USA - PA SportsTicker's Top 10 point guards for the NBA season

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PA SportsTicker's five-part series will examine the top 10 NBA players at each position heading into the 2007-08 season. Wednesday is the second installment, listing the league's top point guards.

1. Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns

With two league MVP awards already under his belt, Nash remains the benchmark for what a franchise looks for in a throwback floor general. The five-time All-Star has averaged double figures in points and assists in each of his three seasons since returning to the "Valley of the Sun" in 2004. Nash's ability to keep the entire team involved in the offense keeps the window open for his first trip to the NBA Finals.

2. Jason Kidd - New Jersey Nets

Kidd makes a strong argument for the top spot on this list with his stellar do-it-all skill set. The 34-year-old continues to amaze fans as he recorded his 87th career triple-double last season to inch closer to Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson's all-time mark. Kidd's shooting woes will always hinder his scoring, but having the luxury of teammates Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson on the wings does help.

3. Deron Williams - Utah Jazz

Williams has improved by leaps and bounds and can be considered one of the elites at his position, averaging 16.2 points and 9.3 assists in his sophomore campaign. An All-Star snub in 2006-07, Williams' steady climb gives him a good chance of sneaking past Nash and Kidd as he gains more confidence within Jerry Sloan's system. The star guard was one of the catalysts in Utah's surprising run to the Western Conference finals last season, and he showed off his skills behind Kidd as a member of Team USA at the FIBA Americas tournament this summer.

4. Chauncey Billups - Detroit Pistons

With age seeming to catch up to "Mr. Big Shot" during the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers last May, Billups still has the tools to remain an elite floor general. Allowing his teammates to control the first three quarters, the two-time All-Star somehow always finds a way to give opponents the business when it really counts.

5. Baron Davis - Golden State Warriors

"B. Diddy" has always been one of the top point guards in the league since entering the NBA from UCLA in 1999. But injuries have stopped him from claiming the top spot. Davis' postseason performance en route to a shocking upset of the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks last campaign proved that when healthy he can hang with the best of them.

6. Gilbert Arenas - Washington Wizards

I know someone of you are asking why is "Agent Zero" so far down on the list? But there is more to being a good floor general than just lighting up the scoreboard. Arenas may have finished third in scoring (28.5), but only handed out 6.0 dimes - 16th overall.

7. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets

Hornets coach Byron Scott is waiting for Paul to make that huge jump and get New Orleans into the postseason, but "CP3" needs more weapons on the court for that to happen. However, Paul has managed to remain in the conversation despite not having a reliable sidekick and suffering injuries.

8. Kirk Hinrich - Chicago Bulls

Hinrich may be one the least popular on this countdown, but the former Kansas Jayhawk gets the job done in the "Windy City." With all the trade rumors that seem to never stop coming out of Chicago, Hinrich's name remains out of the newspapers and blogs with his solid play.

9. Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs

The jury still is out for Parker, whose 5.5 assists should be higher with the likes of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili running the lane for the defending champions. The Frenchman's blazing speed is second only to Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa's, but finding an open man is another story in itself for Mr. Eva Longoria, who is the reigning NBA Finals MVP despite his weaknesses.

10. Raymond Felton - Charlotte Bobcats

Maybe a surprise to some, but Felton has been impressive for a Bobcats' team that rarely has Emeka Okafor, Sean May (injured again) and Gerald Wallace for an entire 82-game season. Despite all of that, Felton still managed 7.0 dimes - 10th in the NBA.
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