Ranking 10 Best Point Guards of All Time

When we think about basketball legends, we often miss out on point guards but they are the true players who control the whole momentum of the game. Over the decades, we've seen some truly special talents like Stephen Curry run the point, players who didn't just pass and dribble, but who could score, defend, and lead their teams to greatness. Today, we are going to explore such players who are considered to be the best point guards of all time.

Ranking Factors

• Setting Up Teammates (Assists): It signifies how well a player creates scoring chances for the team. Pure playmaking , a high assist count shows the player’s unselfishness.
• Getting the Ball Back (Steals): Disrupting opposing offenses, creating easy points off turnovers. Steals are all about getting the ball back .
• Putting Points on the Board (Scoring): When they needed to, could they take over and score themselves. Basically taking calculative decisions about reliable jump shots.
• Ball for the fight (rebound): Rebound refers when a player retrieves the ball after a missed shot. It requires hustles and basses to get these additional opportunities.
• The Trophies and Honors (Accolades): Rings, MVPs, All-Star nods- the hardware that proves their impact.
  

Being a point guard in the NBA is about way more than just passing these days. Back in the day, legends like Bob Cousy and Magic Johnson were all about setting up the offense and making their teammates shine. Then came the guys like all Iversons of the 90s. They showed they could be goal machines and become great playmakers.

This whole discussion is about diving into who the best point guards of all time really are. These "floor generations" call shots, lead the game, and even climb into defense whenever their team needs it. In today's NBA, it's a rare and special thing to find a point guard who dominates on both ends of the court. Let’s take a quick look at the best point guards in the NBA

10 Best Point Guards of All Time

The article lists some of the NBA’s best point guards of all time featuring famous athletes who effectively led their teams to victory. By redefining the point guard position, players such as Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry permanently engraved their names as best point guards in the NBA. Here we have ranked the greatest point guards of all time.

#10: Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd spent his NBA career in the point guard position for the Dallas Mavericks (1994-96 and 2008-12), Phoenix Suns (1996-2001), New Jersey Nets (2001-08), and New York Knicks (2012-13). He claimed one NBA championship in 2011 and received honors of 10 All-Star selections, 6 All-NBA honors, and 9 All-Defensive Team awards. The NBA deemed Kidd as one of the top two noteworthy rookies in the 1994-95 season. His versatility included 12.6 PPG scoring combined with 6.3 RPG rebounding, 8.7 APG passing, and 1.9 SPG defensive plays, which resulted in career averages.

Kidd possesses the greatest versatility among point guards in NBA history. The development of Kidd into a shooter beyond the 3-point line has established him as one of the top players in NBA history based on the number of successful 3-pointers made. Jason ranked 43 in the NBA’s 75th Anniversary player ranking.

#9: Bob Cousy

The National Basketball Association acknowledges Bob Cousy as its initial legendary point guard. He spent his career from 1950 to 1963 with the Boston Celtics followed by one season with the Cincinnati Royals in 1969-70. Throughout his NBA career between 1950 to 1963 he secured 6 championship wins (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963) along with the MVP title in 1957. Cousy transformed the point guard role by averaging 18.4 PPG alongside 5.2 RPG and 7.5 APG thus building a new blueprint for this position.

This guard uniquely holds the title of consecutive First-Team All-NBA selections for ten straight seasons. During a time when big men dominated the sport, Cousy acted as an expert in leading quick offensive transitions to direct the Celtics. Cousy served as an And-1 mix tape in black-and-white by leading the Celtics dynasty while establishing new standards for the point guard role. He ranked 44 in the NBA’s 75th Anniversary player ranking.

#8: Steve Nash

During his basketball career with Phoenix Suns (1996-98, 2004-12), Dallas Mavericks (1998-2004), and Los Angeles Lakers (2012-15), Steve Nash became the two-time MVP winner of 2005 and 2006 and acquired eight All-Star selections and seven All-NBA honors although he never secured an NBA championship. His NBA career included seven All-NBA honors.

During his professional career, Steve Nash established himself as one of the best players in the league through his 14.3-point scoring average,3.0 rebound, and 8.5 assist statistics. Adams stated that the exceptional combination of Nash’s shooting cuts of 50-40-90 with his 10 assists per game was unheard of in NBA history. The NBA’s best offensive rating belonged to Nash’s teams throughout nine straight seasons. In the NBA's 75th Anniversary player ranking Nash is ranked at 37.

#7: John Stockton

John Stockton who spent his entire career at the Utah Jazz (1984-2003) stands as one of the most unacknowledged great NBA players in history. During his entire basketball career, Stockton received recognition as a 10-time All-Star while earning a total of 11 All-NBA selections and five All-Defensive selections before being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, Stockton consistently reached averages of 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, and a .384 percentage for 3P% until his retirement.

Stockton made accurate passes and shot with clarity because of his large hands. Stockton delivered the most assists to teammates during each of the nine NBA seasons from 1987 to 1996. The combination of his defensive skill and pace management capabilities made Stockton a valuable player who controlled both offense and defense. John Stockton is ranked at 24 in the NBA’s 75th Anniversary player rankings.

#6: Chris Paul

As an eight-time All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA selection, Chris Paul has spent his early years in the league (2005-11) with the New Orleans Hornets and his prime years (2011-2017) with the Los Angeles Clippers. The basketball world commends Paul for his expert passing abilities through which he has maintained an average of 18.7 PPG while recording 4.5 RPG and 9.5 APG along with 2.3 SPG in his entire professional career.

Despite winning the Rookie of the Year Award (2005-06), Paul has not achieved the trophy for an NBA championship. Paul stands as the ideal point guard since he manages offenses while maintaining his status as one of the standout players who can throw perfect lobs throughout history. Paul is recognized as the player who delivered outstanding outcomes in the pick-and-roll. Even though Paul’s team continued to face challenges getting past deep playoff competitions, thus minimized his remarkable abilities. Chris Paul ranked at 29 in the NBA’s 75th Anniversary player ranking.

#5: Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas delivered NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons during his 1981-1994 career, where he also received the Finals MVP award in 1990. After a twelve-time selection as an All-Star along with five All-NBA honors, he earned his spot in the Hall of Fame.

Thomas maintained consistent averages of 19.2 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists with 1.9 steals in his professional career. He is one of the shortest players in NBA history to earn Finals MVP and remained 6-foot-1 because of his exceptional dominance at the point guard position. The public recognized Thomas for being tough while scoring and leading the team, especially through his work as the Bad Boys Pistons’ heartbeat. The playoffs were motivated by Detroit’s title successes because Thomas willingly let other players take center stage. At the NBA’s 75th Anniversary player ranking, he is positioned at 27.

#4: Jerry West

Jerry West, "Mr. Clutch," was an absolute legend. He wasn't just a point guard; he was a complete offensive force. He averaged an astounding 27.0 points per game. But he wasn't just a scorer, West was also a fantastic playmaker, dishing out 6.7 assists per game, showing his ability to find his teammates and create scoring opportunities. He also grabbed 5.8 rebounds per game, demonstrating his all-around hustle and willingness to contribute in multiple ways. And when steals became an official stat, he proved his defensive prowess, averaging 2.6 steals. West's accolades speak volumes about his greatness.

He was a 14-time All-Star, a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, and even won an NBA championship in 1972. In 1969, he was under pressure from his incredible performance on a losing team, as he was the only one to win the ultimate MVP. He was so iconic that he's literally the silhouette in the NBA logo!

#3: Oscar Robertson

Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson carved out an incredible career with the Cincinnati Royals (1960-70) and the Milwaukee Bucks (1970-74). As a 12 All-Star and 11 All-NBA selection, he won the MVP Award in 1964 and the "Rookie of the Year" Award in 1961. Robertson's leadership was central in leading the team to the 1971 NBA Championship. Robertson maintained consistent averages of 25.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists with 1.9 steals in his professional career.

Along with the nickname "Mr. Triple-Double," Robertson was a unique force in the league, where he had experienced so many sports. He paved the way for future legends like Magic Johnson and LeBron James. Some will concentrate on his historic triple-double season with the Royals, but his important role in the Bucks' Championship in the early 1970s should not be overlooked. Oscar Robertson played his A game to be recognised as best point guards of all time.

#2: Stephen Curry

Since joining the Golden State Warriors in 2009, Stephen Curry has become the undisputed king of the three-pointer. His shooting range, marked by his accuracy and the freedom to launch from anywhere on the court, has set him apart from every player, giving him the title of best point guard of all time. His unique balance of skills has made him the greatest point guard of all time.

Curry led the Warriors to their 2015 NBA title, putting up an impressive 21.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, with a stunning 44.1% three-point shooting which was an extraordinary performance. His brilliance earned him the MVP award that same year and multiple All-NBA selections, along with appearances in two All-Star games (this part needs updating as he's played in more than two). Former basketball analyst Tom Haberstroh pointed out, Curry is not only an incredible player; he's a game-changer who has completely transformed basketball with his innovative style of play . In recognition of his influence on the game, Stephen Curry was honored as one of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team members, earning the 16th spot on the list.

#1: Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is a true legend of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1979-1991, 1995-1996, and is the biggest point guard the NBA has ever seen. He has achieved three MVP prices in the years 1987, 1989 and 1990 along with three MVP trophies using his extraordinary strategies. The 12-time All-Star played a key role in the Lakers' leadership in securing five NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.

His vision of the magical court was an exceptional thing that others could not. He was able to deliver his teammates before he realized they were open. Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals proved to be one of the series' most memorable moments. He played center as a rookie, appeared forever and ate his name in basketball history. Unfortunately, after his HIV diagnosis, his career was put on hold, shocking the world of sports and marking a major turning point in his life. Magic Johnson recognized his monumental effect and placed the 75-year-old NBA team in fifth place.