Andre Iguodala initiated discussion with his recent claim that Stephen Curry is the second best point guard of all time. This begs the question: which point guards are ranked top five to date?
The Top Five Point Guards of All Time
The NBA has changed over the course of the past few decades, and the importance of the point guard has been one of the results. Whereas teams would look to build from the inside out, today’s league values the point guard.
As a result, we have seen a great many Hall of Fame players come and go at the point guard position. We have had some all-time great point guards, and according to Andre Iguodala, we are watching one in our midst.
Iguodala believes Stephen Curry is the second best point guard right behind Magic Johnson. Naturally, this initiated discussion as to just where exactly Curry fits on the Mount Rushmore of NBA point guards. Is he rightfully placed at second overall? Whom else should be acknowledged?
Here are the top five NBA point guards of all time (naturally, up for debate).
5. Steve Nash
The engine of the Phoenix Suns‘ “seven seconds or less” offense, Steve Nash, is a top five point guard of all time. Nash was the floor general that increased the Suns from 29 to 62 wins before falling to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the 2005 playoffs.
Onward towards revolutionizing the game of basketball with an up-tempo offense, Nash earned back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006. An eight-time all-star and five-time leader in assists, Nash demolished defenses with his court vision and elusiveness. He is sure to be a future Hall-of-Famer.
4. Isiah Thomas
The leader of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons also was the smallest on the court. Isiah Thomas was a notable competitor and defender (some might even say dirty). Alongside his fellow Bad Boys, Thomas and the Pistons were fierce rivals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Thomas is a 12-time all-star, a two-time champion, Finals MVP, and a two-time all-star game MVP. Despite being just 6’1, Isiah Thomas never saw this as a weakness and built a reputation of being the league’s toughest opponents to face against.
3. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson earned the nickname “Mr. Triple Double” for a reason. He literally stuffed the stat sheet as he averaged a triple-double during the 1961-1962 season. The former number one pick also set a then-record with 41 straight triple-doubles for the Milwaukee Bucks.
A 12-time all-star, rookie of the year, league MVP, Robertson also added a championship ring to his resume as he currently stands in the Hall of Fame. The Big O was also the first of the future “point forward” type of guards, in that he stood 6’5. Robertson was truly a freak of nature that did almost everything on the court.
2. Stephen Curry
Andre Iguodala was on the mark with his assessment of fellow teammate Stephen Curry. The greatest shooter of all-time finds himself (currently) in second place on the Mount Rushmore of NBA point guards. Only time will tell if the Golden State Warriors guard can maneuver to the top spot.
Curry is a three-time NBA champion, two-time MVP (only unanimous MVP), league leader for most threes in a season and currently sits third all-time in made three-pointers. Curry changed the game by making the three-point shot lethal and in today’s league: invaluable. With many prime years ahead, Curry is expected to pass Ray Allen for most threes made ever.
1. Magic Johnson
The floor general of the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers is still on top of the greatest point guards in the NBA. The Hall of Famer is a 12-time all-star, a five-time champion, three-time MVP and three-time Finals MVP. Magic Johnson was the legitimate example of “point forward”: standing 6’9 but still running the offense.
With the size advantage and a court vision unique only to him, Magic made his teammates around him better. The future remains to be seen, but for now Magic still holds the title for the greatest point guard the league has seen. He spearheaded the Lakers dynasty of the 80s and contributed to the storied history of the Purple and Gold.
Main Photo Image:
