Who were the greatest point guards in NBA history? This debate usually starts with Lakers’ legend Magic Johnson and I simply can’t disagree with that notion. Magic retired with five titles and nine trips to the NBA Finals from 1979-1991 so making a case against him is rather futile. Almost every knowledgeable fan would choose Johnson to start on an all-time team, so second place down is what we’re competing for, gentlemen.
Ranking players for an all-time list has always been difficult based on their performances spanning several different eras but that is part of the fun, wouldn’t you agree?
I wanted to begin this series ranking every position with the league’s legendary floor generals, starting with the great Ervin Johnson, of course.
Below each player’s commentary I have included a video clip of that legend for you to view and enjoy. Simply click on the bold text and you’re there!
If you don’t agree with my selections I’d like to hear what your top ten would be in the comments section.
(NOTE: I did not include Jerry West or Allen Iverson as point guards and therefore they’re not listed here - most major publishers list them as shooting guards and so am I)
1. Magic Johnson - Lakers
STATS: 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 7.2 RPG
Titles - 5 MVP Awards - 3 Finals MVP Awards - 3 All-Star selections - 12 All-NBA First-Team selections - 9
Magic Johnson certainly needs no introduction and is deserving of the number one spot of any all-time point guard ranking out there. Somehow Magic was even better than his 138 triple-doubles, assist titles, and MVP awards can attest to. It was only fitting that Jordan’s first championship came at the expense of Johnson - a true passing of the torch if there ever was one.
2. Oscar Robertson - Royals, Bucks
STATS: 25.7 PPG, 9.5 APG, 7.5 RPG
Titles - 1 MVP Awards - 1 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 12 All-NBA First-Team selections - 9
Before Magic Johnson came along Big O set the standard for legendary point guard play and nothing has changed to kick him out of a top-two spot. We all know about how he averaged a triple-double for the entire 1961-62 season and how when he was teamed with Abdul-Jabbar in Milwaukee the Bucks nearly won back-to-back titles while dominating the league. Robertson’s record of 181 career triple-doubles may be, along with Chamberlain’s 100 point and 55 rebound performances, the single-most untouchable record ever.
** 3. Isiah Thomas - Pistons**
STATS: 19.2 PPG, 9.3 APG, 3.6 RPG
Titles - 2 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 1 All-Star selections - 12 All-NBA First-Team selections - 3
Most younger folks nowadays know of Thomas because of his disastrous turn as coach and GM of the New York Knicks but for those who know the game Isiah will always be one of the greatest little men ever. Thomas’ 25 points in a quarter during game six of the 1988 Finals versus the Lakers on a severly sprained ankle will be etched forever in NBA lore and, as with Jordan, it was fitting that Isiah’s Pistons had to lose to and finally defeat Johnson’s Lakers for their first title.
** **4. Bob Cousy - Celtics, Royals
STATS: 18.4 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.2 RPG
Titles - 6 MVP Awards - 1 All-Star selections - 13 All-NBA First-Team selections - 10
Cousy was the NBA’s first true legendary point guard and a main cog along with Bill Russell on the early Celtics dynasty teams. Cousy led the league in assists seven consecutive times and retired after the Celtics won their fifth straight championship in 1963 (although he did play seven games for the Royals in 1969). While Cousy may not have thrived in today’s NBA he was the most electrifying playmaker of his time and a worthy #4 choice.
** **5. John Stockton - Jazz
STATS: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.7 RPG
Titles - 0 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 10 All-NBA First-Team selections - 2
Complain about his lack of titles and MVP awards all you like - Stockton was without a doubt the greatest example of what a pure, pass-first point guard should be and was a durable, elite defender as well. The Stockton-to-Malone P&R partnership may never be duplicated again. The NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals likely would have won two titles if not for running into you-know-who in 1997 and 1998.
** 6. Walt Frazier - Knicks, Cavaliers**
STATS: 18.9 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5.9 RPG
Titles - 2 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 7 All-NBA First-Team selections - 4
Frazier might be considered, along with Gary Payton, the most disruptive point guard ever defensively and was the driving force behind two Knicks championships in 1970 and 1973 over the vaunted Los Angeles Lakers. Frazier was an all-around force in his career, averaging six rebounds and assists per night along with eighteen points and prevented the legendary Jerry West from winning more than a single title.
** 7. Steve Nash - Mavericks, Suns**
STATS: 14.6 PPG, 8.3 APG, 3.0 RPG
Titles - 0 MVP Awards - 2 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 7 All-NBA First-Team selections - 3
Nash ranks as the first active player on this list and if he would just win a title one of these days might vault a spot higher or so. Without a doubt there are few players in NBA history who truly made their teammates better on the level this guy has and his ridiculous shooting ability transcends any era. If Steve’s defense were on a Stockton-level we’d be discussing him alongside Magic right now. Nash continues to defy age and time this season so his story has yet to be completely written. Stay tuned.
** 8. Jason Kidd - Mavericks, Suns, Nets**
STATS: 13.5 PPG, 9.2 APG, 6.6 RPG
Titles - 0 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 10 All-NBA First-Team selections - 5
Kidd has been simply sensational for more than a decade and, in my opinion, should have won the 2002 MVP award over Tim Duncan for leading New Jersey to 52 victories. At the peak of his powers Kidd destroyed foes in transition, played terrific man defense, and unfathomably led the Nets to two consecutive Finals appearances.
** 9. Nate Archibald - Royals, Knicks, Celtics, Bucks**
STATS: 18.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, 2.3 RPG
Titles - 1 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 6 All-NBA First-Team selections - 3
At his best Archibald was like nothing the NBA had ever seen - a lightning quick, penetrate-and-dish scoring guard who was the first player in the “Allen Iverson” mold. Archibald remains the only player ever to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season (1972-73) and finally captured his first championship as a starter on the 1980-81 Celtics.
10A. Gary Payton - Supersonics, Lakers, Bucks, Celtics, Heat
STATS: 16.3 PPG, 6.7 APG, 3.9 RPG
Titles - 1 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 9 All-NBA First-Team selections - 2
At Payton’s best there were few in history who could dominate his position defensively with such ferocity. Gary had the ability to post his man up, toss perfect lobs to the high-flying Kemp, and carry a the scoring load when necessary. The “Glove” won a title with Miami in 2006 but was just a shell of himself by that time. Another of the great players who ran into Jordan’s Bulls during their heyday.
10B. Maurice Cheeks - 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets
STATS: 11.1 PPG, 6.7 APG, 2.8 RPG** **
Titles - 1 MVP Awards - 0 NBA Finals MVP - 0 All-Star selections - 4 All-NBA First-Team selections - 0
Yes, I’m cheating by placing Cheeks as #10B but after some serious thought and video review I decided to bend the rules a bit. Cheeks was one of the finest defenders at the guard position in history and piloted the 76ers to 46 or more victories in every season he played for the club. The Sixers actually sported one of the NBA’s finest squads for many years in the early 1980’s but, of course, they ran into those Celtics and Lakers juggernauts, winning a single title in 1983. That team swept the Lakers in the NBA Finals and remains one of the greatest squads of all-time.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kevin Johnson - If only injuries had not derailed you.
Tim Hardaway - My favorite point guard to watch during the 1990’s.
Lenny Wilkens - It’s too bad that you are known better for your coaching than your stellar play.
Terry Porter - One of the most underrated PGs of the last thirty years.
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
Penny Hardaway - What Kobe Bryant is to Jordan today you could’ve been to Magic. So sad…
SEE YOU IN A FEW YEARS
Chris Paul - If your health holds up you are going to go places.
Deron Williams - Same as above.
Chauncey Billups - Where you rank all-time is a bit cloudy - give me a couple of years
Your thoughts?