Top 10 all-time best shooting guards in NBA history
In the game of basketball, the primary responsibility of a player playing in the position of a shooting ranger is to score the basketball on offense and steal it on defense. These players are usually strong and athletic and have the ability to get into the paint and drive to the basket. Some of them have the option to play in different positions; like a combo guard – a shooting guard that can play like a point guard and a swingman – one that can play like a small forward. Here’s a list of ten of the all-time greatest shooting guards in NBA history who have made a name for themselves for their ability to crank up an extra gear for devastating effects on the opposition.
The best shooting guards of all time
10. Count Monroe
Teams: Baltimore Bullets (1967-1971) and New York Knicks (1971-1980)
Titles: NBA Champion (1973)
Earl Monroe, nicknamed “Black Jesus” and “Earlthe Pearl” was a silky smooth guard who is fondly remembered for his style. The four-time NBA All-Star was one of the most creative scorers of his era as well as one of the greatest improvisers of the game who could run the attack and deal damage without even having the ball.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native played college basketball at Winston-Salem State University before entering the NBA in the 1967 NBA draft as the 2nd overall pick by the Baltimore Bullets. He was subsequently named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1968 and earned an All-NBA First Team selection in 1969.
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9. Reggie Miller
Teams: Indiana Pacers (1987–2005)
Titles: Nil
Long before people like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Ray Allen came about, a certain Reggie Miller was known and revered for his precision three-point shooting ability. While he was unable to win a championship in his career, he will still go down in history as one of the greatest shooting guards of all time thanks to his exploits on the field, most of which came notably against the New York Knicks, earning him the nickname “Knick killer”.
Widely regarded as the Pacers’ greatest player of all time, Miller joined the prestigious 50-40-90 club in 1994 and is a five-time NBA All-Star.
8. Ray Allen
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003), Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007), Boston Celtics (2007–2012), and Miami Heat (2012–2014)
Titles: 2× NBA champion (2008, 2013)
No player in NBA history has taken more fear of the ball than Ray Allen did. He essentially revolutionized the game by proving that a player could still provide first-class value without dominating the ball. He was able to do this by being one of the purest shooters to ever play the game, a trait that helped him set NBA records in both the regular and postseason for career three-point goals.
Nicknamed Jesus Shuttlesworth after the role he played in the movie He’s Got a Game (1998), the Californian played college basketball at the University of Connecticut before entering the 1996 NBA game as the 5th overall pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who immediately traded him to Milwaukee Bucks.
7. George Gervin
Teams: Virginia Squires (1972-1974), San Antonio Spurs (1974-1985), and Chicago Bulls (1985-1986)
titles: nil
In his day, George Gervin was as deadly as any other player when it came to scoring the basketball. He could score the ball at will, from the outside, post-up, and by driving into the lane. His prowess earned him the nickname ‘The Iceman’ or as color commentators would put it, “Gervin, as cool as the other side of the pillow.”
The 40th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns at the 1974 NBA Draft led the league in scoring four times, made nine All-Star appearances, and earned five All-NBA First Team selections, accomplishments that helped earn him a spot on the greatest shooting picks of all time. times.
6. Allen Iverson
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010), Denver Nuggets (2006–2008), Detroit Pistons (2008–2009), Memphis Grizzlies (2009)
Titles: Zero
Nicknamed “The Answer,” Allen Iverson is one that will make it to not only the greatest shooting guards of all time but also those of the most influential players in NBA history. While very well known for his signature Reeboks boots, cornrow haircut, long shorts, and overall swagger, Iverson was one of the hardest players to play against, something that earned him the description of the best “pound for pound” player of his time.
The Hampton, Virginia native, who famously spent four months in jail for fifteen years behind bars before receiving clemency from Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder, played basketball at Georgetown University. He spent two years there before being selected as the first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA draft. Iverson went on to win the 1997 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, leading the league four times and becoming the shortest and lightest player who won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, among others.
5. Clyde Drexler
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995), Houston Rockets (1995–1998)
Titles: NBA Champion (1995)
Clyde Drexler was a pure athlete who was famous for his easygoing and quiet demeanor off the field and ferocious speed and superb skill on it. The high-flying shooting guard was as athletic and as fast as anyone who ever played in the NBA. Many people have argued that if he hadn’t played during the same period as Michael Jordan, he would have had a chance to have had a bigger impact on the game.
Drexler played college basketball for the University of Houston where he and other future NBA stars such as Michael Young, Larry Micheaux, and Hakeem Olajuwon formed the famed “Phi Slama Jama” basketball club. He entered the NBA through the 1983 NBA draft as the Portland Trail Blazers’ 14th overall pick.
4. Dwyane Wade
Teams: Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–present), Chicago Bulls (2016–2017), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)
Titles: 3× NBA Champion (2006, 2012, 2013)
The City of Miami and its basketball team fan Dwayne Wade will never forget his effort and work as one of the best shooting guards of all time. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, games, assists and steals, shots taken, and shots categories. The Chicago native, who is primarily a shooting guard but can also play as a point guard when needed, established himself in the league as one of the fastest and hardest players to guard. He is also one of the best shot-blocking guards of all time.
Wade, who put in one of the greatest performances of all time in an NBA Finals to help his team win a championship in 2006, was selected 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Heat. He had played college basketball for two years at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before turning professional. He was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team as he collected thirteen NBA All-Star appearances and the 2009 NBA scoring title.
3. Jerry West
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974)
Titles: NBA Champion (1972)
Jerry West undoubtedly deserves a place in this list of greatest shooting guards of all time. He is described as an all-around combo guard and rightly so, as he was very strong in both defense and offense. Nicknamed Mr. Clutch, West was also famous for his ability to come to life and score points toward the end of the game when the pressure was very high. There’s a reason why the NBA’s logo is a silhouette of the legendary Laker.
West was born in Chelyan, West Virginia. He played college basketball at West Virginia University, where he won the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1959 before being selected 2nd overall by the Minneapolis Lakers, who moved to the city Angels at the time, in the 1960 NBA draft He led his team to nine NBA Finals, but with only one win. For his performance in one of those Finals, he was named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team, making him the only player in NBA history to achieve that feat.
2. Kobe Bryant
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016)
Titles: 5× NBA Champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
It’s no surprise that Kobe Bryant is considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time. For many people who watched Michael Jordan play the game, Kobe Bryant was seen as the second-best thing the NBA had to offer. The Pennsylvania native modeled his game around the Chicago Bulls legend, and it can be rightly said that he came pretty close to being mentioned in the same breath as Jordan. Bryant was famous for his ability to pull off difficult shots, something that earned him a lot of criticism for being selfish but talking about his mental prowess. He became the first guard to play 20 seasons in the NBA, becoming the third all-time leading scorer, surpassing Michael Jordan.
Bryant famously didn’t play college basketball as he started for the NBA draft right out of high school. He was subsequently selected 13th overall by the Lakers and has gone on to become their all-time leading scorer. Some of his other awards include eighteen NBA All-Star appearances, two NBA scoring titles, and eleven All-NBA First Team selections, among others.
1. Michael Jordan
Teams: Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998), Washington Wizards (2001–2003)
Titles: 6× NBA Champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
As written on the official NBA website, Michael Jordan is by acclamation the greatest basketball player of all time. With a title like that, it’s no surprise that he’s number one of the greatest shooting guards of all time. He was able to accomplish anything he did because he had the perfect combination of brains, athleticism, guile, and competitiveness. He could also play in a variety of positions, usually as a small forward or point guard.
Jordan, nicknamed Air Jordan and HisAirness, played college basketball under coach Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina for his performance at Slam Dunk games. He won the NCAA title in 1982, two years before entering the NBA as the third overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft. He went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1985 while in the won numerous other awards throughout his career.
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