The game of basketball has evolved from one year to the next to include the evolution of the positions played by players on the NBA court. One of those positions, the point guard position is one of those positions that continues to change from year to year. With those changes over the years the point guard position has seen so many great point guards take to the hardwood with each of them putting their own stamp on the position. 

From the all-around versatile Jerry West to the flash smooth Magic Johnson to the best pure shooter at the position Stephen Curry. The position has had its fair share of greats. From flashy crossovers to no look passes to three point threat. The question that all NBA fans and experts continue to ask is who is the greatest NBA point guard of All-Time? 

Here is our list of the Top 10 NBA Point Guards of All-Time.

Honorable Mention

Russell Westbrook

Team(s): Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers

Career Stats: 22.2 Pts, 11.5 Rebs, 11.7 Asts (*Still Active)

It is hard not to put the former UCLA Bruins star Russell Westbrook on a Top 10 Point Guard of All-Time list. Westbrook is a nine time All-Star, NBA MVP, two time NBA scoring Champion and three time NBA assists leader. In addition, Westbrook joined Oscar Robertson as the only player in the NBA to average a triple double. Since then Westbrook has added three additional seasons averaging a triple double while also setting the record for most triple doubles in a month (14).

Accolade(s):

• Most Valuable Player (2017)
• 2x All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (2015 – 2016)
• 9x All-Star (2011 – 2013, 2015 – 2020)
• 2x Scoring Champion (2015, 2017)
• 3x Assists Leader (2018 – 2019, 2021)

Walt Frazier

Team(s): New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers

Career Stats: 18.9 Pts, 5.9 Rebs, 6.1 Asts

The former New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers point guard was well deserving of a top 10 nod, however he fell just outside of the Top 10 Point Guards of All-Time.

However, Frazier is a two time NBA Champion, seven time NBA All-Star, a seven time All-Defensive first team selection and four time All-NBA first team selection. Frazier averaged 18.9 points a game to go with 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists.

Accolade(s):

• All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1975)
• 7x All-Star (1970 – 1976)

Other Honorable Point Guards include Allen Iverson, Gary Payton and Tony Parker.

TOP 10 PG OF ALL TIME

10. Steve Nash

Team(s): Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers

Career Stats: 14.3 Pts, 3 Rebs, 8.5 Asts

Steve Nash was one of the most exciting point guards to watch on the floor and one of the best to play the game during the middle of his career. A stretch that saw the eight time NBA All-Star average at least 18 points and 10.5 assists in back to back seasons helping him take home the NBA MVP in both seasons.

During his career, Nash averaged 14.3 points with 8.5 assists and three rebounds a game. Along with controlling the game, Nash was a tremendous shooter averaging a .490 shooting percentage from the field while posting a career .428 three point mark behind the three point line.

Accolade(s):

• 2x Most Valuable Player (2005 – 2006)
• 8x All-Star (2002 – 2003, 2005 – 2008, 2010, 2012)
• 5x Assists Leader (2005 – 2007, 2010 – 2011)

9. Chris Paul

Team(s): New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns

Career Stats: 16.4 Pts, 4.5 Rebs, 8.9 Asts (*Still Active)

One thing that any point guard has is his abilities to make the players around him better and that is the case with Chris Paul. Paul who is still putting together a terrific NBA resume including helping the Phoenix Suns to the 2021-2022 NBA Finals. Over his career, Paul has averaged 18.3 points to go with 9.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 4.5 rebounds per contest.

His success on the floor has landed Paul 11 trips to the NBA All-Star game, the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, seven All-Defensive First Team selections while leading the NBA in assists in four different seasons and steals in six different seasons.

Accolade(s):

• 11x All-Star (2008 – 2016, 2020 – 2021)
• 4x Assists Leader (2008 – 2009, 2014 – 2015)

8. Bob Cousy

Team(s): Boston Celtics, Cincinnati Royals

Career Stats: 18.4 Pts, 5.2 Rebs, 7.5 Asts

A name that might get overlooked and past by some of today’s great stars is the great Bob Cousy. In a day when point guards played the position to set up and run the offense, there was no one better than the Celtics legend. Cousy was known for his elusive ball handling abilities and his passing game that helped evolve the position.

Cousy led the NBA in eight straight seasons in assists, was named the 1957 NBA MVP and won six NBA championships. Cousy would help the Celtics to turn into a dynasty while finishing his career averaging 18.4 points to go with 7.5 assists and 5.2 points a game.

Accolade(s):

• Most Valuable Player (1957)
• 2x All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1954, 1957)
• 13x All-Star (1951 – 1963)
• 8x Assists Leader (1953 – 1960)

7. Jason Kidd

Team(s): Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks

Career Stats: 12.6 Pts, 6.3 Rebs, 8.7 Asts

One player that could do it all was the great Jason Kidd was named the Co-Rookie of the Year in 1995 after being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the number two overall pick during the 1994 NBA Draft.

Kidd could not only command and lead the offense but was as good as any point guard on the defensive side of the floor. This success helped land Kidd four NBA All-Defensive First Team selections and five Second team selections.

Kidd averaged a double double in four different seasons and led the NBA in assists on five different occasions. Over his career, Kidd averaged 12.6 points to go with 6.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and nearly two steals (1.9) per game. 

Accolade(s):

• Rookie of the Year (1995)
• 10x All-Star (1996, 1998, 2000 – 2004, 2007 – 2008, 2010)
• 5x Assists Leader (1999 – 2001, 2003 – 2004)

6. Isiah Thomas

Team(s): Detroit Pistons

Career Stats: 19.2 Pts, 3.6 Rebs, 9.3 Asts

The debate can be made by some that Isiah Thomas should be much higher on this list and that could be the case. Thomas helped lead the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back NBA Championships including in 1990 when he was named the NBA Finals MVP.

Thomas led the NBA in assists in 1985 and was named to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Over the course of his career, Thomas averaged 19.2 points a game to go with 3.6 rebounds and 9.3 assists.

Accolade(s):

• Finals Most Valuable Player (1990)
• 2x All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1984, 1986)
• 12x All-Star (1982 – 1993)
• Assists Leader (1985)

5. John Stockton

Team(s): Utah Jazz

Career Stats: 13.1 Pts, 2.7 Rebs, 10.5 Asts

If not one of the most humble players of his generation, John Stockton was one that did not shy away from setting up his teammates.

His friendliness to set up his teammates helped Stockton become one of the best passing point guards of All-Time while helping him form a dynamic duo with fellow Utah Jazz great Karl Malone. Stockton led the NBA in assists in nine straight seasons starting with the 1987-1988 NBA Season.

In his career Stockton averaged double digit assists in 10 different seasons while averaging 10.5 assists per game over the course of his NBA career. While he was not known for his scoring, Stockton managed to find ways to score, averaging 13.1 points a game while averaging at least 17 points in three straight seasons.

Accolade(s):

• All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1993)
• 10x All-Star (1989 – 1997, 2000)
• 9x Assists Leader (1988 – 1996)

4. Stephen Curry

Team(s): Golden State Warriors

Career Stats: 24.2 Pts, 4.6 Rebs, 6.5 Asts (*Still Active)

When thinking about the greatest point guards of All-Time it is hard to look past one of the brightest stars of the NBA today Stephen Curry. Curry is as dominant and unstoppable as any player in the NBA and is one of the best shooters of not only his generation but in the history of the NBA.

In his first 12 NBA seasons, Curry has averaged 24.2 points a game to go with 4.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.7 steals per contest while shooting .477 from the field and .433 from behind the three point line.

His ability to make a play happen from nothing has helped the Warriors win three NBA Championships while Curry has been named NBA MVP twice. Curry also has led the NBA in scoring on two different occasions and has been named to the NBA All-Star time on seven different occasions.

Accolade(s):

• 2x Most Valuable Player (2015 – 2016)
• 7x All-Star (2014 – 2019, 2021)
• 2x Scoring Champion (2016, 2021)

3. Oscar Robertson

Team(s): Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks

Career Stats: 25.7 Pts, 7.5 Rebs, 9.5 Asts

One point guard that helped evolve the position and help make way for the likes of guys like Jason Kidd and Russell Westbrook is the “Big O” Oscar Robertson.

Robertson was a 12 time NBA All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA MVP and led the NBA in assists in six different seasons. In addition to his ability to set up his teams, Robertson had the ability to score and was a key member on the glass.

This success helped Robertson to average a triple double (12.5 rebounds, 11.4 assists and 30.8 points), during the 1961-1962 NBA season. Over his career, Robertson averaged 25.7 points to go with 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds. In addition, Robertson helped pave the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Championship during the 1971 NBA season.

Accolade(s):

• Most Valuable Player (1964)
• 3x All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1961, 1964, 1969)
• 12x All-Star (1961 – 1972)
• Rookie of the Year (1961)
• Scoring Champion (1968)
• 7x Assists Leader (1961 – 1962, 1964 – 1966, 1968 – 1969)

2. Jerry West

Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers

Career Stats: 27 Pts, 5.8 Rebs, 6.7 Asts

Jerry West was as good as any NBA point guard we have ever seen but played in a time when the game was played slower and not as fast as today’s game.

The former West Virginia star was selected by the Minneapolis Lakers with the number two overall pick in the 1960 NBA draft, the same season the Lakers were moved to Los Angeles. West, who is known for his appearance as the NBA logo, could do it all on the floor from passing to playing inside to shooting.

Unfortunately for West, he doesn’t get the same recognition as some of today’s greats as he played before the three point line was added. Despite that, the Lakers great still managed to average 27 points a game for his career to go with 5.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists while averaging more than 30 points in four different seasons.

Accolade(s):

• Finals Most Valuable Player (1969)
• All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1972)
• 14x All-Star (1961 – 1974)
• Scoring Champion (1970)
• Assists Leader (1972)

1. Magic Johnson

Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers

Career Stats: 19.5 Pts, 7.2 Rebs, 11.2 Asts

The Top Point Guard in NBA History could be debated based on the ERA of basketball played and the metrics measured to determine that greatness.

However, one player who was well before his time on the hardwood was the Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson. Johnson, who was six foot nine inches tall, was much taller than the typical point guard but possessed abilities that allowed him to move like a point guard, pass like a point guard and set up his ability to score.

After being selected number one overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft, Johnson went on to win five NBA Championships, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, made 12 All-Star teams, led the NBA in assists in four different seasons and in steals in two additional seasons. Johnson could play the point but can transition to play any spot on the NBA floor when the Lakers needed him.

Accolade(s):

• 3x Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989, 1990)
• 3x Finals Most Valuable Player (1980, 1982, 1987)
• 2x All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1990 – 1992)
• 12x All-Star (1980, 1982 – 1992)
• 4x Assists Leader (1983 – 1984, 1986 – 1987)

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Related Links:

• Top 10 Shooting Guards of All-Time
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