Over the years, many incredible point guards have been in the NBA. But only a select few could be considered the greatest; these include Magic Johnson, John Stockton, and Stephen Curry.
Isiah Thomas was an outstanding all-around point guard who led the Bad Boy Pistons to two championships. Known for his quick handles and creative finishes near the basket, Thomas averaged 9.3 assists per game.
1. Steve Nash
Various names come to mind when discussing the most significant point guards in NBA history. While many will cite Magic Johnson and John Stockton, Oscar Robertson is also a worthy candidate. When considering Steve Nash as one of the greatest floor generals ever to grace a court, there can be no debate: his ability to run teams, pass with precision, shoot long range, and run defense were legendary on both sides of the ball; winning back-to-back assists titles and All-Star selections are just small testaments to his greatness.
Ervin Nash revolutionized the point guard position and helped transition the NBA into modernity. His presence instantly elevated any squad into playoff contention, and his versatility ensured success despite any fatigue in playoff situations. Unfortunately, however, this limited his ranking on this list further.
One such as Nash can be hard to come by in today’s league, as his combination of talent and competitive spirit made him so beloved. With high IQ skills combined with his incredible shooting and defense ability, Nash was the epitome of a complete player.
Nash led both teams he played for, the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, to postseason success during his time. His leadership qualities were unmatched. He also served as an outstanding playmaker on each squad – often finding open teammates for easy baskets.
Nash holds fifth all-time in career assists and was selected three times to the NBA All-Star Game, earning three All-Star selections and winning an ESPY Award for Sportsman of the Year in 2000.
2. Jason Kidd
Kidd was widely recognized as one of the most significant point guards ever to grace an NBA court, dispensing 12 assists per game over 15 seasons and quickly hitting three-pointers. A great two-way player, Kidd earned himself spots on several All-Defensive teams during his 15-year NBA career.
Kidd competed against some of the greatest teams in NBA history during his time with the Detroit Pistons, such as Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers. He could make any team better and led them twice into the finals in playoff action.
While some may discredit him because of his 1-8 record in the Finals, that shouldn’t count against him, as the competition was tough during those seasons. Few can argue against a career with five NBA championships and 12 All-Star appearances!
Johnson is often mentioned when discussing the most significant point guards of all time, alongside Steve Nash. Like Nash, Johnson revolutionized the position and helped change basketball as a whole – being named a four-time NBA Champion, three-time Finals MVP, and 12-time All-Star during his time.
Cheeks was an exceptional two-way threat who could score and defend simultaneously, earning several All-Star selections and five All-Defensive team selections during his 16-year career.
Stockton excelled at setting his big men up with easy baskets. He amassed over 1,000 career assists and was an exceptional rebounder for his position.
Although only 5-foot-7 in height, West was an outstanding all-around point guard who could both create at an elite level and shoot threes with great accuracy. He became one of the first NBA players to average a triple-double each game, winning titles with the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, his inability to perform on bigger stages shouldn’t diminish his reputation as an excellent point guard.
3. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is one of the most significant point guards in NBA history and among the five best players overall. As an explosive scorer with excellent playmaking and defensive abilities, Westbrook often draws comparisons to Chris Paul due to their similar playing styles; Paul relies more heavily on using his intelligence when making plays, whereas Westbrook stands out by being more explosive and likely to score on any given space.
Westbrook was an extraordinary point guard, winning two scoring titles and making four All-Star appearances during his brief career. However, Westbrook struggled to be consistent and gave up personal stats for team success; nonetheless, he remains an incredible point guard who deserves a third spot on this list.
Penny Hardaway may not have won a championship or been honored as Finals MVP, but that doesn’t diminish his legendary status. Shaquille O’Neal often overshadowed a stand-up defensive player with extraordinary team-building abilities, Penny, during his time with the Orlando Magic. A master at playing defense while elevating teammates on offense, he made hard hits.
Hardaway was an exceptional playmaker who amassed over 2,000 assists and 1,500 steals. Additionally, he was an outstanding shooter capable of hitting difficult shots effortlessly; this 6-foot-7 Hardaway could easily wreak havoc in the paint by shattering backboards.
Jason Kidd became the first left-handed point guard ever named an All-Star and was widely recognized for his excellence on the court, from making flashy passes and getting rebounds to defending at an elite level. Additionally, Jason Kidd had an extraordinary basketball IQ, enabling him to improve his teammates through passing and defense.
4. Ja Morant
Ja Morant is widely considered to be one of the most significant point guards ever to play in the NBA, possessing all of the traits you would hope for in an ideal point guard – tremendous speed, superior three-point shooting skills, and a fantastic feel for the game – making him an exceptional leader on the floor who always puts his team first.
Morant was an outstanding college point guard, garnering the Lute Olson Award and Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard. A two-time All-American who led his team into two NCAA Tournament appearances while averaging 24.5 points per game along with 5.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 1.8 steals throughout his collegiate career, Morant achieved fame among peers inside and outside his sport.
Morant showed his potential during his debut season in the NBA by averaging a triple-double with 25 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game for Salt Lake City Jazz. Furthermore, his shooting percentages stood at 45 percent from both 3-point and 2-point distances.
Morant is an outstanding defensive player, making him a true two-way point guard. At 6-foot-2, Morant uses his height and quick feet to his advantage – not only finishing at the basket but also creating shots off-dribble.
Maurice Cheeks was widely recognized as one of the greatest two-way point guards ever. A Hall of Famer, Cheeks is currently 4th all-time for assists and 13th for steals – two-time All-Star Game selection and five All-Defensive Team memberships are testament to this fact.
Chris Paul stands out as an ideal point guard who can score in every situation, serving as a four-time NBA Champion and one of the pillars of the Golden State Warriors dynasty. He has an incredible feel for the game and is an unstoppable force in clutch situations. Although his playoff resume may not be as extensive, his ability to consistently prevail makes him one of the top candidates on this list.
