Basketball has witnessed the brilliance of numerous players at various positions, but let's take a moment to appreciate the unsung heroes of the basketball court, the point guards.
Point guards are the engines that drive their teams. They are like conductors leading their team's symphony
These maestros of the hardwood have the crucial task of orchestrating their team's offense, making split-second decisions, and creating opportunities for their teammates to shine.
In this article, we delve into the realm of the NBA's elite, ranking and celebrating the best point guards of all time.
Career stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, .520 FG%
Honors
3x NBA MVP (1987, 1989, 1990)
3x Finals MVP
12x All-Star
Hall of Fame
Earvin "Magic" Johnson dazzled audiences with his no-look passes, flashy ball handling, and infectious smile.
Standing 6-foot-9, he revolutionized the point guard position, combining playmaking with scoring prowess. Throughout his 13-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic won five championships, three MVP awards, and was a part of the iconic Showtime Lakers alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Career stats: 24.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, .428 3P%
Honors
2x NBA MVP (2015, 2016)
2022 Finals MVP
9x All-Star
Stephen Curry revolutionized the game, with nearly every player on the court now aspiring to excel in three-point shooting to ensure their offense remains competitive in the era of modern scoring.
Beyond his exceptional shooting skills, Curry's playmaking prowess often goes underrated, deserving more recognition. The Davidson alum, a future Hall-of-Famer, has already solidified his status as the greatest shooter in the history of the sport.
Career stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, .485 FG%
Honors
1964 NBA MVP
12x All-Star
Oscar Robertson, the first ever player to achieve a triple-double average in the history of the league, showcased exceptional skills as a playmaker, rebounder, and scorer while playing as the lead guard.
Despite being somewhat underrated in historical evaluations, he only found significant team success when he teamed up with Lew Alcindor in Milwaukee, eventually securing an NBA championship. He stands out as one of the most versatile offensive guards in the history of the game.
Career stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, .2.6 SPG
Honors
1969 Finals MVP
14x All-Star
1970 scoring champion
1972 assists leader
Hall of Fame
When discussing the most influential NBA shooting guards of all time, one simply cannot overlook "The Logo" himself, Jerry West. His impact on the game extended far beyond statistics and accolades.
Leading the Lakers to an impressive nine NBA Finals appearances and securing one championship, West cemented his legacy as one of the elite point guards in history.
Isaiah Thomas, the prominent leader of the "Bad Boys" Pistons, displayed intense competitiveness and secured two NBA championships. Renowned for his exceptional scoring, passing, and defensive skills, his leadership played a pivotal role in shaping an era.
Chris Paul, also known as "The Point God," has long been celebrated for his exceptional mastery of the pick-and-roll and is widely regarded as one of the greatest floor generals in basketball history.
With an impressive 12 All-Star selections to his name, he stands out as among the most well-rounded and skilled point guards to have graced the game.
Teams: Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers
Career stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, .428 3P%
Honors
2x NBA MVP (2005, 2006)
8x All-Star
Hall of Fame
The "two-time MVP" Steve Nash was a revolutionary point guard who prioritized ball movement and efficiency.
Together with Mike D'Antoni and the Seven-Seconds-or-Less Suns, Nash advanced the game of basketball with his expertise in pick-and-roll plays and his skill in shooting off the dribble, including beyond the three-point line.
Although Nash's two MVP awards sparked controversy, there is no denying that he stands as one of the premier players of his generation.
Career stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG, .375 FG%
Honors
1957 NBA MVP
13x All-Star
Hall of Fame
A trailblazer in the realm of point guard play, Cousy's legacy is eternally intertwined with the Boston Celtics' six triumphant NBA championships during the 1950s.
Revered for his mesmerizing ball-handling abilities and scoring prowess, Cousy left an indelible mark on the sport that cannot be overstated.
Regarded as the "Houdini of the Hardwood," he captivated audiences with his unparalleled skillset and imaginative approach to orchestrating plays.
Teams: Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks
Championships: 1 (2011)
Career stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG
Honors
10x All-Star
Hall of Fame
A triple-double threat every night, Kidd was a great passer, rebounder, and defender. He won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks and was a 10-time All-Star.
Considered one of the premier point guards in history, Kidd had the ability to execute both impressive and straightforward passes proficiently. His penchant for accelerating the pace during transitions was a strategic move to exhaust opposing teams.
Additionally, Kidd utilized his exceptional basketball intelligence to amass steals and exhibit strong defensive skills.
Teams: New York Knicks (1967-77), Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-80)
Championships: 2 (1970, 1973)
Career stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, .490 FG%
Honors
7x All-Star
Hall of Fame
Nicknamed "Clyde", Walt Frazier exemplified a composed and confident leadership style as he guided the Knicks to two NBA championships during the 1970s.
Known for his exceptional skills as a defender, scorer, and passer, his confident demeanor became synonymous with the essence of New York basketball.
A formidable presence on both offense and defense, Frazier showcased his peak performance in the 1970 NBA Finals, where he recorded an impressive 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds in a decisive Game 7 that secured the championship.
Teams: Seattle SuperSonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
Championships: 1 (2006)
Career stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, .466 FG%
Honors
9x All-Star
Hall of Fame
"The Glove" gained a reputation as a defensive powerhouse, but his impact extended far beyond that.
His victory in the NBA championship with the Miami Heat stands as a testament to his well-rounded skill set. Payton's prowess was further underscored by his impressive nine-time All-Defensive selection record.
Known for his exceptional strength relative to his size, swift footwork, and superior hand-eye coordination, he commanded attention on both ends of the court.
Damian Lillard, also known as "Dame," joined the Milwaukee Bucks from the Portland Trail Blazers in September 2023.
His remarkable three-point shots stun adversaries, and his ability to perform under pressure has led the team to championship triumphs.
As a 7-time All-Star and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Lillard's adept ball handling and scoring abilities firmly establish his status among the legendary point guards in the history of the game.
Russell Westbrook, known for his incredible energy in the NBA, always gives his all on the court.
Hoopshype ranked him 12th in the all-time greatest list of NBA point guards. He relentlessly battles for rebounds against bigger opponents and zooms down the floor for powerful dunks during fast breaks.
Throughout his career, he has racked up accolades, including an NBA MVP award, 9 All-Star selections, and a season-long triple-double average.
Teams: Cincinnati Royals, New York Nets, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks
Championships: 1 (1981)
Career stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 7.4 APG, .467 FG%
Honors
NBA Scoring Champion (1973)
6x All-Star
Hall of Fame
In the '70s and early '80s, Tiny Archibald was a super tough player to handle because he was crazy fast and quick.
Archibald gave defenders a hard time with his unstoppable attacks to the basket. Not only that, he was also really good at setting up plays for his team and scoring with jump shots from the close midrange.
Teams: San Antonio Spurs (2001-2018), Charlotte Hornets (2018-19)
Championships: 4 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
Career stats: 15.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, .491 FG%
Honors
2007 NBA Finals MVP
6x All-Star
Hall of Fame
Tony Parker, the electrifying French point guard, carved his name into basketball history as one of the greatest floor generals the game has ever seen.
Standing at 6'2", Parker's seemingly unassuming stature was overshadowed by his blinding speed, pinpoint accuracy, and ice-cold composure under pressure.
A four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, Parker's peak came in 2007, when he earned the coveted Finals MVP trophy after guiding the Spurs to victory.
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks
Championships: 1 (2016)
Career stats: 23.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.7 APG, .472 FG%
Honors
8x All-Star
Kyrie Irving, the shifty magician with the ball is a mesmerizing point guard. His ball-handling skills are legendary, leaving defenders in his wake with his dazzling crossovers and shimmies.
A gifted scorer, Irving can knock down shots from anywhere on the court, his smooth pull-up jumper and acrobatic layups are a thing of beauty. He is also a creative passer, threading the needle with pinpoint accuracy to find teammates for easy buckets.
Career stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, .441 FG%
Honors
NBA scoring champion (1977)
5x All-Star
Hall of Fame
"Pistol Pete" Maravich was a basketball legend who changed how point guards play by doing amazing things with the ball, like passing without looking and making unbelievable shots.
In college, he scored an incredible 44.2 points per game, even before they had three-pointers. When he went to the NBA, he kept wowing everyone with his skills and earned awards like Rookie First Team and All-Star honors.
Teams: St. Louis Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers
Career stats: 16.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.3 SPG
Honors
NBA assists leader (1970)
9x All-Star
Hall of Fame
A Hall-of-Famer, Lenny Wilkens was not only known for his outstanding achievements but also for his exceptional leadership on the court during '60s and '70s.
He solidified his legacy by being named the All-Star Game MVP in 1971. Additionally, he left an indelible mark on the NBA by leading in assists during the 1969-70 season, further cementing his status as a basketball icon.
Teams: Detroit Pistons, Washington Bullets, Boston Celtics
Career stats: 20.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, .441 FG%
Honors
NBA scoring champion (1968)
7x All-Star
Hall of Fame
Dave Bing, a point guard ahead of his era, excelled not only in playmaking but also demonstrated his explosiveness to outscore his fellow lead guards of that period.
Throughout his career, Bing maintained an impressive average of over 20 points per game. He also won the 1967-68 NBA scoring title during which he averaged 27.1 points per game.
