The role of the point guard is one of the most critical ones on the basketball court. While giving the masters of this craft their dues on “First Take”, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith shared his list of the top 5 point guards of all-time, while facing NBA legend Magic Johnson.
Smith started his list with Chris Paul at No. 5. He said:
“Led the league in assists on several occasions. He is one of the all-time great facilitators. Controls paces, controls tempo. A leader. Knows everybody’s job, everybody’s accountability.”
Smith justified that this was a tough decision to make, since he had to decide between Paul and Gary Payton for the fifth spot. But the analyst eventually justified it using Paul’s offensive impact as a reason.
At No. 4, Smith selected Jason Kidd and said:
“Did you see this, brother? Without a jump shot, and you still couldn’t stop him. You talk about a fast break? Lord, have mercy. Watch this brother push the ball up the court. You see the passes that he made. Richard Jefferson was relevant because of Jason Kidd… Jay Kidd was something special to behold, and by the way, a champion, even as he got older.”
As enamored as Smith was by Kidd, he didn’t place him in his top 3. Instead, he picked Isiah Thomas at third and justified:
“Michael Jordan got him as No. 2, I got him as No. 3, but damn it, the greatest little guard in the history of basketball… A two-time champion, a national champion. The brother is something special. He was Kyrie before Kyrie. And the Bad Boy Pistons, even with all those rough riders, those leaders, he was clearly the unquestionable leader.”
Following up with Thomas at three, Smith selected Stephen Curry as No. 2 on his list. He added:
“The greatest shooter God has ever seen. But, Magic pointed it out on “Get Up” earlier this morning – the ball handling, the passing skills. This brother sets it up. And here’s the thing, impact is what it comes down to.”
“This brother’s movement without the ball, keeping everybody’s head on a swivel, scaring the living hell out of you because he can shoot, but with the ball handling capabilities, and he’s a four-time champion… When we think of him, we think of divine intervention, because his gifts are God-given. It works on it even more. Give him credit. He’s that dude.”
For all the positive comments, Curry still couldn’t crack the top spot. Smith especially reserved that for the legend in front of him, selecting Magic Johnson as No. 1 on his list.
“When you’re talking about point guards,” he said, quoting Eddie Johnson in the process. “You’re talking about facilitators. You’re talking about guys that set others up. You’re talking about guys that make the other people around them so much better than what they really are. Who did that better than the magic man?”
Smith ranted about the Showtime Lakers and the impact they had on the NBA landscape, running most NBA teams into the ground with their dazzling and dominant displays led by Johnson.
Johnson couldn’t hold back his laughter while watching Smith’s animated antics. But by the end of the analyst’s segment, the Lakers legend shared his reaction to the list. He said:
“It’s a great list, no question about it. You don’t have to change a thing. It’s just two guys when I look at – My boy from Utah, John Stockton, he’s right there. And Steve Nash… I’m not saying change. I’m just saying, add those two guys.”
Magic Johnson was by far one of the most iconic players the league has ever seen, particularly in the point guard position. At 6’9″, he broke the mould for the position, ushering in the era of positionless basketball.
With a career average of 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game, Johnson was a master of his craft. With his talent and skill yielding success for him as a player, he amassed several achievements, including five NBA titles, three Finals MVP awards, three MVP awards, 12x All-Star selections, and 10x All-NBA selections, while also being named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
This list also features two active players in Paul and Curry. While both remain relevant even at this stage in their careers, it is evident why Curry is listed higher.
Heading into next season, Paul is expected to test free agency, making a move out of San Antonio to hopefully join a contender in LA. Meanwhile, Curry remains a central figure with the Warriors, who aim to make adjustments to make another title charge next season.
