NBA Players

Best Shooting Guards Of All Time Ranked, 1-15 

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The shooting guard slot boasts a wealth of elite talent, making it remarkably deep throughout basketball history.

Assessing and ranking the finest shooting guards poses a formidable challenge due to the abundance of exceptional players in the NBA's past.

Diverse eras have embraced varying styles of play, necessitating a careful evaluation of individual accomplishments in relation to team achievements and overall influence on the sport. Nevertheless, certain names consistently emerge in discussions for the top position.

These athletes excelled in the league throughout their careers and stood as highly influential figures in the history of basketball.

1. Michael Jordan

Source : marca

  • Teams: Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
  • Championships: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
  • Career stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG

Honors

  • 5x NBA MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
  • 6x Finals MVP
  • 14x All-Star
  • 10x NBA scoring champion
  • 3x NBA steals leader
  • Hall of Fame

Soaring through the air for gravity-defying dunks, Michael Jordan's legacy as an NBA shooting guard is etched in hoops history.

Nicknamed "His Airness," Jordan racked up accolades throughout his 15-year career, amassing six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

2. Kobe Bryant

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  • Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2016)
  • Championships: 5 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
  • Career stats: 25 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG

Honors

  • 2008 NBA MVP
  • 2x Finals MVP
  • 18x All-Star
  • 2x NBA scoring champion
  • Hall of Fame

Kobe Bryant, the "Black Mamba," was a legend who graced the NBA courts for 20 seasons, all spent with the Los Angeles Lakers.

His relentless work ethic and dedication to the game earned him 5 NBA championships, 2 Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star selections. His tragic passing in 2020 left a void in the NBA, but his legacy as one of the greatest shooting guards of all time continues to inspire.

3. Dwyane Wade

Source : instagram

  • Teams: Miami Heat. Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Championships: 3 (2006, 2012, 2013)
  • Career stats: 22 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG

Honors

  • 2006 Finals MVP
  • 13x All-Star
  • 2009 NBA scoring champion
  • Hall of Fame

Dwyane Wade, the "Flash," was a blur on the court, leaving defenders grasping at air with his lightning-fast drives and acrobatic finishes.

A 13-time All-Star and 3-time champion with the Miami Heat, Wade's scoring prowess was undeniable. He won the 2009 scoring title and his 2006 Finals MVP performance against the Dallas Mavericks cemented his legacy as a clutch performer.

4. Allen Iverson

Source : instagram

  • Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies
  • Career stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG

Honors

  • 2001 NBA MVP
  • 11x All-Star
  • 4x NBA scoring champion
  • 3x NBA steals leader
  • Hall of Fame

Allen Iverson, nicknamed "The Answer," was a revolutionary force in the NBA.

Standing at just 6 feet, he dominated the league with his electrifying crossover dribble, fearless scoring, and relentless hustle. Iverson won Rookie of the Year in 1997 and went on to become a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-Star, and the 2001 NBA MVP.

5. James Harden

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  • Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers (2023-present)
  • Championships: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
  • Career stats: 1000 Games, 24.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.5 SPG

Honors

  • 2018 NBA MVP
  • 10x All-Star
  • 3x NBA scoring champion
  • 2x NBA steals leader

The bearded wonder of the NBA, James Harden has carved his name into the league's lore as one of the greatest scorers ever.

His lethal combination of step-back jumpers, crafty Euro steps, and pinpoint passing has earned him an MVP award, multiple scoring titles, and a spot on the prestigious NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

6. Jerry West

Source : twitter

  • Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1960-74)
  • Championships: 1 (1972)
  • 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 talking about the most impactful shooting guards in NBA history, it is impossible to ignore Jerry West, "The Logo."

During his 14-season career with the Lakers, West served four seasons as a shooting guard for the team, according to Statmuse. He led the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances and secured one championship in 1972.

7. Clyde Drexler

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  • Teams:  Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets
  • Championships: 1 (1995)
  • Career stats: 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG

Honors

  • 10x All-Star
  • Hall of Fame

Clyde Drexler soared through the NBA with gravity-defying dunks and a silky smooth jumpshot.

A 10-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Drexler's blend of athleticism and finesse made him a scoring machine, averaging over 20 points per game for his career.

He teamed with Hakeem Olajuwon to take the Houston Rockets to two NBA Finals, cementing his place as one of the game's greatest shooting guards.

8. George Gervin

Source : twitter

  • Teams: San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
  • Career stats: 25.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.2 SPG

Honors

  • 9x All-Star
  • 4x NBA scoring champion
  • Hall of Fame

Nicknamed "The Iceman" for his smooth moves and clutch shots, George Gervin was a scoring phenomenon who left an indelible mark on the NBA.

In his 14-year career, he racked up four scoring titles, wowed fans with his finger rolls and glass bank shots, and even earned a spot on the league's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

9. Reggie Miller

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  • Teams: Indiana Pacers (1987-2005)
  • Career stats: 18.2 PPG, 3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.1 SPG

Honors

  • 5x All-Star
  • Hall of Fame

Reggie Miller, famously nicknamed the "Knick Killer," was a reliable and skilled sharpshooter who dedicated his entire 18-year professional basketball career to the Indiana Pacers.

A five-time All-Star, Miller played a key role in guiding the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals. Miller, who retired in 2005, held the NBA record for the most career 3-pointers made at the time, a record later surpassed by Ray Allen, Stephen Curry and James Harden.

10. Ray Allen

Source : bleacherreport

  • Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
  • Championships: 2 (2008, 2013)
  • Career stats: 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG

Honors

  • 10x All-Star
  • Hall of Fame

Ray Allen, the NBA's sharpshooter extraordinaire, drained more three-pointers than any player in history until Stephen Curry surpassed him in 2021.

A ten-time All-Star and two-time champion, Allen's clutch shooting and smooth game made him a fan favorite wherever he played. He is widely regarded as one of the purest shooters the game has ever seen.

11. Vince Carter

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  • Teams:  Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks
  • Career stats: 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1 SPG

Honors

  • 8x All-Star

Vince Carter, a high-flying legend known as "Air Canada," soared through the NBA for 22 seasons.

His mesmerizing slam dunks and effortless shooting skills held fans spellbound, securing him 8 All-Star selections and the prestigious Rookie of the Year accolade in 1999.

12. Klay Thompson

Source : instagram

  • Teams: Golden State Warriors (2011-present)
  • Championships: 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
  • Career stats: 716 Games, 19.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG

Honors

  • 5x All-Star

In the 2022-23 season, Klay Thompson achieved the milestone of making over 300 three-pointers, making him only the third player in NBA history to accomplish this feat, alongside Stephen Curry and James Harden.

Standing tall at 6'6", Klay is a smooth scorer with a silky shooting stroke, raining down threes from seemingly anywhere on the court.

13. Tracy McGrady

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  • Teams: Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs
  • Career stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG

Honors

  • 7x All-Star
  • 2x NBA scoring champion
  • Hall of Fame

Tracy McGrady, nicknamed "T-Mac," was a scoring machine who dominated the early 2000s in the NBA.

Standing at 6-foot-8 with a smooth shooting stroke and athleticism, McGrady won two scoring titles in 2003 and 2004, made seven All-Star appearances, and even carried the Houston Rockets to the Finals.

14. Sam Jones

Source : nytimes

  • Teams: Boston Celtics (1957-1969)
  • Championships: 10 (1959-1966, 1968, 1969)
  • Career stats: 17.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, .456 FG%

Honors

  • 5x All-Star
  • Hall of Fame

Sam Jones, the smooth-shooting Celtics legend, was a pivotal figure in Boston's dynasty during the 1960s. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch" for his ice-cold veins in the playoffs, Jones racked up 10 NBA championships alongside Bill Russell.

Jones was a 5-time All-Star and a 3-time All-NBA Second Team selection, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

15. Hal Greer

Source : usatoday

  • Teams: Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1958-1973)
  • Championships: 1 (1967)
  • Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 APG, .452 FG%

Honors

  • 10x All-Star
  • Hall of Fame

In the 1960s, Hal Greer, often overlooked but highly skilled, earned All-Star honors 10 times and secured a spot on the All-NBA 2nd Team seven times.

He played a crucial role in guiding the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship in the 1966-67 season, forming an underrated guard-big duo with Chamberlain that remains underappreciated in the annals of league history.