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Ranking The NBA’s Best Point Guards Of All Time
Point guards are offensive facilitators. They’re also stealing machines, in addition to being the ones in control of dictating the pace on the court.
Point guards have come in all shapes and sizes over the years, but which player was the most instrumental ball carrier of all time? Well, that really isn’t up for debate…
Players hardly switch teams as much as Strickland did, but that didn’t stop him from being a meaningful asset on the floor. For nine different teams, Strickland averaged over 13 points and 7 assists, always managing to keep pace no matter who was on the court with him. Interestingly enough, he’s also the godfather of another point guard on this list…
Having now played many seasons, Rondo has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s most curious cases. He’s been the league’s assist leader on three different occasions, an NBA All-Star four different times, and won the title with the Boston Celtics back in 2008. Though he has struggled over the past few years, Rondo has always excelled on defense, and for that, he found a spot on a roster.
Miller’s entire career flew under the radar. Over his 17 seasons in the NBA, he only missed three games (think about that), and he’s the only player to have career totals of greater than 16,000 points, 8,000 assists, and 1,500 steals without making an All-Star game. Playing for nine different teams, Miller currently ranks ninth all-time in assists.
Wall was destined to be a star even before he was taken with the number one pick in 2010. The four-time All-Star was selected to his first All-NBA team last season after he set career-highs in points, assists, and steals, but his numbers have always been stellar. Wall has never averaged less than 16 points and seven assists in any season.
Jackson is a wonderful example of a tough and hard-working point guard. Though he never was a flashy scorer or NBA champion, he averaged 8.0 assists over the span of his career, landing him with a total of 10,334 — fourth all-time. An all-around team player, Jackson cared more about his team’s success than his own. When he did decide to shoot, he did so effectively, with a final field goal percentage of 44.7 percent.
Some would argue Harden isn’t a true point guard, but he facilitates like one. He’s always been a versatile scoring specialist, but his ability to moderate pace, dish out assists, and exploit 1-on-1 situations has made him even more of a threat at the helm. Looking at the stat sheet, the official position change really benefited Harden.
Johnson is one of the most iconic point guards of the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Hall of Famer led the Seattle Supersonics to their only NBA title in 1979, while additionally helping the Boston Celtics win two more in 1984 and 1986. He was a five-time All-Star, but even more so, Johnson was an all-out threat on defense. Johnson was named a First-Team All-Defensive player nine consecutive times in a row.
Billups was as dynamic as a point guard can be. His ball-handling skills were top notch, he could draw a foul from a deck of cards, and he was deadly from three. “Mr. Big Shot” led the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA Championship with his MVP performance, and finished his career as a five-time All-Star. His 38.7 percent success rate from downtown speaks for itself.
This Hall of Famer has been inducted as both a player and a coach, but as a point guard, Wilkens was quite productive. Not only was he a nine-time All-Star, but he still sits at number 14 on the all-time assists list. Wilkens was also a part of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary team, and he sure took away a lot from his time on the court because he became an even better coach.
The Phoenix Suns’ point guard was one of the most important players in team history, and that’s largely thanks to his astounding shooting percentage. Over his 13-year career, Johnson averaged 49.3 percent from the field, but he was also effective in getting to the foul line. He averaged over nine assists and nearly 18 points a game, helping lead the Suns to at least 50 wins a season from 1989-1995.
One of the best current point guards in the league, “Uncle Drew” has been a force since winning Rookie of the Year honors and being nominated as an All-Star four times in his first six years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now with the Brooklyn Nets, Irving will look to continue his leadership. He’s also the godson of Rod Strickland.
There will never be another point guard like Bob Cousy again. The Celtic led the NBA in assists for a remarkable eight straight years from 1953-1960, and won an additional eight NBA championships during his time in Boston. Cousy was a 13-time All-Star, making his Hall of Fame status synonymous with the Celtics’ winning ways during that period.
“Tiny” Archibald revolutionized the point guard position with his speed and tenacity. The Hall of Famer could pass, shoot, and find space like no other, but his ability to get to the hoop made him nearly impossible to stop over his 14-year career. He is the only player to ever lead the league in both assists and scoring in the same season back in 1972-1973, and won his only championship with Larry Bird in Boston in 1981.
“The Glove” was another example of a gritty player. Not only did he talk the talk, but he also walked the walk by being named First-Team All-Defense nine different times, in addition to being only point guard to ever win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Some consider the nine-time All-Star to be the most complete point guard to ever play, and the Hall of Famer’s ability to bully opponents into submission made him great.
French baller Tony Parker has been nothing short of consistent during his 16-year career in San Antonio. Interestingly enough, he was never known for his athleticism, but his productivity has been unmatched. Starting at point guard from the age of 20, Parker has been a part of four NBA Championships with the Spurs, winning the MVP in their 2007 victory. His ability to facilitate from the key and operate through the post has been vital.
This superstar has been incredible since parting ways with Kevin Durant. Not only did he make history by being only the second player to average a triple-double in a season, but he recorded 42 of them in 2016-2017! Westbrook is one of the most fearless players in the NBA, and his aggressiveness will allow him to continue to be an iconic point guard. The nine-time All-Star should turn heads until he retires.
This 10-time All-Star was dominant no matter where he was playing. He could shoot, pass, and defend with the best of them, and the once Rookie of the Year in Dallas also won a title with the same team that drafted him in 2011. Kidd recorded 107 triple-doubles over the course of his career, solidifying his threatening talent on the court. He finished his career ranking second on the NBA’s all-time assists and steals list.
A point guard like Chris Paul is every team’s dream. Not only does he have incredible ball skills, but his passing abilities have allowed him to lead the NBA in assists on four separate occasions. Even more impressively, CP3 is a thief, leading the league in steals during six seasons in the league, which is ridiculous. Paul is a ten-time All-Star, and still has the opportunity to pad stats.
It’s hard to forget Steve Nash’s successes at the turn of the century. No one could dish an assist out like he could, leading the league in that category five times. Though he never won a title, Nash has two MVP awards to his name, as the eight-time All-Star was consistently one of the league’s best guards. His offense was his biggest asset, as he could shoot the three, draw a foul, hit mid-range and create space better than anyone.
Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier was the star of the New York Knicks in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The seven-time All-Star led them to two championships, largely due to his patience and precision on the court. Frazier was also a defensive ace, reigning supreme in 1-on-1 situations and landing him seven First-Team All-Defense nominations. Most of all though, Clyde was known for his class.
John Stockton was a staple for the Utah Jazz during his 19-year career. He’s the NBA’s all-time leader in both assists and steals, and was named an NBA All-Star 10 different times. Not only was he effective on the pick-and-roll, but he could also stand up and defend against the best. He and the Jazz went to the playoffs in every single one of his 19 years, and that’s thanks to the reliability he brought to the team.
Up until recently, “The Big O” was the only player to ever average a triple-double for an entire season — he literally invented the scoring line. No player dominated the court quite like he did in the ‘60s, but the 12-time All-Star only won one championship and one MVP award. Regardless, before players like Magic Johnson or even LeBron James, it was Robertson who was the most dominant player in the NBA as a point guard.
Isiah Thomas has long been regarded as one of the most prolific point guards to ever play. He was as mentally and physically tough as they come, and his 12 All-Star bids in 13 years really cements that. Leading the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, Thomas was also named MVP in the ladder. Until this day, he remains one of the most clutch ballers to ever lead a team of so-called “bad boys.”
The future of the point guard position will go through the likes of Steph Curry. Not only is his play unprecedented, he’s changing the way the ball moves around the court. Avant-garde shooting, ridiculous handles, and team play allow him to excel, but pure talent trumps all. Curry is already a three-time champ and 2x MVP, so there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to challenge the “best point guard of all time” argument.
Magic Johnson transformed the position into one that could be accessible by multiple playing styles. His ability to control the offense and take over games in tight spots made him elite, and his five championships helped rest his case. Almost no player at any position has been as good as Magic, with three finals and three regular season MVP awards to his name. The Hall of Famer elevated the expectations of the point guard position to a whole new level, making him the best to ever do it.
Point guards have come in all shapes and sizes over the years, but which player was the most instrumental ball carrier of all time? Well, that really isn’t up for debate…
25. Rod Strickland
Players hardly switch teams as much as Strickland did, but that didn’t stop him from being a meaningful asset on the floor. For nine different teams, Strickland averaged over 13 points and 7 assists, always managing to keep pace no matter who was on the court with him. Interestingly enough, he’s also the godfather of another point guard on this list…
24. Rajon Rondo
Having now played many seasons, Rondo has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s most curious cases. He’s been the league’s assist leader on three different occasions, an NBA All-Star four different times, and won the title with the Boston Celtics back in 2008. Though he has struggled over the past few years, Rondo has always excelled on defense, and for that, he found a spot on a roster.
23. Andre Miller
Miller’s entire career flew under the radar. Over his 17 seasons in the NBA, he only missed three games (think about that), and he’s the only player to have career totals of greater than 16,000 points, 8,000 assists, and 1,500 steals without making an All-Star game. Playing for nine different teams, Miller currently ranks ninth all-time in assists.
22. John Wall
Wall was destined to be a star even before he was taken with the number one pick in 2010. The four-time All-Star was selected to his first All-NBA team last season after he set career-highs in points, assists, and steals, but his numbers have always been stellar. Wall has never averaged less than 16 points and seven assists in any season.
21. Mark Jackson
Jackson is a wonderful example of a tough and hard-working point guard. Though he never was a flashy scorer or NBA champion, he averaged 8.0 assists over the span of his career, landing him with a total of 10,334 — fourth all-time. An all-around team player, Jackson cared more about his team’s success than his own. When he did decide to shoot, he did so effectively, with a final field goal percentage of 44.7 percent.
20. James Harden
Some would argue Harden isn’t a true point guard, but he facilitates like one. He’s always been a versatile scoring specialist, but his ability to moderate pace, dish out assists, and exploit 1-on-1 situations has made him even more of a threat at the helm. Looking at the stat sheet, the official position change really benefited Harden.
19. Dennis Johnson
Johnson is one of the most iconic point guards of the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Hall of Famer led the Seattle Supersonics to their only NBA title in 1979, while additionally helping the Boston Celtics win two more in 1984 and 1986. He was a five-time All-Star, but even more so, Johnson was an all-out threat on defense. Johnson was named a First-Team All-Defensive player nine consecutive times in a row.
18. Chauncey Billups
Billups was as dynamic as a point guard can be. His ball-handling skills were top notch, he could draw a foul from a deck of cards, and he was deadly from three. “Mr. Big Shot” led the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA Championship with his MVP performance, and finished his career as a five-time All-Star. His 38.7 percent success rate from downtown speaks for itself.
17. Lenny Wilkens
This Hall of Famer has been inducted as both a player and a coach, but as a point guard, Wilkens was quite productive. Not only was he a nine-time All-Star, but he still sits at number 14 on the all-time assists list. Wilkens was also a part of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary team, and he sure took away a lot from his time on the court because he became an even better coach.
16. Kevin Johnson
The Phoenix Suns’ point guard was one of the most important players in team history, and that’s largely thanks to his astounding shooting percentage. Over his 13-year career, Johnson averaged 49.3 percent from the field, but he was also effective in getting to the foul line. He averaged over nine assists and nearly 18 points a game, helping lead the Suns to at least 50 wins a season from 1989-1995.
15. Kyrie Irving
One of the best current point guards in the league, “Uncle Drew” has been a force since winning Rookie of the Year honors and being nominated as an All-Star four times in his first six years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now with the Brooklyn Nets, Irving will look to continue his leadership. He’s also the godson of Rod Strickland.
14 Bob Cousy
There will never be another point guard like Bob Cousy again. The Celtic led the NBA in assists for a remarkable eight straight years from 1953-1960, and won an additional eight NBA championships during his time in Boston. Cousy was a 13-time All-Star, making his Hall of Fame status synonymous with the Celtics’ winning ways during that period.
13. Nate “Tiny” Archibald
“Tiny” Archibald revolutionized the point guard position with his speed and tenacity. The Hall of Famer could pass, shoot, and find space like no other, but his ability to get to the hoop made him nearly impossible to stop over his 14-year career. He is the only player to ever lead the league in both assists and scoring in the same season back in 1972-1973, and won his only championship with Larry Bird in Boston in 1981.
12. Gary Payton
“The Glove” was another example of a gritty player. Not only did he talk the talk, but he also walked the walk by being named First-Team All-Defense nine different times, in addition to being only point guard to ever win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Some consider the nine-time All-Star to be the most complete point guard to ever play, and the Hall of Famer’s ability to bully opponents into submission made him great.
11. Tony Parker
French baller Tony Parker has been nothing short of consistent during his 16-year career in San Antonio. Interestingly enough, he was never known for his athleticism, but his productivity has been unmatched. Starting at point guard from the age of 20, Parker has been a part of four NBA Championships with the Spurs, winning the MVP in their 2007 victory. His ability to facilitate from the key and operate through the post has been vital.
10. Russell Westbrook
This superstar has been incredible since parting ways with Kevin Durant. Not only did he make history by being only the second player to average a triple-double in a season, but he recorded 42 of them in 2016-2017! Westbrook is one of the most fearless players in the NBA, and his aggressiveness will allow him to continue to be an iconic point guard. The nine-time All-Star should turn heads until he retires.
9. Jason Kidd
This 10-time All-Star was dominant no matter where he was playing. He could shoot, pass, and defend with the best of them, and the once Rookie of the Year in Dallas also won a title with the same team that drafted him in 2011. Kidd recorded 107 triple-doubles over the course of his career, solidifying his threatening talent on the court. He finished his career ranking second on the NBA’s all-time assists and steals list.
8. Chris Paul
A point guard like Chris Paul is every team’s dream. Not only does he have incredible ball skills, but his passing abilities have allowed him to lead the NBA in assists on four separate occasions. Even more impressively, CP3 is a thief, leading the league in steals during six seasons in the league, which is ridiculous. Paul is a ten-time All-Star, and still has the opportunity to pad stats.
7. Steve Nash
It’s hard to forget Steve Nash’s successes at the turn of the century. No one could dish an assist out like he could, leading the league in that category five times. Though he never won a title, Nash has two MVP awards to his name, as the eight-time All-Star was consistently one of the league’s best guards. His offense was his biggest asset, as he could shoot the three, draw a foul, hit mid-range and create space better than anyone.
6. Walter “Clyde” Frazier
Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier was the star of the New York Knicks in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The seven-time All-Star led them to two championships, largely due to his patience and precision on the court. Frazier was also a defensive ace, reigning supreme in 1-on-1 situations and landing him seven First-Team All-Defense nominations. Most of all though, Clyde was known for his class.
5. John Stockton
John Stockton was a staple for the Utah Jazz during his 19-year career. He’s the NBA’s all-time leader in both assists and steals, and was named an NBA All-Star 10 different times. Not only was he effective on the pick-and-roll, but he could also stand up and defend against the best. He and the Jazz went to the playoffs in every single one of his 19 years, and that’s thanks to the reliability he brought to the team.
4. Oscar Robertson
Up until recently, “The Big O” was the only player to ever average a triple-double for an entire season — he literally invented the scoring line. No player dominated the court quite like he did in the ‘60s, but the 12-time All-Star only won one championship and one MVP award. Regardless, before players like Magic Johnson or even LeBron James, it was Robertson who was the most dominant player in the NBA as a point guard.
3. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas has long been regarded as one of the most prolific point guards to ever play. He was as mentally and physically tough as they come, and his 12 All-Star bids in 13 years really cements that. Leading the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, Thomas was also named MVP in the ladder. Until this day, he remains one of the most clutch ballers to ever lead a team of so-called “bad boys.”
2. Steph Curry
The future of the point guard position will go through the likes of Steph Curry. Not only is his play unprecedented, he’s changing the way the ball moves around the court. Avant-garde shooting, ridiculous handles, and team play allow him to excel, but pure talent trumps all. Curry is already a three-time champ and 2x MVP, so there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to challenge the “best point guard of all time” argument.
1. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson transformed the position into one that could be accessible by multiple playing styles. His ability to control the offense and take over games in tight spots made him elite, and his five championships helped rest his case. Almost no player at any position has been as good as Magic, with three finals and three regular season MVP awards to his name. The Hall of Famer elevated the expectations of the point guard position to a whole new level, making him the best to ever do it.
