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The NBA has evolved from a big-dominated game to one that favors shooters. Stephen Curry led the league in the 2020-21 season, scoring 32 points per game. He was followed closely by Bradley Beal, a shooting guard who averaged 31.3 points.
The game is now heavily reliant on sharpshooters, which is why shooting guards are much sought-after. Although everyone in a 5-man team is required to make buckets, the shooting guards are expected to be more efficient, especially from beyond the arc.
On that note, let's take a look at the top ten shooting guards heading into the 2021-22 NBA season.
#10 Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards was in the conversation for the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year award, but could not match the brilliance of LaMelo Ball. Nevertheless, he was an absolute delight for the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially after the All-Star break.
Edwards excelled at attacking the rim, as he made several posters throughout the season. While he had arguably the dunk of the 2020-21 NBA season, his three-point shooting wasn't stellar early on.
At the end of the season, he averaged 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting at 32.9% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, he averaged 27 points while shooting at 40.6% from the perimeter in the last eight games of the 2020-21 NBA season.
#9 Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson has missed two NBA seasons due to an injury he sustained in the 2019 NBA Finals, where the Golden State Warriors faced the Toronto Raptors. Although he is an elite-level shooter, it will be preposterous to rank him any higher, considering how much action he has missed.
Nevertheless, Thompson could easily regain his spot as the top shooting guard in the NBA if he shakes off his rust. In his last run in the league, he averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting at 40.2% from the three-point range.
Thompson still holds the record for the most three-pointers (14) made in a single regular-season NBA game. It will be exciting to see how he fares when he's up to top speed.
#8 Collin Sexton
The Cleveland Cavaliers have one for the future in Collin Sexton, as the shooting guard continues to improve his game season after season. Although he is undersized for his position, he has been a bright spark for the Cavs in the last three NBA seasons.
Sexton led the Cavs in points (24.3) during the 2020-21 NBA season. Undoubtedly, it could be more of the same from the 22-year-old, as the franchise is attempting a rebuild around Sexton and Darius Garland.
#7 Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine shows his athleticism every night, rising without fear and throwing it down on some of the best defenders in the league. While he is ferocious at attacking the rim, the 6' 5" shooting guard has a decent three-point range too.
LaVine made his first All-Star appearance in the 2020-21 NBA season after spending seven years in the league. He ended the season with 27.4 points per game, and got a call to represent Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The Bulls brought in Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan in the 2021 offseason to complement LaVine. Both signings should be a massive boost for LaVine, as some of the scoring pressure will likely ease off him.
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#6 CJ McCollum
CJ McCollum's consistency is impressive, especially considering that he plays alongside one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, Damian Lillard. Although McCollum was not dependable during the 2021 NBA playoffs, he had arguably the best season of his career for the Portland Trail Blazers.
McCollum ended the season averaging a career-high 23.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game with a .458 field-goal percentage. CJ could have another impressive run in the 2021-22 NBA regular season. However, no one can say if it would extend to the playoffs, and help the Trail Blazers make a deeper run this time.
#5 Jaylen Brown
What if Jaylen Brown did not sustain an injury, would the Boston Celtics have made a deeper run in the 2021 NBA playoffs? That question plagued every Celtics fan after their team crashed out in the first round of the playoffs.
Although Jayson Tatum is the Celtics' top player, Brown is an integral part of the franchise's future. Following his breakout season, it would be exciting to see how he develops in the NBA.
Brown played only 58 games for the Cs in the 2020-21 NBA season. He averaged 24.7 points, 3.4 assists and six rebounds while shooting at 48.4% from the field and 39.7% from the three-point range.
#4 Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal has averaged 30+ points in back-to-back seasons, a feat which only five NBA players have achieved in the last 35 years.
While many questioned his bucket-getting ability because he is the sole star in his team, he proved them wrong after averaging a career-high 31.3 points while playing alongside Russell Westbrook.
Beal has proved himself in the NBA, and will look to achieve greater things. The Washington Wizards reached the 2021 playoffs, but were eliminated in Round 1 by the Philadelphia 76ers. Although playoff qualification in the 2021-22 season looks bleak, Beal could have another high-scoring campaign.
#3 Devin Booker
Leading the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals while putting together incredible performances has to count for something. There is no better time to laud Devin Booker for his achievements, even though the Phoenix Suns failed to clinch the title.
While MVP conversations might not feature Booker for now, he certainly put on a show, and could have a shot at the NBA title soon. Chris Paul's introduction was a morale booster in the Suns' camp, and that showed in the way Booker approached the game.
Booker averaged 25.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in the 2020-21 NBA season. It was the best season of his career so far, as he averaged higher numbers than in his previous two seasons.
#2 Donovan Mitchell
Undoubtedly, Donovan Mitchell is one of the best shooting guards in the NBA right now. His explosiveness and accuracy from behind the arc are worthy of admiration.
Unfortunately, injury problems and tactical mistakes cost Mitchell and the Utah Jazz their shot at the 2021 NBA Western Conference Finals. Although another first-place finish might be a stretch, a healthy Mitchell could lead the Jazz to another postseason appearance.
Mitchell ended the 2020-21 NBA season averaging 26.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. The 24-year-old has made steady improvement over the years, which should continue in the 2021-22 season as well, and result in a third All-Star appearance for the player.
#1 James Harden
James Harden has the most to prove heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, and is likely to produce one of his best campaigns. Although Kyrie Irving gave up his point guard duties to Harden, the latter will be considered based on his natural position.
The Brooklyn Nets put together a superteam, but failed to subdue the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Injuries played a key role in their defeat, as Harden and Irving missed a few games in the series.
With Harden returning to full speed, opponent teams could have a difficult time defending his step-back 3s or drives to the basket. Although Harden will likely make fewer trips to the free-throw line because of the new NBA rule regarding initiating contact, his overall game will likely remain solid.
Harden has led the league in scoring for three consecutive years since the 2017-18 NBA season. Despite a rollercoaster 2020-21 campaign, he managed to average 24.6 points, 10.8 assists and 7.9 rebounds.
