Elite PGs

Guards Intertwined

For the last two seasons, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry have been considered the best point guards as well as top five players in the association. Westbrook led the league in scoring last year with 28.1, has won two All-Star MVPs, and has been a triple double juggernaut these last two years. On the other hand, Curry has won a championship, two league MVPs, and led the league in scoring this year with 30.1. By the way, he is the league's first unanimous Most Valuable Player. The rise to the NBA as well as rise to dominance has not been easy for both elite guards. Their journeys to the NBA are not what one would expect with how dominant they are now, which makes their success that much better. With unparalleled competitiveness and spending time in the gym, Westbrook and Curry have become point guard sensations.

Westbrook was a three-star recruit coming out of Leuzinger High School and committed to UCLA to play for Ben Howland. He did not start a game until his junior year in high school and received his first offer prior to his senior season. This could be attributed to the guard's growth spurt as he went from a 5'8 junior to a 6'3 senior. Westbrook came off the bench as freshman and played sparingly as an energy player behind Darren Collison. Due to an injury to Collison, Westbrook started 34 games as a sophomore and led the Bruins of Westwood to a second consecutive Final Four appearance. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals that earned him an All Pac-10 third team selection and Defensive Player of the Year in the conference. His athleticism and passion for the game led to scintillating performances and helped him jump up draft boards. The Bruin guard would forgo his final two seasons and enter the 2008 NBA Draft. The Seattle SuperSonics took Westbrook fourth overall, which was a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless, Kevin Durant was ecstatic with the team's selection and welcomed him with open arms. 

Curry was lightly recruited out of Charlotte Christian High School as a three-star recruit and was labeled a "steal" by the coach he committed to. Bob McKillop was thrilled to have him come play for his Wildcats after aggressively recruiting him since he was a tenth grader. The coach was enamored with Curry's technical and emotional talents. In his first few seasons at Davidson, Curry went from 6 feet to 6'3, but maintained that "rail" thin body. He delivered big time performances throughout his collegiate career including four straight 30-point games in the NCAA tournament in which he led the Wildcats to the Elite 8. He finished his career averaging 25.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 41 percent from beyond the arc. He is the school's all time leading scorer with 2,635 points and a two time All-American selection amongst a barrage of other accolades. Curry would forgo his senior year and enter the 2009 Draft where the Golden State Warriors took him with the seventh overall pick. Upon the announcement, the Davidson product was booed by the Warriors faithful. 

Both point guards came into the league with questions regarding their adjustment to the NBA and running the point. Many wondered if Westbrook had the decision making necessary to run an offense at point and if he could improve his jumper to keep defenders honest. He did not start right away as he was still learning the offense. Westbrook would go on to average 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game as a rookie.  He was selected to the NBA's All Rookie First Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2008. The Thunder guard showed great promise, as many believed he could mature into a star. In 2009, people were concerned with Curry's ability to facilitate and his durability due to his physical appearance. He started over 70 games and averaged 17.5 points, 5.9 assists, 1.9 steals, and shot 43 percent from three. He earned First Team All-Rookie and finished second in ROY voting. Curry had ankle problems early on that caused many to wonder if he could be the Warriors franchise player. In fact, he only played 26 games during his third year due to foot and ankle injuries. That following off-season Golden State would roll the dice and sign him to a four-year deal worth up to 44 million. 

Trades are what ultimately helped Westbrook and Curry rise to dominance at their position. Westbrook helped lead the Thunder to the Finals where he averaged 27 points, 6.6 assists, and 6 rebounds against the Heat. Following a NBA Finals run in 2012, the Thunder were on the fence between trading James Harden or Serge Ibaka because they did not want to go over the luxury tax. The front office opted to trade Harden to Houston and this allowed Westbrook to handle more decision-making priorities. The Thunder's floor general was already a star, but without Harden people began to recognize his true value. An injury to his knee against the Rockets in the first round caused him to miss the rest of the playoffs and a second surgery forced him to miss the beginning of the following season. In 2012, the Warriors missed the postseason, but they traded Ellis for Andrew Bogut in a surprising move with the Milwaukee Bucks. Golden State fans were confused, as Mark Jackson believed the team was better with Curry as the lone point guard. This move would prove to pay dividends the following season when the "Baby Faced Assassin" led his team to the playoffs. Give credit to Oklahoma City and Golden State's brass, as these were bold deals that could have blown up in both teams’ faces. The trades helped forge an identity for both teams and gave Westbrook and Curry the keys to run their teams as undisputed leaders. The Thunder have been a consistent title contender while the Warriors are flirting with back-to-back titles.

 

Both point guards are not true to the traditional idea of a player at their position. They are scorers at heart with the ability to be good table setters for their teammates. Westbrook and Curry play with an All-Star or two on their respective team. Kevin Durant won the MVP a few years ago and has been to the All-Star game multiple times. He, like his teammate, is considered a top five player in the game. Curry plays with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green who both may be top twenty players themselves. Westbrook and Curry have to be weary of keeping their contemporaries involved even though they possess the innate ability to score in bunches. Westbrook likes to attack the basket like it is going out of style. He can get to the line with ease, his midrange jumper is second to none, and when he has it going he will knock down threes. It is all about rhythm with the former Olympian. On the contrary, Curry seemingly starts the game in rhythm. He knocks down threes like no other and his unprecedented handle allows him to get to the basket where he will finish with that rainbow lay up. These two players propensity to score and make plays for their teams have set them a part from the rest of the league's point guards. In addition to this year's Western Conference Finals, future encounters in the playoffs could make it clear as two who is better between Westbrook and Curry. For now, these are two guards that will be linked whenever someone mentions the association's best point guard.

Pharoh Cooper

Player to Watch 

In the 2016 NFL Draft, Los Angeles selected Pharoh Cooper in the fourth round. The Rams ranked dead last in passing yardage in 2015 so with Jared Goff and the South Carolina product they hope to make leaps and bounds in that department. Todd Gurley will be the main focus of the offense, but this is a passing league. Back to Cooper, he lived in North Carolina where his family, who have a military background, raised him. He helped guide Havelock high school to back-to-back state championships. Cooper played quarterback, running back, receiver, and defensive back and was a four star recruit coming out of high school. He would go on to commit to Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks.

As a Gamecock, Cooper started his career off as a cornerback; however, that did not last long as eventually he made the transition to offense as a receiver. Because he was raised in a military family, Cooper was disciplined and mature for a player that barely left his high school prom. This allowed him to play a lot as a freshman as he accumulated 655 all-purpose yards along with three touchdowns. The Havelock standout saw time at running back, receiver, as a return man, and even threw a few touchdowns. Over the next two seasons, Cooper would prove to be one of the most valuable players for his team. As a sophomore, he really took a big step forward and was a surprise for his team. He scored 13 touchdowns as a rusher, scorer, and passer along with 1,336 yards from scrimmage. Against Tennessee, Cooper set the school record in receiving yards with 233. Also, he finished with 170 yards and was named the game's MVP against Miami in the 2014 Independence Bowl. Cooper finished sixth in the Southeastern Conference for yards from scrimmage, eighth in yards per catch with 16.5, and fourth in receiving touchdowns. In 2015, his numbers dipped as he racked 1,084 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns. With instability at quarterback and within the program, he was relied on heavily for his team’s offense. Cooper would go on to enter the 2016 Draft as an underclassman. He finished his college career as a two time first team All-SEC selection. In addition, he finished top 10 in school history in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. 

Cooper has the potential to see early playing time as the Rams third receiver according to Optimum Scouting's Mark Dulgerian. He is coming off a lower body injury that held him back during the NFL combine and may have caused him to drop a round later in the draft. That has not stopped him from participating in the Rams rookie minicamp. One NFC Scout said, '"He's a good player. Scouts can't worry about how a player like Cooper is going to be used because that is the OC's job.'" At 5'11 and just over 200 pounds, Cooper brings an explosive athlete to the Rams offense. He has the ability to catch the ball and take it the distance. In addition, Cooper is tough and willing to go over the middle to make plays and return kicks. Finally, he is a jack-of-all-trades meaning he can lineup anywhere on offense and be a threat. In an interview with Los Angeles Times Lindsey Thiry, Cooper illustrates his desire to work hard and be willing to play anywhere on the field. His game is most notably similar to Randall Cobb of the Packers. With Tavon Austin and Cooper, Los Angeles has the chance to get really creative with their offense and help make Goff comfortable. Cooper is definitely a player to keep an eye on this summer during camp and through the preseason.