The Greatest Point Guards of All Time (part 1)

A look at the greatest point guards of all eras in basketball.

Stephen Curry was voted as the National Basketball Association’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2014/2015 season. Playing for the Golden State Warriors, The 6 foot 3 inch Curry is quick and can shoot from anywhere in the court. A simple as it sounds, these are critical skills when you have to be the player who brings the ball up the court and has to look at all the players to determine where the game is headed.

• Kevin Johnson was a master of the crossover dribble and had superior first step
• Jason Kidd ranks second best of all time in assists at 12,091 and steals at 2,684
• Gary Payton was one of the few players to get in the head of Michael Jordan

The point guard is the controlling factor of the team equivalent to the quarterback on a football team. Since they are the main ball carriers, they bring with them a style and charisma that best personifies the team in the eyes of the spectators. There have been many good point guards in the history of basketball. We will look at the best ones that have made history as well as U.S gambling news.

KJ, Chris Paul and Jason Kidd start the list

Kevin Johnson is a master of the crossover dribble and is endowed with superior first step. The 6 foot 1 inch point guard can lean to one side while dribbling and cross the ball over to the opposite side to lead for the easy two points. Johnson has also shown aerial ability as he once demonstrated by dunking the ball on Hakeem Olajuwon’s head. Playing for most of his career with the Phoenix Suns, he had over 6,700 assists. Johnson once had 20 points and 10 assists a night.

Chris Paul, at 29, definitely has made his mark in history earlier in his career than many. He comes with great intelligence, heart and can dish the ball out effectively. At 6 feet tall, Paul is almost impossible to contain being able to find a way through any block set before him. He’s made a habit of going in an out to find a player and when one isn’t free can break out and shoot the three-pointer himself. The Chicago Bulls forward has an impressive average of 18 points, 10 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

Jason Kidd was a force to be reckoned with and he could do it without taking a shot. He had been able to transform his game to suit his conditions throughout his 19-year career. The guy was one of the fastest in the league and favored fast paced games. Later in his career, Kidd learned to add three-pointers whenever he needed. Kidd was able to lead his Dallas Mavericks team to one NBA championship. Apart from making 10 All-star game appearances, Kidd made 1,988 3- point conversions. He ranks second best of all time in assists at 12,091 and steals at 2,684.

Smoothness of Clyde and Payton “The Glove” end it for five

Walt “Clyde” Frazier was one slick . The man was the King of New York during the 1970’s and epitomized the definition of a New York Knickerbocker. Clyde’s well kempt afro, mutton chop sideburns, expensive cars, furs and tailored suits made him too cool for school. Apart from all that, the man could play basketball. With two NBA championships under his belt, Frazier led a super line-up featuring Jerry Lucas Dave DeBusschere, Willis Reed, Phil Jackson and the legendary Earl “The Pearl” Monroe.

Seattle SuperSonic Gary Payton was nothing to scoff at. With almost playground antics would in trance opponents as he would run around them and leave them in the dust. Payton was called “The Glove” because he completely fit over his opponents and get the steal. The man could overtake notable greats on this list such as Kevin Johnson, John Stockton and Steve Nash.

Payton could get to players through his physical play or his constantly running mouth. He has the rare distinction of being one of the few defensive players that could get in the head of Michael Jordan holding him to less than 26 points in last three games of the 1996 NBA Finals. Payton would love to dazzle with head fakes, turn-around jump shots and drop steps to the net. Although he failed to get championship in his prime, Payton finally earned a ring with the Miami Heat in 2006.