Positional Power Rankings

This is just the pilot for this segment, but every Tuesday I'm going to rate the top three players at a position in the NBA. Why do this? Because I find it amusing and to get the readers (that's you!) to tell me that I'm stupid in the comments (or be constructive, your choice). Scott Carefoot at The Basketball Jones blog already does these, so big shoutout to him.

Since these are season (and almost playoff) ending rankings, Players need to have played 41 or more games, and I'm going with Hoopdata's judgement on official position for those tweeners.

Starting with Point Guards

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets



2010-11 Traditional Stats: 15.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 9.8 APG, 2.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, .463 FG%, .388 3PT%, .878 FT%

2010-11 Advanced Stats: .577 TS%, .069 TRR%, 61.34 AR, 23.70 PER, 21.07 USG%

So this clearly makes me a terrible Bulls fan, but Chris Paul is still the game's premier Point Guard. He's not the same type of scorer, but he scores efficiently, gets everyone involved, and plays lock-down defense.

2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls



2010-11 traditional stats: 25.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, .445 FG%, .332 3PT%, .858 FT%

2010-11 Advanced Stats: .550 TS%, .064 TRR%, 29.40 AR, 23.60 PER, 32.16 USG%

Derrick was third in the NBA in usage rate, so I cut his shooting efficiency some slack. That doesn't excuse his poor defense and the fact that his passing needs more work. He's one of the greatest athletes in the game today, and if his work ethic is anything like what we hear about, he'll keep getting better.

3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder



2010-11 Traditional Stats: 21.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG, .442 FG%, .330 3PT%, .842 FT%

2010-11 Advanced Stats: .538 TS%, .078 TRR%, 33.78 AR, 23.60 PER, 31.53 USG%

Westbrook took a lot of criticism at various points thought the playoffs, but I'm still amazed at how similar he seems to his young counterpart Derrick Rose. Rose is probably a better athlete and scorer, but Westbrook plays better D and rebounds a bit better. Both are gifted and have room to grow, and it'll be fun to watch them develop over the coming seasons.