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NBA: Top 10 Point Guards Heading Into 2016-17 Season

By Colby Giacubeno

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) celebrates after tying the game against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Mavericks won 107-96. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Kemba Walker

2015-16 statistics: 20.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.4 RPG, 20.87 PER
Slash Line: 42.7/37.1/84.7

Ever since his legendary days at the University of Connecticut, Kemba Walker hasn’t been able to definitively break into the conversation of being a top point guard at the next level in the NBA.

His performance last season entered his name into that conversation and as a result, there’s no way he could be excluded from this list.

The reason why he was so successful is simple: he shot the ball significantly better from everywhere on the court. His field goal, three-point, and free-throw percentages were all career-high numbers for Walker in 2015-16.

Even though his assists number isn’t as high as most would like for a top-10 point guard, his shot-making last season made the Hornets extremely challenging to guard and was a big reason why they were able to win 48 games–the most since they won 49 back in the 1999-2000 season.

Walker also utilized ball-screens better than he has since entering the league. The results show in his career-high free throw attempts and makes per game. His knack for slicing through the defense creates scoring opportunities for everyone including himself.

Under head coach Steve Clifford, the Hornets will try and build off their sixth-place finish last year and crack the top five in the East.

The loss of Al Jefferson and Courtney Lee may have a heavy impact early on, but if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist can stay healthy and Walker continues to prove why he is a top point guard in this league, there should be no problems with improving from last season.

Next: No. 8