Who Are the Best Point Guards in the NBA This Season?

As I sit here watching the NBA playoffs unfold, I can't help but reflect on what makes an elite point guard in today's game. The conversation about who are the best point guards in the NBA this season has been particularly fascinating because the position has evolved so dramatically. We're no longer just talking about traditional floor generals who primarily distribute the ball - today's top point guards need to be scoring threats, defensive stalwarts, and emotional leaders all rolled into one package. What struck me recently was reading a quote from Tolentino that perfectly captures the mentality required: "May added pressure din 'yun kasi very unusual na nag-number one kami. But that's outside noise. We'll do our best to get to the next level." That exact mindset separates the good point guards from the truly exceptional ones this season.

When we examine the best point guards in the NBA right now, we have to start with the obvious candidates while acknowledging how much the criteria have shifted. Stephen Curry, despite the Warriors' struggles, continues to redefine the position with his unprecedented shooting range - he's averaging around 27 points and 6 assists while shooting 40% from three-point territory. Then there's Luka Dončić, who might technically be listed as a point guard but plays more like an entire offensive system unto himself. His numbers are just ridiculous - I'd estimate he's putting up something like 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists per game, though don't quote me on the exact figures. What makes these players stand out among the best point guards isn't just their stat lines but their ability to handle what Tolentino called "outside noise" - the expectations, the pressure, the constant media scrutiny that comes with being at the top.

The mental aspect really can't be overstated when discussing the best point guards in the NBA this season. I was particularly struck by how Tolentino's comments about playoff mentality apply directly to what we're seeing from players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His Oklahoma City Thunder have exceeded all expectations, much like Tolentino's team that unexpectedly found themselves in first place. "Very unusual na nag-number one kami" could easily apply to SGA's Thunder this season. The way Gilgeous-Alexander has carried his team while maintaining that calm, focused demeanor reminds me exactly of handling that "added pressure" Tolentino described. He's averaging about 31 points per game while leading his young team to what looks like a top-three seed in the brutal Western Conference - that's MVP-level stuff.

What's interesting about ranking the best point guards in the NBA is how much team success factors into our perceptions. I'll admit my own bias here - I tend to value point guards who elevate their teams in meaningful games over those who put up empty stats on losing squads. That's why Tyrese Haliburton deserves serious consideration in any conversation about the best point guards this season. Before his injury, he was leading the Pacers to unexpected success while putting up historic assist numbers with minimal turnovers - I want to say he was averaging around 24 points and 12 assists while shooting over 40% from three. His performance in the In-Season Tournament was particularly telling, demonstrating that "we'll do our best to get to the next level" mentality that Tolentino emphasized.

The international influence among the best point guards in the NBA has never been more pronounced. Beyond Dončić, we have players like Domantas Sabonis (though he's more of a center now) and Dennis Schröder making significant impacts. Even the coaching philosophies have evolved to incorporate global perspectives on the point guard position. What ties them together is that relentless focus on incremental progress that Tolentino captured perfectly: "For now, we are working on the quarterfinals, next is semis naman. Then, hopefully, mag-finals kami." That step-by-step approach is exactly what we see from Jalen Brunson in New York, who has methodically led the Knicks from play-in candidates to legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Defensive capability has become increasingly important in separating the best point guards from the rest of the pack. Players like Jrue Holiday, though not putting up gaudy offensive numbers, provide irreplaceable value through their perimeter defense and basketball IQ. His impact on the Celtics has been tremendous - they have something like the best record in the league with him orchestrating both ends of the floor. This two-way capability creates what Tolentino referred to as "advantage na kami ngayon" - that strategic edge that might not show up in traditional stats but makes all difference in playoff scenarios. The best point guards in the NBA understand how to maximize these advantages, whether it's a defensive stop that leads to transition offense or exploiting a mismatch in the half-court.

As the regular season winds down and we head into the playoffs, the discussion about who are the best point guards in the NBA will inevitably shift to postseason performance. History shows us that legends are made in April, May, and June, not December or January. That's when we'll truly see which point guards can "maximize it" as Tolentino promised. Players like Damian Lillard, despite Milwaukee's ups and downs, have proven they can deliver in these moments. His game-winning shots are the stuff of legend, and that clutch gene is something you simply can't teach. Meanwhile, young stars like Anthony Edwards (though he's more of a shooting guard) are demonstrating that combination of talent and mentality that could define the next generation of elite guards.

Ultimately, determining who are the best point guards in the NBA this season comes down to more than statistics or highlight reels. It's about that intangible quality of leadership that Tolentino embodied - the ability to block out distractions, focus on incremental progress, and maximize advantages when they present themselves. As I watch the playoff picture develop, I'm reminded that the true test for these elite point guards is just beginning. The twice-to-beat advantage, the pressure of expectations, the outside noise - these are the elements that will separate the truly great from the merely good. And if this season has taught us anything, it's that the point guard position has never been more deep, more talented, or more fascinating to watch.