Who else talks smack like Kobe Bryant? And who else could drain crazy fade-aways like Vince Carter? Certainly no other position is as exciting to watch as shooting guards. And in fantasy basketball it's just as fun to watch them fill up the box-score. A Top 5 shooting guard could do it all and might just put you on top of the standings. So without further ado, UPDATE! presents its Top 20 shooting guards of 2007:


Los Angeles Lakers
Comment: No argument can be made to justify a lower spot for Bryant. Easily the best scorer in basketball today (33.5 points per game the last two seasons), Bryant will give owners mind-boggling scoring with decent percentages. But is that all he can do? NO! Kobe consistently averages about six rebounds and five assists a game! Add in that delicious steal and it's a no brainer. And those 50 point per game weeks are also a ton of fun that will leave you smiling uncontrollably. Don't worry about the trade demands, don't worry about a thing. Just draft and enjoy.

Miami Heat
Comment: Don't worry about his surgery; Wade is among the best players in the league with a heart comparable to Willis Reed. Wade will put up 28 points with five boards and eight assists again no question and with good percentages to boot. Go ahead, ask if he can get you a steal. He'll get you two. His point guard eligibility brings Wade into elite groups of players that don't come around very often. The only thing Wade lacks is the ability to shoot the three, but he's so good that it really doesn't matter. Turnovers are plentiful and he will start the season on the injured list but dont fret; draft Wade if you have the chance.

Denver Nuggets
Comment: Allen proved he could play last season with Carmelo Anthony. He kept up his usual high scoring ways while gratifying owners with a healthy load of assists and steals. With a full season together expect Iverson to be at the hight of his game; the Nuggets are viable contenders in the West and he will be the team's true catalyst.

Boston Celtics
Comment: That triangle in Boston is just outright scary. A versatile shooting guard, Allen has a great shot and an overall game that is near perfect for the Celtics new team. Garnett will be double teamed on a nightly basis as well as Pierce. Who will be their go-to guy? Allen, who should give owners 25-plus points along with four boards, four assists and a steal per game. His free throw percentage is extremely high and he doesn't turn the ball over too often as well. Although he is 32 and his health is not exactly amazing, he will be an incredible fantasy performer.

New Jersey Nets
Comment: Carter could be the best player in all of basketball if he really tried. His bad field goal percentage comes from silly shot selection; he takes shots from anywhere, including half court just for fun, but in reality he's good enough to take whatever shots he wants. Carter is a lock for 23-plus points, five rebounds and five assists per game with a steal as well. If only fantasy sports gave points for style.

Houston Rockets
Comment: T-Mac is one of the best shooters in the league and one of the most fun to watch. He has a certain flow to his game that's liquid and smooth — rewarding owners with nice, beefy stats. His proneness to injury (only 196 games played last three seasons) is a factor to consider, but McGrady always delivers when he's on the court. 25 points, five boards and six assists with a steal is just another day at work for McGrady, but look out for his weak percentages.

Atlanta Hawks
Comment: I think Phoenix might be missing him a tad bit. Johnson averaged 25 points, four rebounds and four assists but only played 57 games due to an injury. Johnson is not injury prone and played 82 games in each of his last four seasons, so don't worry. Atlanta is an up and coming team and Johnson is ready for another monster year.

Sacramento Kings
Comment: Say hello to the future, folks. Martin is a rising superstar and is here to stay. In only his third year, Martin averaged 21 points, four rebounds and two assists per game. Martin owners: expect much, much more. He has the skill set to score 25-26 points per game and should see his assist numbers go up with a determined and capable Kings team. Forget Akon and DJ Khaled; this kid is takin' over.

Milwaukee Bucks
Comment: This lefty can score. Redd, along with his awkward (but pinpoint accurate) shot gives fantasy owners a nice scorer (27 points a game) who doesn't do much of anything else. Redd is always a threat to lead the league in scoring and should be among the league leaders.

Portland Trailblazers
Comment: Roy, last season's rookie of the year, will be the No. 1 go-to guy for the Trailblazers and should see his numbers soar. In limited time, Roy scored 17 per game with four rebounds and four assists. Add in more playing time and added responsibility and that translates into 20, five and six. Don't be surprised if he reps the Western Conference in the All Star game, folks.
Charlotte Bobcats
Comment: Athletic and versatile, Richardson now sees himself on a new team: The Bobcats. Immediately, he has become the No. 1 scoring option. With a talented supporting cast featuring Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton, he just might see better days in Charlotte then he did in Oakland. He's a lock for 20 points, five rebounds and five assists a game.

Memphis Grizzlies
Comment: Miller was an absolute force last year, scoring almost 20 a game while hitting three treys every time he stepped on the hardwood. He also gave owners a decent five rebounds and four assists. But his real value lies in his marksmanship. He was three (how ironic) three pointers away from tying the league leaders, Raja Bell and Gilbert Arenas, and should be among the top five again on a woesfully outclassed Memphis squad.

Dallas Mavericks
Comment: The Jet will be playing the two guard this year and shouldn't see much of a drop off in terms of stats. He produced a nicely last season with 17 points, three rebounds and five assists, along with two three pointers and a steal per game. Terry is a safe bet and one of the most under rated players in the game today.

Golden State Warriors
Comment: In limted time, Ellis flaunted his stuff and showed everyone in the rookie-sophomore challenge game that he is the most athletic shooting guard in the league. A rising star, Ellis finds himself now starting for the Warriors. Owners should expect 18 points, five rebounds and five assists a game, as well as bragging rights for how many times he will show up on Sport Center for his outrageous dunks.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Comment: Davis showed he had skills a couple of seasons back on Boston when he went on a tear, outshining Paul Pierce. He is now on the suddenly lackluster Timberwolves and should put up similar stats as last season: 17 points, four rebounds and five assists a game. Look for the same numbers and same crazy facial hair.

Chicago Bulls
Comment: The over-hyped and overrated Gordon does nothing but score. With rumors of a trade to the Lakers for Kobe, Gordon might have other things on his mind than the basket. Don't be the sucker that takes him too early; save Gordon for late.

Detroit Pistons
Comment: Hamilton is a good scorer who doesn't do much of anything else. His name is much bigger than his game and is a nice piece of trade bait for the newbie's in your fantasy league. A utility man at best, Hamilton doesn't offer a box filling stat line and should be drafted in the very late rounds.

San Antonio Spurs
Comment: Manu is a decent shooting guard with range. He's no all star, but he'll get you 16 points, four rebounds and four assists in limited playing time. Don't question Pop on why he plays so little time, considering they did win the championship last season.

Phoenix Suns
Comment: He did lead the league in three's last year with Gilbert Arenas, but he doesn't do much of anything else. Bell is a solid player and would play best in a utility role; take Bell in the late rounds. If you can snag him late, he's a nice piece of trade bait for those in your league who have no three point shooters.

Los Angeles Clippers
Comment: A lot of potential here, but Maggette gets injured way too much to warrant a higher spot. Expect 16 points, five and two or three assists if healthy, but beware — in all likelihood Maggette will get injured.

Drew Schustek is UPDATE! National Basketball Editor.

Houston Rockets
Comment: Head will lead the league in threes one day. One of the most dangerous and underrated shooters in the league, Head should be getting more touches, as Yao and T-Mac get double teamed.

Memphis Grizzlies
Comment: Conley is extremely determined to prove to everyone he was not just Greg Oden's sidekick. He looks fantastic in the preseason and seems ready to do some damage.

Denver Nuggets
Comment: Boy, does this kid have game. An unbelievable shooter, Smith should see a lot of the ball when Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson are double teamed. Smith might just average 18 points with four or five assists in an increased role on the Nuggets.

Milwaukee Bucks
Comment: Out of nowhere, Bell showed signs of greatness last season, going on sporadic 20-plus point sprees. Could this be the year he shows us he's for real?

Sacramento Kings
Comment: Salmons has the skills to be a great player, but is always stuck on a team where he is unable to grow. Now on the Kings, this could be his year. In very limited time, Salmons had nine points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. This could be his breakout season.




New York Knicks
Comment: Crawford might be the most mediocre player in the NBA. Don't be the fool in your draft who thinks just because he's shown signs of greatness he will be great. Please; stay away from Crawford and his sub-40 percent field goal mark.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Comment: Just don't do it, people. Not only does he kill the chemistry of the entire team, Hughes will never repeat his 2004-2005 breakout season numbers. Like Crawford, a 40 percent field goal clip won't get you far in the NBA.

New Orleans Hornets
Comment: His career is just about done . Peja has played in just over 37 games per season since the 2004-2005 season. It isn't worth having him rot on your bench all season just to have him come back and get you excited; then get hurt again.

Miami Heat
Comment: Word has it, the Heat don't feel comfortable with Cook and could be sending him down to the developmental leagues. Stay away from this rookie for now.

Philadelphia 76ers
Comment: Korver's an above average shooter, but that's about it. Some swear he's the next coming of Mark Price, but that day is a long way off. Korver is an over-hyped bust to say the least; maybe his, long hair is covering his eyes.

• Shooting Guard Rankings Oct. 21, 2007
• Point Guard Rankings Oct. 16, 2007
• NBA Western Conference Oct. 15, 2007
• NBA Eastern Conference Oct. 15, 2007
• Power Forward Rankings Oct. 15, 2007
• Small Forward Rankings Oct. 15, 2007
• NBA Top 200 Oct. 8, 2007