Point guards run the show in basketball, and these four each did it in a style all their own. This One Gotta Go card puts them in the same backcourt: Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Chris Paul and Isiah Thomas.
Three stay on your all-time team, and one gets left off. Think about the highlights you have watched a hundred times, the jersey you wanted as a kid and the player you respect more than you enjoy watching. Then pick and see who in your group knows the most box scores.
Stephen Curry vs Allen Iverson vs Chris Paul vs Isiah Thomas
A. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry changed basketball with his long range shooting and became the NBA's all-time leader in made three pointers, while winning four titles. He changed how every team plays. The only case against him is that his style made the game too focused on threes for some fans.
Keep it if: You think he is the greatest shooter ever and that he changed the way the game is played at every level.
B. Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson played with fearless energy, a famous crossover and a style that shaped basketball culture, winning the 2001 MVP. He scored at an amazing rate for his size. He never won a title, though, which some fans use to rank him lower.
Keep it if: You loved his crossover, his heart and his style, and you think his impact on culture is unmatched.
C. Chris Paul
Chris Paul, known as the Point God, has been one of the smartest passers and leaders in the league for years. He is a master of the position. The knock on him has always been the lack of an NBA championship, which makes him a common cut.
Keep it if: You love a true floor general who controls every possession and makes everyone around him better.
D. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas led the Detroit Pistons Bad Boys to back to back titles in 1989 and 1990 and was a fearless scorer and passer. He is a Hall of Famer. Younger fans may know him less than the others, which makes him a fair cut for some.
Keep it if: You remember the Bad Boys era and think Isiah is one of the most underrated point guards ever.
Our take
We would cut Chris Paul. He is a brilliant point guard, but Curry changed the game, Iverson changed the culture and Isiah has two rings as the leader of a famous team. The most fun debate usually comes down to Curry against Iverson, since it is the record breaker against the cultural icon. Ask everyone which point guard they would pick to take the last shot in a big game.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which point guard was the hardest to guard in his prime?
- Does a championship matter most when ranking point guards?
- Who is the best point guard playing today?
- Which point guard would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
NBA Point Guards: quick answers
Who has made the most three pointers in NBA history?
Stephen Curry holds the record for the most made three pointers in NBA history. He passed Ray Allen for the record in 2021 and has kept adding to it. His shooting changed how teams think about spacing and offense.
Did Allen Iverson win an MVP?
Yes. Allen Iverson won the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the 2000 to 2001 season, when he led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. He was also a scoring champion several times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
