The 25 Greatest Point Guards in NBA History
Dedicated to Zeke the player, not Zeke the exec.
Image via Complex Original
There are four different types of point guards. There's the scoring type, the defensive type, the passing type, and the all-around type. Isiah Thomas was the latter. Zeke did it all. The 6'1", 180-pound guard out of Chicago was fearless on the basketball court. As the leader of the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons, he won back-to-back titles right after the Magic and Bird era, and just before the Jordan era. In fact, it was Zeke's Pistons that owned Jordan's Bulls during the first six years of Mike's career. That's how good Thomas was. Behind his inviting smile was a menacing killer that could drop 25 points in a quarter in the Finals on a badly sprained ankle. He also wouldn't hesitate to send his goons for you if need be.
On his 52nd birthday, we made a list of the best floor generals ever. We picked defensive cats like Mookie Blaylock and Dennis Johnson to all-around guys like Chris Paul and Tim Hardaway to scoring points like Tiny Archibald and Tony Parker. Walk with us as we try to rank the most important position in basketball. Check out the 25 Greatest Point Guards in NBA History.
Written by Angel Diaz (@ADiaz456)
25. Mookie Blaylock
Stats: 13.5 PPG 6.7 APG 4.1 RPG 2.3 SPG
Accomplishments: 1x All-Star, 6x All-Defense, 2x Steals Leader
Teams: Nets, Hawks, Warriors
An underrated point guard, Mookie's probably one of the top five defensive points in history. He averaged two steals or better in 11 of 13 seasons and led the league in cookies per game twice. He and Mt. Mutombo played shutdown defense in Atlanta under Lenny Wilkens during his last three seasons there. In his previous first couple years with the Hawks, he teamed up with Dominique to form a nice duo as well. Blaylock is 11th all time in total steals and 5th all time in steals per contest. The definition of lockdown defender.
24. Mark Jackson
Stats: 9.6 PPG 8.0 APG 3.8 RPG 1.2 SPG
Accomplishments: 1988 Rookie of the Year, 1988 All-Rookie Team, 1x All-Star, 1x Assists Leader
Teams: Knicks, Clippers, Pacers, Nuggets, Raptors, Jazz, Rockets
Don't let those numbers fool you, Mark Jackson has always been one of the most slept on. From getting traded from his hometown Knicks in favor of Rod Strickland to making only one All-Star team to turning the Golden State Warriors around as a first-time head coach, Action Jackson is still proving people wrong. He played in 17 seasons and was a key contributor on many Knicks and Pacers playoff teams, including a 2000 Finals appearance with the latter. Jackson also sits at No. 3 on the all-time assists list. Mama there goes that man.
23. Fat Lever
Stats: 13.9 PPG 6.2 APG 6.0 RPG 2.2 SPG
Accomplishments: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense
Teams: Blazers, Nuggets, Mavs
Fat Lever never gets the respect he deserves. The god averaged 18.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game between 1987 and 1990. While we let that sink in, he also sits at No. 6 all-time in triple-doubles (43) behind Larry Bird and in front of LeBron James.
Lever has also clocked some ridiculous games in his career. As a member of the Nuggets he gave the Cavs 20 points, 20 boards, 12 dimes, and snatched 6 steals in 1988. He also put 20 points, 22 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals on the Spurs in 1990. His game log on basketball-reference is littered with triple and double-doubles. Lever led the Nuggets in rebounds three out of the six years he was there. Although, his nickname was "Fat," Lafayette was known for his stamina. His style was relentless and he wasn't flashy. Just no nonsense, take no play off type of shit. Unfortunately, knee injuries derailed his trip to the Hall. Still give him his props though.
22. Rod Strickland
Stats: 13.2 PPG 7.3 APG 3.7 RPG 1.5 SPG
Accomplishments: 1989 All-Rookie Team, 1x All-NBA, 1x Assists Leader
Teams: Knicks, Spurs, Blazers, Wizards, Heat, Timberwolves, Magic, Raptors, Rockets
Although, he never made an All-Star team, Strickland had a nice following. Fans respected his style of play, especially his consistency. Between 1990 and 1999, Rod averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 dimes per game. His jump shot was questionable, but it didn't matter because he was able to get in the lane at will. He was a big point at a solid 6'3", 175. Strick used that size and the handle he learned growing up in the Bronx to either score in the paint or dish for an assist. Strickland currently sits at ninth all-time in dimes.
21. Mark Price
Stats: 15.2 PPG 6.7 APG 2.6 RPG 1.2 SPG
Accomplishments: 4x All-Star, 4x All-NBA
Teams: Cavs, Bullets, Warriors, Magic
Mark Price is rarely mentioned in the pantheon of great floor generals, and it's sad. His Cavs teams battled Jordan's Bulls in the Central division and in the playoffs, usually coming up short in the process. Before knee injuries slowed him down, Price was the best shooter in the game. He was also known to be the best at splitting double teams. So basically he was somewhat unguardable.
If you gave him even the slightest bit of daylight he was dicing shit in your face. Price retired as the best free-throw shooter ever with a .9039 percentage (Steve Nash is No. 1 with a .9042 percentage). Mark, Larry Legend, Steve Nash, Reggie Miller, Dirk, and Kevin Durant are the only members of the 50, 40, 90 club—that's 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 90 percent from the stripe in a season. Great company, no?
20. Chauncey Billups
Stats: 15.4 PPG 5.5 APG 2.9 RPG 1.0 SPG
Accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 2x All-Defense, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP
Teams: Celtics, Raptors, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Pistons, Nuggets, Knicks, Pistons
Yup, Mr. Big Shot makes the cut. After years of coaches not knowing what position he was, the genius that is Larry Brown made him a full-time point guard. It was there, in Detroit, that Billups solidified himself as one of the best points of his day. His basketball IQ is off the charts, he always made the right decision and was big enough to defend both guard positions.
During his time as a Piston, Chauncey hit big shot after big shot, hence the nickname. And when he was traded to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson, Billups helped Carmelo Anthony reach the Western Conference Finals that very same year (2009). He's currently on the Clippers, and although he's been injured for most of his time there, it's not a coincidence that the culture has changed there. We see him coaching after his playing days are over.
19. Kevin Johnson
Stats: 17.9 PPG 9.1 APG 3.3 RPG 1.5 SPG
Accomplishments: 1989 Most Improved Player, 3x All-Star, 5x All-NBA
Teams: Cavs, Suns
KJ was a beast. Over the course of four seasons (1989-1992), Johnson averaged 21 points, 11 assists, and a steal and a half per game. In his first six seasons in Phoenix, the Suns made three trips to the Western Conference Finals and a Finals appearance in '93 with the help of Charles Barkley. Johnson is one of three players to average 20 and 11 in a season. The others? A couple guys named Magic and Isiah.
KJ shot an incredible 49 percent from the field and lived at the free-throw line because he relentlessly attacked the basket. Amazingly, Johnson only made three All-Star teams (a crime against humanity), despite having monster numbers for a point. The guy dunked on The Dream for Christ's sake. And he managed to keep the Kings in Sacramento. And he looks like the heckler from Half Baked. Never boo this man.
18. Tim Hardaway
Stats: 17.7 PPG 8.2 APG 3.3 RPG 1.6 SPG
Accomplishments: 1990 All-Rookie Team, 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA
Teams: Warriors, Heat, Mavs, Nuggets, Pacers
Tim Hardaway entered our hearts one killer crossover at a time. Before YouTube, nightly Hardaway sports show highlights helped us cope with everyday life. His UTEP 2 Step left defenders stuck in their tracks. He would hit them with a stutter-step followed by a crossover, and just like that, he was gone. B
But still, Tim was more than that. Hardaway played good defense and was able to hit the three with some consistency (.355 career three-point percentage), especially in the clutch. After some knee injuries slowed him down and his time in Golden State was up, Tim was the starting point guard on those great mid-'90s Miami Heat teams. Whenever the Heat were in trouble or they needed a dagger trey, Hardaway delivered.
17. Rajon Rondo
Stats: 11.1 PPG 8.3 APG 4.5 RPG 1.9 SPG
Accomplishments: 2007 All-Rookie Team, 4x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 2x Assists Leader, 1x Steals Leader, 1x Champion
Teams: Celtics
Rondo plays with a confidence that borders on cockiness. He's been in the league seven years and already has a ring in two Finals appearances. Playing for Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers—two solid points in their day—has helped Rajon turn into one of the game's best floor generals. He can't shoot a lick (.241 career three-point percentage), but his on-court savvy and craftiness around the rim make up for it. Rondo's lanky build allows him to smother opponents and create turnovers.
Boston's proving his worth with the way they've been playing in the 2013 Playoffs. Rajon has been criticized for being selfish. Some folks say that he worries about assists too much, that he hogs the ball, and has an attitude on top of it. But the truth is, Rondo gets guys better shots. Just watch the Celtics in the fourth quarter to see what we mean. He's averaged 11 assists the last three seasons and finished 2013 as the leader in dimes, despite playing in only 38 games due to a torn ACL.
16. Tony Parker
Stats: 17.1 PPG 6.0 APG 3.0 RPG 1.0 SPG
Accomplishments: 2002 All-Rookie Team, 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP
Teams: Spurs
The numbers are solid and he's still only 30 years old. Playing in the shadows of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Greg Popovich, Tony Parker has quietly carved out a great career. He's consistent and knows how to win. He won his first ring in 2003 at 20 years old. Parker's been San Antonio's MVP for the last couple of seasons as well. Although they haven't won or been to the Finals since 2007, the Spurs are always at the top of the standings. That's a testament to Pop's coaching as much as it is to Tony's play.
15. Mo Cheeks
Stats: 11.1 PPG 6.7 APG 2.8 RPG 2.1 SPG
Accomplishments: 4x All-Star, 5x All-Defense, 1x Champion
Teams: 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets
Mo Cheeks was a thief. He had some of the quickest hands and played some of the best defense in history. By the time he retired, Cheeks was the all-time leader in steals and top five in assists. He won a title in 1983 with the 76ers alongside Dr. J and Moses Malone. Mo was a smart player and many considered him to be the leader of those great Philly teams of the '80s. He loved to play team ball. That's all that you can ask from your point guard.
14. Chris Paul
Stats: 18.6 PPG 9.8 APG 4.4 RPG 2.4 SPG
Accomplishments: 2006 Rookie of the Year, 2006 All-Rookie Team, 6x All-Star, 4x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 2x Assists Leader, 5x Steals Leader
Teams: Hornets, Clippers
He's only been playing for eight seasons, but if you watch CP3 do work, him being on this list is a no brainer. Like most of the guys on this list, he makes players better. Paul put the New Orleans Hornets on his back (check the roster, other than David West and Tyson Chandler, they sucked) and carried them to them to the 2008 Western Conference Semis where they fell in seven to the Spurs.
And when he was traded to the Clippers in 2011, he instantly made them contenders and led them to their first Pacific Division title ever. Paul never makes a mistake it seems. He scores when needed, passes when needed, plays great defense, and has enough heart to go around. Don't let his off-court demeanor fool you, much like Isiah, CP is a killer. At this rate, he'll be top 10 when it's all said and done.
13. Dennis Johnson
Stats: 14.1 PPG 5.0 APG 3.9 RPG 1.3 SPG
Accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, Member of Hall of Fame.
Teams: Sonics, Suns, Celtics
DJ is the greatest defensive point guard in NBA history. Standing at 6'4", 200 pounds, Johnson was able to body up smaller guards while often guarding the opponents best wing man. He helped the Sonics capture their one and only title ('79), and played a vital role in two Celtics championships in the '80s ('84 and '86). DJ was solid on the offensive end as well by always making the right decisions and scoring in the biggest moments.
He used his big frame to go to the basket, or he would stop on a dime for a mid-range pull-up jumper. He was as tough as nails and always seemed to be in the thick of things, making either clutch shots or clutch steals. Players around the league and his teammates respected him because he played hard every minute of every game. He was finally inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2010, three years after his death from a heart attack at the age of 52. R.I.P.
12. Nate "Tiny" Archibald
Stats: 18.8 PPG 7.4 APG 2.3 RPG
Accomplishments: 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x Assists Leader, 1x NBA Champion, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks
Nate Archibald was one of the original dynamic, score-first NYC point guards. The man referred to as "Tiny" packed a big punch. He is still the only player to lead the NBA in points and assists in the same season. He accomplished the feat as the Kansas City-Omaha Kings starting point guard in 1973, averaging 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game. The season before that, Archibald finished '72 with a 28.2 PPG average after being snubbed from the All-Star team.
Simple and plain, Tiny was a scoring machine. He used his speed to get to the bucket and he had a decent mid-range game, shooting 46 percent from the field for his career. After years of putting up big numbers on mediocre teams and battling injuries, Archibald won a ring with the '81 Celtics as their starting point guard, contributing 13.8 points and 7.7 assists per game on the season (15 and 6 in the playoffs).
11. Lenny Wilkens
Stats: 16.5 PPG 6.7 APG 4.7 RPG
Accomplishments: 9x All-Star, 1x Assists Leader, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Hawks, Sonics, Cavs, Blazers
Not only is he a Hall of Fame player, he's a Hall of Fame coach as well. During the last several years as a member of the Sonics, Wilkens was a player-coach. As a player, he was even-keeled, balanced, never flustered. Although, he put up great numbers, he wasn't as popular as other guys because of his textbook style of play. Lenny was not only a great floor general, he was a top-notch defender as well. Lenny played with a confidence that would help him handle coaching and point guard duties. He wasn't a great shooter, but he was savvy enough to attack the rim and get his points from the charity stripe. There's a reason why he's the winningest coach in NBA history.
10. Steve Nash
Stats: 14.4 PPG 8.5 APG 3.0 RPG 0.7 SPG
Accomplishments: 8x All-Star, 2x MVP, 7x All-NBA, 5x Assists Leader
Teams: Suns, Mavs, Lakers
Who would've thought that the Canadian kid out of Santa Clara was going to turn into a first ballot Hall of Famer? He didn't get much burn in his first two seasons in Phoenix nor his first two in Dallas after the Suns traded him for Pat Garrity, Bubba Wells, and a 1999 1st round pick (Shawn Marion). By his third year with the Mavs, he turned into a legit starting point guard. Along with Dirk Nowitzki, Nash made the Mavs relevant again. But when free agency came around they didn't want to pay him and he bolted for the desert. That's when shit got real for the kid.
Under Mike D'Antoni's "seven seconds or less" offense, Nash flourished and turned into the player we see today. He doesn't play a lick of defense, but his passes are accurate, his jumpers are water, his stamina is unreal, and he doesn't miss free throws (all-time leader in free-throw percentage at .904). And is one of six players in the 50, 40, 90 club. Nash—when healthy—is the ultimate offensive threat.
9. Gary Payton
Stats: 16.3 PPG 6.7 APG 3.9 RPG 1.8 SPG
Accomplishments: 1991 All-Rookie Team, 9x All-Star, 1996 Defensive Player of the Year, 9x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, 1x NBA Champion, 1x Steals Leader, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Sonics, Bucks, Lakers, Heat
The Glove is one of the greatest defensive players of all time. He never backed down from anybody and talked shit to immortal legends. With Shawn Kemp as his accomplice, Payton caught wreck out West for years. He's fourth all-time in steals and put the cuffs on the best of them. GP had an all-around game to go with his mouth which made him a thorn in every opponent's side. He wasn't the best shooter, but drove and either layed it up or hit Shawn Kemp with an alley oop. All this was solidified when he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame earlier this year.
8. Bob Cousy
Stats: 18.4 PPG 7.5 APG 5.2 RPG
Accomplishments: 13x All-Star, 1x MVP, 12x All-NBA, 8x Assist Leader, 6x Champion, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Celtics, Royals
Bob Cousy is the Original Gangsta. His style of play, along with Bill Russell's defense, and Red Aurbach's mind made the NBA into what you see today. Those Boston teams invented the fast break. Russell would control blocked shots by sending them to Cousy, and that's when the Houdini of the hardwood created his magic. He had handle ahead of his time from playing on the streets of New York, and executed passes straight out of a Harlem Globetrotters game. Cousy won six titles with the Celtics, including five straight. He also led the league in assists in eight consecutive seasons (1953-1960). Throw rice for the guy that revolutionized the point guard position.
7. Walt Frazier
Stats: 18.9 PPG 6.1 APG 5.9 RPG
Accomplishments: 1968 All-Rookie Team, 7x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, 7x All-Defense, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Knicks, Cavs
Clyde was the complete package. His mid-range jumper was killer, his defense was all-time great, he ran a flawless offense, and he had Red Holzman for a coach. Frazier also enjoyed every minute of being a star. Five decades later, and his style is still well-known, whether you agree with it or not. Walt was the engine that fed fellow Hall of Famer Willis Reed and helped the Knicks win their only two titles in '70 and '73, beating the Logo and Wilt Chamberlian's Lakers both times. He and Earl the Pearl Monroe formed one of the greatest backcourts in history.
6. Jason Kidd
Stats: 12.6 PPG 8.7 APG 6.3 RPG 1.9 SPG
Accomplishments: 1995 Co-Rookie of the Year, 1995 All-Rookie Team, 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, 5x Assists Leader, 1x Champion
Teams: Mavs, Suns, Nets, Knicks
Watch these highlights and try not to lose your shit. In his prime, Jason Kidd was the best point guard in the league. He was one of those players that was able to affect the game without scoring. With virtually no jumpshot, Kidd was still able to beat you. At 40, he's still the smartest player in the league and has turned himself into a deadly three-point shooter (third all-time in makes and attempts).
Kidd threw mind-boggling passes, had a killer crossover, had sticky fingers, and would hit improbable lay-ups like it was normal. He was also fast as hell, once he got the ball in the open floor it was pretty much over. Jason did what he wanted with the ball in his hands. He currently sits third in minutes played all-time and is second in assists and steals all-time. He also throws some of the best alley-oops in the game.
5. Jerry West
Stats: 27.0 PPG 6.7 APG 5.8 RPG
Accomplishments: 14x All-Star, 1x Finals MVP, 12x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 1x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Teams: Lakers
Yes, Jerry West was a point guard, or at least that's what Basketball-Reference says. The Logo and Gail Goodrich shared floor general duties for the Lakers, with West doing most of the heavy lifting. West averaged nearly seven dimes for his career while scoring nearly 30 points per game all while helping the Lakers make nine Finals appearances. He was dangerous in the open floor because opponents didn't know whether he was going to pass it to one of his Hall of Fame teammates or pull up for an always automatic jumper.
Despite his team's failures in the Finals, West was still nicknamed Mr. Clutch. It's not his fault that that the Celtics had a starting five of Hall of Famers. He's not handling the rock in the NBA logo by mistake.
4. John Stockton
Stats: 13.1 PPG 10.5 APG 2.1 RPG 2.2 SPG
Accomplishments: 10x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 9x Assist Leader, 2x Steals Leader, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Jazz
Stockton was the prototypical point guard. Everything he did was by the book, except for when he played defense. Although he was hardly caught red-handed, he was known to be one of the dirtiest players of his day. He would claw, kick, and nag his opponent relentlessly. But that will to win by all means is what made him the all-time leader in steals and assists.
Which leads us into his offensive game. "Stockton to Malone" is a household phrase. Those two picked and rolled their way into the history books. They led the Jazz to 19 straight playoff appearances and two trips to the Finals.
3. Isiah Thomas
Stats: 19.2 PPG 9.3 APG 3.6 RPG 1.9 SPG
Accomplishments: All-Rookie Team, 12x All-Star, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 2x Assist Leader, 2x NBA Champion, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Pistons
Zeke was unstoppable. At 6'1', 180 pounds, he was (and still is) one of the game's greatest villains. It was his team that a young, talented Micheal Jordan couldn't beat. It was his team that won two straight championships in the Magic, Bird, and Jordan era. The Bad Boy Pistons don't get enough shine for that fact. Thomas was fearless on the basketball court and that attitude rubbed off on his team. He played with stitches on his head, badly sprained ankles, it didn't matter, Isiah didn't give a fuck. He was going to win and that's all that mattered.
2. Oscar Robertson
Stats: 25.7 PPG 9.5 APG 7.5 RPG
Accomplishments: 1961 Rookie of the Year, 12x All-Star, 1x MVP, 11x All-NBA, 6x Assists Leader, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Royal, Bucks
The Big O was from the future. The league wasn't ready for him. He's still the only player to average a triple-double (1962) and missed by the skin of his teeth on four separate occasions. Unfortunately, he came up during the Russell era and was able to capture only one ring when he teamed up with Kareem in 1971 on the Bucks. Robertson put up those kinds of numbers because he believed in making his teammates better. He put it all on the line for them. Oscar dominated smaller points in his day with his 6'5", 205-pound frame. He imposed his will to become one of the greatest to ever play pro basketball.
1. Magic Johnson
Stats: 19.5 PPG 11.2 APG 5.5 RPG 1.9 SPG
Accomplishments: 1980 All-Rookie Team, 12x All-Star, 3x MVP, 10x All-NBA, 5x Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 4x Assists Leader, 2x Steals Leader, Member of Hall of Fame
Teams: Lakers
Whoever thinks Magic Johnson isn't the greatest point guard is out of their minds. The Lakers landed Kareem after the Big O retired, but they didn't win until they drafted the kid out of Michigan State with the big smile. Magic truly loved the game. He made everyone around him better and won a title in his rookie year, including the Finals MVP. In those 1980 Finals, Kareem went down with a badly sprained ankle and the 6'9" Johnson was asked to step in at center in Game 6 with LA up three games to two. Magic responded with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. His rivalry with Larry Bird saved the NBA from being an afterthought. Johnson dazzled fans with his passes, steals, clutch shots, and, of course, that infectious smile.