- Magic Johnson earned three Finals MVP awards.
- Stephen Curry has the most 3-pointers of all time.
- John Stockton has the most points and assists in NBA history.
Point guards often serve as the engine of the most successful NBA teams.
Some utilize their playmaking skills to serve as floor generals. Others serve as the lead shot creator of some high-powered offences.
Let’s look at the best point guards in NBA history featuring such talent that their team’s NBA Finals odds often skyrocketed.
8 Best Point Guards of All Time
| Rank | Player | Years Played |
| 1 | Earvin "Magic" Johnson | 1979-1991; 1995-1996 |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | 2009-Present |
| 3 | Oscar Robertson | 1960-1974 |
| 4 | Jerry West | 1960-1974 |
| 5 | Isiah Thomas | 1981-1994 |
| 6 | Jason Kidd | 1994-2013 |
| 7 | Chris Paul | 2005-Present |
| 8 | John Stockton | 1984-2003 |
1. Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Magic Johnson was an exceptional playmaker. He effortlessly executed no-look passes on the fastbreak, launched alley-oop lobs from half-court, and threaded precise bullets through multiple defenders to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Magic Johnson has the COLDEST mixtape in NBA history 🪄🥶pic.twitter.com/mkAtk7O4jn
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) June 12, 2022
Accomplishments: five championships, three Finals MVPs, three MVPs, 10 All-NBA Team selections, 12 All-Stars.
2. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is the only player to make at least 3,000 3-pointers and helped lead the Warriors to an NBA record 73-9 during the 2015-2016 season.
8 years ago today:
Steph Curry hits an iconic game-winner against the Thunder …
And Mike Breen blessed us with the first double “bang” call of his career 🐐 pic.twitter.com/1htYBH9Aow
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 27, 2024
Accomplishments: four championships, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, nine All-NBA Team selections, 10 All-Stars.
3. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season and held the record for the most triple-doubles for over 47 years.
Accomplishments: one championship, one MVP, 11 All-NBA Team selections, 12 All-Stars.
4. Jerry West
Jerry West utilized his terrific shooting and ball-handling skills to average over 30 points per game several times. He’s the only player to win Finals MVP despite playing for the losing team.
Accomplishments: one championship, one Finals MVP, 12 All-NBA Team selections, 14 All-Stars, and five All-Defensive Team selections.
5. Isiah Thomas
Known for his competitiveness, playmaking, and shot creation, Isiah Thomas frequently attacked the rim with full speed, executing acrobatic layups.
Accomplishments: two championships, one Finals MVP, five All-NBA Team selections, 12 All-Stars.
6. Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd always had a knack for pushing the ball in transition, largely due to his ability to identify angles on the fly and bounce the ball past multiple defenders.
Jason Kidd might have the craziest bounce pass highlight tape… ever? 🎯 pic.twitter.com/MWHKgLHvJL
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) February 16, 2023
Accomplishments: one championship, six All-NBA Team selections, 10 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive Team selections
7. Chris Paul
Chris Paul made a living as a pick-and-roll maestro and shot creator, using his speed, agility, and basketball IQ to maximize his abilities and team’s performance.
4 Minutes of CHRIS PAUL embarrassing defenders 👀
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 7, 2023
Accomplishments: 11 All-NBA Team selections, 12 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive Team selections.
8. John Stockton
John Stockton has the most assists (15,806) and steals (3,265) in NBA history, both records that are unlikely to be broken.
Accomplishments: 11 All-NBA Team selections, 10 All-Stars, five All-Defensive Team selections.
Who Are the Best Point Guards in the NBA Right Now?
Luka Dončić
Luka Dončić’s ball fakes, shooting, and playmaking skills make him virtually unstoppable.
Just a reminder that Luka Doncic is special pic.twitter.com/plQ2Uoj0G8
— BetMGM Canada (@BetMGMCanada) November 1, 2023
He’s at least one championship and MVP away from truly being named one of the top 20 players of all time.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
A midrange assassin and defensive specialist, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has entered his name into the MVP conversation, as he has the Thunder primed for title contention for years to come.
Is Steph Curry the Best Point Guard?
Steph Curry is the only unanimous MVP in NBA history and could finish with well over 4,000 3-pointers when his career is over.
All of his accomplishments speak for themselves, but his shooting prowess literally stretches opposing defences to the half-court line.
With that said, Magic’s résumé is still slightly more impressive, but Curry is by far his biggest competition for GOAT status.
