NBA
Top 5 NBA Shooting Guards Ever + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest Shooting Guards in NBA history from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant to Dwyane Wade
PSO Images
NBA legend Kobe Bryant would have turned 44 years old on August 23, 2022, so it’s a great time to look at the top 5 NBA Shooting Guards of all time with him highlighting the list.
The Shooting Guard position might just have the largest group of dynamic bucket-getters to ever grace the NBA. Unlike any other position in basketball, two-guards are the one position that has the ultimate green light to go out every night and launch shots without consciousness. Point Guards are viewed as decision-makers and leaders. Power Forwards and Centers have the responsibility of setting a physical tone and anchoring team defenses. And Small Forwards are asked to do the most as they fall right in the middle with their capability to rebound like a big while also being able to handle the ball like a guard.
But for Shooting Guards, life is a bit easier because they only have one real job: putting the ball in the basket. Now unlike the other positions, two-guards may also have the most diverse set of subgroups from a skill set standpoint. There are efficient microwave scorers that come off the bench and give you strong scoring numbers in minimal playing time, three-point specialists who are knockdown shooters from beyond the arc, but not good for much else, and then defensive specialists who do not have the natural scoring gift, but get a kick out of locking up the players who do.
Then there is the group of guys that take the concept of scoring to an entirely new level: players who operate as scoring technicians that can create offense by any means necessary. These kinds of Shooting Guards can rival the scoring output of the elite-level big men that terrorize the league with their size and strength. The greatest SGs are those who are as fearless as they are crafty. They can be trusted in the clutch to make big-time plays and hit crucial baskets time and time again when their number is called upon.
This combination of talent, skill, and tenacity is what propels this group of special playmakers into a class of their own as they represent what it means to be considered as some of the greatest offensive weapons in NBA history. Honorable mention includes: George Gervin, Clyde Drexler, and Ray Allen. Klay Thompson could soon join this list as well one day.
Here are the top 5 greatest NBA shooting guards of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– 6x NBA Champ & Finals MVP | 14x All-Star | 5x NBA MVP
– 10x All-NBA | 9x All-Defense 1st Team | 10x Scoring Champ
– Only guard to win MVP, Finals MVP, DPOY, and ROY
Viewed by many as the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan created an iconic mystique that has cemented his legacy as one of the most influential athletes in sports history and defined how to play the SG position.
https://twitter.com/PSO_Sports/status/1584688411922702337
– 5x NBA Champ | 2x Finals MVP | 2008 NBA MVP
– 18x All-Star | 2x Scoring Champ | 15x All-NBA | 4x ASG MVP
– Most PTS (81) in 1 game since the 1976 NBA Merger
Known most for the “Mamba Mentality,” Kobe Bryant played with an unmatched sense of passion and ferocity that helped him become one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Kobe Bryant's NBA records:
– 2 jerseys retired by 1 team
– Youngest Slam Dunk Champ, All-Rookie, All-Star GS, & All-Defense 1st Team
– PTS (16,161) & GP (599) in 1 arena
– PTS (60) in final GP & oldest (37) with 60+ PTS
– PTS (81) in 1 GP since NBA Mergerhttps://t.co/ZnvOQUzch6— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 6, 2022
– 3x NBA Champ | 2006 Finals MVP | 8x All-NBA
– 13x All-Star | 2009 Scoring Champ | 2010 ASG MVP
– Most career BLK (885) by a player 6’5″ or under ever
Dwyane Wade‘s legacy will forever be etched in NBA lore as he was a member not only one of the greatest NBA draft classes of all time but also was a part of one of the most iconic super teams ever.
Dwyane Wade's NBA records:
– Career BLK (885) by a player 6'5" or under
– Rookie Playoff GP (5) of 20+ PTS & 5+ AST
– Consecutive Finals Wins with 35+ PTS (4)
– T-most GP (8) of 20+ PTS/2+ STL/55+ FG% in 1 Postseasonpic.twitter.com/VfeiPpmksP— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 27, 2022
– 3x Scoring Champ | 2012 NBA 6MOY | 2018 NBA MVP
– 1st player to record 60+ PTS Triple-Double | 7x All-NBA
– 10x All-Star | Most career PTS (23,968) by a lefty all time
By combining crafty ball handling, elite body control, and an unstoppable step-back jumper, James Harden has quickly ascended into the conversation amongst the greatest offensive players of all time.
James Harden's NBA records:
– Career PTS (23,477) by a lefty
– FTM (5,694) in 2010s
– Season AST (907) or FGM (843) or Top4 FTM (754) w/ 200+ 3PM
– 30+ PTS vs. 29 teams in 1 season
– 30pt Triple-Dub or 25+ PTS & 12+ AST (3x) in team debutpic.twitter.com/l9K9lnX6Wj— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 9, 2022
– 4x NBA Scoring Champ | Shortest (6’0″) NBA MVP ever
– 1997 NBA ROY | 7x All-NBA | 2x ASG MVP | 11x All-Star
– Most seasons of 30+ PPG (5) all-time | 3x NBA STL leader
As arguably the greatest 6’0″ guard or under in NBA history, Allen Iverson was a fearless and dynamic scorer that carried many teams relying on nothing more than AI’s crafty handles and heart.
Allen Iverson's NBA records:
– STL (10) in 1 Playoff GP
– Shortest (6'0") & lightest (165 lbs) MVP
– Career PPG (26.7) under 6'3"
– Shortest (6'0") with 20,000+ career PTS
– Consecutive rookie GP (5) of 40+ PTS
– 40+ PTS/5+ AST/5+ REB/5+ STL in 1 Finals GPpic.twitter.com/vqZiQkngfY— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 7, 2022
Help Pro Sports Outlook continue to grow:
– Share your top 5 NBA Shooting Guard rankings with friends
– Click FOLLOW for high-quality sports content delivered to your email or your platform of choice
– Follow @PSO_Sports on Twitter & Instagram | Pro Sports Outlook on YouTube, Facebook, & LinkedIn
– Get 10% off all exclusive PSO designed sports t-shirts & jerseys on FanGearNation.com: Code PSO10 at check out
