Here are some stats and some really lean comments to look at. Feel free to post another player if you feel there's someone who deserved to be nominated. In alphabetical order: Nate Archibald Career Stats: 18.8 pts, 7.4 ast, 2.3 reb, 1.13 stl*, 0.13 blk*, 46.7 FG%, 22.4 3PT%**, 81.0 FT%. * Steals, Blocks recorded 10/13 years of Archibald's career ** 3PT% recorded 5/13 years of Archibald's career. Best Year: 72-73 (3rd Year of 13)- 34.0 pts, 11.4 ast, 48.8 FG%, 84.7 FT%. Comments: Archibald has been accused of being a big fish in a small pond, but leading the league in assists and points in the same year remains a remarkable feat. Drafted by Bob Cousy in the second round of the 1970 draft, he exceeded all expectations, even Cousy's. After putting up high averages on bad teams for most of his career, he finally won a championship in his twilight years in Boston. He retired in 1984, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. Bob Cousy Career Stats: 18.4 pts, 7.5 ast, 5.2 reb, 37.5 FG%, 80.3 FT%. Best Year: 58-59 (9th year of 14)- 20.0 pts, 8.6 ast, 5.5 reb, 38.4 FG%, 85.5 FT%. Comments: Bob Cousy was part of the Celtics teams that won 8 championships in a row. He was far ahead of his time, making fancy passes and using dribbling moves that dazzled his opponents. He led the league in assists 8 consecutive times, a record later broken by John Stockton. However, Cousy was not a good defender, and never a good shooter. He retired in 1963, made a short comeback with Cincinnati in 1970, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970. Walt Frazier Career Stats: 18.9 pts, 6.1 ast, 5.9 reb, 1.89 stl*, 0.18 blk*, 49.0 FG%, 78.6 FT%. * Steals, Blocks counted for 7/13 years of Frazier's career. Best year: 69-70 (3rd year of 13)- 20.9 pts, 8.2 ast, 6.0 reb, 51.8 FG%, 74.8 FT%. Comments: Frazier was one of the greatest defenders ever at the guard position. He was one of the driving forces in the championships of the 70s Knicks, excelling in all things. He retired in 1980 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. Kevin Johnson Career Stats: 17.9 pts, 9.1 ast, 3.3 reb, 1.47 stl, 0.24 blk, 49.3 FG%, 84.1 FT%, 30.5 3PT%. Best Year: 88-89 (2nd year of 12)- 20.4 pts, 12.2 ast, 4.2 reb, 1.67 stl, 0.30 blk, 50.5 FG%, 88.2 FT%. Comments: Not able to show his skills with Mark Price ahead of him, Johnson was traded to the Suns in his second year and exploded, showing his ability to drive to the basket and find the open man. He retired in 1998, made a short comeback in 2000. Magic Johnson Career Stats: 19.5 pts, 11.2 ast, 7.2 reb, 1.90 stl, 0.41 blk, 52.0 FG%, 84.8 FT%, 30.3 3PT%. Best Year: 81-82 (3rd year of 13)- 18.6 pts, 9.5 ast, 9.6 reb, 2.67 stl, 0.44 blk, 53.7 FG%, 76.0 FT%. Comments: Magic redefined the PG position with his showtime passes and size. He was quick for his size, able to guard as well as get past much smaller men, creating huge match-up problems. He was probably the best passer ever in a fast-break situation. He retired in 1991 after contracting HIV, made a short comeback in 1996, and is scheduled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. Pete Maravich Career Stats: 24.2 pts, 5.4 ast, 4.2 reb, 1.36 stl*, 0.25 blk*, 44.1 FG%, 82.0 FT%. * Steals, Blocks counted for 7/10 years of Maravich's career. Best Year: 76-77 (7th year of 10) 31.1 pts, 5.4 ast, 5.1 reb, 1.15 stl, 0.30 blk, 43.3 FG%, 83.5 FT%. Comments: Pistol Pete's greatest accomplishment was probably averaging 45 points in college over 3 years, although having his father as the coach helped his numbers. Nonetheless, he was one of the greatest offensive players ever, performing passes and shots unlike anything else ever seen in the NBA. He had almost unlimited shooting range, and in his final year, the first with 3-point shots, he made 10 of 15 from beyond the arc. He retired in 1980 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. He died of a heart attack during a pick-up game in 1988. Oscar Robertson Career Stats: 25.7 pts, 9.5 ast, 7.5 reb, 48.5 FG%, 83.8 FT%. Best Year: 61-62 (2nd year of 14)- 30.8 pts, 11.4 ast, 12.5 reb, 47.8 FG%, 80.3 FT%. Comments: The only man to average a triple-double for a season, Robertson excelled in all aspects of the game. One of just 3 rookies to average 30 points, he exploded in his first year. He even beat Jack Twyman (an NBA all-star) 21-0 while in college. He won a championship with Lew Alcindor in his twilight years. He retired in 1974 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. John Stockton Career Stats: 13.3 pts, 11.0 ast, 2.7 reb, 2.26 stl, 0.20 blk, 51.8 FG%, 82.5 FT%, 38.2 3PT%. Best Year: 89-90 (6th year of 17)- 17.2 pts, 14.5 ast, 2.6 reb, 2.65 stl, 0.23 blk, 51.4 FG%, 81.9 FT%, 41.6 3PT%. Comments: One of the smartest players ever, Stockton is probably the best passer in half-court in NBA history. He leads all players in assists and steals. While never reaching high point totals, Stockton managed to shoot over 50% in 10/13 years as a starter. He is currently playing for the Utah Jazz. Isiah Thomas Career Stats: 19.2 pts, 9.3 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.90 stl, 0.25 blk, 45.2 FG%, 75.9 FT%, 29.0 3PT%. Best Year: 84-85 (4th year of 13)- 21.2 pts, 13.9 ast, 4.5 reb, 2.31 stl, 0.31 blk, 45.8 FG%, 80.9 FT%, 25.7 3PT%. Comments: One of the greatest ballhandlers in history, Thomas led Detroit to 2 championships, driving defenses crazy with his speed. He retired in 1994 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Jerry West Career Stats: 27.0 pts, 6.7 ast, 5.8 reb, 47.4 FG%, 81.4 FT%. Best Year: 65-66 (6th year of 14)- 31.3 pts, 6.1 ast, 7.1 reb, 47.3 FG%, 86.0 FT%. Comments: More of a scoring guard early in his career, West's assists averages went up as his career went on and his teammates got better, averaging 9.7 ast in his 3rd to last year. He was a terror on defense, using his incredible leaping ability and long arms to swat away shots and steal the ball. On offense, he had an unlimited shooting range and a great drive to the hoop (he broke his nose half a dozen times). He was eventually chosen as the model for the NBA logo. He finally won a championship with Wilt Chamberlain in 1972. He retired in 1974 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
I voted for West but then I noticed Magic and felt pretty dumb for forgetting that he would be on this list. By the way, I noticed that the Franchise's numbers compare quite favorably to Walt Frazier's and Jerry West's. I just don't understand how people here can still complain about Steve when his career so far puts him on track to finish in the company of basketball legends/world champs. Every fan in the country would kill to have a guy like Steve, yet people were wanting to trade him for Andre Miller and Baron Davis. I'm calling out all the Steve Bashers, Complainers, and Nitpickers to tell us why they really have a problem with Steve. Francis is who he is, to ask him to change his game is pretty ridiculous and many of you want him to be John Stockton it seems. So from now on, instead of complaining, just say the truth, you'd rather have a guy like Andre Miller or Mark Jackson to just dish out assists to Ming and Griffin instead of an exciting future hall of famer who is hardly ever put down by any respected basketball analyst or journalist.
Another one I would've added to the list is Gary Payton...not that he's neccesarily better than those guys, but I think he could definitely be put in the same class as most of 'em. In my opinion, he's THE point guard of the 90's.
Magic no question. He's arguably the 2nd best player ever...depends on personal preference. imo, Walt Frazier and Kevin Johnson should not be on that list if Payton is left off. Plus, calling Pete Maravich a point guard is like calling Iverson one, although Pete was better, did pass, and was flashier. Pete was just Pete; Iverson is Iverson. They defy PG prototype. They score. trivia question: What was the last team Pete Maravich played for, and who was his point guard?
Magic is the best point guard. What other rookie point guard led an NBA team to a championship. Plus, he was an all around player.
Stevierebel, Did you know that Magic won the Michigan High School Championship, NCAA Championship, and NBA Championship all in the span of 4 years. Can you imagine being Magic advancing through those 4 yrs? Mind boggling.
I probably should have voted for Magic, but I voted for Oscar Robertson instead because it is almost unfathomable to me that someone can average a triple double for an entire season. I don't think it will ever be done again (and yes, I did notice that in Magic's best season, he came very close to averaging a triple double as well).
I think Payton is a great call on your part. He is with out a doubt better than Kevin Johnson and IMO just as good as if not better than Thomas and Stockton.
I am so gladd to hear you say that Magic might be the second best player ever. I have always thought that only Wilt was better than Magic but that Magic is the best that I ever saw. If I am starting a team and I have a choice between a young Magic or a young Jordan then I am taking Magic. Pete closed out his career playing for the Boston Celtics and Nate Archibald.
I probably should have added Payton, but I was trying to stick with retired players, so we can see the whole picture of each of their careers. Stockton, of course, was the exception. His career IS over. But if I could have put an 11th guy on, he would have been it.
i'm not voting since francis wasn't there. THIS THREAD SUCKS THIS THREAD SUCKS THIS THREAD SUCKS. NO FRANCIS NO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!! but naw i would go with west.
Is it me, or does anyone not think that Steve's #'s are almost as good as Cousy's best year? I think Oscar had the best #'s.
I had to go with Magic, although Oscar averaging a triple double for a season is impressive, Magic almost accomplished that as well. Why would anyone vote for KJ, I don't think he really compares to everyone else.
Personally, I think that Magic was the greatest to ever play period. He is the only player that could play - and dominate - every position on the floor. He could have scored and rebounded more if he had wanted.
You know...it really sickens me that John Stockton can get 6 votes for best PG ever on a freaking Rockets board. Come on people!
I voted for Magic. I think it's fairly obvious. Hate him all you want, Stockton deserves to be in the top 4 or 5 all time best PG, which IMO includes Robertson and West. I think the list doesn't have Payton b/c he is still active. Same with Francis. (Stockton is still active, but he is as good as retired. )
I think that Oscar is the best pg ever. Averaging a triple doubhle in a season is insane, and he came close to that almost every season.
