputation for being a more seasoned contributor to the clutch, the advancement stats, particularly defensive and offensive win stocks, point to Curry as the player most consistent with the win. This is, again, aware of the staff who support you throughout your career.

With all of this in mind, it’s difficult to pick a clear winner between these two, who have established themselves as clear pioneers in the league’s point guard group. But for this writer the best player will have to be Steph Curry, but only by a small margin. As mentioned, Curry’s worldwide reach coupled with his off-the-ball movement opens up countless opportunities for an already deadly Golden State offense.

Next season will be one of uncertainty for the rebuilding Warriors and will be an opportunity for Curry to prove his worth again, this time without the help of three All-Stars. Sans Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors won’t have many offensive options going forward until wings Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre work it out, meaning Curry will likely be the team’s only hope of landing a playoff berth this season. . .

On the other hand, the Portland Trail Blazers hope that this year will finally be their year after a performance inspired by the NBA bubble. With Jusuf Nurkic expected to return to his pre-injury form and Robert Covington now on the team to shore up his once hapless defense, this is looking to the Blazers.