- Who have been the greatest shooting guards in the NBA since Michael Jordan?
- The shooting guard position has not changed, All-Stars must score at an elite level
- Only four players have truly dominated the shooting guard position since 2000
In July we published about the best point guard since 2000, and now is time to write about one of the most interesting positions in the league.
The NBA has witnessed an extraordinary display of talent and skill from shooting guards over the past two decades. From the early 2000s to the present day, these dynamic players have left an indelible mark on the league, lighting up scoreboards and captivating fans worldwide. As the game evolved and new stars emerged, the debate over who reigns supreme in the shooting guard position has remained a topic of fervent discussion.
While Michael Jordan is by far the greatest shooting guard ever, his dominance was mainly seen in the 1980s and 1990s with the Chicago Bulls. After his dominance ended, the shooting guard position was run by a select few superstar players. In fact, the list is filled with legendary names and rising stars. It is time to explore the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the NBA’s shooting guard position and celebrate the incredible talents who have left an indelible mark on the game over the past two decades.
Here is the best shooting guard in the world every year since the 1999-00 NBA season.
2000-2001: Allen Iverson
Career Stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Honors And Awards: 2000-01 MVP, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 8x All-Defensive Team Selection, 4x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion, 1996-97 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Allen Iverson’s dominance as the best shooting guard during the 2000 and 2001 NBA seasons can be attributed to a combination of his exceptional scoring ability, leadership on the court, and impact on the game. The diminutive guard, standing at just 6’0” tall, defied all expectations and became a force to be reckoned with, leaving an indelible mark on the league and etching his name in NBA history.
Allen Iverson was an offensive juggernaut during these two seasons, showcasing his relentless scoring ability night after night. In the 2000 season, Iverson averaged an astounding 28.4 PPG and followed it up with an impressive 31.1 PPG in the 2001 season. Iverson’s scoring prowess made him the focal point of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ offense and a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. Furthermore, his playmaking skills were evident as he averaged 4.7 APG in 2000 and 4.6 APG in 2001, creating opportunities for his teammates and making the Sixers’ offense more dynamic even if he was winning scoring titles such as in the 2001 season (his second).
Most importantly, in the 2001 season, Allen Iverson led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals, where they faced the formidable Los Angeles Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Despite being the underdogs, Iverson’s heroics in Game 1, where he famously scored 48 points, secured a stunning upset victory over the Lakers. While the Lakers eventually won the series, Iverson’s performance throughout the playoffs and Finals solidified his status as one of the league’s brightest stars and cemented his place as the best shooting guard in the NBA during those seasons.
2002-2013: Kobe Bryant
Career Stats: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Honors And Awards: 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2007-08 MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection, 12x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion, Hall of Fame
Kobe Bryant was coming into his own during the 2000-01 season, averaging 28.5 PPG and acting as a dominant go-to scorer. However, since Allen Iverson won league MVP in an iconic campaign, he was still the best shooting guard. That means that at the start of the 2001-02 season, Kobe Bryant reigned supreme as the greatest shooting guard in the NBA from 2002 until the 2013 season. That meant no other player could usurp Bryant for 12 straight seasons, even if Tracy McGrady came very close in his final two seasons with the Orlando Magic but he never quite got there.
Kobe Bryant was a scoring machine, with a vast offensive repertoire. He could score from anywhere on the court, whether it was his deadly mid-range jump shot, acrobatic layups, or clutch three-pointers in his prime. Bryant’s footwork and ability to create space allowed him to score against double teams and elite defenders. He averaged at least 24.0 PPG in each season during this period, capturing two scoring titles in 2006 (35.4 PPG) and 2007 (31.6 PPG). His scoring ability made him virtually unstoppable and a constant threat to opposing defenses.
The Black Mamba was also the epitome of clutch. He had an uncanny ability to rise to the occasion and deliver in crucial moments. From game-winning shots to dominating performances in the playoffs, Bryant was known for his “Mamba Mentality” and his desire to take and make the big shots when it mattered most. His competitive drive and mental toughness made him a leader on the court, and his teammates often looked to him to close out games in critical situations.
As great as Bryant was offensively and as an All-Star two-way player, making 12 straight All-Star Teams over this period, his true impact and another reason why he was the best shooting guard during this era was his championship success. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships during this period (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010). Bryant’s leadership, scoring, and defensive abilities were instrumental in the Lakers’ title runs. He was named Finals MVP in two of those championships, highlighting his dominance on the biggest stage.
Whether it was the start of his true dominance as an explosive youngster with an afro to a complete all-around player when he was older, Kobe Bryant was without a doubt the greatest guard that played the game since Michael Jordan. After the 2013 season, the next man to take the torch was none other than James Harden.
2014-2021: James Harden
Career Stats: 24.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Honors And Awards: 2017-18 MVP, 10x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year, 3x Scoring Champion, 2x Assist Champion
James Harden’s dominance as the best shooting guard between 2014 and 2021 can be attributed to his exceptional scoring ability, playmaking skills, and impact on the game. During this period, Harden established himself as one of the most prolific scorers and versatile playmakers in NBA history, leaving an indelible mark on the league.
Harden’s scoring ability was unparalleled during these years. Known for his step-back three-pointer and crafty drives to the basket, Harden consistently ranked among the league’s top scorers. He won three scoring titles during this span (2018, 2019, and 2020) and even managed to post an incredible 36.1 PPG in the 2019 season. Harden’s scoring arsenal, combined with his ability to draw fouls and excel at the free-throw line, made him a scoring machine and a constant offensive threat. We have not seen defensive strategies by opposing coaches that involved triple-teaming a player as soon as he crossed half-court which showed how dominant The Beard was.
In addition to his scoring, James Harden was a masterful playmaker. His exceptional court vision and passing ability allowed him to set up his teammates for easy baskets time and time again. Harden became renowned for his ability to find open shooters on the perimeter and set up his big men for alley-oop dunks. Harden made the likes of an older Dwight Howard, Clint Capela, and even Nic Claxton look like dominant finishers around the rim. Of course, three-point shooters also benefited from Harden’s playmaking skills. James averaged an incredible 8.2 APG during this period and led the NBA in APG in the 2017 season (11.2 APG).
Overall, Harden’s individual brilliance translated to team success during this period. He led the Houston Rockets to seven straight playoff appearances and was a key factor in their deep playoff runs. His impact on the Rockets’ offense was transformative, as he often shouldered a significant portion of the scoring load and led the team to one of the most efficient offenses in the league. Even as he aged, Harden led the Brooklyn Nets to the 2021 playoffs as well.
2022-2023: Devin Booker
Career Stats: 23.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Honors And Awards: 3x All-Star, 2021-22 All-NBA Team Selection
As James Harden’s athleticism waned and his impact deteriorated, Devin Booker has become the best shooting guard in the world over the past two seasons. Even if the shooting guard managed an incredible 70-point game during his second season in 2016-17, Booker did not become a complete offensive player until the 2021-22 season with the Phoenix Suns. Booker showcased incredible confidence in the 2022 season, averaging a career-high 26.8 PPG on 46.6% FG, 38.3% 3-PT FG, and 86.8% FT.
Booker was also the best player on the Suns team that won 64 games to win the Western Conference alongside players such as Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, and Deandre Ayton. Even if Booker did not manage to make it to the NBA Finals again as he did in 2021, his impact was still felt in the playoffs as he averaged 23.3 PPG. This past season, in 2023, Booker reached another level as an All-Star player.
The shooting guard averaged 27.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 5.5 APG while shooting 49.4% from the field, 35.1% from three, and 85.5% from the free-throw line. Booker began showing the ability to occupy the point guard position at times and did a spectacular job leading the offense and creating buckets for himself or for his teammates. In the postseason, Booker had the highest-scoring average with 33.7 PPG on 58.5% FG, 50.8% 3-PT FG, and 86.6% FT. Those numbers over 11 games are simply extraordinary, and Booker has clearly placed his name in the conversation for being a top-10 player in the world.
At only 26 years old, Devin Booker has a chance to have a long-term run similar to James Harden of being the most dominant shooting guard in the NBA. As he has elite players alongside him including Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal going forward, Booker has a chance to refine his all-around game and prove he belongs in the discussion for being one of the most talented shooting guards of all time.
