Positional Power Rankings: 30 best point guards in the NBA

Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Bledsoe

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Eric Bledsoe is an elite level athlete. He has earned the nickname of Mini-Lebron for good reason. The 27-year-old used his physical gifts to turn in the best basketball of his career this season amidst all of the losing going on down in Phoenix. His season is now over for tanking reasons, but his 21.1 points and 6.3 assists were new career-highs this season, and he is firmly in his prime as a player.

Bledsoe is a positive defender at the position because of his athletic gifts. His effort sometimes waned at times on that end in a tough season, but he was usually one of the better Suns on defense. Bledsoe also used his tools to advance as a scorer and facilitator; his shooting numbers fell only slightly with more volume. He would have got more publicity on a different team, but Bledsoe is really living up to his potential down in the desert and is currently the best player on the Suns.

Moving forward after this season, it isn’t clear if Bledsoe is in the Suns long-term plans. They fully embraced their youth movement at the end of this season; their starting lineup Thursday night was younger than all but one NCAA Sweet Sixteen team. Tyler Ulis has flashed potential as a starter in Bledsoe’s absence, and the Suns may choose to give him run next season. Fully in his prime, Bledsoe would fetch a nice trade package in a deal and is aged above the rest of Phoenix’s core. Whether he is a member of the Suns or elsewhere next season, Bledsoe will continue to operate as one of the league’s best unheralded point guards.

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