The "Greatest Ever" series continue as this time, we take a look at the greatest shooting guards to ever play in the NBA.
The position requires a little bit of everything, but it focuses mostly on offense. Hence, that's why some of the most devastating scorers the league had ever seen come from the shooting guard spot.
But some players brought more to the game than just a display of excellent offensive abilities. Some revolutionized basketball, others brought in flare, third introduced spectacular play etc.
In fact, there have been legendary players who were shooting guards. Without further ado, here is my list.
10.Sidney Moncrief
Height: 6'3
Weight: 180 lbs
Type Of A Player: All-Around
A hard working, admired and skilled guard who was a defensive wizard and brought nice versatility, Sidney Moncrief was one of the best shooting guards in the NBA History.
He was arguably the top defender of all time. Sidney consistently locked his opponents, was terrific on the perimeter and excelled in all the aspects of defense.
Moncrief's defensive presence helped the Bucks to emerge as an elite team. And he was awarded with two Defensive Player Of The Year awards too.
Sid The Squid had a remarkable all-around game, one of the finest ever. There wasn't a thing he couldn't do well out there, and the stats prove that.
He was a versatile guard, who could do what was required from him. Consistency was his strength, had a nice peak, was really valuable and truly one of the top players of the golden 80's.
Sidney led Milwaukee to the third highest winning percentage in the same era, only behind LA and Boston. Impressive feat, nonetheless and his teams were always a threat.
Honors: Two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Four-time All-NBA First Team, Five-time NBA All-Defensive Team, Five-time All-Star.
9.Sam Jones
Height: 6'4
Weight: 198 lbs
Type Of A Player: All-Around
Sam Jones, the former sweet shooting star of the illustrated Celtics dynasty of the 60's who always delivered, was simply said one of the greatest two guards of all time.
He was a well rounded guard, whose strength were the little things such as speed, reflexes, ability to handle the situation, hard work and doing what ever was required from him.
The game's original "Mr Clutch", he earned the nickname from his peers for his numerous clutch performances. Sam was truly one of the finest ever in that regard.
Jones always elevated himself in the post season and finals, where his averages went up. He averaged 27.0 points in all the game sevens he played in his career.
Additionally, he was a terrific scorer whose signature move was the bank shot which he made from anywhere. He led the Celtics three times in scoring, while finishing once in the top 10.
Sam's top achievements was the fact that he was an important contributor in ten championship teams, a feat that only his team mate Russell has surpassed. Nonetheless, it's an impressive one.
Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1984); 10-time NBA champion (1959-66, 1968-69); All-NBA Second Team (1965, '66, '67); Five-time All-Star; One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
8.Pete Maravich
Height: 6'5
Weight: 198 lbs
Type Of A Player: Scoring Specialist
Pete Maravich was a fancy ball handler who dazzled crowds with his creativeness. He was also, one of the greatest shooting and combo guards to step on a NBA Hardwood.
He was a notable offensive talent, whose creativity was on par with the finest ever. Pistol was lethal scorer from the perimeter, had nice moves and fakes to score that fooled even the top defenders in the league.
To prove you that, he led the league once in scoring. Let's not forget that for a perimeter oriented player, his career average is certainly very high.
Pete was notable for his ball handling. He was one of the first ones back than to do a between the legs pass etc. His ball fakes were so hard to predict.
But if there's a thing, he was at his best, it was his spectacular play. Maravich was the game's ultimate crowd pleaser, mainly because of the flair and other things he brought on the court.
However, he lacks excellence in other aspects of the game (defense, all-around game in a whole), team success and career wise to be considered higher.
Honors: All-Rookie Team (1971); All-NBA Second Team (1973, '78); All-NBA First Team (1976, '77); Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1987);Five-time NBA All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
7.Allen Iverson
Height: 6'1
Weight:165 lbs
Type Of A Player: Scoring Specialist
He was a small figure in terms of body, but when it came to making huge plays, he was much bigger than that. Allen Iverson was truly of a one kind.
Regarded as one of the top prolific scorers of all time, AI's average of 26.7 points is ranked as the sixth highest ever. Also, he won the scoring crown four times.
AI was one of the greatest offensive forces in the league's history. He used his lighting quickness, nasty crossover, ability to drive to get to the rim and score.
He took ball handling to another level, thanks to his killer crossover which was hard to stop. He relied on it, to blow past the defenders and it made him so hard to guard.
Allen had a remarkable prime, in 2000-01, when he won the regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards while leading Philly to a Finals appearance, where they fell shortly to the Shaq led LA team.
Defensively, he was a pesky stopper who played the lanes well and could strip the ball. He led the league few times in steals, while being ranked high on the all time list.
However, duo to lack of efficiency, other aspects of the game (defense, all-around game) he fells short compared to the rest. Nonetheless, he's a legend.
Honors: NBA Most Valuable Player (2001), NBA Rookie of the Year (1997), 11× NBA All-Star (2000–2010), 4× NBA scoring champion (1999, 2001–2002, 2005), 3× All-NBA First Team (1999, 2001, 2005), 3× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2002–2003), All-NBA Third Team (2006), NBA All-Rookie First Team (1997), 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2001, 2005)
6.Clyde Drexler
Height: 6'7
Weight: 210 lbs
Type Of A Player: All-Around
Clyde Drexler was a well rounded guard, who could get up high and finish in style. He was one of the greatest shooting guards in the NBA History.
Clyde was a remarkable physically gifted player. Explosive, quick, athletic, had a high vertical jump etc. His gifts certainly helped him to become better.
Thanks to that, he was one of the finest high fliers the game had ever seen. He earned the nickname "The Glide" for his aerial acts, which made him a spectacular player for sure.
He's one of the most complete players of all time. He excels in all of the aspects of the game, who racked up many triple doubles and has nice numbers to back him up.
He averaged 27.7 points, 7.9 boards, 5.8 assists and 2.2 steals in 1988-89 . Also, he's one of three players to only record at least 20 000 points, 6 000 rebounds and 3 000 assists, career wise speaking.
Drexler led the Blazers to two Finals appearances, where he played really well and illustrated his brilliance. He was a great performer in the close games.
He won his title though in the Houston Rockets while playing with his former college team mate Hakeem Olajuwon.
Duo to lack of important feats, he's little behind the rest. Nonetheless, his achieved much. He pushed his teams his teams pretty far, and Clyde is for sure a NBA legend.
Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2004); NBA champ (1995); All-NBA First Team (1992); All-NBA Second Team (1988, '91); All-NBA Third Team (1990, '95); 10-time All-Star; One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996); Olympic gold medalist (1992)
5.Dwyane Wade
Height: 6'4
Weight: 212 lbs
Type Of A Player: All-Around
Although he's undersized for his position, Dwyane Wade always comes up huge out there. He's without any doubt, one of the game's top shooting guards of all time.
His playing style is based on his phenomenal gifts. Speed, explosiveness, athleticism, power etc. He's capable to blow by his defender to get to the hoop, split the pick n'roll and so on.
Dwyane is one of the most skilled players in the league's history as well. He's an underrated playmaker, rebounds well, is a lock down stopper on both off and on ball defense. His stats back that up.
Additionally, he established himself as one of the best performers in the playoffs and especially finals history. His numbers really peak in there.
Wade almost single handily, led the Heat to their first title in 06 despite being down two games. Even in the latest Finals, he performed pretty well but for other reasons, he didn't win another title.
And he's pretty dominant force for a guard. Even the league's top defensive teams, had troubles containing him and he'd fill out the stat sheet nicely while winning the game.
His peak, especially the 05-06 season, stands tall historically wise. Flash is still young, as he's capable to add more to the resume, needs to continue to his legacy, stats to steadily move up as high as possible.
Honors: NBA Champion (2006), NBA Finals MVP (2006), 7× NBA All-Star (2005–2011), NBA Scoring Champion (2009), 2× All-NBA First Team (2009–2010), 3× All-NBA Second Team (2005–2006, 2011), All-NBA Third Team (2007), 3× All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009–2010), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004), NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010), 2× Skills Challenge Champion (2006–2007)
4.George Gervin
Height: 6'7
Weight: 180 lbs
Type Of A Player: Scoring Specialist
A tall, skinny and explosive two guard who established himself as an unstoppable force on offense, George Gervin is one of the greatest shooting guards of all time.
His silky smooth game earned him the nickname "Iceman". He was one of the purest shooters in the league's history, who was lethal from anywhere and connected on all kind of shots.
George was also one of the most devastating scorers ever. He scored in bunches, was really efficient, consistent etc. He won four scoring titles.
He was playing so effortlessly on numerous nights, yet he was a problem for the defense. Gervin even led all six times in scoring during the post season.
Ice was very elite when it come to offensive abilities, as he's ranked up high on those lists. He had a nice prime as well, but his consistent level of greatness and elevating himself in the playoffs stands out.
He achieved well. However duo to the lack of excellence in all-around game, defense, team accomplishments he cannot be ranked higher than what he's now.
Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1996); All-NBA First Team (1978, '79, '80, '81, '82); All-NBA Second Team (1977, '83); Nine-time NBA All-Star (1977-85); All-Star MVP (1980); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
3.Kobe Bryant
Height: 6'6
Weight: 200 lbs
Type Of A Player: All-Around
Regarded as one of the game's biggest stars of all time, the phenomenal Los Angeles Lakers guard, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest shooting guards to step on a NBA Hardwood.
Kobe's established himself as one of the most elite offensive forces ever. In terms of pure scoring, he's devastating, has a nice arsenal to score and can get a lot of points in bunches.
He won two scoring crowns with great averages, including 35.6 points, the highest since Jordan's in 88. Bryant holds many records, and once scored remarkable 81 points in a single game!
The Black Mamba's a remarkable defender. His on ball defense gives him a place in nine All-Defensive First Team selections, a feat which is shared by the likes of KG, Payton and MJ.
That being said, he's one of the most rounded players ever. Kobe's very fundamentally sound guard, has a fantastic package, numbers to back his brilliance.
He's also build a legacy as a legendary clutch player with numerous buzzer beaters, thrilling playoff series where he played on a whole new level etc.
Bryant's work ethic is legendary, and a huge reason of him being the player he is today. He's still got a long way, can add more to his resume etc.
It's a huge possibility that when he calls it a career, to be argued as the NBA's all time finest player ever, which is something he'll most likely achieve.
Honors: 5× NBA Champion (2000–2002, 2009–2010), 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010), NBA Most Valuable Player (2008), 13× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011), 2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007), 9× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2011), 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001), 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005), 9× All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004,2006–2011), 2× All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002), NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997), 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009,2011), NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997), Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996)
2.Jerry West
Height: 6'2
Weight: 175 lbs
Type Of A Player: All-Around
No man in basketball has had such cool nicknames as Lakers' dominant guard Jerry West. His game became the symbol of the NBA, as the league used his figure to make its famous logo.
In terms of all-around game, he stands tall in that aspect. He was one of the greatest offensive forces and top defenders ever. The stats back that up and he's believed to record few quadruple doubles too.
Jerry's offense was amazing. He was one of the purest shooters of all time. He could connect on shots and hit nothing but net easily, as he took shooting to a whole new level.
West was a remarkable scorer too. He won a scoring crown, but led four times in playoffs. He took himself above the rest. Additionally, in the Finals no one arguably scored as good.
When it comes to clutch play, few were better. He earned the nickname "Mr Clutch" for his numerous performance in dramatic moments which resulted with winning a Finals MVP, despite being from a losing team.
The Logo was phenomenal defender, who won all the Defensive First Teams despite the awards coming late in his career. He was terrific in both off and on ball defense.
His team success suffered because he consistently faced the greatest sports dynasty Celtics, which resulted with numerous defeats. But, he did win one title though.
Overall, he's without a doubt, a legend. He may be argued even as the top player of all time.
Honors: Elected to Basketball Hall of Fame (1980); NBA Finals MVP (1969); NBA Champion (1972); All-NBA First Team (1962-'67, '70-'73); All-NBA Second Team (1968, '69); NBA All-Defensive Team (1970-73); NBA Champion (1972); 14-time NBA All-Star (1961-'74); NBA All-Star MVP (1972); Olympic gold medalist (1960); NBA 35th Anniversay Team (1980); One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
1.Michael Jordan
Height: 6'6
Weight: 195 lb
Type Of A Player: All-Around
His name has already became a symbol of basketball. He put endless hours of hard work in his game to stand at the top, while outplaying his competition. Michael Jordan is simply the greatest.
He was regarded as the best scorer of all time. He could score in bunches, with efficiency, was devastating and had nice arsenal to score which made him very hard to contain.
Mike won ten scoring crowns, a feat that's not matched. Additionally, he raised himself during the post season and finals, where's the all time leading scorer.
Jordan was an elite defender, who earned nine All-First Defensive Team (a record) for his ability to lock his man, play well off-ball and even won a Defensive Player Of The Year award (rare for a guard).
He was in terms of all-around game, among the finest ever. He was truly dominant on both sides of the court, has terrific stats that back that up and racked up numerous triple doubles.
Michael's excellence and greatness was shown most in the key and deciding moments, where he was arguably second to none. His level of play was higher when it mattered most.
His physical gifts were superior when compared to the rest. His aerial acts earned him the nickname "Air Jordan" for his spectacular and exciting highlight plays.
Overall, he was a remarkable and fantastic player whose greatness is recognized everywhere.
Honors: Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98); NBA MVP (1988, '91, '92, '96, '98); 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98); All-NBA Second Team (1985); Defensive Player of the Year (1988); Nine-time All-Defensive First Team (1988-93, 1996-98); Rookie of the Year (1985); 14-time All-Star; All-Star MVP (1988, '96, '98); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996); Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1984, '92); Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2009.
Honorable Mention
Hal Greer, David Thompson, Joe Dumars, Earl Monroe and so on.
Credit To:
-Basketball Reference
-NBA History.com
