This is part two of a series in which I rank the most exciting players by position. Part one was ranking the most exciting point guards in NBA history, and so now I will rank the most exciting shooting guards of all time.
The shooting guard position has been one of the most entertaining positions throughout the history of the NBA. The most exciting shooting guards possess elite shooting ability, mind-blowing athleticism, or impressive all-around scoring skills.
The 2000s were the ‘golden age’ of NBA shooting guards, so most of the shooting guards in the highest tiers will be from that era. This golden age occurred because of the impact of Michael Jordan in the decade prior.
All of the shooting guards in the 2000s grew up watching Jordan in the 1990s, and so they imitated his moves and style. This led to the majority of shooting guards in the early to mid-2000s emphasizing isolation scoring and frequent shot selection in the mid-range. This ushered in the emergence of numerous entertaining, Jordan-like shooting guards from the 2000s era.
This tier list isn’t just about stats or accolades, but about pure entertainment value. Here are the shooting guards who made every game must-see TV.
Tier 1: Peak Entertainment
Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter
Michael Jordan isn’t only the most exciting shooting guard of all time, but he’s arguably the most entertaining player out of any position in NBA history. As the greatest scorer of all time, Jordan’s mid-range game was dazzling, and his athleticism when finishing layups and dunks was peak entertainment. He did all that while being a highly entertaining shot-blocker and an elite pass interceptor on defense as well.
Kobe Bryant is the definition of peak entertainment, giving fans everything they could ask for in a superstar. He had the footwork to break down any defender and the tough shot-making to hit contested jumpers, which led to multiple historic scoring displays throughout his career. On top of that, Kobe’s killer mentality and clutch moments made every game feel like must-watch TV, turning average nights into legendary performances.
Few players in NBA history have matched the sheer energy Allen Iverson brought to the game. His style of play was built on relentless drive, athleticism, and acrobatic finishes at the rim. Iverson’s ball handling was also a key factor in his exciting playstyle. He brought the streetball flair to the NBA, highlighted by his lightning-quick crossover that could routinely break the ankles of his defenders.
Vince Carter is another no-brainer here on tier one. He still stands as the greatest dunker in NBA history, not just in dunk contests, but in-game as well. Beyond his dunking, Carter was an elite three-level scorer who averaged 27.1 points per game in his peak 2000-2001 season.
Tier 2: Super Exciting
Dwyane Wade, Tracy McGrady, George Gervin, David Thompson, Jamal Crawford, Pete Maravich
Dwyane Wade wasn’t a nonstop spectacle like the players in tier one, but he was still a super exciting player. His slashing and acrobatics at the rim made him a constant highlight threat, and his blocking ability was equal to, if not better than, any other guard in NBA history.
Tracy McGrady had a complete scoring package. At 6’8” with guard skills, he could pull up from deep, rise over defenders for effortless jumpers, or explode to the rim for highlight dunks. His scoring outbursts, like the legendary 13 points in 35 seconds, showed how quickly he could light up a game. T-Mac’s combination of size, skill, and flair made him one of the most exciting shooting guards of his era.
George Gervin was a smooth, athletic shooting guard who was easily the best scorer in the late ’70s. Nicknamed “The Iceman”, Gervin had a smooth, silky mid-range jumper that seemed to defy physics, making scoring look easy. He wasn’t flashy with dunks, but instead he used a beautiful finger-roll to score around the basket. Gervin turned every possession into a display of elegance, making him one of the most entertaining shooting guards to watch all-time.
Another highly exciting shooting guard with an elite nickname from the late ’70s was David Thompson. Thompson’s nickname, ‘Skywalker,’ described his athletic abilities perfectly. He had an explosive 44-inch vertical leap, which made him difficult to stop at the rim. He was also a versatile scorer with a smooth jump shot and great ball-handling skills, which solidified him as a very entertaining player.
Jamal Crawford was pure fun to watch and one of the most creative scorers of his era. His handles were ridiculous, his step-back jumper was deadly, and he could hit a shot from anywhere on the floor. He didn’t need to be flashy with dunks or crazy athleticism. Crawford’s creativity and quickness made every other possession feel like a highlight.
Pete Maravich was one of the most creative offensive talents in NBA history. “Pistol Pete” dazzled the crowd with his Harlem Globetrotter-like dribbling, his ability to toss a no-look pass with pinpoint accuracy, or make a fall-away jumper with two defenders draped on him. The court was his personal playground, every night was a show, and no one knew what scoring records he might shatter. Maravich was a five-time NBA All-Star and led the league in scoring for the 1976-77 season, averaging 31.1 points per game for the New Orleans Jazz.
Tier 3: Very Exciting
Anthony Edwards, Brandon Roy, Joe Johnson, Clyde Drexler
Anthony Edwards has stood out as one of the most athletic players in the current NBA. His explosive jumping ability has made him one of the best dunkers when attacking the interior. He has also developed into a great shooter, especially from deep, as he led the league with 320 total threes last season.
Brandon Roy had a deep bag of various ways to score from three-point range, mid-range, and in the paint. His best career game was on December 18, 2008, against the Phoenix Suns. He scored 52 points off of five threes, multiple mid-range jumpers, and impressive layups through contact. His performance also included 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
Joe Johnson might not have been the flashiest star, but he was still exciting in his own way. His calm, smooth game gave fans endless isolation highlights, especially in crunch time. Whether it was his step-backs, tough mid-range shots, or cold-blooded threes, Johnson had a knack for delivering big buckets when it mattered most. Watching “Iso Joe” cook in late-game situations was must-see basketball, and that clutch shot-making made him one of the more exciting guards of his era.
Clyde “The Glide” Drexler’s playstyle was defined by his graceful, explosive athleticism, which allowed him to effortlessly glide to the basket, finish with spectacular dunks, and make acrobatic layups. He combined this with excellent court vision, passing, and a versatile scoring ability that made him very enjoyable to watch.
Tier 4: Normal Excitement
Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Monta Ellis, Earl Monroe
Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and Klay Thompson are all some of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. Watching elite shooters is exciting, but it’s not overly exciting enough for these snipers to be in any of the top three tiers on this list.
DeMar DeRozan is a master of the mid-range, which is a skill that has become rare in the modern NBA. DeRozan modeled his play after Kobe Bryant and has acquired similar dribble moves, pump fakes, and spins like Kobe to create space for his automatic pull-up jumpers. Another exciting aspect of DeMar’s game was that he was a very athletic player earlier in his career. His skilled in-game dunking ability earned him an invitation to the 2010 Dunk Contest, in which he finished second behind Nate Robinson.
Devin Booker is a talented all-around offensive player. His offense is mainly characterized by his mastery of the mid-range game with a smooth jumper, excellent footwork to create space, and strong court vision to facilitate for teammates. He excels at attacking closeouts and using body fakes to generate scoring opportunities, often drawing contact while maintaining balance and control.
Monta Ellis had a flashy, high-volume offensive playstyle centered on his elite speed, quickness, and agility, which he used to relentlessly attack the rim. As an undersized combo guard, he excelled at scoring in transition and creating off the dribble, but he was a ball-dominant player who often settled for difficult shots. This led to Ellis being inefficient at times, but efficiency doesn’t matter too much when ranking players by excitement. Ellis was an exciting player.
Earl Monroe is one of the most underappreciated shooting guards in league history. Monroe’s playstyle was revolutionary and creative, as he was known for his exceptional ball handling and unpredictable moves. He compensated for his lack of elite speed and leaping ability with an array of hesitation dribbles, pump fakes, and a signature 360-degree spin move to create space and scoring opportunities. Monroe’s style was ahead of its time, making him a dazzling showman and a difficult guard to defend.
Tier 5: Somewhat Exciting
Tony Allen, Allan Houston, Gail Goodrich, Rip Hamilton
Tony Allen’s only good skill was defense, and he was incredible at it. His defense was defined by hard-nosed, relentless defense, which made him one of the best perimeter defenders in recent NBA history. Allen was always physical as he fought through screens and pressured offensive players until they made a mistake. While he wasn’t exciting most of the time, watching him battle on defense to stop Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook was entertaining.
Allan Houston was known for his smooth form, quick release, and ability to make shots from both mid-range and three-point range. He could create his own shot, using footwork to get to his spots, and was a clutch performer in late-game situations.
Gail Goodrich was another great shooter, although from closer to the basket than Houston, largely because the NBA didn’t implement the three-point line until the season after Goodrich retired. Goodrich had an interesting shot form, as he flung his jump shot from behind his ear, making it hard to block.
Richard ‘Rip’ Hamilton had a unique playstyle. He used constant off-ball movement, relentless conditioning, and a mastery of using screens to get open for his mid-range jumper. He would “run circles around everyone” by changing speeds and exploiting defensive angles, which constantly stressed the defense. He was a tough player to guard and somewhat exciting to watch.
Tier 6: Not Exciting
Joe Dumars, Sidney Moncrief
Joe Dumars was a critical piece of the ‘Bad Boy’ Detroit Pistons team that won two championships in 1989 and 1990. He won Finals MVP in 1989 as a result of his 27.3 points per game that he averaged in that finals series against the Lakers, but neither his scoring nor defense was very exciting to watch. He was the perfect backcourt teammate to Isiah Thomas, and could have had bigger numbers if he weren’t such a team-focused player. Dumars was the type of player you’d want on your team, but not a player you’d spend time watching highlights of.
Sidney Moncrief was another talented, defensive-minded two-way guard. He was a tenacious, smothering defender from the guard position, and he used a textbook crouch and intense hustle to shut down opponents’ best players, earning him the first-ever NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. His talent was impressive, but his style was somewhat boring.
