The 25 Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History
Our birthday salute to The Answer.
Image via Complex Original
Allen Iverson turns 38 today. We're not here to talk about his recent struggles, we're here to celebrate his great NBA career. Listed at a generous 6'0", Iverson played like he was 6'7" and put the work in to be referred to as one of the greatest players ever. He played both guard positions, but he made his name as a shooting guard. Once Larry Brown made him switch positions, AI took the league by storm, winning All-Star and season MVPs and making Finals appearances. But he was selfish and didn't make teammates better. That being said, he still captured our hearts by the way he played through injuries and left it all out on the floor.
So now we explore his place among the greatest two guards to ever put on an NBA uniform. Unless you live under a rock, you should already know who numbers one and two are. Where does A.I. rank over the likes of Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and Sam Jones? Or legends like Bill Sharman, David Thompson, and Clyde Drexler? You'll be surprised where we put him (or maybe not). In honor of The Answer's birthday, here are the 25 Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History.
Written by Angel Diaz (@ADiaz456)
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25. Jeff Hornacek
Career Stats: 14.5 PPG 3.4 RPG 4.9 APG 1.4 SPG
Career Accomplishments: 1x All-Star
Team(s): Suns, 76ers, Jazz
Highlights
Hornacek was an efficient scorer his entire career, shooting 49 percent from the field over the course of 14 seasons. No one dared to leave him alone because he would bury a jumper from anywhere on the floor. He was also fortunate to play in the same backcourt as guys that required undivided attention like Kevin Johnson and John Stockton. Jeff was always among the leaders in three-point and free-throw percentage, and played an important role in those great late '90s Utah teams.
24. Allan Houston
Career Stats: 17.3 PPG 2.9 RPG 2.4 APG
Career Accomplishments: 2x All-Star
Team(s): Pistons, Knicks
Highlights
Say what you want about that ridiculous contract and his hatred of defense, Allan Houston had one of the sweetest jumpshots ever witnessed. He made his name as a Knick and once he got used to the Broadway lights, Houston shot the them out of many a jam. His most famous moment as a Knick came in Game 5 of their 1999 first round matchup against the Heat when he hit a floater to clinch the series. He's also known for crippling the franchise for a decade because injuries didn't allow him to live up to his enormous contract.
23. Alvin Robertson
Career stats: 14.0 PPG 5.2 RPG 5.0 APG 2.7 SPG
Career accomplishments: 4x All-Star, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Most Improved Player, 1x All-NBA, 6x All-Defense
Team(s): Spurs, Bucks, Pistons, Raptors
Highlights
One of the most underrated players ever, Robertson damn near averaged three steals a game for his career with 2.7. He's also one of five guards to win Defensive Player of the Year. In his second year, as a member of the Spurs, Robertson played all 82 games and took away 3.7 cookies per game from unsuspecting opponents.
But he wasn't all defense, he was also a slasher that dunked with authority and is one of four players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double (20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals) when he did it on February 18, 1986 when he was a Spur against the Suns. He even had his own signature move in EA Sports' Bulls versus Lakers and the NBA Playoffs video game released in 1992.
22. Jerry Stackhouse
Career stats: 16.9 PPG 3.2 RPG 3.3 APG 0.9 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1996 All-Rookie, 2x All-Star
Team(s): 76ers, Pistons, Wizards, Mavs, Bucks, Heat, Hawks, Nets
Highlights
Stack started off hot, averaging 21 points in his first eight seasons in the L. His game even drew comparisons to Jordan. Stackhouse was a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the floor in his prime and was liable to reel off 30 points on any given night. His best year was in 2001 when he put up 29.8 points a game, but eventually nagging injuries relegated him to the bench. He was a key role player on the 2006 Mavs that lost to Miami in the Finals.
21. Latrell Sprewell
Career stats: 18.3 PPG 4.1 RPG 4.0 APG 1.4 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1993 All-Rookie, 4x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense
Team(s): Warriors, Knicks, Timberwolves
Highlights
Don't front on Spree. The man closely associated with spinning rims was also a great player. Before he choked out P.J. Carlesimo for being P.J. Carlesimo, Latrell was on his way to becoming one of the premier players in the league. Sprewell was a two-way player that feared no one. Whether it was with the baldy or the cornrows, when Spree came down the lane, opponents got out of his way.
After he served his season-long suspension after the choking incident he joined the Knicks where he helped them reach the '99 Finals. Then several years later in 2004, he would help Kevin Garnett finally get out of the first round with the Timberwolves. They lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals and Latrell famously turned down a three-year/$21 million extension at the beginning of the 2005 season. He still can't feed his family.
20. Gail Goodrich
Career stats: 18.6 PPG 3.2 RPG 4.7 APG 1.3 SPG
Career accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Lakers, Suns, Jazz
Highlights
Often overshadowed by his immortal teammates, Goodrich was one of the best shooters in his day. Playing on the same team as Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor allowed Gail to feast on open jumpers and he even led the team in scoring on several occasions. The lefty out of UCLA, flew under the radar all the way to the Hall of Fame.
19. Mitch Richmond
Career stats: 21.0 PPG 3.9 RPG 3.5 APG 1.2 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1989 Rookie of the Year, 1989 All-Rookie, 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1x Champion
Team(s): Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers
Highlights
When Michael Jordan says you're the toughest guy he's had to guard, that's saying something. Before injuries got the best of him, Mitch was arguably the third best shooting guard in the L behind His Airness and Clyde the Glide. Richmond could shoot the lights out and take you off the dribble until those injuries turned him into a three-point spot up shooter. He was a key cog in Don Nelson's Golden State "Run TMC" offense, along with Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin. Even with his last couple of seasons being riddled with injuries, Rock was still able to finish his career with a 20-point average.
18. Manu Ginobili
Career stats: 15.9 PPG 3.9 RPG 4.0 APG 1.5 SPG
Career accomplishments: 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 1x Sixth Man of the Year, 3x Champion
Team(s): Spurs
Highlights
Ginobili! What can be said about Manu? The guy is all class, a professional. He's logged a lot of minutes over the course of his career by making deep playoff runs and playing in the summer for Argentina. The lefty is a jack of all trades. He can run the point—as he did this past season when Tony Parker went down—slash to make acrobatic layups, shoot from anywhere, and he also plays solid defense (and flops like a champ). He's been just as important to the Spurs run of success as Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Tony Parker have been. Given his international career and his current NBA one, expect Manu to be inducted into the Hall once he chooses to hang 'em up.
17. Sidney Moncrief
Career stats: 15.6 PPG 4.7 RPG 3.6 APG 1.2 SPG
Career accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 2x Defensive Player of the Year
Team(s): Bucks, Hawks
Highlights
The Squid is on here more for his defense than his scoring, but don't get it confused; Moncrief caught wreck. Moncrief did it all offensively, dunking on big men, hitting from the perimeter, posting up down on the block, rebounding, and making the necessary pass. He did so much for those Milwaukee squads that his teammates often referred to him as "Superman." But defense was his calling card.
One of five guards to ever be named the Defensive Player of the Year, Sidney won the first two seasons the award existed. He's was as good a defender as Bernard the King was a scorer. His textbook way of playing defense will hopefully get him in the Hall one day, the Squid deserves it.
16. Pete Maravich
Career stats: 24.2 PPG 4.2 RPG 5.4 APG 1.4 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1971 All-Rookie, 5x All-Star, 4x All-NBA, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Hawks, Jazz, Celtics
Highlights
Yes, Pistol was a two, people! Mahdi Abdul-Rahman, formerly known as Walt Hazzard, was the point guard during his Hawks years and Henry Bibby ran point during his Jazz years. Now that we got that out the way, Maravich was one of the first players to bring the playground to the NBA. He's credited with being the first pro to dribble behind the back and make a between-the-legs pass. Not only was he a magician with the ball, he was also a diabolical scorer; one of the best in fact and would've ranked higher had he played more than 10 seasons.
15. Tracy McGrady
Career stats: 19.6 PPG 5.6 RPG 4.4 APG 1.2 SPG 0.9 BPG
Career accomplishments: 2001 Most Improved Player, 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA
Team(s): Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Spurs
Highlights
It's true, T-Mac also spent some time at the 3, but there's no denying that he has a shooting guard's game. Often compared with the likes of Kobe Bryant, McGrady was one of the L's primetime players when healthy. And therein lies the problem, Tracy was seldom healthy. However, when he was? Forget about it, he was absolutely filthy.
Score, defend, pass, handle the rock, put a team on his back, you name it. If you need anymore proof, click this link to see him beat the Spurs by scoring 13 points in 35 seconds. The only thing that rivals that performance is Reggie's eight points in nine seconds. He's gotten a bad rap for never leading a team out of the first round, but folks forget that two of his sidekicks in both Orlando (Grant Hill) and Houston (Yao Ming) constantly battled injuries, leaving McGrady to go to war by himself.
14. Vince Carter
Career stats: 20.8 PPG 5.0 RPG 3.8 APG 1.1 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1999 Rookie of the Year, 1999 All-Rookie, 8x All-Star, 2x All-NBA
Team(s): Raptors, Nets, Magic, Suns, Mavs
Highlights
Ultimately, Carter's career has been a bit of a disappointment. Why? Because he wasn't a winner. Carter's numbers are there, but he could never lead his teams past the second round. And he also didn't want to play second fiddle to Tracy McGrady nor Chris Bosh. However, Vinsanity was still a pleasure to watch.
One can argue that he is the best dunker the game has ever seen and the performance he put on in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest will forever be remember as one of the greatest aerial displays ever recorded in front of a live audience. His numbers scream Hall of Fame but his lack of success screams otherwise, let's see how long it takes him to get in.
13. Joe Dumars
Career stats: 16.1 PPG 2.2 RPG 4.5 APG 0.9 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1986 All-Rookie, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 1x Finals MVP, 2x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Pistons
Highlights
One of the most under-appreciated players of all time, Joe Dumars was consistently one of the best all-around guards in the L. Not only was he a great shooter, he was also a top-notch defender. As one of the quieter members of the Bad Boy Pistons, Joe D made five All-Defensive teams and has a Finals MVP (1989) on his resume. By looking at the back of his basketball card, one word comes to mind: Consistent. Too bad this generation remembers him more for drafting Darko Milicic rather than his Hall of Fame career.
12. Earl Monroe
Career stats: 18.8 PPG 3.0 RPG 3.9 APG 1.0 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1968 Rookie of the Year, 1968 All-Rookie, 4x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Bullets, Knicks
Highlights
Earl the Pearl a.k.a Black Jesus was a Philly streetball legend by the time he put on an NBA uniform. Standing at 6'3", Monroe was an unguardable scorer and ball-handler. Black Jesus would cross you up and then shoot a mid-range J over your body or take it to hole and make a mind-boggling layup. After his time with the Baltimore Bullets was up, he was traded to the Knicks in 1971 to join Walt "Clyde" Frazier to form the "Rolls Royce Backcourt." Monroe helped the Knicks reach the Finals twice, winning in 1973.
11. Reggie Miller
Career stats: 18.2 PPG 3.0 RPG 3.0 APG 1.1 SPG
Career accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Pacers
Highlights
Arguably the greatest shooter to ever do it ( though we'll take the Logo in a shooting contest), Reggie is also one of the most clutch performers in sports history. Although he's made only one Finals appearance, he's widely considered one of the most dangerous players in playoff history (just ask Spike). With his awkward shot and veteran savvy, Miller's jumper was damn near unstoppable. He's made shots in everyone's face from Jordan to Starks. And up until last year, Reggie was the greatest three-point shooter of all time. His place in history was solidified with his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
10. David Thompson
Career stats: 22.1 PPG 3.8 RPG 3.2 APG 0.9 SPG
Career accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Nuggets, Sonics
Highlights
David Thompson was Michael Jordan's favorite player and introduced MJ into the Hall of Fame. With that being said, Thompson would've been more well known if it weren't for his substance abuse problem. One of his famous quotes is, "I had the ability to be one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game and I blew it." Little does he know that he is one of the greats.
This man helped usher in a new era of shooting guards. Thompson was as explosive as they come, seemingly dunking whenever he felt like it. But don't assume he was just a dunker, he was also able to score from anywhere, making him one of the more dangerous wing players of his generation. If it weren't for his addiction to booger sugar or his wrangled knee at the hands of a flight of Studio 54 steps, who knows where "The Skywalker" would've been placed in history.
8. Ray Allen
Career stats: 19.4 PPG 4.1 RPG 3.4 APG 1.1 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1997 All-Rookie, 10x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 1x Champion
Team(s): Bucks, Sonics, Celtics, Heat
Highlights
The all-time leader in three-pointers wasn't always just a shooter. Coming out of UConn, the fifth overall pick did it all. He handled the ball, drove, played defense, and people forget that he was in the '97 dunk contest. Allen was also the leader on some good Bucks teams in the late '90s and early 2000s. After dealing with a mediocre Sonics team for several years, the minute he was traded to Boston to join KG and Paul Pierce, they immediately became contenders. Two Finals appearances and a ring later, Jesus Shuttlesworth finds himself in the Finals again as a member of the Miami Heat.
7. Allen Iverson
Career stats: 26.7 PPG 3.7 RPG 6.2 APG 2.2 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1997 Rookie of the Year, 1997 All-Rookie, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA
Team(s): 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies
Highlights
Pound for pound, AI is up there with the all-time greats. Coming into the NBA as a point guard, the genius that is Larry Brown moved him to the two and the rest is history. Iverson flourished on the wing, but unfortunately, those around him didn't.
The one knock on Iverson is his inability to make teammates better. But what he lacked in teamwork, he made up for in heart. You'll be hard-pressed to name five guys in basketball history that played harder than the Answer did night in and night out. Iverson played each game like it was his last and single-handedly took a bunch of bums to the Finals where he beat the mighty Lakers in Game 1 by stepping over Tyronn Lue and dropping 48 on Kobe Bean Bryant. Iverson's struggling in life now, but at least he knows that one day he can take his kids to see his image in the Hall of Fame.
6. Bill Sharman
Career stats: 17.8 PPG 3.9 RPG 3.0 APG
Career accomplishments: 8x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 4x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Capitols, Celtics
Highlights
Sharman was one of the best shooters of his generation and helped the Celtics win four titles. He was Jerry West before Jerry West. In fact, during Sharman's final year, a rookie West hit seven straight jumpers over Bill and on the eighth attempt Sharman took a swing at him. In short, Bill was one tough S.O.B. He was also one of the first guards to eclipse 40 percent from the field in a season and is the only coach to win championships in three American pro leagues—he was the head coach of the 69-13 '72 Lakers, helping Jerry West win his only ring.
6. Hal Greer
Career stats: 19.2 PPG 5.0 RPG 4.0 APG
Career accomplishments: 10x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 1x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): 76ers
Highlights
One the most consistent players on this list, Hal Greer also did it with class. Hiding in the shadows of teammates Dolph Schayes and Wilt Chamberlain, Greer was often the second best player on some great Nationals/76ers teams. Although, he might've not gotten press like the guys just mentioned, but the fans, organization, and even opponents appreciated him. Greer was especially lethal from just inside the key, with one of his coaches saying that he makes that shot at least 70 percent of time. His quickness allowed him to get free and wap a jumper with the slightest hint of daylight. Playing with legends like Schayes and Chamberlain will do that for ya.
5. Sam Jones
Career stats: 17.7 PPG 4.9 RPG 2.5 APG
Career accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 10x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Celtics
Highlights
Sam Jones was one of the guys that invented the word "clutch." Time and time again he came through when it counted to help Boston win 10 titles. "The Shooter" was never rattled, always calm. He was consistently one of the leading scorers during the time when the Celtics were winning championships every year. His shot of choice was the bankshot and he owned it. He was also a master in moving without the ball. He won many games by utilizing those two fundamental rules of basketball.
4. Clyde Drexler
Career stats: 20.4 PPG 6.1 RPG 5.6 APG 2.0 SPG
Career accomplishments: 10x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1x Champion, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Blazers, Rockets
Highlights
In his prime, Clyde the Glide was the second best shooting guard behind Michael Jordan. And just think, the two could've been teammates had the Blazers not gone with Sam Bowie with first pick in 1984. Clyde had a complete game. He averaged 20 points and two steals for his career. His lanky frame allowed him to be unstoppable around the rim as he was able to lay finger-rolls up from the foul line. Clyde led the Blazers to two Finals appearances and helped Hakeem capture his second consecutive ring in 1995.
3. Dwyane Wade
Career stats: 24.7 PPG 5.1 RPG 6.1 APG 1.8 SPG 1.0 BPG
Career accomplishments: 2004 All-Rookie, 9x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, 2x Champion, 1x Finals MVP
Team(s): Heat
Highlights
Flash has been battling injuries these last couple seasons, but don't make the mistake of doubting him. Wade is always liable to go off if his body allows him too. With the arrival of LeBron and Chris Bosh, Wade has had to tone down his game a bit which can be a good thing in the long run. He's 31 now and will soon be headed into the twilight of his career. And it has been a great one so far.
Wade arrived when he averaged 39 points, 8 boards, 2.5 steals, and a block in the last four games of the 2006 Finals versus the Mavs (after Miami was down 0-2) to carry Miami to a 4-2 series win. Now, as LeBron's "sidekick," Wade is looking for his third—and second consecutive—ring to further cement his legacy.
2. Kobe Bryant
Career stats: 25.5 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.8 APG 1.5 SPG
Career accomplishments: 1997 All-Rookie, 15x All-Star, 1x MVP, 15x All-NBA, 12x All-Defense, 5x Champion, 2x Finals MVP
Team(s): Lakers
Highlights
One of the most loved and loathed athletes of all time, people have warmed up to Kobe in recent years. Mainly because he's a throwback to when the NBA wasn't as soft and over-hyped. The L is basically like the rap game today. Everyone's quick to crown legends when they haven't put work in. Well, Kobe has. He will soon surpass Michael for third all-time in points and is arguably the greatest Laker ever (arguably, relax).
Although he didn't quite shatter dreams like him, Bryant is the closest thing we've seen to MJ and we don't know whether that's a good or bad thing. Sometimes it felt like he was trying to be Mike instead of trying to be Kobe. But one thing's for sure, the Black Mamba's one bad motherfucker. When Bryant took those free throws after tearing his Achilles tells you all you need to know about his career. He's the most hardbody player of his generation.
1. Michael Jordan
Career stats: 30.1 PPG 6.2 RPG 5.3 APG 2.3 SPG
Career accomplishments: 14x All-Star, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 1985 All-Rookie, 11x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 5x MVP, 6x Champion, 6x Finals MVP, Member of the Hall of Fame
Team(s): Bulls, Wizards
Highlights
Duh. Obviously. Michael Jordan changed the NBA forever. With the help of Magic and Bird and the foundation George Mikan and Bill Russell laid, Jordan helped the league turn into the billion dollar global force it is today. And he did it with a fire that has never been seen before. No one wanted to win more than MJ and that's what puts him in a class of his own. He got better each year, adjusting his game as he got older to cope with Father Time. When he wasn't able to dunk on everyone, he developed a fadeaway. When he was double-teamed he passed to teammates so they could have the glory. What made him so great was that he was just as good defensively as he was offensively and he wanted win not only every game but every practice as well. There will never be another.