NBA 2018-19: Top 3 Shooting Guards so far
The shooting guard is a position meant for decent long-range shooters, how also possess the ability to handle the ball if need be. Usually taller than the point guards, SGs are expected to be agile and quick in their approach to getting to the rim.
Coaches often use them as backup point guards at times in order to attract attention and open up passing lanes for the other players. Scoring points at regular intervals and taking care of the ball on a few occasions are the prerequisites for being an adept shooting guard.
As the NBA shifts towards perimeter shooting, the modern day shooting guards are often referred to as "3 and D" players, meaning someone who can shoot the three-ball and defend at the same time. As a result, the need for lengthy players with above-average shooting percentages is growing exponentially with every passing season.
The following list contains players who not only satisfy the aforementioned criteria, but are being the best at it this season.
Let's dive in and take a look at the three best shooting guards overall from the 2018-19 season so far.
#3 Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
Klay Thompson's staggering success in getting heaps of points without even putting the ball on the floor speaks volumes of his off-ball cutting and rotation. He can be always be found cutting under screens for a contested three-point shot or sneaking past the defender for a backdoor cut, all while keeping himself in a position to score effortlessly.
The nightly antics of Durant and Curry often overshadow this man's underrated abilities to blaze the opposition in games when he catches fire from deep.
Klay is averaging a near-career-high 22.1 points per game in the 54 games he has started for the defending champs this season. Having made 161 threes this season (7th most in the league), Thompson is the quintessential stereotype of the new age "3-and-D" line of NBA players.
Highlight: Against the Lakers in January, Klay went berserk, shooting 10-of-11(90.0%) from distance, and finishing with 44 points in just 27 minutes.