I’ve also seen a lot of discourse over the past couple weeks about James Harden on my twitter feed. I thought hey, let’s take a look at where he falls amongst the greats. So I’ve spent all of my spare time the past week or so going back and watching highlights/game tapes from 20 or so of the great shooting guards of all time.
Doing this with the Shooting guard position is great because it doesn’t necessarily go way back. Just about the 70s is the farthest this list gets and its not even because I am choosing to avoid the earlier era, there just wasn’t necessarily great shooting guards in the league. Maybe because guys didn’t really “shoot” so to say. But If this were for any other position, I would have to rank oldtimers. For example a PG like Jerry West, a SF like Elgin Baylor or a big like Wilt or Russell would be so much more challenging to mix into a ranking with current day guys.
To be honest, Wilt aside, I just don’t really care for anything NBA wise until the Bird Johnson days. The game is just so far out from than, I’m happy I didn’t have to scrap anything up for that time with this position. Obviously I never lived through half of these guys time on the court but what can ya do. I’m sure a prime Pete Maravich was great, but If you put him toe to toe with Demar Derozan (who is not even close to touching this list) I don’t even think it would be close.
I was surprised to find that only four Shooting Guards have ever won Finals MVP. Over the span of history it just feels like there would have been more represented in that award. I understand the lack of defensive respect on this list as well. At the end of the day, these guys are mostly remembered for the scoring, not necessarily the other side of the ball.
With that said there’s also such a strong pool of twos in the league today. It’s super exciting and you could argue it’s the deepest position in terms of talent in the league today. Does ANT have the potential to be on this list someday? Who will emerge from the Booker, Mitchell, Brown tier?
Shooting guard is also, easily the most fun position to use in 2k. All 12 of these guys you’d be super happy with on your blacktop team. They can all shoot. Super athletic with a good bounce. My favorite type of guys to use.
Before getting into it, I have some honorable mentions. Shoutout to Earl the Pearl, Rip Hamilton, Vince Carter, Pistol Pete, Manu Ginobili and the only other Shooting guard to win FMVP… Joe Dumars. All were very close to making a spot here, but I just felt they were not in the same class as the rest of the guys coming up.
Number 12: Tracy McGrady
Probably a top five use on 2k. He just seemed so unguardable. All time jersey run with the 98 raptors and then the early 2000s magic and rockets. One of the best peaks on this list. 32- 5.5 – 6.5 in 02-03 was pretty damn cold. Just silky. Could do everything on the floor. It’s a damn shame he was never on a team that made it out of the second round. Would have loved to look back and at least see a Finals appearance on that resume. I feel like the biggest difference here with him against the rest of the list here is just that he was never a winner really at all. Sure some of the rest don’t have rings, but they were constantly on high win teams, making deep playoff runs over and over again. Having a 3-9 playoff series record isn’t a great look.
$162,978,278 Career Earnings
7× NBA All-Star, 2× All-NBA First Team, 3× All-NBA Second Team, 2× All-NBA Third Team, 2× NBA scoring champion, NBA Most Improved Player (2001)
Number 11: Reggie Miller
I love him as a broadcaster. Reggie really seemed to influenced the sport with his three point shooting at the time. He never seemed to be the face of the league at any point, unlike some of these guys above. The Highest he ever finished in MVP voting was 13th, as a 34 year old. I guess he really just had those few super cold playoff moments. His pacer teams always seemed so strong. Still fifth all time in 3PM too. 14th all time with 1389 Games played is basketball legend shit.
$104,522,748 Career Earnings
2,560 Career 3PM, 5th all time, 5x NBA All-Star, 3× All-NBA Third Team, All time Pacers Leading Scorer
Number 10: Klay Thompson
Got robbed two seasons of what could’ve been some more prime basketball. Only playing 178 Games over the past five years has definitely hurt Klays all time positioning. The career numbers definitely aren’t where they should be, but what a winner. Big time moment guy. A key part of the league’s most recent dynasty and one of the best three point shooters ever, Klay is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. Klay has the third highest playoff winning % of all time with .684, along with an alll time series record of 24-5. Sheet.
$225,468,930 career earnings
4× NBA Champion, 5× NBA All-Star, 2× All-NBA Third Team, 1x All Defensive Team
Number 9: George Gervin
Val Kilmer Iceman. Detroit Native Representing. Straight Bucket 44 George Gervin son. From 77 to 82 averaging 27.2, 29.6, 33.1, 27.1 and 32.3, the Iceman seems to be the first true scoring shooting guard of all time. His highest career assist average was 3.7 which still seems pretty low for a guy who had a lot of volume. The king of the finger roll layup. George is by far the oldest on this list, which is a testament to his position curating scoring and the fluidity of his game. So smooth.
They didn’t have salary statistics back then. But he made 800,00 in 85 and 86. Tough look compared to everyone else here George.
12× NBA All-Star, 5× All-NBA First Team, 2× All-NBA Second Team, 4× NBA scoring champion, NBA Most Improved Player (2001)
Number 8: Ray Allen
After Reggie Miller and before Steph Curry, Ray was the face of the three pointer. He seemed super cool to me when I first got into watching basketball. The teams he played on throughout his career were always solid squads. Looking over his statistics, Ray definitely had an amazing career. Two rings, ten all stars and just about every 3 point record in the books before Steph is pretty decent. He’s also the first of the three guards from the 1996 draft to be represented here. I don’t know about the Ray Allen lore today, it doesn’t feel as strong as it used to be for him back when I started watching the NBA. He doesn’t feel as respected as he used to, which i’m fine with. He also doesn’t have many All NBA teams under his belt, which is another testament to him never really being at the top of the game.
$184,356,410 Career Earnings
2× NBA champion, 10× NBA All-Star , 1x All-NBA Second Team, 1x All-NBA Third Team
Number 7: Clyde “The Glide” Drexler
Probably the coolest name, and nickname on the list. One of those unfortunate situations of just peaking at the wrong time. Second in MVP voting in 91-92, there’s definitely a lot more respect to put on this man’s name if MJ never existed. Top 35 in all time points and assists. Top 10 steals. Averaged 14 on the dream team. Short shorts king. Talk about repping H town, he also played basketball in Houston at every level; High School, for the Cougs and for the Rockets.
$31,147,000 Career Earnings
1× NBA champion, 10× NBA All-Star , 1× All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team
Number 6: Luka Doncic
Now, this might make people angry. It may discredit this whole thing, but I believe Luka is a true shooting guard. Hes definitely a “positionless” player but when I think of him, he is at the two. His dominance since entering the league has been next level. He’s been all first team every year after winning the ROY. Career Averages of 28.7 – 8.7 – 8. Like that’s ridiculous. This first finals appearance is huge for him. Where he finishes on this list by the end of his career is totally unpredictable. After his rookie year he’s never finished lower than 8th in MVP voting. He also had a lot of ball handler responsibilities over his career, and has been labeled a PG at times but to me, Luka is a pure SG. He can do all the PG responsibilities when needed, but damn is he head and shoulders the best Shooting Guard in the league today. I really want to see him win a ring, and eleven more see him win something with Slovenia someday. In 2015, he made his debut for Real Madrid’s senior team at age 16, becoming the youngest in club history. Could you imagine being 16 playing a pro sport against full grown men. Ha.
118,531,631 Career Earnings
5× NBA All-Star, 5× All-NBA First Team, 1× NBA scoring champion, NBA ROY (2018)
Number 5: Allen Iverson
Such an icon. We can’t let that get taken away from him ever. The influence on the culture he had is as strong as anyone else on this list. The tattoos. The swagger. Averaged over 30 PPG in four different seasons. His 2001 year seemed like it would’ve been such a cool time to be an NBA fan. The MVP and finals showdown with the lakers. I seriously don’t know anyone other than Mutombo (was he even that good then) who was on those 76ers teams with him and they were winning games year after year. At the end of the day, to be that size and to be that amazing in the league is just greatness.
$154,494,445 Career Earnings
1x NBA MVP (2001), 4× NBA Scoring Champion, 11× NBA All-Star, 5× All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 1x All-NBA Third Team, NBA ROY (1997)
Number 4: Dwyane Wade
This would maybe be different if he ever won an MVP. He just has such a minimal aura. He only averaged 30 PPG once in his career. Other than the top two, D wade is the only other person on this list with multiple all defensive teams which is definitely a reason he stands out a bit. That FINAL MVP is also very exclusive to the Shooting Guard history. Not hitting a three ball seemed to have limited him a bit in bigger moments as well as later career longevity.
$198,936,935 Career Earnings
3× NBA champion, 1x NBA FMVP, 1× NBA Scoring Champion, 13× NBA All-Star , 2× All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 3x All Defensive Team
Number 3: James Harden
Should have at least two MVPS. Imagine averaging 36 – 7.5 – 6.5 and then again with 34 – 7.5 – 6.6 and not winning his second. So robbed. He is the best passer of this top five. He is the reason I am doing this list. He IS the third best shooting guard of all time. He will pass Ray Allen next year for second in all time 3PM. Honestly the best Point Guard on this list as well. On consistent 50 win teams. All time 697-375 is just insane. If you have James on your team, you’re probably going to consistently win. Just like the culture too man. He loves hoops so much and is doing shit year round for the game. What a legend. What a scorer.
$304,996,502 Career Earnings
1x NBA MVP, (2018), 3× NBA Scoring Champion, 10× NBA All-Star , 6× All-NBA First Team, 1x All-NBA Third Team, 1x NBA Sixth Man (2012)
Number 2: Kobe Bryant
Pretty obvious. What separates these top two from the other ten here is the all defensive teams. Has anyone ever had two such distinct sides to a career. I look as the 8 and 24 Kobes so differently. The thing that hurts him the most is the one MVP. Steve Nash, Jokic and Giannis having more than Kobe just doesnt sit right with me. Still can’t believe he’s not here. Would love to see what he would be up to nowadays.
$328,238,062 Career Earnings
5× NBA champion, 2x NBA FMVP, 1x NBA MVP (2008), 2× NBA Scoring Champion, 18× NBA All-Star , 11× All-NBA First Team, 12x All Defensive Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 1x All-NBA Third Team
Number 1: Michael Jordan
Self explanatory. Look at those stats. Sheer dominance. Theres nothing new here. Second most play off points ever. The only DPOY winner on this list. His resume is just insane. How do you retire from a 15 year career with a 30 PPG average. How do you pretty much average 30 give or take your whole career.
$94,022,500 but Current net worth of 3.2 Billion
6× NBA champion, 6x NBA FMVP, 5x NBA MVP, 1x DPOY (1988), 10× NBA Scoring Champion, 14× NBA All-Star , 10× All-NBA First Team, 9x All Defensive Team, 1x All-NBA Second Team, NBA ROY (1984)