Top 10 Greatest NBA Point Guards of All Time
he NBA point guard best captures the imagination of the weekend warrior. The point guard position accommodates all shapes and sizes — from the 5-foot-3 Tyrone “Mugsey” Bouges and doughboy Khalid El Amin — to the 6-foot-9 force that was Magic Johnson. An elite point guard can completely dominate the game without even scoring. The best point men are typically pass-first team players who subjugate their own offensive talent to get teammates involved into the flow of the basketball game. For that reason, assist totals are a leading indicator of point guard play.
Here’s our take on the top point guards of all time, with statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
Honorable Mention: Steve Nash
Steve Nash will go down as one of the most efficient offensive players in the history of basketball. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, the tail end of Nash’s career has been marred by an assortment of nagging injuries, in conjunction with a monstrous contract, but his years with the Phoenix Suns, a run that singlehandedly popularized the constant pick and roll you see today, remain unmatched.
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10. Kevin Johnson
Armed with a deadly first step and high-top fade, Kevin Johnson worked his signature crossover dribble to perfection. Classic KJ would go rope-a-dope, where he would hesitate and lean to his left, just before crossing back over to the right and exploding into the paint. As a finisher, the 6-foot-1 Kevin Johnson had the hops to give the business to all comers at the rim, including Hakeem Olajuwon. In Phoenix, little people everywhere prevailed, as No. 7 climbed the ladder to throw down a thunderous jam upon The Dream’s neck.
For 13 years, KJ sparked a high-octane offense in the Valley of the Sun, with 6,711 career assists, 3 All-Star nominations, and 1 NBA Finals appearance. At the height of his powers, KJ joined the ranks of Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, and Oscar Robertson, as the only point guards in history who were automatic for 20 points and 10 assists each night. In 1991, Kevin Johnson, the eventual mayor of Sacramento, slapped together 22 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.
Your Reaction?
9. Chris Paul
At the tender age of 29, Chris Paul has already thrown his name into the ring as one of the all time greats at point guard. As he honed his skills on Tobacco Road, Chris Paul emerged another product of the ACC point guard blueprint that preached intelligence, heart, and above all else, the pick and roll. As a member of Lob City, Paul has mastered the art of feeding both Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan at the front of the rim for hammer dunks.
At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Paul has always been deceptively quick. On the perimeter, he can be impossible to contain, as he barrels into the lane at will to either set the table for a cutting big man, kick the ball out to sharpshooter JJ Redick for an open three, or even finish himself with either hand at the rim. In half-court sets, Paul has also mastered the art of the step-back three, where he feints a drive, delivers a forearm shiver, and fades behind the arc to knock down clutch jumpers, and fire up the Staples Center crowd. For his career, Paul has averaged nearly 19 points, 10 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
8. Jason Kidd
Similar to Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd did not need to score one point to dominate the game. Once nicknamed Ason, for his lack of a “J” [jumpshot], the totality of Kidd’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. In all, he closed out his 19-year career with 1 NBA championship, 2 Olympic gold medals, 10 All-Star game appearances, 1,988 3-point conversions, 12,091 assists (second of all time), and 2,684 steals (second of all-time). As a triple-double machine, Kidd was a stat sheet stuffer, who finished among the all-time leaders for point guards in every significant statistical category.
In his prime, Kidd was a speed demon who arguably starred as the League’s fastest end-to-end performer. He was at his best in a freelance, up-tempo game, where he could turn on the jets and find the right man at the right place in transition. Over time, Kidd aged gracefully into the elder Mavericks statesmen, who facilitated half-court sets and even added a consistent three-point shot to his offensive arsenal.
Your Reaction?
7. Walt “Clyde” Frazier
Walt “Clyde” Frazier was just too cool for school. As a Knick, Frazier owned New York in the 1970s on the strength of his well-coiffed afro, mutton-chop sideburns, tailored suits, fur coats, fedora hats, Rolls Royce cars, and two NBA Championships. Frazier was the charismatic leader of a Knicks Dream Team, which included fellow and future Hall of Famers Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, and Zen Master Phil Jackson amongst its ranks. At lead guard, only the calm, cool, and collected Clyde Frazier could put this cast of characters in check.
Frazier put on a show in the clinching Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Beneath the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Frazier paced his Knicks to the tune of 36 points and 19 assists.
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6. Gary Payton
Gary Payton was the greatest defensive point guard of all time. Nicknamed “The Glove,” Gary Payton initially earned recognition as a ball hawk, for his ability to shut down the likes of Kevin Johnson, John Stockton, and Steve Nash. With his wiry strength, physical style of play, and non-stop trash talk, Payton also starred as the rare athlete who could get into the head of the great Michael Jordan. In the 1996 NBA Finals, Payton harassed Jordan into a subpar performance (by his Airness’ standards). Payton held Jordan to 23, 26, and 22 points in the final three games of the series.
As a member Seattle SuperSonics, Gary Payton was the mastermind behind bang-bang alley-oop plays to “Man-child” Shawn Kemp. In addition to the flair for the dramatic, Payton was fundamentally sound, as he thrived in the post to cook opponents with head fakes, turnaround jumpers, and a lethal drop step toward the goal. During the 1999-2000 season, GP put it all together to average 24 points, 9 assists, and 7 boards per game, in one of the greatest statistical performances in NBA history. In the twilight of his career, Payton finally rode off into the sunset as an NBA champion with the 2006 Miami Heat.
5. John Stockton
John Stockton was the anti-Clyde Frazier, at least as far as style was concerned. With his choir boy looks and comb-over haircut, Stockton appeared equally ready to either prepare your income taxes, or throw on a pair of butt-hugger shorts and school all comers out on the basketball floor. As a professional, Stockton was most notable for the economic efficiency of his game. As the NBA’s all-time assist leader (15,806 career assists), he played the angles to perfection, never committed to pounding the ball unnecessarily, and appeared to always instinctively make the right decision at the right time. Stock’s limited use of steps made for a deceptively fast floor general that often blew right past defenders out on the perimeter, despite his apparent lack of raw athleticism. As the ultimate scrapper, No. 12 would scratch, claw, grab, and battle his way into position on each and every possession.
On the pick and roll, Stockton hooked up with Karl “The Mailman” Malone for an ongoing montage of pretty-boy hand-behind-the-head dunks, and-one layups, and mid-range jump shots. To keep defenses honest, Stockton would sometimes curl off the Malone screen and fake the pass to The Mailman before stepping back behind the arc and knocking down a three from deep.
4. Bob Cousy
At first, nobody wanted Bob Cousy. As a young journeyman, Bob Cousy forced himself upon the Boston Celtics after he refused to report to the Tri Cities Blackhawks. After the Chicago Stags organization folded, Cousy signed on with the 1950 Celtics for $9,000 in salary. At the time, Celtics brass and head honcho Red Auerbach were doubtful that Cousy’s “local yokel” style and gimmicks could translate into success at the professional level. Cousy, of course, went on to serve as the original building block for a budding dynasty.
By his second season, he had earned the nickname “Houdini of the Hardwood,” as he dazzled fans with his slick ball-handling, no-look passes, and 20 points-per-game average. After his sophomore campaign, “The Cooz” went on to lead the NBA in assists for eight consecutive seasons between 1953 and 1960. In 1959, Cousy slapped together 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, as the primary sparkplug for Auerbach’s high-octane offense.
The Celtic Tradition now prides itself upon team play and winning championships. Between 1957 and 1963, Cousy joined forces with The Great Bill Russell to bring home six NBA Championships in seven years.
Your Reaction?
3. Isiah Thomas
Despite his baby face and radiant smile, Isiah Thomas was the Baddest of the Bad Boys. In Detroit, he was the ringleader for a collection of goons who thrived upon intimidation, dust ups, and rough-and-tumble play. The group, in its prime, gave both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen fits as Detroit enforced the Jordan Rules, which called for Piston enforcers to close out on drives in the paint and slam the more athletic Bulls players into the basketball support. For years, many notable basketball historians had rightfully speculated that bad blood between Detroit and Chicago ultimately kept Isiah Thomas off the 1992 Dream Team.
Thomas did win back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, between the Lakers, Celtics, and Bulls dynasties.
In true point guard form, he looked to get the likes of Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Mark Aguirre involved throughout the first three quarters of each game. As a passer, Thomas averaged 9.3 assists per game throughout his 13-year career. In 1985, he led the NBA with 1,123 assists, or 13.9 dimes per game. As a scorer, Thomas often waited until crunch time to dominate. In the fourth quarter, he was especially notable for scoring points in bunches off an array of jumpers, dribble drives, and baby hooks.
Thomas, again, was the ultimate link between championship dynasties in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As a young buck, he averaged 26 points per game in a 1985 playoff run that ended against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. In defeat, Thomas infamously had his inbounds pass stolen by Bird, who flipped a pass to Dennis Johnson for the clinching lay-up. Three short seasons later, Thomas also hobbled his way to a sensational 25 points in one quarter against Magic Johnson and the L.A. Lakers, en route to a 1988 NBA Finals loss. After winning two titles, the Bad Boy run came to a crashing halt in Chicago. In 1991, Isiah Thomas refused to shake hands with the Bulls and led his Pistons off the Chicago Stadium floor, after being swept out of the playoffs.
2. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was a force. Over the course of 14 seasons between the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Oscar Robinson put up unbelievable numbers to dominate the NBA. For his part, the Big O has ranked as a single-season leader in points, assists, free throw attempts, free throw percentage, and minutes played. As the ultimate measure of his all-around game and end-to-end play, he tallied a record 181 triple doubles, which included a remarkable 1962 run where he averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists per game.
As a young star, Robertson did everything for the moribund Cincinnati Royals franchise. Through his first five years as a professional, Robertson averaged more than 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists per contest. After a 1970 trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, he was finally able to showcase his skills for the benefit of a winning program. Teamed up with a young Lew Alcindor, Robertson helped lead his Milwaukee Bucks to a 4-0 NBA Finals sweep over the Baltimore Bullets that season.
1. Magic Johnson
At 6-foot-9, Magic Johnson starred as the only NBA athlete who could perform at a high level at all five positions. As a rookie in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, the Magic Man subbed in for an injured Kareem Abdul Jabaar to record 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. As a backdrop, Johnson’s all-around performance came against Julius Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers, and clinched the first of his five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
From there, assistant coach Pat Riley was ultimately promoted as head coach, and Showtime was born on the West Coast. In Showtime, Magic was a one-man fast break who could crash the boards, control the basketball, and push the tempo. In the open court, Johnson often fed the likes of Big Game James Worthy, Dennis Scott, A.C. Green, and Michael Cooper with pinpoint no-look passes for easy buckets.
Magic’s up-tempo style and Hollywood marquee showmanship made for the perfect contrast in heated battles between the Lakers and Celtics. Between 1983 and 1987, Magic’s Lakers won two out of three heated NBA Finals matchups against the Boston Celtics, who were a dynasty in their own right. As a winner and consummate team player, Johnson closed out his career having dished out 10,141 assists (now fifth of all time) and claimed 5 NBA titles.
Read more: http://www.cheatsheet.com/sports/th...rds-of-all-time.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3VQL3uC4D
he NBA point guard best captures the imagination of the weekend warrior. The point guard position accommodates all shapes and sizes — from the 5-foot-3 Tyrone “Mugsey” Bouges and doughboy Khalid El Amin — to the 6-foot-9 force that was Magic Johnson. An elite point guard can completely dominate the game without even scoring. The best point men are typically pass-first team players who subjugate their own offensive talent to get teammates involved into the flow of the basketball game. For that reason, assist totals are a leading indicator of point guard play.
Here’s our take on the top point guards of all time, with statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
Honorable Mention: Steve Nash
Steve Nash will go down as one of the most efficient offensive players in the history of basketball. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, the tail end of Nash’s career has been marred by an assortment of nagging injuries, in conjunction with a monstrous contract, but his years with the Phoenix Suns, a run that singlehandedly popularized the constant pick and roll you see today, remain unmatched.
Your Reaction?
10. Kevin Johnson
Armed with a deadly first step and high-top fade, Kevin Johnson worked his signature crossover dribble to perfection. Classic KJ would go rope-a-dope, where he would hesitate and lean to his left, just before crossing back over to the right and exploding into the paint. As a finisher, the 6-foot-1 Kevin Johnson had the hops to give the business to all comers at the rim, including Hakeem Olajuwon. In Phoenix, little people everywhere prevailed, as No. 7 climbed the ladder to throw down a thunderous jam upon The Dream’s neck.
For 13 years, KJ sparked a high-octane offense in the Valley of the Sun, with 6,711 career assists, 3 All-Star nominations, and 1 NBA Finals appearance. At the height of his powers, KJ joined the ranks of Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, and Oscar Robertson, as the only point guards in history who were automatic for 20 points and 10 assists each night. In 1991, Kevin Johnson, the eventual mayor of Sacramento, slapped together 22 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.
Your Reaction?
9. Chris Paul
At the tender age of 29, Chris Paul has already thrown his name into the ring as one of the all time greats at point guard. As he honed his skills on Tobacco Road, Chris Paul emerged another product of the ACC point guard blueprint that preached intelligence, heart, and above all else, the pick and roll. As a member of Lob City, Paul has mastered the art of feeding both Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan at the front of the rim for hammer dunks.
At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Paul has always been deceptively quick. On the perimeter, he can be impossible to contain, as he barrels into the lane at will to either set the table for a cutting big man, kick the ball out to sharpshooter JJ Redick for an open three, or even finish himself with either hand at the rim. In half-court sets, Paul has also mastered the art of the step-back three, where he feints a drive, delivers a forearm shiver, and fades behind the arc to knock down clutch jumpers, and fire up the Staples Center crowd. For his career, Paul has averaged nearly 19 points, 10 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
8. Jason Kidd
Similar to Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd did not need to score one point to dominate the game. Once nicknamed Ason, for his lack of a “J” [jumpshot], the totality of Kidd’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. In all, he closed out his 19-year career with 1 NBA championship, 2 Olympic gold medals, 10 All-Star game appearances, 1,988 3-point conversions, 12,091 assists (second of all time), and 2,684 steals (second of all-time). As a triple-double machine, Kidd was a stat sheet stuffer, who finished among the all-time leaders for point guards in every significant statistical category.
In his prime, Kidd was a speed demon who arguably starred as the League’s fastest end-to-end performer. He was at his best in a freelance, up-tempo game, where he could turn on the jets and find the right man at the right place in transition. Over time, Kidd aged gracefully into the elder Mavericks statesmen, who facilitated half-court sets and even added a consistent three-point shot to his offensive arsenal.
Your Reaction?
7. Walt “Clyde” Frazier
Walt “Clyde” Frazier was just too cool for school. As a Knick, Frazier owned New York in the 1970s on the strength of his well-coiffed afro, mutton-chop sideburns, tailored suits, fur coats, fedora hats, Rolls Royce cars, and two NBA Championships. Frazier was the charismatic leader of a Knicks Dream Team, which included fellow and future Hall of Famers Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, and Zen Master Phil Jackson amongst its ranks. At lead guard, only the calm, cool, and collected Clyde Frazier could put this cast of characters in check.
Frazier put on a show in the clinching Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Beneath the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Frazier paced his Knicks to the tune of 36 points and 19 assists.
4 Reactions
6. Gary Payton
Gary Payton was the greatest defensive point guard of all time. Nicknamed “The Glove,” Gary Payton initially earned recognition as a ball hawk, for his ability to shut down the likes of Kevin Johnson, John Stockton, and Steve Nash. With his wiry strength, physical style of play, and non-stop trash talk, Payton also starred as the rare athlete who could get into the head of the great Michael Jordan. In the 1996 NBA Finals, Payton harassed Jordan into a subpar performance (by his Airness’ standards). Payton held Jordan to 23, 26, and 22 points in the final three games of the series.
As a member Seattle SuperSonics, Gary Payton was the mastermind behind bang-bang alley-oop plays to “Man-child” Shawn Kemp. In addition to the flair for the dramatic, Payton was fundamentally sound, as he thrived in the post to cook opponents with head fakes, turnaround jumpers, and a lethal drop step toward the goal. During the 1999-2000 season, GP put it all together to average 24 points, 9 assists, and 7 boards per game, in one of the greatest statistical performances in NBA history. In the twilight of his career, Payton finally rode off into the sunset as an NBA champion with the 2006 Miami Heat.
5. John Stockton
John Stockton was the anti-Clyde Frazier, at least as far as style was concerned. With his choir boy looks and comb-over haircut, Stockton appeared equally ready to either prepare your income taxes, or throw on a pair of butt-hugger shorts and school all comers out on the basketball floor. As a professional, Stockton was most notable for the economic efficiency of his game. As the NBA’s all-time assist leader (15,806 career assists), he played the angles to perfection, never committed to pounding the ball unnecessarily, and appeared to always instinctively make the right decision at the right time. Stock’s limited use of steps made for a deceptively fast floor general that often blew right past defenders out on the perimeter, despite his apparent lack of raw athleticism. As the ultimate scrapper, No. 12 would scratch, claw, grab, and battle his way into position on each and every possession.
On the pick and roll, Stockton hooked up with Karl “The Mailman” Malone for an ongoing montage of pretty-boy hand-behind-the-head dunks, and-one layups, and mid-range jump shots. To keep defenses honest, Stockton would sometimes curl off the Malone screen and fake the pass to The Mailman before stepping back behind the arc and knocking down a three from deep.
4. Bob Cousy
At first, nobody wanted Bob Cousy. As a young journeyman, Bob Cousy forced himself upon the Boston Celtics after he refused to report to the Tri Cities Blackhawks. After the Chicago Stags organization folded, Cousy signed on with the 1950 Celtics for $9,000 in salary. At the time, Celtics brass and head honcho Red Auerbach were doubtful that Cousy’s “local yokel” style and gimmicks could translate into success at the professional level. Cousy, of course, went on to serve as the original building block for a budding dynasty.
By his second season, he had earned the nickname “Houdini of the Hardwood,” as he dazzled fans with his slick ball-handling, no-look passes, and 20 points-per-game average. After his sophomore campaign, “The Cooz” went on to lead the NBA in assists for eight consecutive seasons between 1953 and 1960. In 1959, Cousy slapped together 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, as the primary sparkplug for Auerbach’s high-octane offense.
The Celtic Tradition now prides itself upon team play and winning championships. Between 1957 and 1963, Cousy joined forces with The Great Bill Russell to bring home six NBA Championships in seven years.
Your Reaction?
3. Isiah Thomas
Despite his baby face and radiant smile, Isiah Thomas was the Baddest of the Bad Boys. In Detroit, he was the ringleader for a collection of goons who thrived upon intimidation, dust ups, and rough-and-tumble play. The group, in its prime, gave both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen fits as Detroit enforced the Jordan Rules, which called for Piston enforcers to close out on drives in the paint and slam the more athletic Bulls players into the basketball support. For years, many notable basketball historians had rightfully speculated that bad blood between Detroit and Chicago ultimately kept Isiah Thomas off the 1992 Dream Team.
Thomas did win back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, between the Lakers, Celtics, and Bulls dynasties.
In true point guard form, he looked to get the likes of Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Mark Aguirre involved throughout the first three quarters of each game. As a passer, Thomas averaged 9.3 assists per game throughout his 13-year career. In 1985, he led the NBA with 1,123 assists, or 13.9 dimes per game. As a scorer, Thomas often waited until crunch time to dominate. In the fourth quarter, he was especially notable for scoring points in bunches off an array of jumpers, dribble drives, and baby hooks.
Thomas, again, was the ultimate link between championship dynasties in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As a young buck, he averaged 26 points per game in a 1985 playoff run that ended against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. In defeat, Thomas infamously had his inbounds pass stolen by Bird, who flipped a pass to Dennis Johnson for the clinching lay-up. Three short seasons later, Thomas also hobbled his way to a sensational 25 points in one quarter against Magic Johnson and the L.A. Lakers, en route to a 1988 NBA Finals loss. After winning two titles, the Bad Boy run came to a crashing halt in Chicago. In 1991, Isiah Thomas refused to shake hands with the Bulls and led his Pistons off the Chicago Stadium floor, after being swept out of the playoffs.
2. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was a force. Over the course of 14 seasons between the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Oscar Robinson put up unbelievable numbers to dominate the NBA. For his part, the Big O has ranked as a single-season leader in points, assists, free throw attempts, free throw percentage, and minutes played. As the ultimate measure of his all-around game and end-to-end play, he tallied a record 181 triple doubles, which included a remarkable 1962 run where he averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists per game.
As a young star, Robertson did everything for the moribund Cincinnati Royals franchise. Through his first five years as a professional, Robertson averaged more than 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists per contest. After a 1970 trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, he was finally able to showcase his skills for the benefit of a winning program. Teamed up with a young Lew Alcindor, Robertson helped lead his Milwaukee Bucks to a 4-0 NBA Finals sweep over the Baltimore Bullets that season.
1. Magic Johnson
At 6-foot-9, Magic Johnson starred as the only NBA athlete who could perform at a high level at all five positions. As a rookie in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, the Magic Man subbed in for an injured Kareem Abdul Jabaar to record 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. As a backdrop, Johnson’s all-around performance came against Julius Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers, and clinched the first of his five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
From there, assistant coach Pat Riley was ultimately promoted as head coach, and Showtime was born on the West Coast. In Showtime, Magic was a one-man fast break who could crash the boards, control the basketball, and push the tempo. In the open court, Johnson often fed the likes of Big Game James Worthy, Dennis Scott, A.C. Green, and Michael Cooper with pinpoint no-look passes for easy buckets.
Magic’s up-tempo style and Hollywood marquee showmanship made for the perfect contrast in heated battles between the Lakers and Celtics. Between 1983 and 1987, Magic’s Lakers won two out of three heated NBA Finals matchups against the Boston Celtics, who were a dynasty in their own right. As a winner and consummate team player, Johnson closed out his career having dished out 10,141 assists (now fifth of all time) and claimed 5 NBA titles.
Read more: http://www.cheatsheet.com/sports/th...rds-of-all-time.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3VQL3uC4D
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