Top NBA Shooting Guards All-Time and 2022
The shooting guard position has produced some of the most all-around skilled players that the NBA has ever seen due to the wide range of things that shooting guards are responsible for, such as scoring, defending, and often facilitating a team's offense.
This list will rank the greatest shooting guards in the league's history, as well as the best shooting guards in today's game, a couple of which have a legitimate shot to end up on the first list when all is said and done.
Ranking the Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History
1. Michael Jordan
Notable Accolades: 6x NBA Champion, 6x NBA Finals MVP, 5x NBA MVP, 14x NBA All-Star, 3x NBA All-Star MVP, 10x All-NBA First Team, 1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 9x NBA All-Defensive First Team, 10x NBA Scoring Champion, 3x NBA Steals, 2x NBA Dunk Contest Champion
Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player to step foot on a basketball court, so it is no surprise he is No. 1 on this list. Not only did Jordan lead the league in scoring ten times, but his accolades on defense show just how incredible he was on both ends of the floor.
2. Kobe Bryant
Notable Accolades: 5x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 18x NBA All-Star, 4x NBA All-Star MVP, 11x All-NBA First Team, 9x NBA All-Defensive First Team, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Dunk Contest Champion
The Black Mamba is considered by many to be the most skilled player of all time. Kobe's unprecedented work ethic and relentless leadership were reflected with success on the court, retiring as a 5-time champion and having a career average of 25 points per game.
3. Dwyane Wade
Notable Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Finals MVP, 13x NBA All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 3X NBA All-Defensive First Team, 1x NBA Scoring Champion, NBA Rookie of the Year
Dwyane Wade was a phenomenal player on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, with some referring to him as one of the best shot-blocking guards of all time. While he never had as consistent of a job shot you'd expect from a shooting guard this high on the list, D-Wade had an incredible ability to get to the rim, use pump fakes, and finish around the basket.
4. Clyde Drexler
Notable Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 10x NBA All-Star, 5x All-NBA
Clyde Drexler is one of the best pure athletes that the NBA has ever seen. He averaged more rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks than Kobe Bryant for his career, and he never missed the postseason one time during his 15-year career.
5. George Gervin
Notable Accolades: 9x NBA All-Star, 5x All-NBA First Team, 4x NBA Scoring Champion
George Gervin is one of the greatest pure scorers of all time, and he did it in an era without the 3-point line. His effortless scoring and incredible efficiency lead him four scoring titles, with career averages of 25.1PPG, 5.3RPG, and 2.6APG on 50.$% shooting.
6. Ray Allen
Notable Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 10x NBA All-Star, 1x NBA Three-Point Contest Champion
Ray Allen is one of the three greatest shooters of all time, and only recently was he surpassed as the leading three-point shooter in NBA history. His effortless stroke made him a weapon on the offensive end. and he also averaged over a steal per game in his 18-year career.
7. James Harden
Notable Accolades: 1x NBA MVP, 10x NBA All-Star, 6x All-NBA First Team, 1x NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 3x NBA Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Assists Leader
James Harden is one of the best pure scorers in the game today and perhaps of all time, as his ability to get to the rim, create shots for himself off the dribble, and get to the free throw line have helped him to a career average of just under 25 points per game.
8. Reggie Miller
Notable Accolades: 5x NBA All-Star, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 1x 50-40-90 club
Reggie Miller was as competitive as they come, and he had the skills to back it up. While his peak was relatively low compared to some of the others on this list, his longevity was up there with the best of them- he averaged over 16 points per game for fourteen straight seasons.
9. Tracy McGrady
Notable Accolades: 7x NBA All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Most Improved Player
T-Mac was one of the best players in the league during his peak- from the 2000-01 through the 2006-07 season, he averaged 26.9PPG, 6.6RPG, and 5.4APG, and lead the league in scoring on two occasions. His 13-points in 33 seconds is one of the most memorable moments in NBA history.
10. Manu Ginobili
Notable Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 2x NBA All-Star, 1x NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Summer Olympics Basketball Tournament MVP
Manu Ginobili is one of the best international players in NBA history, and his greatness was not only evident on the NBA stage, but on the world stage as well. He lead his home country of Argentina to winning the Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics, dethroning the U.S. for the first time since 1988.
Predicting the Best Shooting Guards of the 2022-23 Regular Season
1. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
2021-22 Stats: 26.8PTS, 5.0REB, 4.8AST, 1.1STL
After losing to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks to end last season, Devin Booker and backcourt running mate Chris Paul lead the Suns into another critical season with high expectations in the Western Conference.
2. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 Stats: 25.9PTS, 4.2REB, 5.3AST, 1.5STL
After another standout year for Mitchell in Utah, his offseason trade to the Cavaliers instantly adds another weapon to an already young and dangerous Cleveland team that has a chance to make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
3. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
2021-22 Stats: 24.4PTS, 4.6REB, 4.5AST
After his decision to sign a 5-year extension with the Bulls in the offseason, Zach LaVine returns his focus to staying healthy and leading Chicago to new heights after a disappointing first round exit to the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
4. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
2021-22 Stats: 23.6PTS, 6.1REB, 3.5AST, 1.1STL
After being a key part of the Celtics’ unexpected run to the NBA Finals last year, Jaylen Brown looks to once again lead Boston to the top of the Eastern Conference alongside Jayson Tatum.
5. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 stats: 24.3PTS, 4.5REB, 5.8AST
After a mid-season trade from the Blazers last season, Cj McCollum instantly made an impact alongside Brandon Ingram in New Orleans. With a healthy Zion Williamson back in the mix to start the upcoming year, look for the Pelicans to make some noise in the West.
6. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
2021-22 stats: 23.2PTS, 4.7REB, 6.6AST
Not always getting the attention he deserves because he plays for the Wizards, Bradley Beal consistently puts up huge numbers for Washington and will continue to do so in 2023.
7. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 Stats: 22.5PTS, 8.0REB, 10.2AST, 1.3STL
Despite an up-and-down year last year in split time with Kevin Durant and the Nets as well as the 76ers, it is hard to imagine another NBA season where James Harden isn’t being an effective scorer and leader when he is on the court. With a full offseason in Doc Rivers’ system under his belt, watch for Harden to return to his Houston form and insert his name back into one of the league’s best in 2022-23
8. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
2021-22 stats: 20.4PTS, 3.9REB, 2.8AST
After missing consecutive NBA seasons with injuries, Klay Thompson returned to the Warriors for the playoffs and helped secure his 4th NBA Championship alongside his point guard and running mate Steph Curry last season. With Paul George and a healthy Kawhi Leonard back for the Clippers and a young, exciting Grizzlies team on the come up, the Warriors will have their hands full in the Western Conference this season.
9. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
2021-22 stats: 20.7PTS, 5.0REB, 4.0AST
After averaging over 20 points for the first time in his career, Tyler Herro looks to take the next step up as the Heat look to once again be among the top teams in a top-heavy Eastern Conference, which added another legitimate contender with Dejounte Murray being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in the offseason.
10. Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
2021-22 stats: 18.5PTS, 3.4REB, 4.0AST
Jordan Poole was among the league’s brightest young stars last season, and after signing a long-term extension to remain with the Warriors, he looks to continue to build on his career year in 2022-23.
11. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 stats: 21.3PTS, 4.8REB, 3.8AST
Another one of the league’s brightest young stars, the third-year shooting guard looks to bring the Timberwolves back into playoff contention with the addition of Rudy Gobert in the offseason.