I don't think we should be too celebratory of Harden being the best SG by process of injury elimination. I love Harden and what he did for us last season but the slightly unfair reality is that now that the team considers itself a contender, he's got to prove himself all over again- that he can be a superstar to take a team to a championship. Also, just because there aren't many healthy elite 2 guards these days, it doesn't mean we should lose perspective. If you broaden it and look at the top guards overall, Harden struggles to make the top 5. I don't mean to be down on him or anything- I'm a legit fan of the guy. But welcome to championship expectations. We've been obsessing over Lin and the PFs depth a lot this preseason, but the fact remains that Houston's championship hopes depend primarily on Harden and Dwight rising to the lofty challenges of the Lebron - Durant era.
Harden doesn't struggle to make the top 5 guards. The only one who is better than him is CP3 and even that's arguable. Harden is better than Wade, better than Kobe. Who else is even in the conversation? Parker? Harden = better. Curry? Same story. Not only is Harden clearly a top 5 back court player, he is in the conversation for top 5 players overall.
With CP3, DRose, Westbrook, Tony Parker (still!), Kyrie Irving, Curry, Rondo, Wade possibly bouncing back in the conversation... I'd say #5 or #6 IMHO but I'd love to be proven wrong and see a #2 guard performance this season.
I think CP3 was clearly best guard last season. Westbrook, Harden, Conley, and Parker (difficult to rate because his team is so good) are in the mix as the best 5. I would have Harden as 2nd best, but can see arguments for Westbrook and Parker. With Westbrook's injury and Parker a year older, I do think Harden will be the 2nd best guard. Rose if he rebounds would probably hop him into the 2nd spot.
Rondo...no where close to Harden. Wade...I have a hard time seeing him rebound. Outside of weird developments, I see it possible that CP3, Rose, Westbrook, Parker, Irving, Conley, and Curry are better than Harden this year. Harden was clearly better than Irving, Conley, and Curry last year without a training camp and learning teammates on the fly. I can see arguments for other guys, but still think Harden is most likely the 2nd best guard this year. I don't think he'll be a top 5 overall player though. I am guessing he falls in the 6-10 range.
