#40-36

#40. Bob Cousy

Cousy was the first true great PG in the history of the league. He is one of the greatest passers and playmakers in history, check the tapes if you haven’t. He played with dynamic flash and an innovativeness that the league was not ready for. The “Houdini of the Hardwood” was clearly ahead of his time, averaging 20p and 8a for a decade, winning the MVP in ‘57, and leading the league in assists for 8 years in a row, the 2nd most ever.

At the time of his retirement, he was considered by many to be near the top of the greatest players ever. In ‘53 he had the best game of his career, where he put up 50 points on 69% TS% in triple OT to complete the series sweep against Syracuse. He retired with the Celtics after winning 6 titles with them, and if the FMVP award existed back then he probably would have won 1 or 2 of them. He gets forgotten in the analogs of history because of the era he played in, but when we truly evaluate how much his greatness stood out compared to his own era, his legacy deserves to be appreciated.

Notable Playoff Series

Rings:

• '61 Finals vs St Louis Hawks (115.28 Legacy Points)

  • Allstar, +29.2% performance, opponent was -1.95 SRS worse, won 4-1.

• '59 Finals vs Minneapolis Lakers (111.46 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, -3.7% performance, opponent was -7.26 SRS worse, won 4-0.

• '57 Finals vs St Louis Hawks (77.51 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, +0.0% performance, opponent was -5.05 SRS worse, won 4-3.

• '60 Finals vs St Louis Hawks (74.51 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, -30.6% performance, opponent was -5.85 SRS worse, won 4-3.

Other notable series:

• '53 CSF's vs Syracuse Nationals (132.75 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +81.2% performance, opponent was +1.68 SRS better, won 2-0.

• '57 Conference Finals vs Syracuse Nationals (95.80 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, +1.9% performance, opponent was -5.81 SRS worse, won 3-0.

• '58 Conference Finals vs Philadelphia Warriors (95.77 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, +3.1% performance, opponent was -5.22 SRS worse, won 4-1.

#39. Clyde Drexler

Clyde “the Glide” Drexler is the first player on our list to crack into the 30s here, a player known for making his high-flying attempts through the lane as smooth and effortless as his nickname suggests. He played 11 ½ years with Portland, in which he quickly rose the ranks into becoming an allstar and all-NBA caliber of player. Clyde had a complete all-around game with few weaknesses, he could score, he could shoot, he could finish, pass, defend, rebound, play with pace, you name it.

He led Portland to the NBA finals twice in his career, losing to the “Bad Boy” Pistons and then two years later to MJ and the Bulls. A couple years later, he was dealt to Houston to play running mate next to Hakeem Olajuwon, and it was there he won his first and only ring. That year they arguably had the most difficult and impressive road to a championship ever, and even though Clyde wasn’t “the guy”, he still deserves much credit for his contributions as the 2nd option.

Notable Playoff Series

Rings:

• '95 Finals vs Orlando Magic (221.97 Legacy Points)

  • Allstar, +12.9% performance, opponent was +4.12 SRS better, won 4-0.

Other notable series:

• '92 Conference Finals vs Utah Jazz (121.83 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, -5.5% performance, opponent was +0.61 SRS better, won 4-2.

• '90 Conference Finals vs Phoenix Suns (117.06 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, -13.3% performance, opponent was -1.24 SRS worse, won 4-2.

• '92 CSF's vs Phoenix Suns (68.54 Legacy Points)

  • Superstar, +28.9% performance, opponent was -1.26 SRS worse, won 4-1.

#38. George Mikan

At 6 '10, 250lbs George Mikan was the original GOAT of his time. He was the first truly dominant big man in the league’s history, as he was convincingly the best player in the world for his 6 year prime. It was his fatal hook shot that was the early prototype that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook improved upon. Mikan’s hook was so effective, that they changed the rules to keep him away from the rim, dubbed “The Mikan Rule”, in which they widened the lane from 6 feet to 12 feet.

George led the Lakers to win 5 championships in 6 years, and he was clearly and easily the best player for every single one. If MVPs and FMVPs existed back then, he no doubt would have won about 10 of those combined.

Notable Playoff Series

Rings:

• '53 Finals vs New York Knicks (146.04 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, -12.9% performance, opponent was -1.15 SRS worse, won 4-1.

• '54 Finals vs Syracuse Nationals (115.91 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +9.0% performance, opponent was +1.56 SRS worse, won 4-3.

• '50 Finals vs Syracuse Nationals (108.46 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +22.0% performance, opponent was -1.77 SRS worse, won 4-2.

• '52 Finals vs New York Knicks (104.25 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, -1.8% performance, opponent was -4.61 SRS worse, won 4-3.

Other notable series:

• '49 Conference Finals vs Rochester Royals (188.85 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +14.7% performance, opponent was -0.68 SRS worse, won 2-0.

• '52 Conference Finals vs Rochester Royals (147.72 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +10.2% performance, opponent was -2.36 SRS worse, won 3-1.

#37. John Stockton

Stockton is the quintessential point guard. Pass first, gritty, hard-nosed, and a floor general who finds his shots only when it is absolutely necessary. He didn’t play flashy or with fanfare, he only did exactly what he needed to do to make the right play. He played his entire 19-year career with the Utah Jazz, in which the Jazz never missed the playoffs, and had made the West Finals 5 times in 7 seasons. He helped lead them to also make the NBA finals twice in back-to-back years, and if not for their opponent being who they were, Stockton might have had a ring or two as well.

Stock was tough as nails, tougher than most players. He was an elite screener, especially for a 6 '1 guard. John also leads the NBA in total assists and total steals, two records that seem unbreakable at this time. He never quite reached the peak as some of our next PGs had, but his longevity certainly keeps him in the conversation.

Notable Playoff Series

Notable series:

• '98 Conference Finals vs Los Angeles Lakers (85.89 Legacy Points)

  • Star, -6.2% performance, opponent was +1.15 SRS better, won 4-0.

• '97 Conference Finals vs Houston Rockets (74.66 Legacy Points)

  • Allstar, +22.8% performance, opponent was -4.12 SRS worse, won 4-2.

Other notable series:

• '97 CSF's vs Los Angeles Lakers (37.59 Legacy Points)

  • Allstar, -12.3% performance, opponent was -4.31 SRS worse, won 4-1.

• '88 First Round vs Portland Trail Blazers (32.33 Legacy Points)

  • Allstar, +3.6% performance, opponent was +3.63 SRS better, won 3-1.

#36. Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi’s career is one of the more unique cases, someone who had one of the highest peaks (maybe a top 20-25 peak?) in history and achieved some of the greatest accomplishments, but he did it in a very short timeframe and has not been able to truly sustain his longevity yet. As a modern player, his career is not over, so who knows maybe Kawhi will get healthy and play like a top-10 player again for the next 5 years and move up this list some more. For now, all we got is what he has done so far, and that is 4 seasons playing at a legendary level, which so far on this list only Gervin and Mikan have had more such seasons.

Kawhi fitting received his nickname for his incredible defense and large hands, “The Claw”, winning 2 DPOYs both with SAS. He was the best 2-way player in the game for nearly half a decade. The only blemish on Leonard’s postseason career was that game 7 in Denver. Aside from that, Kawhi unfailingly, has always improved his game when he got to the playoffs. He won 2 rings and 2 FMVPs, and 1 of them was actually in his prime. Injuries have been his achilles heel, and have caused him to miss multiple seasons and playoffs in the middle of his prime.

Notable Playoff Series

Rings:

• '19 Finals vs Golden State Warriors (284.37 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +12.2% performance, opponent was +0.93 SRS better, won 4-2. FMVP.

• '14 Finals vs Miami Heat (104.92 Legacy Points)

  • Quality Starter, +32.8% performance, opponent was -3.85 SRS worse, won 4-1. FMVP.

Other notable series:

• '19 Conference Finals vs Milwaukee Bucks (141.71 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +9.9% performance, opponent was +2.55 SRS better, won 4-2.

• '19 CSF's vs Philadelphia 76ers (72.82 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +26.8% performance, opponent was -3.24 SRS worse, won 4-3.

• '17 CSF's vs Houston Rockets (60.69 Legacy Points)

  • Legendary, +7.4% performance, opponent was -1.29 SRS worse, won 4-2.