Debating hot topic of whose the best shooting guard in the NBA?

Anthony Edwards (Left) © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports | Devin Booker (Middle) © Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports | Donovan Mitchell (Right) © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

As the ball was tipped, shots were swished and the crowds roared, the second round of the NBA playoffs is underway.

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Shining in the spotlight, the point guards around the league like Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) have guided their teams to the next stage of the postseason. Superstars like LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) have also shown up and showed out.

But when looking at a point guard’s right-hand man, the discussion of who are the best shooting guards in the NBA is a three-horse race this season.

The Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving, Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro and Memphis Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane could all have their say on who stands out from the rest in the shooting guard position.

After analyzing the stats and impact of Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), however, their personal performance and overall impact on their teams outweigh the other arguments that someone else should be in the conversation.

Here is an analysis of each one and what they have done to be considered in an elite company:

Devin Booker

Since being drafted in the first round (13th overall) by the Suns, Booker has become a household name and one of the faces of the NBA.

During his nine-year career, he has been through the lowest of lows in Phoenix during the early stages of it but has been at the forefront of making the playoffs recently and reaching the 2020-21 Finals.

In 598 games, the 27-year-old has averaged 24.3 points, five assists and four rebounds. This past season, Booker finished with 27.1 points, 6.9 assists (career high) and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Besides the Finals three years ago, Phoenix hasn’t reached further than the second round. While Booker has been a constant, the Suns have gone from Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton then and now Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Even with two superstars around him, Booker couldn’t help propel the Suns to the semifinals as they were swept by the Timberwolves, 4-0. Booker scored 49 points in Game 4.

Questions arise when talking about how the Suns have disappointed in the playoffs, but there is no denying that his playmaking and shooting ability can be compared with some of the best in the NBA. What goes unnoticed is his defending as he is arguably one of the best defenders on the team as he was a +316 while on the floor this season.

After agreeing to a four-year, $224 million supermax contract extension in 2022, there will be plenty more years to see Booker’s brilliance in the Valley.

Anthony Edwards

When initially drafted by the Timberwolves with the first overall pick in 2020 out of Georgia, Edwards was expected to be good, but not projected to become one of the best at his position just four years later.

Minnesota was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round the past two seasons, and searched for answers after an early exit against the Denver Nuggets, 4-1. The Timberwolves traded a massive haul to the Utah Jazz for Rudy Gobert and made other moves that seemed to not pan out at the time.

But after recollecting and the team buying into head coach Chris Finch’s defensive system this season, the Timberwolves finished third in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record. Edwards averaged career highs in points (25.4) and assists (5.1) assists in 79 games (78 starts).

His defensive tenacity and shot creation have been key attributes to his game, with the playoffs highlighting his skills to a tee. A game-changer for the ‘Wolves, Edwards is averaging 33.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists as Minnesota is leading 1-0 over the Nuggets in the second round.

If he continues to make noise during these playoffs, he will further cement his status and credibility as not just a rising star, but as a shining star.

Donovan Mitchell

Like Booker, Mitchell was the 13th overall pick in his draft but was selected in 2017 by the Jazz.

In Utah, Mitchell and Gobert led the team to the playoffs every season they were there from 2017-2022. The Jazz would trade both of them after the 2022 season as they were unable to get past the second round and enter into a rebuild.

Heading to the Cavaliers, Mitchell has seen his numbers jump even more and has established himself as the leader of his new squad. So far in Cleveland, the New York native notched 27.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds.

At the time of writing this article, the Cavaliers just punched their ticket to the second round after winning Game 7 of the first-round series over the Orlando Magic, 106-94. Mitchell scored 39 points, collecting nine rebounds and five assists.

Relying on his speed and agility, Mitchell doesn’t shy away from using physicality in the paint or shooting from three. While his defense was a weak point during his time in Utah, he has vastly improved and added that skill set to his arsenal as a Cavalier.

Known as one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA, the Louisville product will look to help Cleveland farther in the playoffs.

 

Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA in your eyes out or is there someone else that should be considered?

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Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini