Ranking The 25 Greatest NBA Point Guards Of All Time

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Ranking The 25 Greatest NBA Point Guards Of All Time originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
Debating the greatest point guard in NBA history is always very personal, passionate, and liable to spark a firestorm. But when you sift through raw skill, accolades, dominance, clutch performance, longevity, and cultural impact, a clear hierarchy emerges. These 25 men ran offenses and essentially rewrote the playbook.
We probably already have heard about the likes of Magic Johnson, the 6'9" phenom who practically invented 'Showtime", the greatest shooter ever, Stephen Curry, and even superstar-caliber guards such as Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.
Even from there, it's a velvet-rope list of big names: Oscar Robertson, the original triple-double machine and two-time champ; Isiah Thomas, the Bad Boy spearhead. We haven't even mentioned John Stockton, the NBA's all-time assist leader, and even Bob Cousy, who was the first superstar floor general. So what's the ordering?
Here is our definitive countdown of the 25 greatest point guards of all time.
25. Maurice Cheeks
Player Stats: 11.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 1982-83 NBA Champion, 4x All-Star, 5x All-Defensive Team Selection, Hall of Fame
Maurice Cheeks anchored one of the most fearsome defensive backcourts ever. Averaging 11.1 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 2.1 SPG, he was a four-time All-Defensive First Team selection. He led the 1983 Sixers to a championship, was an All-Star four times, and pioneered guard-level toughness and poise.
Upon retirement, he ranked fifth in NBA history for assists and first in steals, and later transitioned seamlessly into coaching, including roles as head coach and assistant. His rock-solid floor management, defensive focus, and unshakeable leadership round out your list at 25.
24. Penny Hardaway
Player Stats: 15.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Career Accolades: 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection
Standing 6'7", Penny Hardaway was the rare unicorn who could orchestrate, score, and guard at an elite level. Early in his career, he averaged 20/6/5 and, alongside Shaquille O'Neal, took Orlando to the 1995 Finals, posting 24.5 PPG and 8 APG against Houston.
Four-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA, Hardaway was on track to redefine point guard size and skill. Aging and injuries eroded his trajectory, but his early-career nous, versatility, and pedigree earned him a spot here at 24.
23. Chauncey Billups
Player Stats: 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Accolades: 2003-04 NBA Champion, 2003-04 Finals MVP, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 2x All-Defensive Team Selection, Hall of Fame
Chauncey Billups earned his moniker by hitting the clutch shot that sealed a historic 2004 Finals upset over the Lakers. He averaged 15.2 PPG and 5.4 APG, earning 5 All-Star nods, 3 All-NBA honors, and 2 All-Defense selections, while bagging Finals MVP for his cerebral, ice-cold command.
A veteran leader respected even into his late-career Denver stint, Billups anchored contenders and was repeatedly praised for his steady locker room presence. His longevity and clutch reputation make him one of the most complete and respected leaders in point guard lore.
22. Dave Bing
Player Stats: 20.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Accolades: 7x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 1967-68 Scoring Champion, 1966-67 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
While Bing is often forgotten and perhaps not known by the modern audience, he was a 20-point-per-game scorer, a 7-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year, and a 1967-68 scoring champion. His impact went beyond the court: after retiring, Bing served as Detroit's mayor, cementing his place in the annals of influential player-citizens.
He's a prototype for skill-forward guards, charging scoring and leadership roles when the point guard still played a hybrid scorer/distributor role in the 60s and 70s. Had Bing played today, his skillet would have translated perfectly.
21. Tim Hardaway
Player Stats: 17.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Accolades: 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, Hall of Fame
Tim Hardaway's career was an on-court thrill ride; his lethal 'UTEP Two‑Step' crossover made defenders look silly and packed arenas. He hit 10,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than anyone except Oscar Robertson, achieved in just 262 games.
A five-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, Hardaway routinely put up monster stat lines: he twice averaged 20 PPG with 10 APG and terrorized playoff defenses with multiple 8-steal games. His prime in Golden State's 'Run TMC' era was electrifying; he was the sparkplug of a fan-favorite trio that turned fast-paced offense into art.
Though defensive lapses and injuries clipped the tail end of his career, his blend of scoring, playmaking, and flair solidifies him here at 21.
20. Lenny Wilkens
Player Stats: 16.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Accolades: 9x All-Star, 1969-70 Assist Champion, Hall of Fame
Lenny Wilkens combined scoring (16.5 PPG), rebounding (4.7 RPG), and passing (6.7 APG) into a platform of consistency. A nine-time All-Star and the '70 assist leader, he later parlayed playing savviness into a Hall-of-Fame coaching legacy.
As a player, his understanding and steady hand translated into team balance year after year. He symbolized longevity, not flashy, but effective, and paved the way for the analytical-minded guards to come.
19. Luka Doncic
Player Stats: 28.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Accolades: 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 2023-24 Scoring Champion, 2018-19 Rookie of the Year
In just a few seasons, Luka Doncic has started to rewrite record books: averaging nearly 28/9/8 and earning five All-Star nods, five All-NBA selections, a scoring title, and Rookie of the Year. His size, court vision, and clutch scoring at 6'7' make him a positionless nightmare for defenses, and he already has a Finals appearance to his name.
Still, Luka's prime lies ahead, and that's why he sits here at 19. He's on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory, but heritage matters. Until he secures deep playoff runs or a title, his status will hover between superstar and all-time legend-in-waiting. What he's done is astonishing; what he may yet become could redefine the list entirely.
18. Nate Archibald
Players Stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Accolades: 1980-81 NBA Champion, 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 1972-73 Scoring Champion, 1972-73 Assist Champion, Hall of Fame
Tiny Archibald led the league in both scoring and assists (1972-73), a feat unreplicated since. With 18.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, he was lightning quick and battle-hardened. A six-time All-Star and a champion in 1981, Archibald was a perimeter heater who commanded every facet of offense.
His championships with the Boston Celtics showed versatility across eras because he was 32 years old at the time. Essentially, Archibald left a blueprint for do-it-all guards, getting buckets, setting teammates, and smiling through it all.
17. Damian Lillard
Players Stats: 25.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 9x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 2012-13 Rookie of the Year
Not just the deep-shot king, Damian Lillard's rangy frame and fearless demeanor produced jaw-dropping shots across seven All-NBA selections. A true multi-season 25/4/7 performer, Lillard is the ultimate modern mid-size point guard: sniper and motivational force tied to his city.
He anchored Portland's identity, expecting greatness from teammates and delivering it himself. While championship glory has eluded him, his late-game heroics and loyalty made him the face of an entire franchise, and we hope he can one day win a title.
16. Dennis Johnson
Player Stats: 14.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Career Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 1978-79 Finals MVP, 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection, Hall of Fame
'D.J.' was the archetype of clutch. A three-time champion ('79 Finals MVP included), five All-Star, a nine-time All-Defense, and a constant defensive nightmare for opposing guards. From Seattle to Phoenix and Boston, Johnson embodied grit and defensive brilliance.
His mid-career trade to the Celtics unlocked a new role: deadly clutch scoring, lockdown defense, and chemistry with Larry Bird, earning him legendary status. His number's in the rafters, but his redemptive arc from misunderstood to cornerstone is what lives forever.
15. Derrick Rose
Players Stats: 17.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 2010-11 MVP, 3x All-Star, 2010-11 All-NBA Team Selection, 2008-09 Rookie of the Year
Derrick Rose's ascension was breathtaking: at 22, he became the youngest MVP ever (2011), averaging 25 PPG, nearly 8 APG, and 4 RPG. His explosive drives and 40' vertical jump made him a highlight trap. But injuries struck, ACL tears that derailed a sky-high trajectory.
What followed was nothing short of legendary resilience. He reinvented himself, weathering injuries to remain productive and respected, earning a jersey retirement by the Bulls. Rose's MVP season remains a true stamp of rare athletic primacy, even if that season was brief.
14. Tony Parker
Players Stats: 15.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 2006-07 Finals MVP, 6x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, Hall of Fame
Tony Parker wasn't the most explosive athlete, but his speed, blinding and surgical, regularly disassembled defenses. A four-time champ and the Finals MVP in 2007, Parker's Euro-step took over an era.
With solid averages (15.5 PPG, 5.6 APG) and six All-Star selections, he brought European finesse into the Spurs' championship DNA. Parker's legacy is quiet efficiency: precision playmaking, high shooting accuracy, and the ability to thrive in clutch moments.
His leadership and adaptability in Gregg Popovich's system helped San Antonio become the league's constant contender. If this were a list of purely championships won alone, Parker would probably rank a lot higher
13. Walt Frazier
Players Stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 7x All-Star, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 7x All-Defensive Team Selection, Hall of Famer
Walt 'Clyde' Frazier combined breath‑stealing defense with silky offense. His 1.9 SPG, 5.9 RPG, and 6.1 APG reflect his two-way dominance. A seven-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA guard, he anchored the Knicks' first-ever NBA titles (1970, 1973) with two-way consistency and swing-man scoring.
More than numbers, Frazier brought swagger: on-court swagger and flair off it, becoming a cultural icon in New York. He blended defense with grace, reputation with results, defining what a point guard could be in reputation and reality.
12. Russell Westbrook
Players Stats: 21.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 2016-17 MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion, 3x Assist Champion
Among everything else, Russell Westbrook continues to redefine hustle. He owns the NBA record for career triple-doubles, finished a 2017 MVP season with 31 triple-doubles, and has accounted for 9x All-Star and 9x All-NBA honors.
Everywhere he goes, Thunder, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, his intense motor and fearless driving energize teammates and arenas alike. Westbrook's inefficiency and defensive lapses occasionally weigh on his efficiency, but his sheer force of will and statistical dominance make him impossible to ignore.
He may not redefine efficiency and control like his peers, but no one embodies determination like Russ, one of the most criticized players in NBA history.
11. Kyrie Irving
Players Stats: 23.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Career Accolades: 2015-16 NBA Champion, 9x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 2011-12 Rookie of the Year
Kyrie Irving's game is a highlight reel, exquisite handles, mid‑range craft, and a game-winning mindset that peaked with his iconic three‑pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. Averaging 23.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 1.3 SPG, he punched above his weight despite sharing the court with LeBron.
His offensive arsenal is tremendous: Euro-step finishes, pull-up triples, and dizzying crossovers that consistently break defenders' ankles. Yet Irving's career is a mosaic of brilliance and "what-ifs."
While he earned a ring early, six All-Star nods, and three All-NBA selections, moments of personal controversy and lack of playoff stability with Cleveland and Brooklyn have clouded his peak. Still, at his best, he's a generational talent, perhaps the purest offensive assassin the 3-point era has produced.
10. Bob Cousy
Players Stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG
Career Accolades: 6x NBA Champion, 1956-1957 MVP, 13x All-Star, 12x All-NBA Team Selection, 8x Assist Champion, Hall of Fame
Before modern flash, there was Bob Cousy, the man who introduced behind-the-back passes in the 1950s. Career stats of 18.4 PPG, 7.5 APG may seem modest today, but in his era, he was revolutionary.
He won six titles and the first-ever MVP award alongside Bill Russell in '57, becoming the NBA's first true megastar. Cousy's vision and ballhandling popularized the point guard position, the first real floor general whose flair on the court translated into cultural influence.
Without him, the guard evolution wouldn't have snapped into place. Yes, it was long ago, and some of the video clips of him dribbling seem forgettable, but Cousy was the OG of point guards.
9. Gary Payton
Players Stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Accolades: 2005-06 NBA Champion, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection, 1995-96 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995-96 Steals Champion, 1990-91 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Gary "The Glove" Payton was a winning player, make no mistake about that. Averaging 16.3 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 1.8 SPG, he was a menace on the perimeter and one of the fiercest defenders the league has seen. In 1996, he became the only point guard in NBA history to win Defensive Player of the Year, and the only one to share that honor with Marcus Smart until this day.
That same season, he led the league in steals and locked down opponents with relentlessness and attitude. A champion in 2006, a nine-time All-Star, and a nine-time All-Defense selection, Payton defined defensive dominance at the point guard position.
8. Chris Paul
Players Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Accolades: 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection, 5x Assist Champion, 6x Steals Champion, 2005-06 Rookie of the Year
When Chris Paul arrived in 2005, he brought ice-water composure. Averaging 18.3 PPG, 9.4 APG, and 2.1 SPG, his statistical imprint demanded respect. He led the league in assists five times and steals six times. He wasn't just a general; he was also the game's defensive pest on both the stat sheet and on the court.
His leadership has lifted almost every team, Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Suns, to higher ceilings. His basketball IQ is elite, his midrange scoring spot-on, and his tenacious defense made him a perfect point guard. Not winning the NBA title in 2021 is probably the only reason he isn't in the top five.
7. Steve Nash
Players Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Accolades: 2x MVP, 8x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 5x Assist Champion, Hall of Fame
Steve Nash didn't overwhelm with jaw-dropping career stats, 14.3 PPG and 8.5 APG, but he manipulated defenses like a grandmaster and was the original version of James Harden when it came to owning an offensive system. His back-to-back MVPs in '05 and '06 validated his elite impact.
Nash's Suns didn't just score, they created a movement: 'Seven Seconds or Less' basketball that inspired today's pace. A perennial All-Star coach favorite, Nash prioritized ball movement and shot-making, and he is also one of the 10 greatest pure shooters in NBA history.
6. John Stockon
Players Stats: 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Accolades: 10x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 5x All-Defensive Team Selection, 9x Assist Champion, 2x Steals Champion, Hall of Fame
John Stockton not having an NBA championship with a 0-2 Finals record is the only reason he isn't in the top five. Regardless, Stockton is the rock-solid rock upon which Utah's success was built.
With career averages of 10.5 APG and 2.2 SPG, he redefined floor management. His assist dominance earned him nine seasons as the league's top passer. Stockton and Malone propelled the Jazz to back-to-back Finals, a vintage pick‑and‑roll show run nearly unmatched.
Stockton was the embodiment of consistency and durability; he never missed a playoff game. A 10-time All-Star, a defensive stalwart, and the all-time leader in both assists and steals, he belongs firmly atop any elite point guard conversation.
5. Jason Kidd
Players Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 2010-11 NBA Champion, 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection, 5x Assist Champion, 1994-95 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Jason Kidd was a triple-double artist before it became trendy. He compiled 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, and was a supreme floor leader and defensive maestro. How many point guards are responsible for leading their team to back-to-back Finals without All-Star help? We will wait.
His legendary court vision and rebounding from the point guard spot allowed his teams to flow at an elite level, and in 2011, he finally capped his career with an emotional championship for the Dallas Mavericks.
Kidd's passing, defense, and late-career scoring tweaks prove he evolved continually. As a nine-time All-Defensive selection and Hall of Famer, his placement at five is no accident.
4. Isiah Thomas
Players Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1989-90 Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 1984-85 Assist Champion, Hall of Fame
Ask anyone who lived through the 1980s, and they will admit that Isiah Thomas was the heart and soul of the Bad Boys Pistons, a fearless leader built for clutch moments. His career stats (19.2 PPG, 9.3 APG) disguise a ferocity and competitive will that made him one of the greatest clutch performers ever.
Two championships and a Finals MVP in 1990 underscore his playoff heroics. But his legacy is about pure swagger as well. Thomas' cold-blooded knockout punch to Bird in '84, the unselfishness of his leadership, and rivaling legends in that era define a player who delivered in the toughest of battles.
A five-time All-NBA guard and Hall of Famer, Thomas was built for war, and he delivered year after year. You can argue against Isiah not being this high, but we aren't going to listen.
3. Stephen Curry
Players Stats: 24.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 2021-22 Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion, 2015-16 Steals Champion
Stephen Curry is the revolution of today's game. He changed defense with shooting, kicking off a three-point revolution that's reshaped modern offenses. Averaging 24.5 PPG and 6.0 APG, while posting elite shooting splits (including two scoring titles), he towers as the greatest shooter ever.
Yet let's be honest: his game isn't without limitations. His lack of size and length remains a defensive Achilles heel, and that's why he misses the top two. Critically, we must resist recency bias: yes, Curry crafts offenses like Picasso, but regarding all-around impact when his shots aren't falling, he doesn't match Magic or Oscar as an all-around athlete or impact player.
Still, for shooting alone, Curry is unmatched, and his four championships and two MVPs confirm his superstar status. We see that Curry's greatness arrives primarily through offense in an elite Golden State Warriors system, while the legends ahead of him impacted the game in every facet.
2. Oscar Robertson
Players Stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Accolades: 1970-71 NBA Champion, 1963-1964 MVP, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x Assist Champion, 1960-1961 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Oscar Robertson was basketball's first complete guard, an athletic marvel who averaged a triple-double (30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 11.4 assists) during the 1961-62 season. His 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 9.5 APG career averages speak to a dominant all-around prowess.
But beyond the numbers, he used his stature and skill to pioneer guard-centric scoring and rebounding. He shattered positional norms, combining size, vision, and physicality to lead the league in both points and assists.
His role in pushing through the NBA free agency lawsuit laid the groundwork for players to control their careers. Robertson's championship pedigree and being the 1964 MVP cements him as the true blueprint for modern, multidimensional point guards.
1. Magic Johnson
Players Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Career Accolades: 5x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 4x Assist Champion, 2x Steals Champion, Hall of Fame
Earvin "Magic" Johnson built masterpieces on the hardwood, and he is without a doubt the GOAT of point guards. With career averages of 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and a still-unmatched 11.2 APG, he owns the all-time highest assists-per-game mark. His passing was poetic, revolutionizing fastbreak execution, creating the 'Showtime' identity of the 1980s Lakers.
As a rookie, Magic famously played center in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, posting 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and earning Finals MVP, becoming the only rookie in NBA history to do so.
Beyond five rings and three MVPs, Magic's impact transcended statistics. He ushered in a new era of positional versatility. At 6'9", he redefined what a point guard could be. His triple-doubles in Finals clinchers and league-leading assist titles underscore that he wasn't just a showman; he was the standard-bearer at his position.This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.