Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA History: Ranking the 15 greatest point guards of all time

By Josh Cornelissen

Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers and Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns. Photo by Mansoor Ahmed/WireImage
Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers and Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns. Photo by Mansoor Ahmed/WireImage /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 17
Next
NBA History, Point Guards
Statue of Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /

15 greatest point guards in NBA History — No. 1: Magic Johnson

Despite a hard challenge from Wardell Stephen Curry II, the top spot remains in the hands of the only other point guard who can say he changed the game of basketball as much as Curry. Earvin Magic Johnson joined the NBA in 1979 and went on to revolutionize offensive basketball and, along with Larry Bird, save the league as a mainstream American sport.

Johnson was good during the first few seasons of his career and then transcendent from there, right up until an HIV diagnosis cut his career short. He was a passing savant, able to see over defenders at 6’9″ and used a combination of skill and flash to hit teammates in the perfect spot.

Magic loved to run, and together with the Los Angeles Lakers coaches put together a high-octane offense that became known as “Showtime” for its level of razzle-dazzle. No-look passes, full-court rainbows and pinpoint deliveries to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were all in Johnson’s bag of tricks.

Five times Magic Johnson and the Lakers won the NBA title, with Johnson winning Finals MVP three of the five times. He was also a three-time league MVP to go along with 10 All-NBA selections and 12 All-Star berths. The premature end to his career landed him at just sixth in all-time assists, but he is first in assists-per-game with a bullet. For now, at least, Magic Johnson is the deserving resident of the very top of our rankings.