Top 10 PGs all-time per ESPN

[OrangeDW]

I realize Curry is on a great roll, but fourth-best pg ever? This lovefest is a tad outta control. He's had one great year and a half, some good years, but fourth-best ever? Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?

They are jumping the gun without question. Probably on purpose to stir up conversation and clicks. The run he's on is unbelievable, but it's just too soon to properly place him. Not a fan of putting active players on lists like these until they've reached the point that if their career ended today it wouldn't make a difference on their historical place in the game.

 

[orangefog]

I would rather watch White Chocolate than any of those guys.

 

[MikeSU02]

Chris Paul is so overrated

No he isn't. Not close. He's actually underrated by quite a bit.

There is a legitimate argument for CP3 to be rated as the best PG ever.

I wouldn't rate him that high, but you can easily make the argument. Especially if anyone actually wants to consider defense and efficiency as important parts of the game.

 

[MikeSU02]

They are jumping the gun without question. Probably on purpose to stir up conversation and clicks. The run he's on is unbelievable, but it's just too soon to properly place him. Not a fan of putting active players on lists like these until they've reached the point that if their career ended today it wouldn't make a difference on their historical place in the game.

I agree, but you can make a legitimate case that he's the best shooter of all time already and that alone makes him top five based on the sheer fact that he can do something very valuable in a very efficient manner that no one else on the list comes close to.

 

[thebigeast44]

I'll still take "the General" over any of these guys

 

[pulaski74]

I'll still take "the General" over any of these guys

Me too, sherm was fantastic. But in my opinion Walt (clyde) Frasier was the best player at any position, need a steal? he'll get it, need a layup he'll get it, just trying to say not only talented but so smart and bb savvy. Oh well , He is just my favorite player of all time

 

[skurey]

Yeah I don't think saying Curry has had a great year and a half is doing him enough service.

It might the greatest year and a half of all time.

 

[OrangeAl]

Me too, sherm was fantastic. But in my opinion Walt (clyde) Frasier was the best player at any position, need a steal? he'll get it, need a layup he'll get it, just trying to say not only talented but so smart and bb savvy. Oh well , He is just my favorite player of all time

He was a sensation who brought us great elation!

 

[RandygoCuse]

My thoughts - I wish Gary Payton was on the list but can't figure out who to take off. Part of me wants to say Chris Paul but...Paul really is the best "pure" point guard in that he does everything a point guard should - pass first, shoot well, penetrate, and pressure the ball and get steals on the defensive end.

Yes, ESPN jumped the gun somewhat on Curry, but I think they are going with the Bill Simmons philosophy that it's better to be great for a few years than good for a lot. He's had a phenomenal two years. The high scoring, amazing shooting percentages, MVP and championship last year, probable MVP and the dominance this year.

And I think the debate about Zeke and Stockton is a great one. Obviously, if you are starting a team you build around Isiah. But if you need a point guard to run your team, Stockton is your man - especially if you want durability over time.

 

[Toga]

If he hadn't had bad knees - and if there had been a 3 point line - I submit to you Pistol Pete. If.

 

[Eric15]

My thoughts - I wish Gary Payton was on the list but can't figure out who to take off.

Payton is the only player in league history with 20k points, 5k rebounds, 8k assists, and 2k steals. Obviously he will joined by Lebron in the relatively near future.

 

[Toga]

Payton is the only player in league history with 20k points, 5k rebounds, 8k assists, and 2k steals. Obviously he will joined by Lebron in the relatively near future.

Not to mention the fact he was The Glove.

 

[Eric15]

There is a legitimate argument for CP3 to be rated as the best PG ever.

CP3 is an incredible player, but whether it's fair or not, his historical legacy will be greatly impacted by whether or not he can do anything in the playoffs. He's never been to a conference finals.

 

[donniesyracuse]

Not to mention the fact he was The Glove.

Actually, The Glove was Robert Smith of the Cure and Steve Severin of Siouxsie and the Banshees.

 

[MikeSU02]

CP3 is an incredible player, but whether it's fair or not, his historical legacy will be greatly impacted by whether or not he can do anything in the playoffs. He's never been to a conference finals.

I agree.

But it doesn't remove the fact that he still has a real case for GOAT PG.

And the thing about playoffs is overblown. The west is absurd. But it will impact his legacy, fair or not.

BTW, it should matter that the Clippers were the worst franchise of all time, percentage wise, and CP3 turned that around.

 

[Eric15]

I would rather watch White Chocolate than any of those guys.

To confirm, you're referring to Jeff Hornacek here, correct?

 

[Knicks411]

Steph has been amazing since the start of last year, but he was great even before that. His 4 year run prior to the start of last year was 22-7 with a 60% true shooting. He's obviously taken it to a different level the last year plus (it's actually insane to think about, the guy is taking over 10 3's per game and is making 45% of them) but he was a heck of a player before too. But to reiterate what I said before, it's tough to rank a guy like that on a list with people who have full careers.

Also agree Duncan-Shaq is a good, though not perfect, comp for Stockton-Zeke. Stockton played nearly 35% more minutes in his career than Isiah.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

1. Magic
2. Oscar
3. Stockton
4. Steph Curry
5. Isiah
6. Chris Paul
7. Steve Nash
8. Jason Kidd
9. Walt Frazier
10. Bob Cousy

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankPGs/ranking-top-10-point-guards-ever

Pretty good list -- but I definitely don't think Curry belongs that high yet.

I did not know that Robertson was a point guard...

 

[Eric15]

Stockton played nearly 35% more minutes in his career than Isiah.

That's always tricky when comparing players, because on the one hand you don't want to punish a player who's career was cut short due to an injury. But on the other hand, you also don't want to punish a player by not crediting them for being very durable over the long haul.

 

[orangefog]

To confirm, you're referring to Jeff Hornacek here, correct?

Of course, who else? But there is that Jason Williams dude.

 

[Knicks411]

That's always tricky when comparing players, because on the one hand you don't want to punish a player who's career was cut short due to an injury. But on the other hand, you also don't want to punish a player by not crediting them for being very durable over the long haul.

Stockton and Malone were incredible in this respect. Stockton played 19 years; he missed 4 games in 1990, and 18 in 1998. That's it. Played a full season every other year. He played 1504 out of 1526 possible games.

Malone missed 40 games in his final year; throw that out and in his first 18 years he missed 10 games. It's insane.

 

[br801]

I did not know that Robertson was a point guard...

Look at his first 10 years. Incredible.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberos01.html

 

[Toga]

Look at his first 10 years. Incredible.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberos01.html

Yeah I guess Magic is #1, but still ...

 

[realorange]

Ever since I saw him play in college, he has been my all time favorite player. The first I ever saw who could completely take over a game.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Yeah I guess Magic is #1, but still ...

The Big O, aside from his greatness on the floor, was a dynamic force off the floor as a champion for players, present and past.
http://www.thebigo.com/AboutOscarRobertson/OscarRobertsonRule.php