Three years ago, I compiled a list of the Top 100 College Point Guards of the Modern Era. At the time, the list sparked up heated debates on college basketball fan sites and message boards all over the country.

Well, let's start a new argument. This time with NBA point guards.

The following list is based upon an individual player’s talent, skill, court awareness, and leadership. Offensive and defensive abilities were both considered. The best part of this list is that - instead of comparing players from multiple eras - we can theoretically freeze time and judge all of them on how they currently rank.

A few points to keep in mind...

Since everything is based upon the here and now, there was no consideration for how a player may project out to be down the road. So while Charlotte’s D.J. Augustin (No. 40) may very well be a much better player than Portland’s Steve Blake (No. 33), he isn’t there yet. There is something to be said for youth, there’s also something to be said for experience.

Also, there are a few combo guards on the list, but I granted them eligibility if they would theoretically play the point on another team, such as rookie O.J. Mayo (No. 18) of the Memphis Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the reverse was also acknowledged. Stephen Jackson is currently playing point guard for the Golden State Warriors, but wouldn’t be if Monta Ellis (No. 13) was healthy.

Finally, one major question was asked throughout the compilation of this list:

With all things considered equal (salaries, age, no coaching biases, etc.), would a player higher on the list start over a player lower on the list?

And, just in case you’re wondering, my last out were C.J. Watson (Warriors), Mike Taylor (Los Angeles Clippers), Jacque Vaughn (Spurs), Goran Dragic (Phoenix Suns), Sean Singletary (Phoenix Suns), and Anthony Johnson (Orlando Magic).

TOP 60 POINT GUARDS IN THE NBA:

60. Sam Cassell, Boston Celtics
Father time has finally caught up to the ageless one.

59. Keyon Dooling, New Jersey Nets
He was just never able to put it all together.

58. Chris Quinn, Miami Heat
Small in stature, he’s proven to be more than adequate as a fill-in.

57. Mike James, New Orleans Hornets
Age has caught up to the man who sits behind the league’s best point guard.

56. Bobby Jackson, Sacramento Kings
He certainly isn’t the spark plug that he used to be.

55. Antonio Daniels, Washington Wizards
From this point on, he can’t be counted on as anything more than a capable back-up.

54. Shaun Livingston, Miami Heat
A horrific knee injury probably wrecked his chances for a wonderful career.

53. Javaris Crittenton, Memphis Grizzlies
Has size and ability, but he can’t beat out Conley or Lowry in the Memphis rotation.

52. Marcus Williams, Golden State Warriors
A marvelous talent who has held himself back from being a great player.

51. Ronnie Price, Utah Jazz
He’s proven to be somewhat solid while filling in for the injured Deron Williams.

50. Charlie Bell, Milwaukee Bucks
He just doesn’t do enough things well to be considered a starter in the league.

49. Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks
Should be in the Top 15, but he's unpredictable and his teammates hate playing with him.

48. Acie Law, Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s trade for Bibby really set him back.

47. Sergio Rodriguez, Portland Trail Blazers
He’s not playing much or shooting well, but he’s averaging one assist every three minutes.

46. Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies
Could skyrocket up this list with some more experience.

45. Jarrett Jack, Indiana Pacers
The perfect back-up because he’s so solid offensively and defensively.

44. Louis Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
A dynamic talent, but he’s still more of a scorer than a point guard.

43. Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
One of the league’s quickest players, he could really shine with a little more playing time.

42. Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee Bucks
He’s the current starter in Milwaukee, but he has his deficiencies.

41. Anthony Carter, Denver Nuggets
He’s everything you want in a back-up point guard.

40. D.J. Augustin, Charlotte Bobcats
It might not be long before he steals Felton’s starting spot.

39. Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat
A defensive whiz who isn’t necessarily an asset on offense.

38. Chris Duhon, New York Knicks
Running Mike D’Antoni’s system is every point guard’s dream, but he’s been average at best.

37. Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats
Improved in each of his first three seasons, but his confidence is lacking.

36. Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers
His shooting prowess shocked the world during the 2007 playoffs, but we’re still waiting for an encore.

35. Earl Watson, Oklahoma City Thunder
Savvy and cerebral are the best descriptions for this veteran.

34. Rafer Alston, Houston Rockets
His inconsistent outside shooting makes him easier to defend and really hurts his overall value.

33. Steve Blake, Portland Trail Blazers
The opposite of Foye; a mediocre athlete who understands how to get his teammates involved.

32. Ramon Sessions, Milwaukee Bucks
An underappreciated lead guard who can score and distribute proficiently.

31. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Explosive athlete who dominates defensively, yet is still learning how to run an offense.

30. Sebastian Telfair, Minnesota Timberwolves
Finally starting to play up to the level everyone was expecting.

29. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
A unique athlete who, at 5-foot-9, is still growing as a player.

28. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has a logjam at the position, but he’s the best of the bunch.

27. Randy Foye, Minnesota Timberwolves
He has more talent than some others ahead of him, but he isn’t consistent and he isn’t a pure lead guard.

26. Jordan Farmar, Los Angeles Lakers
One of the most underrated players in the NBA.

25. Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
He’s a shoot-first point guard, but it may just work playing alongside LeBron.

24. Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls
He shifted off the ball to make room for Rose, but he could start at the point for quite a few teams.

23. Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns
Won’t ever unseat Nash at the point, but would be a fine lead guard in another setting.

22. Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons
Pistons think so highly of him, they parted ways with Billups.

21. Beno Udrih, Sacramento Kings
Solid playmaker and good shooter who goes unnoticed in Sacramento.

20. T.J. Ford, Indiana Pacers
Lightning quick point guard who has been hindered by lingering injuries.

19. Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic
Doesn’t put up flashy numbers, but he runs the show in Orlando.

18. O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are playing this potentially gifted lead guard on the wing.

17. Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
Won’t ever fill Kidd’s shoes in New Jersey, but he is talented in his own right.

16. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
Emerged during the championship run and is only getting better.

15. Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks
Plays more shooting guard alongside Kidd, but his skill-set is unique.

14. Mike Bibby, Atlanta Hawks
Great heart and shooting range separate him from other solid lead guards.

13. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Tremendous athlete who will soon be considered among the best in the league.

12. Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
An injury and subsequent suspension have sidelined him, but should still have a breakout season.

11. Andre Miller, Philadelphia 76ers
A veteran floor general who truly understands how to play the position.

10. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
Emerging star who will likely be a few spots higher on the list by season’s end.

9. Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
Clutch and poised, there are few weaknesses in his game.

8. Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons
Does everything better than most, except make his teammates better.

7. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
Definitely past his prime, but still one of the greatest passers in history.

6. Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers
Early season struggles aside, he’s explosive and tremendous in transition.

5. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
His recent 55-point, 10-assist night showed just how special he is.

4. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
More of a combo, but can be nearly unstoppable when he’s healthy.

3. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Isn’t the player he was during his back-to-back MVP run, but he’s still near the top of any PG list.

2. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Great floor general who has proven to be a worthy rival for Paul.

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
The league’s best point guard is starting to pull away from the pack.