Top 5 Point Guards of All-Time

The NBA is always filled with such talented athletes. However; today’s NBA is the perfect era for the point guards and for the smaller players in general. I’m here to discuss my top 5 point guards in NBA history.

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5. Chris Paul

This one is the most debatable one for me, as I believe Chris Paul and John Stockton are neck-and-neck. You can honesty go with either one but Chris Paul gets the edge for me at the fifth spot. Chris Paul is the definition of a true point guard with his leadership, the way he orchestrates the offense, and provides scoring when necessary. If he’s not the best, then he has to be in the conversion as the best small two-way player in NBA history. Chris Paul has received a lot of criticism for not reaching the NBA finals. However; a lot of critics overlook the fact that he’s been one of the clutchest players and been a part of multiple overachieving teams due the impact he had on those teams while he’s been in the league. Unfortunately, injuries at key times has derailed him from reaching the NBA Finals but his career is still not over, as he will have more opportunities to enhance his accolades before it’s all said and done. Career stats: 18.5 PPG, 9.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 47% from the field and 87% from the free throw line. Accolades: 10x All-Star, 8x All-NBA selection, 9x All-Defensive, 6x Steals Champ, 4x Assist Champ, All-Star Game MVP, and Rookie of the Year.

4. Isaiah Thomas

The “Bad Boys Pistons” which were led by Isaiah Thomas doesn’t get enough respect in my opinion. I have Isaiah Thomas slotted in the fourth spot, as he was lightning fast with the ball and his ability to knock down shots from anywhere on the court made him so deadly. He was as tough as they come and performed best when the stage was the brightest which included him being the smallest player in NBA history to win Finals MVP. Isaiah Thomas was the catalyst during the “Bad Boys” era which became the norm during the late 1980s-early 1990s. Isaiah Thomas earned high praise from the legend in Magic Johnson himself, which showed how great he truly was. Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 9.3 APG,1.9 SPG, 45.2% from the field and 75.9% from the free throw line. Accolades: 12x All-Star, 5x All-NBA selection, 2x All-Star Game MVP, Assist Champ, a 2x NBA Champion and a Finals MVP.

3. Stephen Curry

There’s no debate that Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter of all-time. Not just in terms of accuracy as a spot-up shooter but also in terms of shooting off the dribble and his creativity. In terms of overall impact and influence for the game, Stephen Curry is right up there with Michael Jordan, as he revolutionized the game of basketball. With his incredible long-range shooting, Curry has not only made today’s NBA a space & pace, and three-point heavy league, he also made the three-point shot as popular as it ever been and has become a role model for the future generations. An underrated aspect of his legacy is that he’s one of the most unselfish superstars to date. As his career is still not finished, he will rack up more accolades and will have an opportunity to move up higher on my list. However; as of right now, I have Stephen Curry in the third spot. Career stats: 23.5 PPG, 6.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43.5% from three and 90.6% from the free throw line. Accolades: 2x MVP, 6x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, a Scoring & Steals Champ, and a 3x NBA Champion.

2. Oscar Robertson

The original Mr. Triple Double, the second greatest point guard currently in NBA history in my opinion. I truly believe that him and his game was so far ahead of its time during the 1960s & 1970s that his overall impact during that time was severely underrated along with his place in NBA history. He was the smaller version of Magic Johnson and LeBron James in terms of overall impact he had on the game which showed by his stats. Oscar Robertson had 181 career triple-doubles (most in NBA history). His career stats and accolades showed why he was one of the greatest players in his time. Career stats: 25.7 PPG, 9.5 APG, 7.5 RPG, 48.5% from the field and 83.8% from the free throw line. Accolades: MVP, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA selection, 6x Assist Champ, 3x All-Star Game MVP, Rookie of the Year, and an NBA Champion.

1. Magic Johnson

Without question, the greatest point guard in NBA history. Magic Johnson made significant impact the moment he came into the league, by winning a championship and Finals MVP (second youngest Finals MVP) during his rookie year. Magic Johnson would go on to become the face of the NBA while winning multiple championships and MVPS during the 1980s. His ability to see the entire floor and orchestrate the offense while delivering passes like we’re never seen before to his “Show-Time Lakers” teammates. Obviously, he made everyone around him better which showed by their regular season success and the amount of championships he won. With him being 6’9 and his versatility but offensively & defensively, he could play any position on the court. Magic Johnson love and passion for the game made him so fun to play with and such a lovable icon for the game. His career stats and accolades speak for itself on his greatness. Career stats: 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 7.2 RPG, 52% from the field and 84.8% from the free throw line. Accolades: 3x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA selection, 4x Assist Champ, 2x Steals Champ, 2x All-Star Game MVP and a 5x NBA Champion.