NBA: Ranking The League's Top 10 Shooting Guards In 2016-17

NBA: Ranking The League’s Top 10 Shooting Guards In 2016-17

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Rodney Hood

2015-16 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, .420/.359/.860 shooting, 14.1 PER

Like Devin Booker in Phoenix, Rodney Hood is far better than people outside of his own fan base realize. That’s still probably the case after dropping 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting in his season opener Tuesday night, since most people were busy watching Warriors vs. Spurs.

In a game without Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks, the Utah Jazz managed to keep things close by relying on Hood’s midrange touch and a 3-of-7 shooting from deep. Hood won’t put up numbers like that all season, but once he gets some of his best teammates back, he and the Jazz are poised to make the leap. Literally.

He’ll need to work on his shooting efficiency, but Tuesday’s .529/.429/1.000 slash line was the first of 82 steps in the right direction. Though he only finished with one assist, Hood’s ability to operate as a secondary playmaker in the pick-and-roll shouldn’t be overlooked.

Hood is still learning, and he’s already 24 years old, but his scoring, ball handling and defensive abilities scream long-term potential. Don’t sleep on Hood or the Utah Jazz in 2016-17, especially if they can get/stay healthy.