Stephen Curry is often credited with revolutionizing the NBA’s style of play over the past decade. His exceptional shooting ability has earned him the top spot on the all-time three-point shooting list, solidifying his place among the greatest point guards in history. Now, former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins has added another active player to his list of top point guards.
“Russell Westbrook is a Top 5 point guard of all-time,” Perkins stated recently during a discussion on the Road Trippin’ Podcast. He followed up by dismissing other contenders who he feels fall short of Westbrook’s accomplishments. “Shut up, don’t come talking to me about CP3 (Chris Paul), don’t come talking to me about Derrick Rose.”
The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics went on to explain why he holds this opinion, citing a recent performance by Westbrook. “The reason I bring up Russell Westbrook is what he did the other night. The triple-double against Golden State reminded me of who this man is,” he said.
Finally, Perkins revealed his personal top-five point guards in NBA history. “You could put the Big O (Oscar Robertson), you could put Magic Johnson, you could even put up Steph (Curry), you could put up John Stockton. Russell Westbrook, guess what? Number 5,” he declared.
Kendrick Perkins and Russell Westbrook playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2013-14 NBA season.
Russell Westbrook’s impressive career
To support his position, Kendrick Perkins highlighted some of Westbrook’s career achievements. “We talk about (Nikola) Jokic this season, finally averaging a triple-double for the first time. We talked about the Big O, he did it twice… Russ did it four. He did it four,” the former center said.
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“No matter how you want to slice it and dice it, he did it four (expletive) times, he has an MVP,” Perkins added, emphasizing the significance of Westbrook’s accomplishments. “You can’t name me another point guard that has had a better career resume than Russell Westbrook.”
Other NBA legends who could be in the top-five
While Kendrick Perkins named several players who, in his view, don’t make the cut for the top-five—such as Chris Paul and Derrick Rose—there are other legendary point guards who could also be part of the debate.
Steve Nash, along with Curry and Magic Johnson, is one of the only point guards to win the NBA MVP award multiple times, securing back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006 with the Phoenix Suns. Isiah Thomas, Allen Iverson, and Jason Kidd are also notable players who have made their mark at the position and could be considered in the conversation for a top-five spot.
