25 best point guards of all time: Top PGs in NBA history ranked

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The point guard position is crucial in the NBA, with players expected to control the offence and distribute the ball effectively. Throughout NBA history, several exceptional point guards have achieved individual and team success, leaving a lasting impact. Discover some of the best point guards of all time in this article.

Jason Kidd (L), Stephen Curry (C) and Magic Johnson (R).

We provide valuable insights through rankings and lists based on player achievements, including MVPs, All-Star selections, and championships. We also considered stats like assists, points, and shooting efficiency. Credible sources like NBA.com, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated were used for this ranking.

Best point guards of all time

Throughout NBA history, numerous point guards have scored many points, dished out many assists, grabbed many rebounds, and won several championships and accolades. Below is a list of the best NBA point guards of all time.

No.	Name	Career span
1	Magic Johnson	1979–1991, 1996
2	Stephen Curry	2009–present
3	Oscar Robertson	1960–1974
4	Jerry West	1960–1974
5	Chris Paul	2005–present
6	John Stockton	1984–2003
7	Jason Kidd	1994–2013
8	Steve Nash	1996–2015
9	Russell Westbrook	2008–present
10	Isiah Thomas	1981–1994
11	Tony Parker	2001–2019
12	Walt Frazier	1967–1980
13	Gary Payton	1990–2007
14	Bob Cousy	1950–1963, 1969–1970
15	Allen Iverson	1996–2011
16	Luka Doncic	2015–present
17	Kyrie Irving	2011–present
18	Damian Lillard	2012–present
19	Anfernee Hardaway	1993–2008
20	Dennis Johnson	1976–1990
21	Nate Archibald	1970–1984
22	Chauncey Billups	1997–2014
23	Tim Hardaway	1989–2003
24	Dave Bing	1966–1978
25	Rajon Rondo	2006–2022

1. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson at Avalon on 24 June 2022 in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Full name: Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr.
Date of birth: 14 August 1959
Place of birth: Lansing, Michigan, United States
Championships: 5
Career stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG

Is Magic Johnson the best point guard ever? Magic Johnson is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time. He was an oversized guard with perfect guard skills, including dribbling and passing. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships in the 1980s. He is a three-time NBA MVP.

2. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Full name: Wardell Stephen Curry II
Date of birth: 14 March 1988
Place of birth: Akron, Ohio, United States
Championships: 4
Career stats: 24.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.4 APG

Stephen Curry is the point guard for the Golden State Warriors and is considered one of the best players of all time. A two-time MVP, Curry has won four NBA titles and established himself as the best shooter in the NBA's history. Outside the NBA, Curry is also one of the hottest NBA players.

3. Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson at Barkar Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

Full name: Oscar Palmer Robertson
Date of birth: 24 November 1938
Place of birth: Charlotte, Tennessee, United States
Championships: 1
Career stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG

The former point guard played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. He was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member, and one-time MVP award winner. Oscar became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, a feat he accomplished in the 1961-1962 season with the Cincinnati Royals.

4. Jerry West

Full name: Jerry Alan West
Date of birth: 28 May 1938
Date of death: 12 June 2024
Place of birth: Chelyan, West Virginia, United States
Championships: 1
Career stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG

Jerry West, also known as "Mr. Clutch," is one of the most iconic and skilled guards in NBA history. He was known for his scoring ability, playmaking, and defensive prowess. He led the Lakers to an NBA championship in 1972 and was a 14-time NBA All-Star.

5. Chris Paul

Chris Paul at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Full name: Christopher Emmanuel Paul
Date of birth: 6 May 1985
Place of birth: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 17.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.3 APG

Paul has played for various teams throughout his career, including the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. Known for his court vision, basketball IQ, and leadership skills, Chris won 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA Team honors, and 9 All-Defensive Team selections. He is also one of the oldest active players in the NBA.

6. John Stockton

John Stockton at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Full name: John Houston Stockton
Date of birth: 26 March 1962
Place of birth: Spokane, Washington, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG

The former NBA player is considered among the greatest point guards ever. He spent his entire career with the Utah Jazz, which made the playoffs in 19 seasons. Stockton won ten-time NBA All-Star honours and held the NBA records for most career assists.

7. Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas

Full name: Jason Frederick Kidd
Date of birth: 23 March 1973
Place of birth: San Francisco, California, United States
Championships: 1
Career stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG

Jason Kidd is an NBA coach and former player who is the head coach for the Dallas Mavericks. He is regarded as one of the best point guards, known for his exceptional playmaking, basketball IQ, and defence. Kidd was a 10-time NBA All-Star, a six-time All-NBA Team member, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member.

8. Steve Nash

Steve Nash at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Full name: Stephen John Nash
Date of birth: 7 February 1974
Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
Championships: 0
Career stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG

Steve Nash is a Canadian professional basketball coach and former player who recently served as head coach of the Brooklyn Net (2020-2022). He played 18 seasons in the NBA, winning eight All-Star and seven All-NBA selections. He is also one of the greatest point guards of all time and was once named one of the most influential people in the world.

9. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Full name: Russell Westbrook III
Date of birth: 12 November 1988
Place of birth: Long Beach, California, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 21.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 8.1 APG

Russell Westbrook is one of the most electric players in NBA history. A former NBA MVP (2017), Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season three times. Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and plays for the Denver Nuggets. He is also among the richest NBA players in the world.

10. Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas at the 2023 ForbesBLK Summit at Southern Exchange Ballrooms in Atlanta, Georgia.

Full name: Isiah Lord Thomas III
Date of birth: 30 April 1961
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Championships: 2
Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG

Isiah Thomas is a former point guard and coach who is an analyst for NBA TV. He spent his entire professional career for the Detroit Pistons. As one of the greatest point guards of all time, Thomas was a two-time NBA champion, an NBA Finals MVP recipient, a five-time All-NBA Team member and a 12-time NBA All-Star.

11. Tony Parker

Tony Parker at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Full name: William Anthony Parker Jr.
Date of birth: 7 May 1982
Place of birth: Bruges, Belgium
Championships: 4
Career stats: 15.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.6 APG

Tony Parker is regarded as one of the best international point guards in NBA history. Tony played in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs from 2001 to 2018. During that run, he and the Spurs won four NBA Championships. The NBA star was also named to six NBA All-Star games and MVP of the 2007 NBA Finals.

12. Walt Frazier

Walt Frazier at SVA Theatre on 16 June 2023 in New York City.

Full name: Walter "Clyde" Frazier Jr.
Date of birth: 29 March 1945
Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Championships: 2
Career stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG

Walt Frazier, known as "Clyde," is celebrated as one of the greatest point guards and defensive players in the history of the NBA. He led the New York Knicks to two championships (1970 and 1973). Frazier was a seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-Defensive First Team selection.

13. Gary Payton

Gary Payton at Chase Center in San Francisco, California

Full name: Gary Dwayne Payton Sr.
Date of birth: 23 July 1968
Place of birth: Oakland, California, United States
Championships: 1
Career stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG

Gary Payton is one of the greatest point guards ever. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics. Payton was a nine-time All-Defensive First Team selection and the 1996 Defensive Player of the Year. He won an NBA championship with the Heat in 2006.

14. Bob Cousy

Full name: Robert Joseph Cousy
Date of birth: 9 August 1928
Place of birth: Manhattan, New York, United States
Championships: 6
Career stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG

Bob Cousy played point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963 and briefly played for the Cincinnati Royals during the 1969–70 season. His exceptional ball-handling, playmaking, and leadership helped lead the Boston Celtics to six championships. Bob is also a 13-time NBA All-Star and the 1957 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

15. Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Full name: Allen Ezail Iverson
Date of birth: 7 June 1975
Place of birth: Hampton, Virginia, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG

Allen Iverson is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played 14 seasons in the NBA at shooting and point guard positions. A former MVP (2001) and 11-time All-Star, Iverson led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

16. Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Full name: Luka Dončić
Date of birth: 28 February 1999
Place of birth: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Championships: 0
Career stats: 28.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 8.3

Luka Doncic, also known as Luka Magic, is a white NBA player for Dallas. He played for Real Madrid from 2015 to 2018 and is considered one of the greatest European players of all time. In 2018, he won the EuroLeague championship and was named EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP.

17. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Full name: Kyrie Andrew Irving
Date of birth: 23 March 1992
Place of birth: Melbourne, Australia
Championships: 1
Career stats: 23.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.7 APG

Kyrie Andrew Irving plays for the Dallas Mavericks. He is among the best finishers and ball handlers of all time and has been considered the most skilled offensive player in history. His strong three-point shot makes him a consistent scoring threat. Irving won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.

18. Damian Lillard

Full name: Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard Sr.
Date of birth: 15 July 1990
Place of birth: Oakland, California, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 25.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.7 APG

Damian plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is best known for his big shots in the clutch and is nicknamed "Dame Time." Damian Lillard began his NBA career after being drafted in 2012 and quickly established himself as a skilled player, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award that year. Throughout his career, he has received six NBA All-Star selections.

19. Anfernee Hardaway

Penny Hardaway at Fifth Third Arena on 15 February 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Full name: Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway
Date of birth: 18 July 1971
Place of birth: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 15.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG

Anfernee is an American college basketball coach and former professional player who is the head coach of the Memphis Tigers men's team in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Hardaway played college basketball at Memphis for 14 seasons in the NBA. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member.

20. Dennis Johnson

Dennis Johnson at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Full name: Dennis Wayne Johnson
Date of birth: 18 September 1954
Date of death: 22 February 2007
Place of birth: San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States
Championships: 3
Career stats: 14.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG

Dennis Wayne Johnson was an American professional basketball player for the Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics. He was a key player for the Boston Celtics, winning three championships (1974, 1981, 1986). He was named five All-Star Teams, one All-NBA First and one Second Team.

21. Nate Archibald

Nate Archibald at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Full name: Nathaniel "Tiny" Archibald
Date of birth: 2 September 1948
Place of birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
Championships: 1
Career stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 7.4 APG

Nate Archibald is known as a standout point guard in the NBA. He played for various teams for 14 years, most notably the Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City–Omaha Kings and Boston Celtics. In 1972-73, Archibald led the NBA in assists and points per game while playing an absurd 46 minutes per game. Archibald won ASG MVP during the 1980-81 season.

22. Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon.

Full name: Chauncey Ray Billups
Date of birth: 25 September 1976
Place of birth: Denver, Colorado, United States
Championships: 1
Career stats: 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.4 APG

Chauncey Ray Billups is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. As one of the best NBA point guards, Chauncey helped the Detroit Pistons win an NBA championship. He also made the All-Star game five times and was a member of the All-Defensive team twice.

23. Tim Hardaway

Tim Hardaway at Saitama Super Arena on 2 October 2022 in Saitama, Japan.

Full name: Timothy Duane Hardaway Sr.
Date of birth: 1 September 1966
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 17.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 8.2 APG

Timothy spent his NBA career as a guard point for teams including the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA Team member.

24. Dave Bing

Full name: David Bing
Date of birth: 24 November 1943
Place of birth: Washington, D.C., United States
Championships: 0
Career stats: 20.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG

David Bing was one of the top scorers throughout the late 1960s and early 70s. He was known for his scoring ability and court vision, primarily with the Detroit Pistons, where he became a seven-time NBA All-Star.

25. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Full name: Rajon Pierre Rondo
Date of birth: 22 February 1986
Place of birth: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Championships: 2
Career stats: 9.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 7.9 APG

Rajon Rondo was widely recognised as one of the top point guards in the NBA from 2008 to 2014. He played for the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics. While in Boston, Rondo helped his team win the 2008 NBA championship. The Laker point guard currently sits at 15th on the all-time assists list and is one of the players with the biggest hands in NBA history.

Who is the best point guard of all time?

Magic Johnson is widely considered the best point guard of all time. He is known for his exceptional passing and leadership skills.

Who has the most dunks in NBA history as a point guard?

Russell Westbrook has the most dunks in NBA history as a point guard with 652. He has the most dunks among point guards since the NBA started tracking play-by-play data in 1996-97. He is the only point guard in the Top 100 (72nd).

Who is the best Lakers point guard of all time?

Magic Johnson is often considered the greatest point guard in the Los Angeles Lakers' history. Other great Lakers point guards include Jerry West, Derek Fisher, and Steve Nash.

The point guard has been widely regarded as one of the most pivotal positions on the court. The best point guards of all time have helped their teams win, changed how the position is played, and inspired fans and players worldwide.

Legit.ng recently published a post about the tallest NBA players ever. These towering athletes have made an impact not only with their skills but also with their extraordinary height, which gives them an edge on the court.

Being among the tallest players in NBA history offers unique advantages and challenges, as they use their height to dominate in rebounds, blocks, and scoring. Discover who the tallest NBA players are and how their height has shaped their careers in the league in the article.

Source: Legit.ng

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