New Orleans' Chris Paul (left) has overtaken Phoenix's Steve Nash as the top playmaker in the NBA. (NBA Entertainment/Getty Images)

For someone who plays very little defense and makes crucial mistakes in late-game situations, Steve Nash is still rated very high among his peers. He was twice voted league MVP despite not making it to the NBA Finals. He’s the only two-time MVP without a Finals appearance. Even softy Dirk Nowitzki made it to the Finals. For some reason, the Nash Hype machine spread like wildfire during his first three seasons in Phoenix. Now, Nash is being exposed for what he truly is. A very good point guard, but not a top-five point guard.

OneManFastbreak.net rates the top 10 points guards in the NBA:

1) CHRIS PAUL, New Orleans Hornets: His 21-4-11-2 line was scary good. Now, he has James Posey to lean on for some playoff wisdom. CP3 is the modern-day Isiah Thomas. He can change the game by himself. The only thing that is keeping Paul from being a complete player is outside shooting. He’s gotten better but you can still sag off him.

2) DERON WILLIAMS, Utah Jazz: He’s Jason Kidd with range. Williams can play fast or slow and Coach Jerry Sloan loves the way he runs his offense. D-Will has the entire package. He can drive, he can hit the 3 and get his teammates easy shots. He’s one of the few PGs who can score 20 points and get 10 assists.

3) GILBERT ARENAS, Washington Wizards: Agent Zero should be rated higher but injuries to both knees have made him a “complete zero” the last couple of years. He is scheduled to return in December or January and hopefully stay on the active roster for the rest of the season.

4) TONY PARKER, San Antonio Spurs: Frenchy is the only member of the San Antonio Spurs who doesn’t need to invest in retirement funds. The MVP of the 2007 NBA Finals is still one of the quickest players in the league and his marriage to Eva Longoria automatically puts him on this list.

5) CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, Denver Nuggets: One of just two guys on this list that has a championship ring. Mr. Big Shot may have slowed down with age but he’s still a top-10 guy in my book. Carmelo Anthony will greatly benefit from the trade now that Billups is running the show in Denver.

6) STEVE NASH, Phoenix Suns: Some would say this list is “whack” for having the great Steve Nash No. 6. Well, the Great Nash is very good but not great. He’s a bit overrated. He’s a liability on defense and, for someone who is considered by many as the smartest point guard in the league, he makes a lot of mistakes in crucial situations.

7) BARON DAVIS, Los Angeles Clippers: When healthy, no point guard in the league has the skill set B-Diddy has. At 6-3, 200 pounds, he is a matchup problem for little guards and big guards. He can single-handedly win a playoff game by himself. CP3 may be a better playmaker but Boom Dizzle has a better outside shot.

8) ALLEN IVERSON, Denver Nuggets: Five years ago, AI would have been No. 1 on this list. I consider him one of the best 50 players to ever play this game.

9) ANDRE MILLER, Philadelphia 76ers: One of the more underrated point guards in the league. Has not gotten the recognition he deserves because he’s played on some bad teams.

10) JOSE CALDERON, Toronto Raptors: Easily the best European point guard since Sarunas Marciulionis. His assist-to-turnover ratio is off the charts. The Raptors rewarded him by shipping T.J. Ford to Indiana.

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