A point guard is very important in a basketball game , being the player responsible for controlling the ball and initiating plays, as well as distributing passes, making shots and, above all, acting as a leader.
With this in mind, we’ve created a complete list of the 30 best point guards in NBA history! Through our ranking, you’ll get to know the best athletes in the sport and in the league, serving as inspiration for the adoration of basketball and the spread of its popularity.
So get ready to meet the 30 best point guards in NBA history!
Join our free community on Whatsapp and receive daily tips, news and trivia on more than 50 sports! Click here to join.
The 30 best point guards in NBA history: complete list
- Magic Johnson
- Stephen Curry
- John Stockton
- Oscar Robertson
- Isiah Thomas
- Bob Cousy
- Steve Nash
- Walt Frazier
- Chris Paul
- Jason Kidd
- Gary Payton
- Russell Westbrook
- Tony Parker
- Derrick Rose
- Jerry West
- Nate Archibald
- Allen Iverson
- Kevin Johnson
- Chauncey Billups
- Tim Hardaway
- Mark Price
- Kevin Garnett
- Kyrie Irving
- Dennis Johnson
- Deron Williams
- Damian Lillard
- Maurice Cheeks
- Mike Bibby
- Rajon Rondo
- Gus Williams
The 30 best point guards in NBA history: learn more about the players
1. Magic Johnson
- Titles: 5-time NBA champion
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Why is he the best? He revolutionized the playmaker position with his vision.
2. Stephen Curry
- Titles: 3x NBA champion
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Why is he the best? Great at long-range shooting and ball control.
3. John Stockton
- Team: Utah Jazz
- Why is he the best? Leader in assists in NBA history.
4. Oscar Robertson
- Titles: 1x NBA Champion
- Team: Cincinnati Royals/Milwaukee Bucks
- Why is he the best? The only player to average a triple-double in a season.
5. Isiah Thomas
- Titles: 2x NBA champion
- Team: Detroit Pistons
- Why is he the best? Excellent sense of leadership.
6. Bob Cousy
- Titles: 6-time NBA champion
- Team: Boston Celtics
- Why is he the best? A pioneer in the playmaker position and a great dribbler.
7. Steve Nash
- Titles: None
- Team: Phoenix Suns/Dallas Mavericks
- Why is he the best? Two-time NBA MVP.
8. Walt Frazier
- Titles: 2x NBA champion
- Team: New York Knicks
- Why is he the best? He led the New York Knicks to the NBA title in 1970 and 1973.
9. Chris Paul
- Team: New Orleans Hornets / Los Angeles Clippers / Houston Rockets
- Why is he the best? Known for his control of the game and leadership skills.
10. Jason Kidd
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Dallas Mavericks
- Why is he the best? Very versatile player.
11. Gary Payton
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Seattle SuperSonics/Miami Heat
- Why is he the best? Known as “The Glove” for his defensive skills.
12. Russell Westbrook
- Team: Oklahoma City Thunder/Houston Rockets
- Why is he the best? The only player in NBA history to average a triple-double in consecutive seasons.
13. Tony Parker
- Titles: 4x NBA champion
- Team: San Antonio Spurs
- Why is he the best? Ball control and finishing ability.
14. Derrick Rose
- Team: Chicago Bulls
- Why is he the best? He won the NBA MVP award in 2011.
15. Jerry West
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Why is he the best? Known as “The Logo”, he was an excellent pitcher and made decisive plays.
16. Nate Archibald
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Kansas City Kings/Boston Celtics
- Why is he the best? Leader in points and assists in the same season, known as “Tiny”.
17. Allen Iverson
- Team: Philadelphia 76ers
- Why he’s the best?He won the MVP award in 2001.
18. Kevin Johnson
- Team: Phoenix Suns
- Why is he the best? He was one of the best playmakers of the 1990s.
19. Chauncey Billups
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Detroit Pistons
- Why is he the best? He played a key role in the Pistons’ title in 2004.
20. Tim Hardaway
- Team: Golden State Warriors/Miami Heat
- Why is he the best? It popularized the crossover among shipowners.
21. Mark Price
- Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Why is he the best? He was one of the best playmakers of the 1990s.
22. Kevin Garnett
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Minnesota Timberwolves/Boston Celtics
- Why is he the best? Great passing skills.
23. Kyrie Irving
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Cleveland Cavaliers/ Boston Celtics/Brooklyn Nets
- Why is he the best? Dribbling and finishing skills.
24. Dennis Johnson
- Titles: 3x NBA champion
- Team: Seattle SuperSonics/Boston Celtics
- Why is he the best? Excellent defensive skills.
25. Deron Williams
- Team: Utah Jazz/Brooklyn Nets
- Why is he the best? The player was one of the main playmakers of the 2000s.
26. Damian Lillard
- Team: Portland Trail Blazers
- Why is he the best? Known for making decisive plays.
27. Maurice Cheeks
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Philadelphia 76ers
- Why is he the best? Known for his leadership skills, he was a key player for the 76ers in 1983.
28. Mike Bibby
- Team: Sacramento Kings
- Why is he the best? He was one of the main midfielders of the 2000s.
29. Rajon Rondo
- Titles: 2x NBA champion
- Team: Boston Celtics/Los Angeles Lakers
- Why is he the best? He was a key player in the Celtics and Lakers titles.
30. Gus Williams
- Titles: 1-time NBA champion
- Team: Seattle SuperSonics
- Why is he the best? He was essential in the 1979 SuperSonics.
The 30 best point guards in NBA history
- Magic Johnson
- Stephen Curry
- John Stockton
- Oscar Robertson
- Isiah Thomas
- Bob Cousy
- Steve Nash
- Walt Frazier
- Chris Paul
- Jason Kidd
- Gary Payton
- Russell Westbrook
- Tony Parker
- Derrick Rose
- Jerry West
- Nate Archibald
- Allen Iverson
- Kevin Johnson
- Chauncey Billups
- Tim Hardaway
- Mark Price
- Kevin Garnett
- Kyrie Irving
- Dennis Johnson
- Deron Williams
- Damian Lillard
- Maurice Cheeks
- Mike Bibby
- Rajon Rondo
- Gus Williams
It’s worth remembering that several athletes end up occupying more than one position in basketball games, mainly because they are extremely skilled in several roles!
If you enjoyed learning about the best point guards in NBA history, keep following the site to find out much more about basketball and other sports!
