The NBA is over 70 years old now, and its history is littered with great performances from giant centers, skilled forwards, and nifty guards. But it’s the smaller guards who tend to capture our attention as fans more than anyone else. They’re the ones that must overcome a size disadvantage by being quicker, sneakier, more agile, peskier, or just downright better. And with the introduction of the three point line in the 80s, the smaller guards had another new advantage: shooting.
The older NBA game tilted heavily towards its big men. Names like Wilt, Kareem, Mikan, and others dominated the early decades while guards were typically supporting players. In the modern game, guards are the stars. So who are the greatest 25 guards in NBA history? Let’s count them down from 25 to 1, starting with a few honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list…
Walter says
Uh, James Harden ahead of Isiah Thomas?
Raj Nanavati says
Uh, Harden averages 5 more points and 1.5 more rebounds per game for his career than Thomas?
And, uh, how many MVP’s did Thomas win?
Shane Gray says
Sorry as good as Drexler or Paul were neither was or is the best Houston Rockets player that distinction was and will always belong to Hakeem”the dream” olajawan.
Hoe says
Can’t disagree with top 3
Robert Smith says
Manu better than AI? As good as Manu was, he was not better than AI!
Robert Smith says
20ppg, and no 3 pt shot!!!
angry old man says
Other than Magic who would you rather have, Curry, Iverson, Westbrook, Thomas or John Havlicek?
richard mathews says
glad you appreciated how great frazier was
takes some knowledge to get that righ
Big Beee says
what about Earl “the pearl” Monroe?
Michael Angelo says
Nice list some of the rankings are definitely off though.