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

By Gerald Bourguet

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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Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) walks off the court for a timeout in the first half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Eric Bledsoe

2015-16 Stats:  20.4 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, .453/.372/.802 shooting, 20.0 PER

If Eric Bledsoe‘s knees could be trusted, he’d probably be a few spots higher up this list — even playing for a likely bottom-feeder like the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, Bledsoe missing 39 games in 2013-14 and 51 games last season due to meniscus injuries limits his value here.

When Bledsoe is fully healthy, however, he’s capable of playing with any point guard in the league, as his epic duels with Russell Westbrook over the years have proven. He sometimes loses focus on the defensive end and he’s not a particularly charismatic leader, but when he’s locked in, he lives up to his mini-LeBron nickname as a terrifying blend of speed, athleticism and strength on both ends of the floor.

Related Story: Ranking The Top 10 NBA Power Forwards In 2016-17

Bledsoe was in the middle of an All-Star caliber year before his season-ending meniscus injury in 2015-16, averaging 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game on .453/.372/.802 shooting splits. He looked healthy in the Suns’ 2016-17 season opener, putting up 16 points, six rebounds and five assists in only 29 minutes during the blowout loss.

Phoenix’s standing as a non-playoff team, Bledsoe’s inconsistent effort and his extensive injury history relegate him to No. 9, but if he stays healthy, he’s one of the league’s most underrated two-way guards who’s made strides to improve his three-point shooting as well.