Normally, point guards are the small guys in the court and they are the team leader of the team. To become a point guard you need to have good basketball I.Q, good ball handling, and know-how to orchestrate an offense.
Point guards are the coach of the court, they are the ones who run plays and execute good passes. They have to step up as the leader in many situations as they are the focal point of the team. Point guards should not only be physically strong but mentally strong as well.
People think that point guard should be small as it is a tradition in basketball history. The reason why traditionally shorter people are the point guards is because of some reasons, shorter players can handle the ball more efficiently than tall players and shorter players can run faster than the tall players.
However, through the course of NBA history, there have been some tall point guards who had astounding careers. Today we are going to take a look at some tall point guards in basketball history and their career stats.
1. Magic Johnson
- Height: 6’9
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Career Statistics: 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 7.2 RPG, 1.9 SPG
Johnson is one of the most skilled point guards of all time. His court vision, dribbling skills. Basketball I.Q and passing skills made him a cold-blooded point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Johnson was drafted first overall in 1979 by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a 12-time NBA all-star and led the league in assists four times and won 3 MVP awards. Magic Johnson helps the Lakers to get five championship rings.
2. Oscar Robertson
- Height: 6’5
- Team: Milwaukee Bucks, Cincinnati Royals
- Career Statistics: 25.7 PPG, 9.5 APG, 7.5 RPG, 1.1. SPG
Oscar Robertson was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals as a territorial pick. Robertson was one of the greatest players in NBA history, he was good inside and outside scorer and also a stellar playmaker.
He was elected to the NBA’s All-First Team in his first nine seasons and he was the first player to ever average a triple-double for a whole season. He won one NBA championship and one MVP award.
3. Jason Kidd
- Height: 6’4
- Teams: Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets
- Career Statistics: 12.6 PPG, 8.7 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG
Jason Kidd was selected as the second overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks. In his first year, Kidd led the NBA for most triple-doubles and won the NBA rookie of the year in 1995. Kidd also ranks second in all-time assists and third all-time in steals in NBA history.
Kidd finished his career with one championship ring. He was a deadly point guard because of his ability to shoot threes consistently, shoot low post against smaller guys, and his amazing court vision. He is currently an assistant coach for the L.A Lakers.
4. Walt Frazier
- Height: 6’4
- Teams: New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career Statistics: 18.9 PPG, 6.1 APG, 1.9 SPG
Walt Frazier did not have a good rookie year but he recovered in his second season in the NBA. He improved his scoring and became the most improved player in the league at that time.
Frazier helped the Knicks to get their two championship titles and his number 10 jersey was retired by the New York Knicks. Frazier had an outstanding career even though his rookie year did not go well, he still found a way to improve.
5. Gary Payton
- Height: 6’4
- Teams: Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
- Career statistics: 16.3 PPG, 6.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.8 SPG
Gary Payton, also known as “The Glove” was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics as their second overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft. His defense was very good, he was voted to the NBA all-defensive team nine times and was the only point guard who has ever received the NBA defensive player of the year award. He played for various teams and won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.
6. Dennis Johnson
- Height: 6’4
- Teams: Seattle Supersonics, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics
- Career statistics: 14.1 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.4 SPG
Johnson was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics as their 29th pick in the NBA 1976 draft. He had a good rookie career as a backup for the Seattle Supersonics. Johnson played for the Supersonics and Suns but he expanded his titles in the Boston Celtics. He won three rings, one final MVP, 5-time All-star, and voted 9 times in the All-defensive team.
7. Penny Hardaway
- Height: 6’7
- Teams: Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Miami Heat
- Career statistics: 15.2 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG
Penny Hardaway was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1993 NBA draft but traded to the Orlando Magic. Hardaway was a good point guard and had a lot of potentials, Shaq was his tandem during Shaq’s Orlando Magic tenure.
Sadly, his injuries stopped him to achieve his true potential, but still, he is one of the most prolific scorers of his era. Before his career came to an end, Hardaway was a 4-time All-star and 2 time All-NBA squads.
Conclusion
To be a point guard being small is not the major requirement, having the ability to make plays and having good passing skills are the major requirements to be a good point guard. Over the years, the average height of a point guard has been changed due to the evolution of the game, and players are starting to adapt the point guard skills to have a more diverse game.
