Although basketball is often seen as a big man's game, and rightly so, smaller players can also bring value to their teams. Most of the time, they do so by being tremendous point guards who serve as floor generals and the leaders of their teams. With that said, point guards can come in all shapes and sizes, especially nowadays, but each great one brings their own unique skillset to the game.
Point guards are always expected to be the steady hand for their squad, whether that's through elite passing, dominant scoring, or a mix of both. Some win with speed, some with strength, and others excel because of their superior size while maintaining tremendous skill. Regardless, point guard is one of the most important positions on a team.
Who are the greatest point guards our game has given us? Stephen A. Smith, popular yet oft-controversial ESPN talk-show host, gave us his opinion in early 2025. His list featured a mix of current and former players, and is sure to cause a stir with his comments, as he always does.
Smith's selection for the top spot is arguable, as well as some notable omissions from the list, such as Oscar Robertson, Steve Nash, Gary Payton and John Stockton.
5 Chris Paul
Chris Paul
Unbelievable as it is, Chris Paul is about to enter his 21st NBA season. For all the talk about LeBron James' durability as he forges ahead for a 23rd campaign, CP3 is also one of the most tenured players ever, and he's still an impact guard at 40 years old. In his prime, as Stephen A references, Paul was an extremely dominant point guard in the 2010s, landing him at fifth on his list.
For his career, which spans 20 seasons and seven teams, Paul has posted averages of 17.0 points and 9.2 assists (sixth all-time) on 47% from the field and 37% from three. CP3 had been one of the best dual-threat offensive players on outstanding efficiency despite his size for nearly two decades before declining to a bench role the past two years.
Paul is also a fantastic two-way player, appearing on nine All-Defensive teams in his career. He's notched 12 All-Star appearances, 11 All-NBA selections, and won the 2005-06 Rookie of the Year. The 40-year-old is second in total assists and steals in NBA history behind John Stockton.
The only black mark on Chris' legacy is his lack of an NBA championship. Although he's an underrated playoff performer, injuries, bad luck, and circumstances cost him any chance at a ring during his prime years. He did make it to the 2021 Finals with the Suns, but blew a 2-0 lead to Milwaukee.
The fact that Paul is still a positive player despite declining athleticism proves his best attributes: his brain, savvy playstyle, and electric passing.
"Led the league in assists on several occasions. He is one of the all-time great facilitators. Controls paces, controls tempo. A leader. Knows everybody's job, everybody's accountability."
4 Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
At number four, Smith went with current Dallas Mavericks head coach, Jason Kidd. Kidd played 19 years across four teams, and is one of the most underrated players in league history. Younger fans might remember him as the old guy on the inspiring 2011 Mavericks championship team, but Kidd was an elite guard for over a decade.
Kidd averaged 12.6 points, 8.7 assists (ninth all-time), and 6.3 rebounds for his career, but those numbers are severely dragged down from the last five years of his career, when he became a role player. From his rookie year until 2008, Jason put up an incredible line of 14.2 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds.
He was a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA player, and a nine-time All-Defensive team member. Kidd, as Stephen A mentions, did all of this despite being a poor shooter for most of his career (40.1% FG and 33.7% from three for his first 14 seasons). Kidd drove winning at an extremely high level by pushing the pace, being a floor general, and being one of the best defensive guards ever.
"Did you see this, brother? Without a jump shot, and you still couldn't stop him. You talk about a fast break? Lord, have mercy. Watch this brother push the ball up the court. You see the passes that he made."
3 Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Stephen A deserves respect for going with an extremely disrespected player at third. Isiah Thomas often has an overshadowed legacy because of his beefs with Michael Jordan and the Bulls, as well as the Bad Boy Pistons' overall bad reputation for their physical playstyle.
Quite simply, Thomas' championships are two of the most impressive rings in league history. He won two titles in an era that is perhaps still the most stacked ever, featuring Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, and many more superstars. Even better, he pulled off this feat without the benefit of uber-talented rosters.
Thomas' toughness, leadership, and competitiveness drove a winning culture in Detroit to accomplish something well above their means. With that said, he was also an excellent statistical player, even though his value went far beyond the box score. Thomas averaged 19.2 points and 9.3 assists (fifth all-time) for his 13 seasons.
Zeke was a 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and the 1990 Finals MVP. His legacy shouldn't be forgotten.
2 Stephen Curry
Team USA Stephen Curry
Warriors fans will be upset that their legendary point guard isn't first on this list, but it was an extremely tough call for Stephen A. Stephen Curry is a two-time MVP, 11-time All-Star, and four-time champion. His 2022 Finals MVP is the crowning achievement of his career, when he shattered all expectations of his shooting ability yet again to carry an undermanned Dubs team to their fourth ring.
Steph's NBA records are endless: he's first all-time in three-pointers made, free-throw percentage, and has led the league in threes in eight of his 16 seasons. He's one of the most efficient players ever, and easily the most efficient small guard, with a stunning 62.5% career true shooting.
Curry has averaged 24.7 points and 6.0 assists for his career, but his value goes far beyond his numbers. The Davidson product's ultimate legacy will be his contributions as the spearhead for one of basketball's greatest dynasties ever. That skinny kid with bad ankles lifted the Warriors to four titles in eight years spanning 2015 to 2022.
"This brother's movement without the ball, keeping everybody's head on a swivel, scaring the living hell out of you because he can shoot, but with the ball handling capabilities, and he's a four-time champion... When we think of him, we think of divine intervention, because his gifts are God-given. It works on it even more. Give him credit. He's that dude."
Lastly, Curry is the perfect face of a franchise. He's the ultimate leader and winner, is never in trouble or drama off the court, and represents Golden State impeccably.
1 Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson Pat Riley Los Angeles Lakers
Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Although Smith's choice of Magic Johnson over Stephen Curry is controversial and angers some fans, it's a totally reasonable choice (Johnson was also in the studio as Smith gave his rankings). Many people have Magic as high as fourth all-time for all players, and here's why.
Johnson played 12 seasons from 1980 to 1991 before stepping away from the game due to an AIDS diagnosis that shocked the basketball world. He then came back to play 32 games in 1996. In those 13 years, Magic averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists (first all-time), and 7.2 rebounds on 52.0% from the field.
Magic was the original point forward, running the show for the Showtime Lakers at six-foot-nine, 215 pounds. His incredible athleticism and passing gifts alongside dominant scoring was unheard of at the time. Johnson laid the foundation for guys like LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Luka Dončić to excel as tall forwards who were primary ball-handlers for their teams.
Johnson won five championships in his first nine years, earning three Finals MVPs. He also won three regular-season MVPs and finished top-three in eight straight seasons. Few players dominated their era the way that Magic did, and he did it with a smile and charisma that was infectious for everyone around him.