The rain was tapping gently against my office window as I scrolled through NBA highlights from last night's games. I'd been watching basketball since my grandfather first took me to see the Knicks play at Madison Square Garden back in '98, and even now, twenty-five years later, that same thrill runs through me when I see a perfectly executed pick-and-roll or a no-look pass that finds its target through impossible traffic. Last night's Warriors game had me thinking particularly hard about something that's been on my mind all season - who are the best point guards in the NBA right now?

I remember arguing with my cousin just last week about this very topic. We were at our local sports bar, the game playing on screens all around us, cold beers in hand as we debated the merits of various floor generals. He's a die-hard Steph Curry fan, and honestly, who can blame him? The man revolutionized the position, shooting threes from distances that would have been unthinkable when I first started watching basketball. But as I watched Luka Dončić dismantle defenses last night with that slow, methodical pace of his that somehow always results in 30-point triple-doubles, I found myself questioning the established hierarchy. There's something magical about watching a true maestro conduct the offense, someone who sees the game two steps ahead of everyone else. It reminds me of what Tolentino once said about handling pressure: "May added pressure din 'yun kasi very unusual na nag-number one kami. But that's outside noise." These elite point guards face that kind of scrutiny every single night, with millions watching their every move, yet the great ones treat it as just that - outside noise.

Just yesterday, I was looking at some stats that really put things in perspective. Steph Curry, at 35 years old, is still averaging 28.4 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 43% from three-point range. Those numbers are frankly ridiculous for someone his age, but what makes him truly special goes beyond statistics. It's the way he moves without the ball, the gravitational pull he has on defenses that creates opportunities for everyone else. Then there's Luka, who's putting up 33.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game - numbers we haven't seen since Oscar Robertson. I've got to admit, I have a soft spot for Dončić's old-school style, the way he controls the tempo like a chess master, never rushing, always probing for weaknesses.

What fascinates me about this current crop of point guards is how differently they approach the game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander up in Oklahoma City plays with this smooth, almost effortless grace that belies his killer instinct. He's averaging 31.8 points while shooting 55% from the field, which is just insane efficiency for a guard. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana is redefining what it means to be a pure facilitator with his 12.3 assists per game while still scoring 22.7 points. I was watching the Pacers the other night, and the way Haliburton controls the game reminds me of Steve Nash in his prime - always keeping the defense guessing, never forcing anything, but ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself.

The evolution of the position has been incredible to witness firsthand. I remember when point guards were primarily expected to distribute and play defense, with scoring being secondary. Now we have these hybrid players who can do it all - score from anywhere, create for others, and often guard multiple positions. Damian Lillard, now with Milwaukee, represents that scoring-first point guard prototype, capable of dropping 40 on any given night while still setting up his teammates. His 28.6 points and 7.3 assists this season prove he hasn't lost a step despite changing teams. I'll never forget that buzzer-beater against Oklahoma City in the 2019 playoffs - the confidence to even take that shot separates the good from the great.

What makes this discussion particularly interesting right now is how many young players are entering the conversation. Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, while often playing shooting guard, frequently initiates the offense and has that undeniable superstar quality. At just 22 years old, he's already averaging 27.1 points and 5.5 assists while leading the Timberwolves to the top of the Western Conference. Then there's Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, whose lightning speed and improved playmaking have been a revelation this season. His 26.2 points and 6.8 assists per game represent a massive leap from last year, and at 23, he's only going to get better.

The international influence on the position has been remarkable too. Besides Luka from Slovenia, we have players like Shai from Canada and De'Aaron Fox from the US who bring different flavors to the position. Fox's blistering speed in Sacramento - he's probably the fastest player with the ball I've ever seen - combined with his improved shooting has made him nearly unguardable in transition. His 28.8 points and 5.7 assists don't fully capture how he can single-handedly change the momentum of a game with his pace.

As I sit here watching the rain slow to a drizzle, I'm reminded that evaluating point guards isn't just about stats or highlight reels. It's about that intangible quality of making everyone around them better, of controlling the game's rhythm, of delivering in clutch moments. The great ones, as Tolentino noted, "do our best to get to the next level" - they elevate their teams when it matters most. Whether it's Curry's gravitational pull on defenses, Dončić's methodical dissection, or Haliburton's pristine facilitation, each brings something unique to the position. Personally, if I had to choose one right now, I'd probably lean toward Luka simply because of his complete offensive package and ability to dominate games in so many different ways, but I wouldn't argue too strongly against Curry, SGA, or any of the other incredible talents currently running NBA offenses. The position has never been deeper or more talented, and as a lifelong basketball fan, I feel privileged to be watching this golden era of point guard play unfold before our eyes.