NBA history is filled with many talented players who have graced the league, one such player being the point guard, who is considered to be the most skilled player on the court.
Their skill set is well-suited to start attacks with their dribbling and ball-handling skills, set plays and lead their team.
In addition to their ball-handling skills, they are reputed to have excellent vision and shooting ability. In some quarters, they are considered the most important players on the court and are often cited as the most complete players in the game.
But who are the greatest point guards to have showcased their skills on the NBA stage? Below is a list of the 10 greatest point guards in NBA history.
1. Magic Johnson Jr.
First up on the list is none other than Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. Magic Johnson played 13 seasons in the NBA, and during those 13 years, the nation was treated to an incredible spectacle every time he stepped on the court.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player is considered by many to be the best point guard in NBA history, and his skill and talent helped the Lakers win five championships.
On an individual level, he won many awards and plaques, including being named MVP three times between 1987 and 1990 and winning Finals MVP three more times.
If he Diagnosed with HIV This incident effectively cut his career short, but there’s no telling how much more he could have accomplished in basketball after that.
During his career, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player three times, won the NBA Finals MVP three times, and won five NBA championships, which leaves some wondering how many more accolades he has left.
2. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson, popularly known as “Big O,” is ranked second in the list of the 10 greatest point guards in NBA history. During his playing career, he played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks.
The highly talented Robertson was named an All-Star 12 times and a member of the All-NBA team another 11 times, and was also honored as the league’s Most Valuable Player once during his career.
Robertson was the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double, and it would be hard to find a player who shot, scored and played a better set of plays than Robertson at the peak of his game.
In terms of titles, Robertson hasn’t won that many, but his lone NBA title came with the Milwaukee Bucks.
3. John Stockton
John Stockton is arguably one of the best point guards in NBA history, but he is also arguably one of the unluckiest. Stockton rose to fame with his only team, the Utah Jazz.
The former Utah Jazz point guard currently holds the records for most career assists and steals, and it would be a monumental effort for anyone to take those records away from him.
His title collection is also highly impressive: he was part of the U.S. teams that won gold medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, as well as the 1992 FIBA Americas Championship. The legendary Stockton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
4. Stephen Curry
Younger NBA fans who aren’t familiar with some of the names on this list will undoubtedly know of Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors player is the stuff of legend, even though he’s still years away from retirement.
Curry is said to have modernized the role of the point guard. In addition to his overall ability, he is highly regarded for his shooting skills, even going so far as to make three-point shots from incredible angles.
Curry doesn’t just shoot, he controls the play and his team’s offense. Overall, his ability to take control of the game is impressive. At last count, Curry has won four NBA titles and shows no signs of slowing down. He has also been named MVP multiple times.
With Curry, Chris Paul and Klay Thompson in the mix, the Warriors are considered championship favorites every season, and many NBA experts believe it’s only a matter of time before Curry and the Warriors win another title.
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5. Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas is considered one of the best and most competitive point guards in NBA history. Not only was he talented, he was also extremely athletic.
He wasn’t the best dribbler even in his prime, but his ball-handling skills and vision were crucial in establishing him as a top-tier point guard.
He was part of the Detroit Pistons that defeated the Bulls three consecutive times in the NBA playoffs.
6. Chris Paul
Chris Paul is another one of the best point guards in NBA history, still playing today but already making a name for himself.
As a point guard, he’s not only responsible for setting and directing the play, but also for pointing his teammates in the right direction on the court.
He is known for his shooting and scoring ability as well as his pick-and-roll style of play. The man his die-hard fans call CP3 is arguably one of the best point guards in NBA history.
CP3 is yet to win an NBA title, but analysts predict it won’t be long until he does so with the Golden State Warriors.
But on the international stage he won. Won two gold medals each at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
7. Steve Nash
Before Chris Paul, there was Steve Nash, who became famous for his pick-and-roll style of play and his incredible dribbling and shooting skills.
He was a very good shooter and could find the net from beyond the arc, and Nash won a number of individual awards, including being named league MVP twice, but he never won an NBA title himself.
8. Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd was also highly regarded during his playing days, arguably one of the best point guards in NBA history, but he had one distinctive feature that made him stand out.
His ability to thread passes to teammates in the tightest of spaces made him a truly special player, and Kidd was also extremely powerful in transition.
Kidd could not only set up plays, but also play defense, make steals and orchestrate his team’s offense.
9. Waltz Frazier
Walt Frazier is an older player, but he was good enough in his prime that he’s still remembered and considered one of the greatest point guards of all time.
He maintained his composure on and off the court and focused on his job, he had great scoring instincts and played a smooth game.
He played for the New York Knicks and won several individual awards during his time there.
10. Bob Cousy
Many basketball historians and analysts opine that Bob Cousy should be recognized as the first modern point guard.
He was known as a floor general, and he had a variety of skills that made him a great point guard.
He could shoot, dribble, pass, set up the play and score. His creativity was legendary as well.
