Shooting guards are the players who can score from anywhere on the court, whether it’s from beyond the arc, in the mid-range, or at the rim. They are also expected to play defense, create for others, and sometimes take over the game in clutch situations. In this article, we will rank the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on their achievements, skills, and legacy.
Top 10 Shooting Guards of All Time
10. Jerry West (Los Angeles Lakers)
Jerry West was one of the first great shooting guards in NBA history. He played his entire 14-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to nine NBA Finals appearances and one championship in 1972. He was a 14-time All-Star, a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the Finals MVP in 1969, despite losing to the Boston Celtics. He averaged 27 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game for his career, and was known for his clutch shooting and defense. He is also the inspiration for the NBA logo.
9. Ray Allen (Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat)
Ray Allen is widely regarded as one of the best shooters of all time. He holds the NBA record for most career three-pointers made with 2,973. He played for four teams in his 18-year career, winning two championships with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Miami Heat in 2013. He was a 10-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Third Team selection, and an Olympic gold medalist in 2000. He averaged 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for his career, and was known for his smooth stroke, quick release, and clutch moments.
8. Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies)
Allen Iverson was one of the most electrifying and influential players of his generation. He played for four teams in his 14-year career, but he is best remembered for his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he led them to the NBA Finals in 2001 and won the MVP award that year. He was an 11-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, a three-time steals leader, a seven-time All-NBA selection, and a Rookie of the Year in 1997. He averaged 26.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game for his career, and was known for his crossover dribble, fearless attitude, and cultural impact.
7. George Gervin (San Antonio Spurs)
George Gervin was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. He played for the San Antonio Spurs for most of his 14-year career, after spending his first three seasons in the ABA. He was a nine-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, a seven-time All-NBA selection, and an ABA champion in 1976. He averaged 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game for his career, and was known for his finger roll layup, long arms, and cool demeanor.
6. James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets)
James Harden is one of the most dominant offensive players of the modern era. He played for three teams in his 13-year career so far, but he is best known for his eight seasons with the Houston Rockets, where he won the MVP award in 2018 and led them to multiple deep playoff runs. He is an nine-time All-Star, a three-time scoring champion, a two-time assists leader, a seven-time All-NBA selection, and a Sixth Man of the Year in 2012. He averages 25 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for his career, and is known for his step-back three-pointer, his ability to draw fouls, and his beard.
5. Clyde Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers,
Houston Rockets)
Clyde Drexler was one of the most athletic and versatile shooting guards of all time. He played for two teams in his 15-year career, but he is best remembered for his 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he led them to two NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992. He won a championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995, alongside his college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. He was a 10-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, and an Olympic gold medalist in 1992 as part of the Dream Team. He averaged 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game for his career, and was known for his explosive dunks, his smooth transition game, and his nickname “The Glide”.
4. Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers)
Reggie Miller was one of the greatest shooters and clutch performers of all time. He played his entire 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers, leading them to six Eastern Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance in 2000. He was a five-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection, and an Olympic gold medalist in 1996. He averaged 18.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for his career, and ranks second in NBA history in career three-pointers made with 2,560. He was known for his trash talk, his rivalry with the New York Knicks, and his ability to hit big shots in pressure situations.
3. Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Dwyane Wade was one of the most complete and accomplished shooting guards of all time. He played for three teams in his 16-year career, but he is best known for his 14 seasons with the Miami Heat, where he won three championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013. He was the Finals MVP in 2006, when he led the Heat to a historic comeback from a 0-2 deficit against the Dallas Mavericks. He was a 13-time All-Star, a two-time scoring champion, an eight-time All-NBA selection, a three-time All-Defensive selection, and a Rookie of the Year in 2004. He averaged 22 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game for his career, and was known for his slashing drives, his mid-range game, his defense, and his leadership.
2. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Kobe Bryant was one of the most legendary and influential players of all time. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. He was the Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010, and the regular season MVP in 2008. He was an 18-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, a 15-time All-NBA selection, a 12-time All-Defensive selection, and a Slam Dunk champion in 1997. He averaged 25 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game for his career, and ranks fourth in NBA history in career points with 33,643. He was known for his killer instinct, his work ethic, his footwork, his fadeaway jumper, and his Mamba Mentality.
1. Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards)
Michael Jordan is widely considered as the greatest player of all time. He played for two teams in his 15-year career, but he is best remembered for his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, where he won six championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. He was the Finals MVP in all six occasions, and the regular season MVP in five occasions: 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998. He was a 14-time All-Star, a 10-time scoring champion, a three-time steals leader, a Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, a Rookie of the Year in 1985, and a Slam Dunk champion in 1987 and 1988. He averaged 30.1 points (the highest in NBA history), 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game for his career, and ranks fifth in NBA history in career points with 32,292. He was known for his unparalleled competitiveness, his athleticism, his mid-range game, his defense, and his clutchness.
Conclusion
These are our top 10 shooting guards of all time. Of course, there are many other great players who could have made this list or ranked differently depending on different criteria or preferences. However, we believe that these players have proven themselves to be among the best at their position through their achievements, skills, and legacy.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Who is the best shooting guard of all time? A: According to our ranking, Michael Jordan is the best shooting guard of all time.
Q: Who is the best shooter among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, Ray Allen is the best shooter
among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his NBA record for most career three-pointers made.
Q: Who is the most clutch among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, Michael Jordan is the most clutch among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his six Finals MVPs and his numerous game-winners.
Q: Who is the most versatile among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, Dwyane Wade is the most versatile among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his ability to score, pass, rebound, and defend at a high level.
Q: Who is the most influential among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, Kobe Bryant is the most influential among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his impact on the culture and the generation of players who grew up idolizing him.
Q: Who is the most underrated among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, George Gervin is the most underrated among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his lack of recognition and accolades compared to his scoring prowess and longevity.
Q: Who is the most overrated among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, there is no clear answer to this question, as all of the players on this list have earned their place and respect. However, some might argue that Allen Iverson or James Harden are overrated due to their inefficiency or lack of postseason success.
Q: Who is the best defender among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, Michael Jordan is the best defender among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his Defensive Player of the Year award, his nine All-Defensive First Team selections, and his career steals record.
Q: Who is the best passer among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, James Harden is the best passer among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his two assists titles and his career average of 6.6 assists per game.
Q: Who is the best dunker among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, Michael Jordan is the best dunker among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on his two Slam Dunk titles and his iconic dunks such as “The Free Throw Line Dunk” and “The Cradle Dunk”.
Q: Who is the best teammate among the top 10 shooting guards of all time? A: According to our ranking, there is no definitive answer to this question, as different players have different styles and personalities that may suit different teammates. However, some might argue that Ray Allen or Jerry West are the best teammates among the top 10 shooting guards of all time, based on their willingness to sacrifice their individual stats or roles for the sake of winning.