The debate of who is the greatest point guard of all time has been an evergreen element in the NBA. Between Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and even Chris Paul, one could list multiple point guards who deserve to be in this debate.
Across several generations in the NBA, one consistent factor has been the pivotal importance given to the point guard position. The point guard in most teams is the primary ball-handler and needs to have a certain set of skills to be the best in that position. According to Steve Nash, he would combine several individual skills from different players if he were to build the greatest point guard of all time.
In a recent segment with the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast, Nash picked out which players he would combine to build the greatest point guard in NBA history. He was asked in order of individual skills: handles, shooting, finishing, defense, vision, and having the clutch gene. He combined six players (other than himself) in his response.
“Am I allowed to say myself? I think I’m in the conversation.”
“I’d say Kyrie, he’s the best ball-handler of all time. If Steph Curry is a point guard, he’s the greatest shooter of any position at any time. I think Kyrie and maybe his uncle, Rod Strickland. Incredible finishers. [For defense] I’m going to give this to two guys in my era, Gary Payton and Jason Kidd. Magic Johnson inspired me to pass the ball.”
While his responses were direct for other categories, Nash was a bit flustered to decide the most clutch point guard of all time.
“A lot of clutch PGs out there, hopefully people think I was a clutch player, Tyrese Haliburton has been really clutch in these Playoffs.”
While he couldn’t initially decide on clutchness, he eventually settled on an answer.
“I don’t know if I have to pick one, Magic Johnson, because I think about him throwing in that skyhook to win the NBA Playoffs in Boston. Incredible clutch player too.”
Therefore, his greatest point guard would have Kyrie Irving’s handles and finishing, Stephen Curry’s shooting, Rod Strickland’s finishing, Gary Payton and Jason Kidd’s defensive prowess, and Magic Johnson’s clutch gene.
Some Notable Names Steve Nash Left Out
For ball handling and shooting, his responses were indisputable. However, for passing vision, he missed out on key names like Chris Paul and John Stockton, who have the most assists in NBA history. Meanwhile, for finishing, he skipped out on the explosive athleticism of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose in their prime years.
Just because these players never won a championship does not mean their individual skills can not be in the conversation for the greatest of all time. Additionally, he also skipped on Isiah Thomas, who dominated the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird to win his two NBA championships with the Pistons.
