When we start playing basketball as kids, most of us dream of becoming NBA Point Guards one day. It is the most iconic position in the sport.
Much like the quarterback in the NFL, a good point guard can make or break their team. They are the most specialized players on the court and are considered the on-court leaders by many.
Today, we are going to look at the greatest point guards to ever grace the NBA courts.
#10 – Gary Payton
1990–2003 Seattle SuperSonics
2003 Milwaukee Bucks
2003–2004 Los Angeles Lakers
2004–2005 Boston Celtics
2005–2007 Miami Heat
If this was a list of the best point guard defenders of all time, Gary Payton would be at the top of it.
His performance on defense kept the teams he played for out of danger time and time again. Payton was an NBA Champion with the Heat in 2006.
#9 – Bob Cousy
1950–1963 Boston Celtics
1969–1970 Cincinnati Royals
It would be a crime to make this list and not include Cousy. We have this man to thank for the role of the modern point guard.
Cousy is often referred to as “the original floor general” because of the way his career and playing style defined the role of point guard for all those who came after him.
Cousy won the NBA Championship 6 times throughout his career.
#8 – Jason Kidd
1994–1996 Dallas Mavericks
1996–2001 Phoenix Suns
2001–2008 New Jersey Nets
2008–2012 Dallas Mavericks
2012–2013 New York Knicks
Jason Kidd was a great point guard who has gone on to coach more great point guards.
Kidd not only won the NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks (where is now the head coach) but he also won 2 Olympic gold medals as the point guard for Team USA.
#7 – Steve Nash
1996–1998 Phoenix Suns
1998–2004 Dallas Mavericks
2004–2012 Phoenix Suns
2012–2015 Los Angeles Lakers
Nash is the only Canadian player to make it onto this list, but don’t hold that against him.
He may also be one of the best point guards to not win an NBA Championship. Although he did take his teams very close on many occasions.
#6 – Chris Paul
2005–2011 New Orleans Hornets
2011–2017 Los Angeles Clippers
2017–2019 Houston Rockets
2019–2020 Oklahoma City Thunder
2020–present Phoenix Suns
Paul is one of the only players on this list that is still active – he could go on to climb up this list in the future. You can find the NBA odds on Paul’s next season here.
Paul is yet to win a Championship title but is a 12-time All-Star and was named Rookie of the Year back in 2006.
#5 – John Stockton
1984–2003 Utah Jazz
Not only is Stockton fairly unique in the world of basketball because of his playing styles and height, but also because he spent his entire career with one team.
While Stockton did not win a championship title in his 19 years with the NBA he was a 10-time All-Star and he led the league in assists for 8 years running.
#4 – Isiah Thomas
1981–1994 Detroit Pistons
It seems unfair to put the chief “Bad Boy” at only number 4 on this list, but Thomas has some stiff competition.
Thomas has been named the best player in the NBA under 6 foot 1 by nearly every commentator out there (including us). He was a man who did not let his height hold him back.
He made up for it with power, confidence, and skill.
#3 – Stephen Curry
2009–present Golden State Warriors
Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to 3 NBA championships titles (2015, 2017, and 2018). He has also been an NBA MVP. In many sports, those achievements would be enough to make him the Greatest of All Time.
#2 – Oscar Robertson
1960–1970 Cincinnati Royals
1970–1974 Milwaukee Bucks
Roberston did many things in his career that set him apart from his rivals. He won the NBA Championship with the Bucks in 1971. He also became the first player to average a triple-double in league history.
He was also the person to take the NBA to court ( Robertson v. National Basketball Ass’n 1970), this trial led to players having more say over who they played for, their contracts, and led to fairer wages for players across the NBA.
Yes, he was a great basketball player, but he was a lover of the sport who changed it for the better.
#1 – Magic Johnson
1979–1991, 1996 Los Angeles Lakers
1999–2000 Magic M7 Borås
2000 Magic Great Danes
No, you’re not shocked to see Magic Johnson at the top of this list, are you?
Johnson was the leader of the Lakers when they were dominant over the rest of the NBA. He played with style and heart. He made millions of people around the world fall in love with basketball.
He won the NBA championship title 5 times as a player – 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
Basketball fans could spend hours arguing about who the greatest point guard of all time is. The question is up there with who the best ever player was and the greatest team in the NBA.
We don’t think this list will get all fans to agree with us, but we hope it has given you some food for thought.
