When you think about the prototypical shooting guard, you believe a player that can shoot the basketball and can put the ball on the floor. When you feel some of the best shooting guards in history, you think about players like Micheal Jordan, the best to ever do it. You think about Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade, Reggie Miller, Pete Maravich, and many more. They have set the tone for some of today’s great shooting guards like Klay Thompson. The shooting guard position has not really changed that much but has always been a dangerous position. Some of the youngest shooting guards are taking notes and trying to implement what legends do into their game. Let’s look at some of the leagues best young shooting guards.
5.Marcus Smart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbJsU0oCivg
Marcus Smart is not known for the number of points he puts up or anything of that nature. Smart is known for his high energy and defensive presence. Smart is an absolute pest on the opposing ends, like some of the other great defenders in the league. Smart doesn’t precisely excel offensively but makes up for that with his ability to defend any position. He averaged nearly two steals per game. Smart could be a great defender for any team.
4. Zach Lavine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt5jtj5rFcA
Zach Lavine played a full season last year after returning from an ACL injury at the beginning of 2018. Lavine looked to prove that he was not just a dunker. Although dunk contest champion, he proved to be a leader for the young Bulls squad. Lavine put up 23.7 points per game last season. Lavine is still a highflyer but his ability to put the ball on the floor and score. He also put showed a bit of playmaking ability putting up 4.5 assists per game, which is a career-high. Lavine is only 24 years old and can still improve his game to be a reliable scoring option for a team.
3.Jaylen Brown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nvrb5hvKIk
Jaylen Brown was the 3rd overall pick in 2016 NBA Draft, his draft stated that he was a high wing that had potential to be right on both ends of the floor. Now Brown did not get off to a good start, but the addition of Jayson Tatum has helped him blossom into a potential two-way player. Brown has excellent athleticism and can be deadly in transition with his ability to finish at the rim. Brown averaged 13 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and almost a steal per game. If Jaylen Brown can develop and polish his offensive game, he can be a fantastic player in the league.
2.Devin Booker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy9xl-GXfkI
When you talk about an absolute scoring machine you have to talk about Devin Booker, he has had so many 30 point games, he’s almost put 60, but the most insane achievement was him putting up 70 back in the 2016-2017 season. The guy is only 22 years old, and he proved himself to be an absolute machine. Booker averaged a solid 26.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. The Suns had him running the point guard for a bit, but where Booker really excels is putting the ball on the floor and getting a bucket. He was still able to show off some of his playmaking skills, but the Suns signing Ricky Rubio will take the load off of Booker. If he can develop more as a defender, he can legitimate threat against any team.
1.Donovan Mitchell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxfkdaKBNVY
Donovan Mitchell has only played two seasons in the NBA but has already established himself as a top 3 shooting guard in the league. Mitchell can play both ends of the floor; he has excellent athleticism and can knock down the open shot. Not to mention finish at the rim. Mitchell averaged 23.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. Mitchell’s, emergence has helped the Jazz be a consistent playoff team, and with the addition of Mike Conley, they only get dangerous. There really is not much more to say about how good Mitchell really is. He can polish his game more and be the best shooting guard in the league.