Basketball Reference Blog

Top 10 NBA Point Guards of All Time

Posted by Jonah Gardner on October 24, 2022

As the conductor of the offense, the point guard is arguably the most important position on the floor. In the hands of an expert point guard, a team of average players can become good and a team of good players can become great. In this post, we’re going to break down the best point guards of all time, using statistics. Specifically, we’ll be looking at the leaders in Win Shares, a stat that tries to capture everything a player does on the floor. So here are the top point guards of all time, in alphabetical order, according to Win Shares.

Photo of Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Ray Billups ▪ Twitter: 1MrBigShot

(Mr. Big Shot, Smooth)

Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-3, 202lb (190cm, 91kg)

Born: September 25, 1976 (Age: 46-017d) in Denver, Colorado us

College: Colorado

High School: George Washington in Denver, Colorado

Draft: Boston Celtics, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1997 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 31, 1997

Career Length: 17 years

4 3 4 4 1 7 1 4 1
+8
SUMMARY

Career

G

1043

PTS

15.2

TRB

2.9

AST

5.4

FG%

41.5

FG3%

38.7

FT%

89.4

eFG%

49.5

PER

18.8

WS

120.8

Mr. Big Shot definitely fits on any list of the greatest point guards of all time. Chauncey Billups played for seven different teams in his NBA career, but his most important contribution was on the Detroit Pistons, where he led the team to their surprise win in the 2004 NBA Finals. Billups was named Finals MVP in that series.

Photo of Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry

Pronunciation: \STEFF-in\

Wardell Stephen Curry II ▪ Twitter: StephenCurry30 ▪ Instagram: stephencurry30

(Steph, Baby-Faced Assassin, Chef Curry, The Human Torch, Threezus)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-2, 185lb (188cm, 83kg)

Born: March 14, 1988 (Age: 34-212d) in Akron, Ohio us

Relatives: Brother Seth Curry; Brother-in-law Damion Lee; Father Dell Curry

College: Davidson

High School: Charlotte Christian in Charlotte, North Carolina

Draft: Golden State Warriors, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 2009 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 28, 2009

Experience: 13 years

30 30
+1
SUMMARY

2021-22

Career

G

64

826

PTS

25.5

24.3

TRB

5.2

4.6

AST

6.3

6.5

FG%

43.7

47.3

FG3%

38.0

42.8

FT%

92.3

90.8

eFG%

55.4

58.1

PER

21.4

23.8

WS

8.0

120.2

Stephen Curry isn’t just one of the greatest NBA point guards ever, he’s also the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. Curry has won four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and finally received his first Finals MVP in 2022. He’s won regular season twice, including unanimously in 2016, and he holds both the regular season and playoff records for made three-pointers.

Photo of Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Earvin Johnson Jr. ▪ Twitter: MagicJohnson

(Magic, Buck, E.J. the Deejay, Tragic, The Magic Man, Junior)

Position: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, and Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-9, 215lb (206cm, 97kg)

Born: August 14, 1959 (Age: 63-059d) in Lansing, Michigan us

College: Michigan State

High School: Everett in Lansing, Michigan

Draft: Los Angeles Lakers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1979 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 12, 1979

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2002 (Full List)

Career Length: 13 years

32
SUMMARY

Career

G

906

PTS

19.5

TRB

7.2

AST

11.2

FG%

52.0

FG3%

30.3

FT%

84.8

eFG%

53.3

PER

24.1

WS

155.8

One of the winningest players on this list, Magic Johnson made his case as the greatest point guard ever on the biggest stage possible, winning five NBA titles. He was regular season MVP three times and he changed the game with his electric passing and unconventional size for the point guard position.

Photo of Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd

Jason Frederick Kidd ▪ Twitter: RealJasonKidd

(J-Kidd, Ason Kidd, The Engine, The Kidd, Mr. Triple Double)

Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-4, 205lb (193cm, 92kg)

Born: March 23, 1973 (Age: 49-203d) in San Francisco, California us

College: California

High School: Saint Joseph of Notre Dame in Alameda, California

Draft: Dallas Mavericks, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1994 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 5, 1994

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2018 (Full List)

Career Length: 19 years

5 32 32 5 2 5
+5
SUMMARY

Career

G

1391

PTS

12.6

TRB

6.3

AST

8.7

FG%

40.0

FG3%

34.9

FT%

78.5

eFG%

46.4

PER

17.9

WS

138.6

One of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Jason Kidd ranks second in career assists. He led the league in assists per game five times in his career and has the fourth most career triple-doubles. Late in his career, Kidd helped the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA title. In addition to his creative prowess, Kidd was an excellent defender, making nine All-Defensive teams.

Photo of Steve Nash

Steve Nash

Stephen John Nash ▪ Twitter: SteveNash

(MVSteve, Two Time, Nashty)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-3, 195lb (190cm, 88kg)

Born: February 7, 1974 (Age: 48-247d) in Johannesburg, South Africa za

College: Santa Clara

High School: Saint Michaels University School in Victoria, Canada

Draft: Phoenix Suns, 1st round (15th pick, 15th overall), 1996 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 1, 1996

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2018 (Full List)

Career Length: 18 years

13 13 13 13 10
+4
SUMMARY

Career

G

1217

PTS

14.3

TRB

3.0

AST

8.5

FG%

49.0

FG3%

42.8

FT%

90.4

eFG%

55.6

PER

20.0

WS

129.7

Steve Nash earned his place on the list of the top 10 greatest point guards thanks to his work orchestrating one of the most successful offenses in NBA history. As point guard of the Phoenix Suns, Nash won two MVPs, conducting the iconic Seven Seconds or Less offense. In all, Nash was the assist champion five times, and he was a lights-out shooter to boot.

Photo of Chris Paul

Chris Paul

Christopher Emmanuel Paul ▪ Twitter: CP3 ▪ Instagram: cp3

(CP3, The Point God, The Skate Instructor)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-0, 175lb (183cm, 79kg)

Born: May 6, 1985 (Age: 37-159d) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina us

College: Wake Forest

High School: West Forsyth in Clemmons, North Carolina

Recruiting Rank: 2003 (6)

Draft: New Orleans Hornets, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2005 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 1, 2005

Experience: 17 years

3 3 3 3 3 3 3
+6
SUMMARY

2021-22

Career

G

65

1155

PTS

14.7

18.1

TRB

4.4

4.5

AST

10.8

9.5

FG%

49.3

47.3

FG3%

31.7

36.9

FT%

83.7

87.1

eFG%

53.6

52.3

PER

20.8

24.6

WS

9.4

198.9

Chris Paul has the second most win shares all-time by a point guard, making him far and away one of the best point guards of all time. CP3 made 11 All-NBA teams in his career and led the NBA in assists per game five times, including at age-36. He’s also led in steals per game six times and played an instrumental role in turning a young Suns team into a championship contender.

Photo of Gary Payton

Gary Payton

Gary Dwayne Payton Sr. ▪ Twitter: GaryPayton

(The Glove, GP)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-4, 180lb (193cm, 81kg)

Born: July 23, 1968 (Age: 54-081d) in Oakland, California us

Relatives: Son Gary Payton II

College: Oregon State

High School: Skyline in Oakland, California

Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1990 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 3, 1990

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2013 (Full List)

Career Length: 17 years

2 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
+7
SUMMARY

Career

G

1335

PTS

16.3

TRB

3.9

AST

6.7

FG%

46.6

FG3%

31.7

FT%

72.9

eFG%

49.6

PER

18.9

WS

145.5

One of the top point guards of all time, Gary Payton’s two-way play was legendary, as GP expertly set up his teammates on offense while playing lockdown defense on the other end. Payton was the first point guard to win Defensive Player of the Year and he made nine All-NBA teams. He also won a title as a veteran role player on the 2006 Heat.

Photo of Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson

Oscar Palmer Robertson

(Big O, Mr. Triple Double, Ozzie, Oscar the Grouch)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg)

Born: November 24, 1938 (Age: 83-322d) in Charlotte, Tennessee us

College: Cincinnati

High School: Crispus Attucks in Indianapolis, Indiana

Draft: Cincinnati Royals, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1960 NBA Draft (territorial selection)

NBA Debut: October 19, 1960

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1980 (Full List)

Career Length: 14 years

14 1
+1
SUMMARY

Career

G

1040

PTS

25.7

TRB

7.5

AST

9.5

FG%

48.5

FT%

83.8

PER

23.2

WS

189.2

Known as Mr. Triple-Double because of his ability to stuff the stat sheet, Oscar Robertson isn’t just one of the greatest point guards of all time, he’s also one of the most iconic players in NBA history. Robertson won both Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards. He’s also an NBA champion, having won the Finals in 1971.

Photo of John Stockton

John Stockton

John Houston Stockton

(Stock)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-1, 170lb (185cm, 77kg)

Born: March 26, 1962 (Age: 60-200d) in Spokane, Washington us

Relatives: Sons David Stockton, Michael Stockton

College: Gonzaga

High School: Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, Washington

Draft: Utah Jazz, 1st round (16th pick, 16th overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)

Career Length: 19 years

12 12
+1
SUMMARY

Career

G

1504

PTS

13.1

TRB

2.7

AST

10.5

FG%

51.5

FG3%

38.4

FT%

82.6

eFG%

54.6

PER

21.8

WS

207.7

The career leader in win shares among the position, John Stockton is one of the greatest point guards of all time. He led the NBA in assists nine times, the most of any player in league history, and his 11 All-NBA appearances are tied for second most by a point guard.

Photo of Jerry West

Jerry West

Jerry Alan West

(Mr. Clutch, Zeke From Cabin Creek, The Logo, Cabin Creek Comet, Tweety, Tweety Bird)

Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-3, 175lb (190cm, 79kg)

Born: May 28, 1938 (Age: 84-137d) in Chelyan, West Virginia us

College: West Virginia

High School: East Bank in East Bank, West Virginia

Draft: Los Angeles Lakers, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1960 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 19, 1960

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1980 (Full List)

Career Length: 14 years

44 44
+1
SUMMARY

Career

G

932

PTS

27.0

TRB

5.8

AST

6.7

FG%

47.4

FT%

81.4

PER

22.9

WS

162.6

The Logo played very much like a modern point guard, even though he made his NBA debut more than 60 years ago. West won both a scoring title and an assist title, made 12 All-NBA teams, 5 All-Defensive teams, and was named the 1969 Finals MVP, the only time a player from the losing team won that honor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the greatest point guard of all time?

There are a number of ways to determine who the greatest point guard ever was. By win shares, John Stockton grades out as the leader; Stockton also holds the NBA record for assists. However, others could point to a player like Magic Johnson, who won five NBA titles. Lastly, some give credit to players who thrive in the modern game, given the higher level of athleticism of today’s players, boosting the case for Stephen Curry.

Join our Sports Reference Community

Of Statheads:

Subscribe to Stathead, the most powerful research tools in sports, and find any player, team, season, game, and any play. With over 80 different search tools for baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, you’ve got infinite answers at your finger tips.

Purple Stathead sign up button. Get your first month free.

With Our Email Newsletters:

Sign up for our newsletter and get curated stats, recaps, and more from the Basketball Reference to your inbox every morning. No commitment, unsubscribe at any time.

Orange Basketball Reference newsletter sign up button

On Social Media:

Stay connected with Basketball Reference on social media! Bringing you stats, trivia, and more on all our channels daily.

Twitter – Instagram – Facebook – TikTok – YouTube – Reddit – LinkedIn

Follow the rest of the Sports Reference sites on social here.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 24th, 2022 at 7:38 pm and is filed under Top 10 Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.