NBA Power Rankings: Top 10 shooting guards for 2014-15

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Mar 27, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

1. James Harden:

2013-14 Stat Line: 73 games, 38 MPG, 25.4 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, .456/.366/.866 shooting, 23.5 PER

Houston Rockets James Harden plays one end of the floor. Oklahoma City Thunder James Harden tailored his game to whatever OKC needed from him off the bench, and sometimes that included some lockdown defense. It’s not that Harden can’t play defense; it’s that he’s lazy and is mostly given a pass on that end with the Rox. Why? Because he’s just so damn good offensively.

Unlike the other nine guys on this list, James Harden’s 25-6-5 stat line is genuinely eye-popping. There is no one in the NBA better at drawing fouls while attacking the basket, which makes him even harder to stop considering he’s already a good perimeter shooter with a nifty step-back jumper. He’s a versatile player who can dish to open teammates, throw down monster dunks and make life tough on his defender. If he would just try a little harder on defense, Houston would have a legitimate MVP candidate.

Unfortunately, those YouTube tribute videos dedicated to his complete lack of defense aren’t going to go away without putting in the hard work. Now that he’s a legitimate superstar, it’s entirely possible he never changes his game and continues to get burned on backdoor cuts because of what he provides on the offensive end. But even with his poor defensive play, James Harden is still the league’s best shooting guard right now and that probably won’t change heading into the 2014-15 season. Plus, you know, that beard is not to be trifled with.

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