Debates over the greatest players in NBA history have raged for decades — and will likely continue forever. This time, the focus is on the point guard position, where Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson is often at the top of the list. But in a polarizing take, Magic placed a Detroit Pistons icon ahead of both Stephen Curry and John Stockton.
Back in 2016, ESPN released its list of the top 10 point guards in NBA history. Johnson was the undisputed No. 1 selection at the time. While he graciously accepted the honor, he took issue with the placement of his fellow Hall of Fame point guard Isiah Thomas, who came in fifth behind Curry, Stockton, and Oscar Robertson. Magic quickly took to social media to voice his frustration, making it clear he believed Thomas deserved far more respect.
“ESPN ranked the Top 10 PGs of all time & they have Isiah Thomas ranked 5th. There’s no way Stockton & Curry are better than Isiah,” Johnson posted. “Let me remind everyone, young and old, I played against Isiah Thomas when he was hurt & hobbling on one leg… and Isiah Thomas still scored 25 points in one quarter in the NBA Finals!”
At that point in time, Curry had already built an impressive résumé, but his full legacy had yet to be established. While his game had changed the league, Johnson still did not consider him the greatest point guard of all time. Today, the argument for Curry at the top of the position is much stronger. But does Stockton truly have the case to rank above Thomas?
The legacy of Thomas as a candidate for greatest PG
Isiah Thomas is widely regarded as one of the most complete point guards in NBA history, thanks to his rare blend of leadership, vision, and competitive fire. Drafted second overall by the Detroit Pistons in 1981, Thomas immediately transformed the franchise into a perennial contender. From the start, he proved to be more than just a scorer — he was a floor general who dictated tempo with surgical precision.
During the late 1980s, Thomas became the heartbeat of the “Bad Boys,” the nickname for the Pistons due to their physical, defensive-minded style. Alongside Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Dennis Rodman, Thomas led the Pistons to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. His ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments was never more evident than in the 1988 NBA Finals, when he poured in 25 points in a single quarter despite battling a severe ankle injury.
Beyond the stat sheet, Thomas’s basketball IQ set him apart. He possessed an elite handle, pinpoint passing ability under duress, and an uncanny knack for reading defenses in real time. His competitive edge pushed him to take on the best — whether it was Magic Johnson’s Lakers, Larry Bird’s Celtics, or Michael Jordan’s Bulls — without ever backing down from the challenge.
Thomas’s legacy is cemented not only by his two NBA titles and 12 All-Star selections but also by the impact he had on future generations of point guards. He thrived in one of the most physical eras in league history, when winning a championship meant going through some of the toughest teams the NBA has ever seen. That unique mix of skill, toughness, and leadership makes him, in the eyes of many — including Magic Johnson — one of the greatest point guards to ever set foot on an NBA court.