NBA Rankings: Top 10 point guards in the history of the league

#4 Oscar Robertson

Robertson was unique: Getty Images

Oscar Robertson was a magnificent point guard who was arguably the greatest ever at the position before the 1980s came along.

With tonight's triple-double, @russwest44 has TIED Oscar Robertson (1961-62) for the most in a single season at 41! #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/KBtDujYVzL

— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2017

Just in his first season, Robertson was a 30-point-per-game scorer and led the league in assists with 9.7, while also grabbing 10.1 rebounds. His next season was full of history, as he became the first player to average a triple-double for the entire season (with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists). His place as the only player to do so was safe until Russell Westbrook did it in the 2016-17 season and the following two seasons.

Robertson averaged a 30-10-10 triple-double if we take only his first five years.

He ranks third in terms of assists per game in his career with 9.5, and he also averaged 25 points per game. After he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the end of his career, the one-time MVP won his only NBA title in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Robertson is the all-time leader in triple-doubles, with 181.

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#3 Isiah Thomas

Thomas was a monster: ESPN

Isiah Thomas is most remembered for being Michael Jordan's main rival during the latter's early career in the NBA Playoffs, but he was much more than that.

How many players can say that their team defeated Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan in the NBA Playoffs? Thomas and his 'Bad Boys' Detroit Pistons certainly can.

Thomas averaged 19 points and 9 assists per game in his NBA career, with his numbers maintaining that level in the playoffs.

A two-time NBA champion, Thomas won Finals MVP honours in 1990. He averaged 28 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, while also shooting 54 percent from the field and making 11 of his 16 attempts from three in five games.

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#2 Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors Victory Parade

Stephen Curry is one of the most revolutionary players in the history of NBA basketball, as his iconic shots from half-court have become a norm for many current players in the league.

Back-to-back. @StephenCurry30 x #NBATogetherLive pic.twitter.com/NkDVdVhlit

— NBA (@NBA) May 11, 2020

A two-time regular-season MVP and a three-time NBA champion, Curry is an unbelievable player in terms of controlling the pace of the game. Of course, he is arguably the greatest shooter ever, and his impact on the league has been gigantic.

Curry has been heavily criticised for his play in the NBA Playoffs, especially when the Golden State Warriors blew a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals. Still, he has certainly answered many questions in the Playoffs and was deserving of the Finals MVP award in 2015. The Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he averaged 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

Curry would be first in this list if his trophy cabinet had at least a couple of Finals MVPs.

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#1 Magic Johnson

Magic was a winning player: Getty Images

A monster at finding his teammates and involving every member of the team in the offense, Magic Johnson has to be number one on this list. His fantastic winning mentality, leadership, and being the greatest passer ever make him #1, because he represents exactly what is expected from a point guard.

The all-time leader in assists per game (11.1), Johnson also won three regular-season MVPs and three Finals MVPs, to go along with his five NBA rings. At a 6'9" height, Johnson was also a triple-double machine and leads the all-time NBA playoff table with 30.

He led the league four times in assists and twice in steals. Johnson is the only rookie to have won NBA Finals MVP (1980) and the youngest ever to do it (20 years old).

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