From the NBA MVP’s to fantasy MVP’s, there is no doubt about the impact that the top point guards in the game have made over the last two decades. It was no different a year ago when Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry blew away his competition to win NBA MVP while at the same time producing one of the most dominant fantasy seasons ever for a point guard. Curry has picked up from right where he left off last season and it’s scary to think he has actually been better overall. Here is a look at the top five fantasy point guards from the first half of the NBA season.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Is it possible that Curry can top what he did last season when he was the NBA MVP? Well, he certainly has to this point. Curry has improved his field goal percentage, scoring average and three-point shots per game to solidify his reputation as the most dominant fantasy asset in the NBA right now – regardless of position. Curry has averaged an NBA-high 29.8 points including 4.9 made three-point shots along with 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 33.8 minutes per game this season. At 27-years-old, Curry is only now entering the prime of his career. There is no reason to expect the reigning MVP to give up his position as top dog anytime soon.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Curry’s absolute dominance has taken some of the attention away from just how outstanding Westbrook has been the past two seasons, but fantasy owners have taken note. Westbrook has averaged 24.1 points, 10.0 assists, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.2 three-point shots per game so far this season, challenging Curry’s finesse with his own relentless approach. That relentlessness is a big reason why the 27-year-old Westbrook leads the NBA in triple-doubles over the last two years. It’s also a big reason why he ranked No. 2 among fantasy point guards in the first half this season.
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
It’s about time the Raptors’ All-Star point guard gets the credit he deserves as one of the top players at his position in the NBA. Lowry has been outstanding so far this year, averaging 21.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.8 made three-point shots per game. What has been particularly impressive with Lowry is his three-point shooting. We’ve known about all of the other areas of his game but he’s really stepped it up from long range. Lowry is average a career-best 2.8 threes per contest on a career-best 39.2%. He’s normally known as a slasher with a modest outside game, but that perception is changing quickly. And speaking of his ability to get to the basket, Lowry is averaging 4.9 made free throws per game, which is also a career benchmark along with his 5.8 attempts. His consistency and ability to stuff the stat sheet across the board have him at No. 3 on our list of the top point guards from the first half.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The mass exodus of talent in Portland this past offseason forced Lillard to take on that much more responsibility as the star player that does it all for the Trail Blazers. He certainly has delivered in the first half. Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 7.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 three-point shots and 1.0 steal in 36.1 minutes per game. He’s the centerpiece in Portland and fantasy owners can expect similar numbers in the second half as the Trail Blazers make a push for the playoffs.
John Wall, Washington Wizards
Wall edged out Los Angeles Clippers’ point guard John Wall and Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics for the final spot on this list with an outstanding first half of the season. The star point guard averaged 20.1 points, 9.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.5 three-point shots per game as by far the Wizards’ best player and it was his ability to fill out the stat sheet across the board that helped separate him from his competition. Consistency will be the key the remainder of the way as Washington looks to fight its way in to a playoff spot and Wall will need to be at his absolute best in order for that to happen.
