Top 10 Shooting Guards of All Time
When it comes to the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, a few names stand out above the rest. Their individual accomplishments, skill sets, and contributions to their respective teams have cemented their legacies as iconic figures in basketball.
Players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson have left an indelible mark on the game and are regarded as some of the best ever to play the position.
The impact of these shooting guards goes beyond their individual statistics and accolades. Their competitiveness, leadership, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations set them apart from their peers.
Their influence can also be seen in the current generation of shooting guards, who often strive to emulate their styles and achieve similar levels of success. I have compiled a list of the top 10 shooting guards of all time. Wanna have a look?
10 Greatest Shooting Guards
Here is my list of the top 10 shooting guards of all time:
1. Michael Jordan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Jerry West
4. Dwyane Wade
5. Clyde Drexler
6. Ray Allen
7. Reggie Miller
8. Stephen Curry
9. James Harden
10. Allen Iverson
I know some people might disagree with my list, but I believe these are the 10 shooting guards who had the biggest impact on the game and were the most dominant in their era.
Also Read: Best Basketball Shoes for Shooting Guards
The Best Shooting Guards in NBA: A Detailed Look
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan tops our list of top 10 shooting guards of all time. He is a retired American professional basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Jordan was also one of the greatest shooting guards ever. He played for the Chicago Bulls for 13 seasons and the Washington Wizards for 2 seasons. Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963. He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, leading the Tar Heels to the NCAA championship 1982. The Bulls drafted him with the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft.
Jordan quickly became one of the best players in the NBA. He was a prolific scorer, a lockdown defender, and a clutch performer. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1985.
Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. He was named the Finals MVP each time. He also won five regular season MVP awards.
Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993 but returned in 1995. He played two more seasons with the Bulls before retiring again in 1999. He returned for a brief stint with the Wizards in 2001-02.
Jordan is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the NBA. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1978. He played college basketball at the University of Pennsylvania for one season before being drafted by the Lakers with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft.
Bryant quickly became one of the best players in the NBA. He was a prolific scorer, a clutch performer, and a lockdown defender. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1997.
Bryant led the Lakers to five NBA championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. He was named the Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. He also won two regular-season MVP awards.
Bryant retired from the NBA in 2016. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Bryant was also known for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He was also a student of the game who would watch films of his opponents and try to find ways to exploit their weaknesses.
Bryant was a global icon who inspired people all over the world. He was a role model for many young athletes, showing that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. He will be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
Jerry West
Jerry West was a Hall of Fame basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974. He was a 14-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, and 2-time NBA champion. He was the NBA’s scoring champion in 1969-70 and the Finals MVP in 1969. West is considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time, and his silhouette is used as the logo for the NBA.
West was born in Chelyan, West Virginia, in 1938. He played college basketball at West Virginia University as a two-time All-American. The Lakers drafted him with the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA draft.
West quickly became one of the best players in the NBA. He was a prolific scorer and a clutch shooter. He was also a good defender and was named to the All-Defensive First Team four times.
West led the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1970. They won the championship in 1972. West was named the Finals MVP in 1969.
After his playing career, West became a successful NBA executive. He served as the general manager of the Lakers from 1982 to 2000 and helped them win five more championships. He was also the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002 to 2007.
West is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Dwayne Wade
Dwyane Wade is a retired American professional basketball player who played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Miami Heat selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.
Wade spent 14 of the 16 seasons with the Heat, winning three NBA championships (2006, 2012, and 2013) and being named the Finals MVP in 2006. He also played for the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wade is considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time. He was a 13-time All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA selection, and a 3-time NBA champion. He was also the NBA’s scoring champion in 2008-09.
Wade was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1982. He played college basketball at Marquette University, where he was a two-time All-American. The Heat drafted him with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.
Wade quickly became one of the best players in the NBA. He was a prolific scorer, a gifted passer, and a lockdown defender. He was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2004.
Wade led the Heat to the NBA Finals in 2006, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Wade was named the Finals MVP. He helped the Heat win two more championships in 2012 and 2013.
Wade retired from the NBA in 2019. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Drexler was an American professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the NBA. He played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets. He is considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time.
Drexler was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1962. He played college basketball at the University of Houston as a two-time All-American. The Trail Blazers drafted him with the 14th overall pick in the 1983 NBA draft.
Drexler quickly became one of the best players in the NBA. He was a prolific scorer, a lockdown defender, and a passer. He was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1992.
Drexler led the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls. He helped the Trail Blazers win the NBA championship in 1992.
Drexler was traded to the Rockets in 1995, where he teamed up with Hakeem Olajuwon to win another NBA championship in 1995.
Drexler retired from the NBA in 2000. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time.
Drexler was also known for his athleticism and his high-flying dunks. He was nicknamed “The Glide” for his smooth, graceful movements on the court.
Drexler was a great ambassador for the game of basketball. He was always humble, approachable, and willing to give back to the community. He will be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
Ray Allen
Ray Allen was one of the most prolific shooters in NBA history. He was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, and 1-time NBA champion. He is also the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made.
Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was one of the most clutch shooters in NBA history. He was a 5-time All-Star, 5-time All-NBA selection, and 0-time NBA champion. He is also the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made in the playoffs.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He is a 7-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA selection, and 4-time NBA champion. He is also the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made in a season.
James Harden
James Harden is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. He is a 9-time All-Star, 8-time All-NBA selection, and 0-time NBA champion. He is also the NBA’s all-time leader in free throws made.
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson was among the most exciting players in NBA history. He was a 4-time All-Star, 4-time All-NBA selection, and 1-time NBA champion. He was also the NBA’s scoring champion in 1999-2000.
This is just my opinion, and many other great shooting guards could have made this list. But I believe that these 10 players are the best of the best.
Who are the greatest shooting guards in NBA history?
Michael Jordan is often considered the greatest basketball player of all time, and his dominance at the shooting guard position is a big reason. His scoring ability, defensive prowess, and impact on the game were unmatched. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and won five MVP awards during his illustrious career.
Kobe Bryant, known as the “Black Mamba,” was another shooting guard who left an indelible mark on the game. He had a deadly shooting stroke and a killer instinct on the court. Bryant won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and is regarded as one of the best scorers in the history of the NBA.
Allen Iverson, often called “The Answer,” was a dynamic and explosive shooting guard. His scoring ability and ball-handling skills made him a nightmare for defenders. Despite being undersized, Iverson led the league in scoring multiple times and was named an MVP in 2001.
What makes a shooting guard the best?
Several factors contribute to making a shooting guard the best. Scoring ability is crucial, as shooting guards are expected to be the primary offensive threat for their team. The ability to impact the game in various ways, such as scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess, is also important.
Great shooting guards possess all-around skills that make them a threat on both ends of the court. This includes shooting, dribbling, passing, and defensive abilities. The best shooting guards are not only prolific scorers but also make their teammates better and contribute to the team’s success in other game areas.
Who are some other notable shooting guards in NBA history?
In addition to the aforementioned shooting guards, many other notable players have excelled at the position. Dwyane Wade, Clyde Drexler, and George Gervin are examples.
Dwyane Wade, nicknamed “Flash,” was a key part of the Miami Heat’s success in the 2000s. He was a three-time NBA champion known for his ability to take over games in clutch moments.
Clyde Drexler, also known as “The Glide,” was a high-flying shooting guard who played for the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. He was a key member of the Trail Blazers’ 1992 NBA Finals team and won a championship with the Rockets in 1995.
George Gervin, often called “The Iceman,” was known for his smooth scoring touch and finger roll. He led the NBA in scoring four times and was a 12-time NBA All-Star.
What are the career achievements of these shooting guards?
When it comes to career achievements, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, and James Harden have all left their mark on the game.
Reggie Miller, known for his sharpshooting ability, was a key member of the Indiana Pacers for 18 seasons. He was one of the greatest clutch shooters in NBA history and is regarded as one of the best ever to play.
Ray Allen, famous for his smooth shooting stroke, was a key contributor to multiple championship-winning teams, including the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. He holds the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA history.
James Harden, known for his scoring prowess, has been among the most dominant players in recent years. He has won multiple scoring titles and has been named an MVP.
How do these shooting guards compare statistically?
Statistically, shooting guards are often judged by their points per game, playoff success, and individual accolades.
Regarding points per game, Michael Jordan holds the highest career average, followed by Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson. In terms of playoff success, Jordan is widely regarded as the best, having won six NBA championships. Individual accolades, such as MVP awards and All-NBA selections, also play a role in determining the greatness of a shooting guard.
Points per game
Michael Jordan holds the record for the highest career points per game average among shooting guards, with 30.12. Kobe Bryant is second with 25.0, followed by Allen Iverson with 26.7.
Playoff success
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the most successful shooting guard in terms of playoff success. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and is a six-time NBA Finals MVP.
Individual accolades
Regarding individual accolades, Michael Jordan leads the way with five MVP awards and 10 All-NBA First Team selections. Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson also have impressive resumes, multiple All-NBA selections, and MVP awards.
