NBA Power Rankings: The 50 Best Point Guards of All Time
Point guards are essential components to any successful NBA team.
They generally handle the ball more than any other player on the court and are responsible for running the offense, effectively functioning as the quarterback of the team.
Consequently, they must be able the set their teammates up to score, while also being able to both put the ball in the basket themselves and disrupt their opponents' offensive flow.
And as a result of their overall importance and multifaceted skill set, the best point guards have often become well known, while receiving various levels of recognition for their play.
However, only a select few have earned the right to be considered among the best of all time.
The following 50 NBA players are individuals who excelled in numerous areas of the game, primarily played point guard throughout their playing days, had successful careers, and were all-around great players.
So I introduce to you the NBA power rankings of the 50 best point guards of all time.
(all statistics from basketball-reference.com)
No. 50: Steve Francis
1 of 50
Steve Francis stormed into the NBA during the 1999-2000 season, being rewarded with a co-NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
He then continued to perform impressively for the Houston Rockets, as the high-flying point guard was granted the nickname Stevie Franchise.
However, after a few years his level of play dropped off, forcing him into an early retirement.
During his relatively short nine-season career, Francis racked up averages of 18.1 points (93rd all time), 6.0 assists (53rd all time) and 1.5 steals, while earning three All-Star Game appearances.
No. 49: Fat Lever
2 of 50
After being drafted as the eleventh overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, Fat Lever struggled to stand out.
However, after joining the Denver Nuggets in his third season, Lever truly found his niche.
He went on to enjoy an 11-year career, where he had per game averages of 13.9 points, 6.2 assists (44th all time), 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals (fifth all time).
Additionally, he earned two All-Star nods, and one appearance on both the All-NBA Second Team and the All-NBA Defensive Second Team.
No. 48: Muggsy Bogues
3 of 50
Perhaps more notable for his diminutive stature than for his play, 5'3" point guard Muggsy Bogues did actually put up a rather impressive 14-year NBA career.
While not much of a scorer (career 7.7 points per game), Bogues did manage to rack up lots of assists and steals, finishing his career with an average of 7.6 assists (16th all time) and 1.5 steals (34th all time).
Furthermore, with 6,726 assists and 1,369 steals total, he ranks 16th and 48th all time.
No. 47: John Lucas II
4 of 50
Throughout his 14-year career, John Lucas II made his way around the NBA, playing for six different franchises.
However, despite his frequently changing uniform, one thing was constant—his penchant for setting up his teammates.
In all, Lucas racked up totals of 6454 assists (22nd all time) and 1273 steals (59th all time), while averaging 10.7 points, 7.0 assists (26th all time) and 1.4 steals (45th all time).
No. 46: Johnny Moore
5 of 50
Playing all but one of his career games with the San Antonio Spurs, Johnny Moore enjoyed a successful nine-year career.
He helped to propel his team to the NBA Western Conference Finals two years in a row, leading the league in assists per game during one of the campaigns.
Overall, he managed to put up 9.4 points, 7.4 assists (18th all time) and 2.0 steals* per game.
(* he would be in the top-10 in steals per game, but he is ineligible)
No. 45: Terrell Brandon
6 of 50
Coming into his own during his fifth NBA season, Terrell Brandon was a late bloomer who would have likely ranked higher on this list had injuries not put an abrupt end to his 11-year career.
With career averages of 13.8 points, 6.1 assists (51st all time) and 1.6 steals per game, Brandon made the playoffs in all but one of his years in the league.
Furthermore, Brandon was a two-time NBA All Star and owns the 16th best career free throw percentage at 87.3.
No. 44: Kevin Porter
7 of 50
During his 10-year NBA career, Kevin Porter was truly a pass-first point guard.
Porter led the league in assists on four separate occasions, and in one of those seasons, 1979, his Washington Bullets made it to the NBA Finals.
Furthermore, he dished out 29 assists in one game during the 1978 season—a record which held up for over 12.5 years.
In all, Porter manager per game averages of 11.6 points, 8.1 assists (12th all time) and 1.4 steals.
No. 43: Andre Miller
8 of 50
Currently in his 12th NBA season, Andre Miller of the Portland Trail Blazers is showing little sign of showing down.
Additionally, the 2001-02 leader in assists per game has always been great at setting up his teammates.
Overall, he has dished out 6,669 assists (18th all time), good for a career average of 7.2 per game (22nd all time).
Furthermore, Miller has put up 14.5 points and swiped 1.4 steals (46th all time) per contest.
No. 42: Rod Strickland
9 of 50
Rod Strickland was an NBA staple for nearly two decades, playing for nine teams during his 17 seasons.
During that span, he was able to rack up some impressive career numbers, with totals of 7987 assists (ninth all time) and 1616 steals (22nd all time).
Furthermore, during his career he was able to manage averages of 13.2 points, 7.3 assists (21st all time) and 1.5 steals (38th all time).
Strickland was also once a single-season leader in assists and a member of the All-NBA Second Team.
No. 41: Terry Porter
10 of 50
Terry Porter played for 17 seasons, although he only was a member of four different teams.
During that time he was able to play in 1,274 games (16th all time), while compiling a total of 15,583 points (100th all time), 7,160 assists(12th all time), 1,583 steals (25th all time) and 1,297 three pointers made (24th all time).
In doing so, the two-time NBA All Star was able to average 12.2 points, 5.6 assists (66th all time) and 1.2 steals (55th all time) per game, with a three-point and free-throw percentages of 38.6 (61st all time) and 83.6 (71st all time), respectively.
No. 40: Nick Van Exel
11 of 50
Nick Van Exel was a lightning fast and successful point guard during his 13-year career, earning him the nicknames Nick the Quick and Nick Van Excellent.
Using his blistering quickness and complete offense,he managed to dish out a total of 5,777 assists (32nd all time), while sinking 1,528 three pointers (12th all time).
Furthermore, Van Exel posted career averages of 14.4 points, 6.6 assists (36th all time) and 1.7 threes made per game.
And in doing so, he earned himself one All-Star appearance.
No. 39: Mookie Blaylock
12 of 50
Without only one All-Star Game played, Mookie Blaylock has to be one of the most underrated point guards in NBA history.
Through his 13 NBA seasons, Blaylock was one of the most solid backcourt defenders ever, totaling 2,075 steals (11th all time), averaging 2.3 steals per game (fourth all time), and earning two All-NBA First Team and four All-NBA Second Team selections.
However, his success wasn't limited to defense, as he compiled 1,283 three pointers made (26th all time) and 5,972 assists (29th all time), while averaging 13.5 points and 6.7 assists (28th all time) per contest.
No. 38: Sam Cassell
13 of 50
Throughout his 15 NBA seasons, Sam Cassell found success with nearly every one of the eight franchises for whom he played.
In all, he managed to compile totals of 15,635 points (99th all time) and 5939 (30th all time).
Selected to one All-Star Team and All-NBA First Team, Cassell also put up per-game totals of 15.7 points and 6.0 assists (56th all time), with a free throw percentage of 86.1 (27th all time).
However, the icing on the cake was that Cassell managed to earn three NBA Championship rings — two in his first two years in the league and one in his final season.
No. 37: Stephon Marbury
14 of 50
Say what you will about Stephon Marbury, but throughout his career he definitely showed that he had the ability to be great.
However, whether he would actually put his mind to it, well, that's another thing.
Nevertheless, during his 13-year NBA career he compiled 16,297 points (83rd all time), 6,471 assists (21st all time) and 991 threes (63rd all time).
In doing so, Starbury put up averages of 19.3 points (65th all time) and 7.6 assists (15th all time).
He was also named to two All-Star and All-NBA Third Teams, but his apparent negative attitude and erratic behavior saw him play his way out of the league well before his time.
No. 36: Norm Van Lier
15 of 50
Norm Van Lier put together a rather impressive career during his 10 years in the NBA.
He was an imposing defender, earning a place on three NBA All-Defensive First Teams and five NBA All-Defensive Second Teams.
And had they not only began recording steals during his fifth year in the league (1973-74), it's possible that he would be among the NBA's all-time leaders.
However, Van Lier was more than just a defender, as he once led the league in assists per game and dished out 5,217 career assists (46th all time), on his was to career averages of 11.8 points, 7.0 assists (24th all time) and 1.8 steals per game.
And as a result of his solid, all-around play, he was once a member of the All-NBA Second Team and an All Star three times.
No. 35: Baron Davis
16 of 50
Throughout his 12-year NBA career, Baron Davis has consistently racked up stats, totaling 12,639 points, 5,593 assists (37th all time), 1,435 steals (40th all time) and 1,233 threes made (33rd all time).
Furthermore, he has managed averages of 16.6 points, 7.3 assists (20th all time) and 1.9 steals (17th all time), while twice leading the league in average steals per game.
He has made the All-NBA Third Team on one occasion and been named to the All-Star Team twice.
And while he has played for the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets, the Golden State Warriors, and the Los Angeles Clippers — all teams which haven't been considered to be contenders during his career — Davis still has managed to carry his teams to the playoffs six times, advancing past the first round three times.
No. 34: Tony Parker
17 of 50
In 2010-11, Tony Parker is having a bounce-back year for the league-leading San Antonio Spurs, seeing his points per game jump back up, while he's putting up career-high single-season assists numbers.
Furthermore, Parker has already earned three All-Star appearances, three NBA Championships and a Finals MVP award, while once being named to the All-NBA Third Team.
And while he's only 28 years old and near the prime of his career, his overall averages of 16.7 points and 5.7 assists (62nd all time) illustrate his potential to drastically improve his career totals of 11,598 points and 3963 assists (92nd all time) to some of the best numbers ever.
Consequently, Parker will certainly see his rank on this list significantly rise by the end of his career.
No. 33: Chauncey Billups
18 of 50
Chauncey Billups is another late bloomer, who never really came into his own until he was joined the Detroit Pistons in his sixth NBA season.
Now in his 14th year, Billups has managed to put up some impressive numbers, including totals of 14,342 points, 5,191 assists (48th all time) and 1,623 threes made (seventh all time).
Moreover, he has posted averages of 15.4 points and 5.6 assists (68th all time), with a three-point percentage of 38.7 (59th all time) and a free-throw percentage of 89.1 (seventh all time).
Billups is also a five-time All Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice, the All-NBA Third Team twice and the All-NBA Second team once.
Furthermore, in his one NBA Championship season, he was selected as the Finals MVP.
No. 32: Alvin Robertson
19 of 50
Through his 10-season career, Alvin Robertson was one of the NBA's premier defensive players.
He was named the defensive player of the year once, and was a member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team four times and the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice.
Furthermore, with 2,112 steals, he ranks ninth all time, and his 2.7 steals per contest is the highest average ever.
And while defense was his specialty, he still managed to perform as an efficient offensive point guard, posting averages of 14.0 points, 5.0 assists (88th all time) and 5.2 rebounds.
Additionally, his total of 3929 assists ranks 93rd all time, and he is one of four players to have ever accomplished a quadruple-double.
Consequently, Robertson was rewarded with one All-NBA Second Team nomination, while also being a member of four All-Star teams.
No. 31: Reggie Theus
20 of 50
For the most part, Reggie Theus flew under the radar during his 13-year NBA career, with his teams only making the playoffs four time, and only advancing past the first round once.
However, Theus put up some impressive individual performances throughout his career, compiling totals of 19,015 points (46th all time), 6,453 assists (23rd all time) and 1,206 steals (69th all time).
He averaged 18.5 points (83rd all time) and 6.3 assists (43rd all time) as well, while also shooting 82.6 percent from the line (96th all time).
And as a reward for his strong play, he was named as an All Star twice.
Furthermore, the 6'7" Theus was a precursor to the tall point guards who would later appear in the league, such as Magic Johnson, Anfernee Hardaway and (occasionally) LeBron James.
No. 30: Guy Rodgers
21 of 50
Guy Rodgers was one of the first prototypical pass-first point guards of the shot clock era
Through his 12 NBA seasons, he was able to accumulate an impressive 10,415 points and 6,917 assists (15th all time).
Furthermore, he averaged 11.7 points and 7.8 assists (14th all time), while twice leading the league in assists.
He made the All-Star Team four times, but he is perhaps best known for dishing out 28 assists (third all time) during the game in which Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points.
No. 29: Mark Price
22 of 50
Mark Price was one of the best shooting point guards in NBA history.
Through his 13-year career, he posted free-throw percentage of 90.4 (the best all time) and also shot 40.2 percent from three (23rd all time).
Furthermore, he posted career averages of 15.2 points and 6.7 assists (27th all time), with a total of 976 threes made (67th all time) and 4,863 assists (54th all time).
As a result of his successes, Price earned four All-Star appearances, while being named to the All-NBA Third Team three times and the All-NBA First Team once.
No. 28: Maurice Cheeks
23 of 50
Maurice Cheeks was a point guard who could do it all.
Over the course of his 15-season career, he amassed 12,195 points, 7,392 assists (10th all time) and 2,310 steals (fifth all time).
In doing so, he put up career averages of 11.1 points, 6.7 assists (30th all time) and 2.1 steals (eighth all time), with a field goal percentage of 52.3 (38th all time).
Consequently, Cheeks was named to four All-Star teams, an NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and four NBA All-Defensive First Teams.
He was also in the playoffs during 13 of his 15 seasons, making the Finals three times, and winning an NBA Championship once.
No. 27: Gail Goodrich
24 of 50
In 14 NBA seasons Gail Goodrich accumulated some impressive statistical totals, with 19,181 points (45th all time) and 4,805 assists (55th all time).
Furthermore, he posted averages of 18.6 points (82nd all time), 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
In return for his gaudy numbers, he was rewarded with five All-Star appearances and a place on one All-NBA First Team.
And while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Goodrich made four NBA Finals appearances, winning one title in a campaign where he outscored teammates Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.
However, perhaps most important was his most recent accolade, an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.
No. 26: Norm Nixon
25 of 50
Norm Nixon established himself as one of the league's best point guards before an assortment of injuries forced him out of the league.
In 10 NBA seasons, Nixon managed to rack up totals of 12,065 points, 6386 assists (24th all time) and 1187 steals (75th all time).
Additionally he was able to manage a career average of 15.7 points, 8.3 assists (10th all time) and 1.5 steals.
And as a result of his on-court successes, he was elected as a member of two All-Star Teams.
However, he also was an instrumental part of Los Angeles Lakers teams which won two out of their three NBA Finals appearances.
No. 25: Dick McGuire
26 of 50
With only 4,205 total assists (78th all time) and a career average of 5.7 per game (63rd all time), it seems like Dick McGuire doesn't belong on this list.
However, he played the majority of his 11-year NBA career before the introduction of the shot clock sped up the game in 1955.
Consequently, it makes sense that his numbers are down from others on this list.
Nevertheless, his seven All-Star games, All-NBA Second Team selection, seven playoff appearances, three NBA Finals, and Hall of Fame induction all serve to illustrate that McGuire certainly was one of the best point guards of all time.
No. 24: Slater Martin
27 of 50
Slater Martin's career totals and averages don't stack up anywhere near the leaders in the NBA.
However, this is to be expected, as he played the majority of his 11-year NBA career before the introduction of the shot clock in 1955.
Consequently, since it's very difficult to compare his numbers to those of later players, one must instead look to those of Martin's time.
And when doing so, Martin looks very good.
He was among the top 10 in assists during seven seasons, and was also a member of seven All-Star Teams.
Additionally, he was named to the All-NBA Second Team five times.
More impressive, however, are the five NBA Championships which he won — four with the Minneapolis Lakers and one with the St. Louis Hawks.
And his 1982 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame is just the icing on the cake.
No. 23: Micheal Ray Richardson
28 of 50
Micheal Ray Richardson was once once of the most promising prospects the NBA had ever seen.
In his second season, Richardson led the league in assists and steals, and was named to the All-Star Team.
During the rest of his career, he was an All Star three more times, led the league in steals two more times, and was elected to the NBA All-Defensive First team twice.
And with averages of 14.8 points, 7.0 assists (23rd all time), 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals (2nd all time), one would think that Sugar Ray would have some of the best career totals ever.
However, they would be wrong (save for his 1,463 steals, 37th all time).
Richardson only played in the NBA for eight seasons, as he suffered from drug problems and was banned from the league after a third positive test in 1986.
Consequently, one can only wonder where he would now sit had he straightened out and been able to play a full career.
No. 22: Tim Hardaway
29 of 50
Tim Hardaway, owner of one of the NBA's best ever crossovers, compiled some impressive numbers during his 13-season career.
In all, he managed 15,373 points, 7,095 assists (12th all time), 1,542 threes made (11th all time) and 1,428 steals (41st all time), while making the playoffs in nine seasons.
In doing so, he put up averages of 17.7 points, 8.2 assists (11th all time) and 1.6 steals (30th all time) per contest.
For his accomplishments, Hardaway was rewarded with five All-Star appearances, while he was also named to the All-NBA Third Team once, the All-NBA Second Team three times, and the All-NBA First Team once.
No. 21: Dennis Johnson
30 of 50
Throughout his 14-year NBA career, Dennis Johnson was one of the league's best defensive point guards.
His numbers are solid, though not really impressive, as DJ averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 assists (92nd all time) and 1.3 steals (49th all time) per game in his career, while accumulating totals of 15,535 points, 5,499 assists (38th all time) and 1,477 (36th all time).
However, it was apparently the more intangible aspects of his game which earned him the most respect around the NBA, as evidenced by his five All-Star Games, three NBA All-Defensive Teams, six NBA All-Defensive First Teams, an All-NBA Second Team selection, and an All-NBA First Team selection.
Furthermore, Johnson was a three-time NBA Champion and he won the NBA Finals MVP award for his one title with the Seattle Supersonics (the other two titles were with the Boston Celtics).
And to top it all off, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
No. 20: Earl Monroe
31 of 50
In 13 NBA seasons, Earl Monroe established himself as a top-tier guard.
With career totals of 17,454 points (69th all time) and 3,594 assists, as well as averages of 18.8 points (76th all time) and 3.9 assists, Monroe earned eight playoff appearances.
Furthermore, in his first full season with the New York Knicks, he helped to propel the team to an NBA Championship.
And due to his solid performances, he became a four-time All Star and one-time member of the All-NBA First Team, eventually even being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
No. 19: Rajon Rondo
32 of 50
At a ripe 24 years of age, Rajon Rondo looks like he could one day challenge the all-time assists record.
Although currently sitting out due to an ankle injury, Rondo is in the midst of a season where he is dishing out 13.8 assists per game, the fifth-highest single-season average ever.
His career stats currently sit at 10.7 points, 7.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Furthermore, the young Rondo, in his fifth season, has already led the league in steals, won an NBA Championship and made an All-Star Team, an NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and an NBA All-Defensive First Team.
So as long as an unlikely career ending injury doesn't occur, Rondo will certainly continue to put up numbers and further establish himself as one of the best point guards of all time.
No. 18: Deron Williams
33 of 50
Deron Williams is another young player who has played like an all-time great throughout his career.
With averages of 17.1 points and 9.1 assists (eighth all time) per contest, Williams has already averaged a double-double during three of his first five NBA seasons.
And currently the 26-year-old point guard has played in an All-Star Game, while also being named to two All-NBA Second Teams.
So, seeing as though he's only in his sixth season, it's highly likely that he will continue his extremely high level of production, shoring up his standing as an all-time great.
No. 17: Chris Paul
34 of 50
Like both Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams, Chris Paul is a young individual who is playing like an all-time great.
Through six seasons, CP3 is averaging 19.1 points, 10.0 assists (third all time) and 2.4 steals.
Furthermore, during his first five years he led the league is assists twice and steals three times.
As a result of this, the 25 year old is a three-time All Star and has also made one appearance each on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the All-NBA Second Team and the All-NBA First Team.
So by the time he calls it quits, Paul should certainly hear his name among the best ever.
No. 16: Mark Jackson
35 of 50
Playing for a total of 17 seasons, Mark Jackson was able to accumulate massive statistical totals, with 12,489 points, 10,334 assists (third all time) and 1,608 steals (23rd all time).
His averages of 9.6 points, 8.0 assists (13th all time) and 1.2 steals (56th all time) are less impressive, but still they are good when one considers that they were maintained over such a long period of time.
Moreover, Jackson was able to parlay his amazing longevity into 14 playoff appearances, losing in his lone NBA Finals.
And while he only made one All-Star Team, Jackson's ability to pile up so many assists certainly warrants placing him among the best at his position.
No. 15: Kevin Johnson
36 of 50
Kevin Johnson made a name for himself as both a playmaker and an imposing dunker during his 12-year NBA career.
He put up averages of 17.9 points, 9.1 assists (seventh all time), and 1.5 steals per contest, amassing totals of 13,127 points and 6,711 assists (17th all time), with a free-throw percentage of 84.1 (64th all time).
As a result of his strong play, KJ and his Phoenix Suns made the playoffs in all but his first NBA season, even earning a Finals appearance in 1992-93.
Consequently, Johnson was awarded with three All-Star selections, while also making the All-NBA Second Team on four occasions and the All-NBA Third Team once.
No. 14: Lenny Wilkens
37 of 50
Lenny Wilkens played in the NBA for 15 years, long enough for him to rack up a ton of points and assists.
His totals of 17,772 points (62th all time) and 7,211 assists (11th all time) are outstanding, and he would likely be among the all-time steals leaders if they had kept track of that stat during his first 13 seasons.
He also managed to average 16.5 points and 6.7 assists (31st all time) per game, and he was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame
Nevertheless, by far the most amazing aspect of Wilkens' career was the fact that he made nine All-Star Teams—a truly impressive feat.
No. 13: Dave Bing
38 of 50
In 12 NBA seasons, Dave Bing managed to have an immensely successful individual career.
He racked up 20.3 points (50th all time) and 6.0 assists (54th all time) per game, and like Lenny Wilkens, he too could have benefited from steals being kept during the first portion of his career.
Bing also compiled totals of 18,327 points (57th all time) and 5,397 assists (39th all time), earning himself a scoring title, seven All-Star appearances, an All-NBA Second Team selection and two All-NBA First Team selections.
And in 1990, Bing was inducted into the Hall of Fame, finalizing his quest to become one of the NBA's greatest point guards.
No. 12: Nate Tiny Archibald
39 of 50
Nate Tiny Archibald enjoyed a 13-season career in the NBA, finishing as one of the most accomplished point guards of all time.
In all, he scored 16,481 points (79th all time) and doled out 6,476 assists (20th all time), maintaining averages of 18.8 points (78th all time) and 7.4 assists (19th all time).
Furthermore, Archibald went to the playoffs five times and won an NBA Championship in his only Finals appearance.
He also made the All-Star Team six times, earned a position on the All-NBA Second Team twice and All-NBA First Team three times, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
No. 11: Allen Iverson
40 of 50
Throughout his 14-season NBA career, Allen Iverson became one of the faces of the post-Jordan NBA.
He approached the point guard position with the same rebelliousness for which he largely became known, functioning as a scorer first and ball distributor second.
AI wound up with totals of 24,368 points (17th all time), 5,324 assists (36th all time), 1,983 steals (12th all time) and 1059 threes made (53rd all time).
Furthermore, he averaged 26.7 points (sixth all time), 6.2 assists (45th all time) and 2.2 steal (seventh all time) per game.
And with such impressive numbers, it's obvious that Iverson was awarded with numerous honors, being an 11-time All Star and a member of the All-NBA Third Team once, the All-NBA Second Team three times, and the All-NBA First Team three times.
He was even granted the NBA MVP award during one season.
However, Iverson never won an NBA Championship, as he made the playoffs eight times, but only once appeared in the Finals.
No. 10: Walt Clyde Frazier
41 of 50
Walt Clyde Frazier was a great all-around player during his 13 seasons in the NBA, managing to maintain averages of 18.9 points (75th all time), 6.1 assists (50th all time), 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals*.
Additionally, he totaled 15,581 points and 5,040 assists (50th all time).
In return for his production, Clyde was named a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team seven times, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-NBA First Team four times.
Furthermore, he was a seven-time All Star and made the playoffs eight times, playing in the Finals three times winning two NBA Championships.
And following his playing days, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his career accolades.
(*steal were only recorded during the latter half of Frazier's career, so his steal numbers would be significantly higher if this were not the case)
No. 9: Gary Payton
42 of 50
During a 17-year in the NBA, Gary Payton was both a great playmaker and defender.
He was able to amass 21,813 points (24th all time), 8,966 assists (seventh all time) and 2,445 steals (third all time), while he compiled career averages of 16.3 points, 6.7 assists (29th all time) and 1.8 steals (20th all time).
However, it was the one-time Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection's prowess on D which earned him his nickname, The Glove.
But his all-around play earned him his nine All-Star appearances, along with his selections to the All-NBA Third Team twice, All-NBA Second Team five times, and the All-NBA First Team twice.
Payton also managed to make the playoffs a whopping 15 times, playing in the Finals three times, and finally winning his first and only NBA Championship in his second to last season.
No. 8: Steve Nash
43 of 50
Since joining the Phoenix Suns during his ninth NBA season, only once has Steve Nash averaged fewer than 10 assists per game, leading the league in that category four times.
And now in his 15th year, Nash is well on his was to another double-digit assist campaign.
Overall the South African-born Canadian has accumulated totals of 15,210 points, 8,652 assists (eighth all time) and 1,506 threes made (15th all time), while averaging 14.6 points and 8.3 assists (ninth all time).
Furthermore, he is one of the most efficient scorers of all time, shooting 90.3 percent from the free throw line (second all time) and 43.0 percent from three (seventh all time).
As a result of this, Nash is a seven-time All-Star, and a selection to the All-NBA Third Team twice, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-NBA First Team three times.
And although Nash has made the playoffs in 11 of his seasons, he has never played in an NBA Finals.
He does, however, have two NBA MVP trophies to his name.
No. 7: Jason Kidd
44 of 50
Currently in his 17th NBA season, Jason Kidd is somehow showing few signs of aging.
During the course of his career, he has put up an average of 13.5 points, 9.2 assists (second all time), 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals (11th all time).
Furthermore his career totals currently sit at 16,364 points (81st all time), 11,169 assists (second all time), 7,972 rebounds (61st all time), 2,390 steals (fourth all time) and 1,708 threes made (fifth all time)—all very, very impressive.
Consequently, Kidd has been an All Star 10 times, and a member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team five times, the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times, the All-NBA Second Team once, and the All-NBA First Team five times.
And while he has never won an NBA Championship, despite two trips to the Finals and 14 trips to the postseason, Kidd's eye-popping compilation of stats should be enough to carry him to the Hall of Fame in the future.
No. 6: Isiah Thomas
45 of 50
Isiah Thomas was the poster boy the the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys era.
With averages of 19.2 points (68th all time), 9.3 rebounds (fifth all time) and 1.9 steals (16th all time) per contest, Thomas racked up totals of 18,882 points (50th all time), 9,061 assists (sixth all time) and 1,861 (14th all time).
Furthermore, Zeke became a 12-time All Star (making the team in all but his last season), he led the league in assists twice, and he was named to the All-NBA Second Team twice and the All-NBA First Team three times.
He made the playoffs nine times during his 13-year career, giving him the opportunity to play in three Finals, win two back-to-back NBA Championships, and be named the Finals MVP once.
Then, in 2000, Thomas was rewarded by being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 5: Bob Cousy
46 of 50
Bob Cousy was a player before his time.
With the first third of his career taking place before the shot clock era, Cousy still put up post-shot clock numbers, leading the league in assists for eight consecutive seasons.
He ended his 14-year career with totals of 16,960 points (76th all time) and 6,955 assists (14th all time), along with averages of 18.4 points (84th all time) and 7.5 assists (17th all time).
However, since numbers were down during his time, one must strive to realize how impressive his numbers actually were.
Consider the fact that he made the All-Star Team 13 times, was on the All-NBA Second Team twice, was on the All-NBA First Team a remarkable 10 times, and once won the NBA MVP award.
And in addition to all of that, Cousy still managed to win six NBA Championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
No. 4: Jerry West
47 of 50
During his 14-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West firmly established himself as one of the best to ever play the game.
Amassing 25,192 points (15th all time) and 6,238 assists (25th all time), coupled with averages of 27.0 points (fifth all time) and 6.7 assists (32nd all time) per game, he was elected to be an All Star during every single one of his NBA seasons.
Furthermore, West was a member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once, the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-NBA First Team 10 times.
Hovever,despite eight trips to the NBA Finals, he only managed to bring home one Championship during his career, although he did also win the Finals MVP.
No. 3: Oscar Robertson
48 of 50
During his 14-year NBA career, Oscar Robertson put up some of the most electrifying stat lines of all time—even once averaging a triple-double for the entirety of a season.
Overall, Robertson maintained a healthy per game average of 25.7 points (ninth all time), 9.5 assists (fourth all time) and 7.5 rebounds, adding up to 26,710 points (ninth all time), 9,887 (fifth all time) and 7,804 (62nd all time), with 83.8 percent shooting from the line (71st all time).
The Big O was also a 12-time All Star, a two-time member of the All-NBA Second Team, a nine-time member of the All-NBA First Team, and a one-time NBA MVP.
He made the playoffs ten times and the Finals twice, winning the Championship in his first season with with Lew Alcindor and the Milwaukee Bucks.
And given all of the success which Robertson experienced, it should come as no shock that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
No. 2: John Stockton
49 of 50
Without a doubt, when one thinks of the prototypical point guard, they think of John Stockton.
The pass-first Stockton led the league in assists nine times, posted a career average of 10.5 assists (second all time), and a total of 15,806 assists (first all time).
And when he did need to score he was incredibly efficient, scoring only 13.1 points per game and 19,711 points overall (38th all time) , but on shooting percentages of 51.5 from the field (55th all time), 82.6 from the line (96th all time) and 38.4 from three (75th all time).
Furthermore, Stockton was an effective defender, managing to 2.2 steals per game (sixth all time) on his way to 3,265 total steals (first all time).
As a result of these numbers, he was a member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team five times, the All-NBA Third Team three times, the All-NBA Second Team six times, and the All-NBA First Team twice.
The 10-time All Star also helped his career-long teammate Karl Malone win two NBA MVP awards and become the second leading scorer of all time.
And while Stockon's Utah Jazz made the playoffs during every season of his career, and even made the Finals twice, he walked away from the game without ever winning a Championship.
Nevertheless, in 2009, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
No. 1: Magic Johnson
50 of 50
Unlike John Stockton, Magic Johnson is not exactly your prototypical point guard.
Stand about 6'9", Johnson towers over the majority of the players on this list.
However, his play largely towers over the other too.
With career averages of 19.5 points (63rd all time), 11.2 assists (first all time), 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals (15th all time) per game, Johnson finished his 13-season career with totals of 17,707 points (64th all time), 10,141 assists (fourth all time), 4,958 defensive rebounds (60th all time) and 1,724 steals (15th all time).
Furthermore, he shot an impressive 52.0 percent from the field (45th all time) and 84.8 percent from the line (45th all time).
The 12-time All Star also earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team once and the All-NBA First Team nine times, going on to earn three NBA MVP awards throughout his career.
Magic also made it to the playoffs every year, reaching the Finals nine times, winning five NBA Championships and taking home three Finals MVP awards.
And obviously, shortly after his retirement from basketball, Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame, cementing his status as the top point guard of all time.
