Best-ever All-NBA team players - point guards

[VF21]

We had 20+ nominations for the position of point guard on the all-NBA team. I selected a committee of five individuals whose knowledge of the NBA I respect. I submitted those names to them, and they came up with their top 10 from those nominated. The top 10 vote getters are shown below.

Now it's time for you to vote for your top four finalists. Please do not vote for more than four names. The top four will go on to the next round, which will involve mixing them with the top four of the other categories to get the four best possible NBA teams.

Thanks!

Nate "Tiny" Archibald
Bob Cousy
Walt Frazier
Magic Johnson
Jason Kidd
Pete Maravich
Steve Nash
Oscar Robertson
John Stockton
Isiah Thomas

Please feel free to discuss your reasons for picking your particular TOP FOUR.

 

[6th]

Woohoo! Good choices, D-Mass. You and I picked the same four and started off the poll with just 4 players having 2 votes. Too funny.

 

[4cwebb]

I went out on a limb and threw Isiah Thomas into the mix over Stockton, largely because he has two rings, and Stockton has none.

 

[6th]

I went out on a limb and threw Isiah Thomas into the mix over Stockton, largely because he has two rings, and Stockton has none.

Understandable, 4cwebb, but I just could not ignore Stockton's assist record. Thomas was my "odd man out." He'd have had my vote at #5.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

All right, I voted for these guys:

1. Oscar Robertson: 'The Big O' was simply perfect, or as close as a basketball player will ever be. He scored at will, (to the tune of 30.4 ppg his rookie year,) rebounded like a center (10.1 the same year,) and passed exceptionally well. While some make the argument that his high assist numbers were due to high scoring averages during this decade, it should also be known that assists weren't credited nearly as liberally as they are in today’s game. His second year in the league, he averaged 30.8 points per game, 12.5 rebounds per game, and 11.4 assists per game, while playing 79 games in total. Steve Nash, this years reigning MVP, and also a point guard, averaged 18.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 10.5 apg, in 79 games, on the highest scoring team in the league. This means that Robertson averaged 12 ppg, 8.3 rpg, and .9 apg more than Nash, while completely outclassing him defensively. If you compare his stats to the regular season stats from this season, he rebounded better than Tim Duncan, passed better than Steve Nash, and scored better than McGrady, Carter, Arenas and Wade. Will the real MVP please stand up?

2. Magic Johnson: Mister versatile, even more so than Robertson. Could literally be an all-star at any position on the floor. Won finals MVP his rookie year starting at center for an injured Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Nuff said. The only reason I don't give him the nod over Robertson is that, in his prime, Oscar scored far more prolifically, and played much better defense. The second best player ever to suit up.

3. Nate Archibald: To lead the league in both PPG and APG in one season is absolutely amazing. (34.0 PPG, and 11.4 APG) Exceptionally quick, but plagued by injuries, he's a solid choice for third best. Is on the short list of NBA greats who are shorter than me.

4. John Stockton: If you looked up "Point Guard" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Mr. Stockton. An iron man who is probably the best passer in the history of the game. (14.5 APG one season, led the league for nine consecutive seasons.) Although he never won a ring, he deserved it more than anyone. A sparkling shooter, Stockton was just as much a threat to shoot the ball as to pass it. If I remember correctly, played his last NBA game at Arco Arena. I'd say he's the best pure point guard on this list, while the others better incorporated elements of the other positions into their games. Also shorter than me.

 

[6th]

Widowmaker2k, I could not have written up my choices (same as yours) any better than that. Nice job!!!

 

[D-Mass]

Woohoo! Good choices, D-Mass. You and I picked the same four and started off the poll with just 4 players having 2 votes. Too funny.

Great minds think alike! And I also like Widowmaker's write-up. I got lazy and didn't explain my votes!

 

[VF21]

Thanks everyone for your votes so far. And thanks to Widowmaker2K for a great write-up justifying his choices.

The poll will remain open for a total of 72 hours (give or take) and then we'll move on to the next position.

 

[chaps]

How is the final product going to work? Like the yearly All-NBA teams but no 2nd, 3rd teams etc..? Or will it be:

PG-
SG-
SF-
PF-
C-

B-
B-
B-
B-
B-
B-
B-

Coach-

 

[VF21]

Not sure yet.

 

[HndsmCelt]

As much as I respect Zeeks game had to go with The Big O, Magic, Stockton and Pistol Pete. Widdowmaker did a great write up but I would add Pete beceause he really changed the game and MADE IT FUN TO WATCH! Before Pete there were PGs who could score and even be the number one threat, but Pete was a whole different kind of dangerous driving defenses nuts trying to containe ONE guy.

 

[Gargamel]

^ I went w/ Isiah as 3rd choice w/ Maravich far in the rear view mirror. I read and have seen that his rep was pretty questionable in Atlanta. From what I gather, he was basically a 1-man sideshow for much of his career. The Jazz picked him up to sell tix. There's nothing wrong w/ being a showman, but at some point in these comparisons you gotta do a hardware tally, crappy teams or no. Hard for me to judge Maravich against guys who made themselves legends in the playoffs.

Isiah was the best "short" player ever, imo. Gutty leader. I'd take him over Stockton if I wanted to win a title. He had the stats as well as the hardware. He was a little punk at times, but I think it's his attitude and will to win regardless of public image that ultimately separated him from some of the other choices.

 

[Gargamel]

4. John Stockton: If you looked up "Point Guard" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Mr. Stockton. An iron man who is probably the best passer in the history of the game. (14.5 APG one season, led the league for nine consecutive seasons.) Although he never won a ring, he deserved it more than anyone. A sparkling shooter, Stockton was just as much a threat to shoot the ball as to pass it. If I remember correctly, played his last NBA game at Arco Arena. I'd say he's the best pure point guard on this list, while the others better incorporated elements of the other positions into their games. Also shorter than me.

I like the fact that Stockton came into the league w/ basically every skill he had when he left it. There was almost no learning curve with this guy. There are a couple of Jazz games from 85 and 86 that BSPN and NBAtv occasionally play. It's funny to see how raw Malone was compared to Stockton, who was only 1 year ahead of him.

 

[Folsom Al]

I went:

Big O ... Magic ... Stockton .... and Nash (he's just gettin' started)

 

[VF21]

Okay, thanks everyone. Your votes have been recorded. There's a glitch so I'm unable to close the poll. I am, therefore, closing the thread.