Top 10 All-Time Greatest Guards in NBA History

In basketball, players who play the position of a point guard are those who have the ability to orchestrate the team’s offense. This is a specialist position that requires the goalkeeper to be able to control the ball and facilitate scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates. Having any other attributes additional to those mentioned is welcome. This is probably what differentiates a regular player in this position from a player who would be considered one of the best point guards of all time.

With these criteria, we have come up with a list of the top 10 point guards in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. This list includes active and inactive players who have achieved great accomplishments in their careers and are surely on their way to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame if they haven’t already been inducted.

10 best point guards of all time

1. Bob Cousy

Teams – Boston Celtics (1950-1963) and Cincinnati Royals (1969-70)

At a time when the game of basketball was dominated by big men, Bob Cousy, 6 feet 1 inches tall and 175 pounds in weight, was able to make a name for himself with his sorcery ball handling skills and his impeccable vision and creativity that helped the Celtics win multiple titles.

The New York native played college basketball for College of the Holy Cross, winning the 1947 NCAA championship before turning pro in 1950. He then joined the Celtics to play alongside great NBA players like Bill Russell and Sam Jones, and they all joined forces to help their team win six NBA titles. On a personal note, Cousy, who was nicknamed Houdini of the Hardwood, was named NBA MVP in 1957. He appeared in 13 All-Star Games and led the NBA in assists in eight seasons. He is also the only guard in NBA history to be named All-NBA First Team in 10 consecutive seasons.

2. John Stockton

Team – Utah Jazz (1984-2003)

According to many NBA fans, John Stockton will always be the most underrated point guard in history. Indeed, the 10-time all-star player, who is also the all-time leader in assist and steal, was more reliable than flashy with his game, but more importantly, he was not in able to lead his team over the final hurdle to win an NBA championship, despite back-to-back NBA games.

After a four-year stint at Gonzaga University where he played for the Bulldogs, Stockton was drafted in the first round of the 1984 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick. He then played his entire career for the team, forming a formidable partnership with Karl Malone before leaving him in May 2003.

3.Steve Nash

Teams – Phoenix Suns (1996-1998, 2004-2012), Dallas Mavericks (1998-2004), Los Angeles Lakers (2012-2015)

Unlike many others who appear on these greatest point guards in the NBA’s historic roster, Steve Nash was simply not revered for his exceptional ball distribution, but also for his 3-man sniper shooting ability. points. The South African-born Canadian has led the league in assists and free throw percentage at various times in his career and is a distinguished member of the 50-40-90 club, a feat he achieved at four times. His style of play has undoubtedly inspired and spawned a new generation of point guards led by Steph Curry.

During his 19-year long NBA career, Nash, who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 15th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, was twice named MVP. He further earned 3 All-NBA First Team selections, 2 All-NBA Second Team selections and 2 All-NBA Third Team selections, as well as 8 NBA All-Star selections.

4. Chris Paul

Teams – New Orleans Hornets (2005-2011), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-2017), Houston Rockets (2017-present)

Much like Stockton, many people have argued that if Chris Paul isn’t able to win an NBA championship in his career, his story will be one of “if only.” But no matter if he wins a title, the 2005-06 NBA Rookie of the Year has proven time and again to be the classic definition of a point guard who can orchestrate the offense and also shoot if necessary. His exceptional defensive ability has made him one of the best small two-way players in NBA history. With all of these abilities, it’s very obvious that all Paul was missing to get a ring is a good team.

On a personal note, Chris Paul, who was North Carolina Mr. Basketball in 2003 before being selected 4th overall by the Hornets in the 2005 NBA Draft, has so far played 9 games with All-Stars. the NBA. He also earned 4 All-NBA First Team selections and 7 NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. He is a four-time NBA leader and six-time NBA leader so far. Without a doubt, Chris is one of the best point guards in the NBA.

5.Stephen Curry

Team – Golden State Warriors (2009–present)

As mentioned above, Steph Curry is a product of Steve Nash’s playbook. The 2016 NBA champion is the best 3-point shooter the NBA has ever seen, an attribute he has used successfully to destroy opponents and win titles, forcing other teams in the league to use regularly the tactic. He is also a member of the 50-40-90 club.

Curry was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors with the 7th overall pick. In his career so far, he has been named the MVP twice, made six All-Star appearances and earned 2 NBA First Team selections.

6. Isiah Thomas

Team – Detroit Pistons (1981-1994)

Despite only standing at a height of 6-foot-1 and weighing around 180 pounds, Isiah Thomas was as tough as any of his bad Pistons teammates. On top of that, he was as talented as any point guard the NBA has ever seen. He was lightning fast with the ball and had the ability to stop at any time to score a very lethal shot, attributes that all helped him become one of the best point keepers of all time.

The Chicago native is a two-time NBA champion who played college basketball at Indiana where he won the NCAA title just before being selected 2nd overall in the 1981 NBA draft. 12 NBA All-Star appearances and earned 3 All-NBA First Team selections. The baller was so good that another NBA basketball player was named after him – Isaiah Jamar Thomas (Isaiah Thomas).

7. Jason Kidd

Teams – Dallas Mavericks (1994-1996, 2008-2012), Phoenix Suns (1996-2001), New Jersey Nets (2001-2008), New York Knicks (2012-2013).

Jason Kidd is unquestionably the most versatile and strongest point guard in NBA history. His ability to rebound the ball and assist teammates made him a regular triple-double threat as he retired with the most career rebounds of any guard in NBA history. His stats placed him third on the NBA regular season triple-double list, second on the NBA all-time assists and assists list, and ninth in 3-point goals scored.

The San Francisco, California native, who was named Mr. Basketball USA in 1992 and California Mr. Basketball in 1991 and 1992, was selected 2nd overall by the Mavericks in the 1994 NBA draft. season, he was named joint rookie of the year by the NBA. He went on to win an NBA title and made 10 NBA All-Star appearances while earning 5 All-NBA First Team selections and 4 NBA All-Defensive First Team nods in his illustrious career.

8.Walt Frazier

Teams – New York Knicks (1967-1877) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-1980)

For all the glitz and glamor that surrounds the New York Knicks franchise today, the team wouldn’t have won its only two NBA championships without the brilliance of its ’70s floor general Walt Frazier, who started the Knicks’ big ball movement attack. On top of that, he was also a threat in the backcourt, an attribute that earned him 7 NBA All-Defensive First Team selections.

Frazier played college basketball for Southern Illinois before being selected by the Knicks with the 5th overall pick in the 1967 NBA Draft. As mentioned earlier, he won two titles and made 7 NBA All-Star appearances while earning 4 All-NBA First Team selections.

9.Oscar Robertson

Teams – Cincinnati Royals (1960-1970) and Milwaukee Bucks (1970-1974)

Oscar Robertson is undoubtedly one of the greatest point guards of all time. The Big O or Mr. Triple Double as he was famously dubbed was known for his ability to score both inside and outside the arc, as well as his stellar playmaking skills and skill. rebounding ability that made him a triple threat. He is the first guard in NBA history to average more than 10 rebounds per game in a season, a feat he achieved three times.

Robertson, who was Mr. Basketball USA in 1956, was drafted in the 1960 NBA Draft and named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1961. He was named MVP in 1964 and won his only championship in the NBA in 1971. He additionally made 12 NBA All-Star appearances in his 14-year career and earned 9 All-NBA First Team selections.

10. Magic Johnson

Team – Los Angeles Lakers (1979-1991, 1995-1996)

Considered by many to be the ultimate point guard, Magic Johnson certainly lays claim to being the best player to ever hold that position. It was through his unparalleled vision, drive and magic ball ability that helped create a brand of basketball called Showtime. At 6ft 9in, Johnson was able to combine his height with his individual skills and ability to handle the ball when dominating a game. Second only to Oscar Robertson in career triple-doubles, Magic is also one of the most dangerous triple-double threats of all time.

Johnson played college basketball at Michigan State where he won the NCAA title before being selected by the Lakers with the 1979 1st overall pick in the NBA Draft. During his 13-year NBA career, the two-time NBA steals leader and the four-time NBA wizard was named MVP three times and won the NBA championship five times. He also made 12 NBA All-Star appearances and earned 9 All-NBA First Team selections.