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Over the years, many other skills have been asked of the players at this position but the primary objective has always been to put the ball in that hoop and get buckets.
Similar to our rankings on the top NBA centers of all-time, these guards have been graded based on the number of championship rings they possess, their individual accomplishments (awards, number of All-Star and/or All-NBA selections), their value to the team and the impact of their legacy on the game.
These reasons leave no doubt who number one on this list might be. However, the rest of the ranks on this list are still up for debate.
#5 Clyde Drexler
Career Averages: 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 47.2% FG
Notable Achievement: Never missed the Playoffs in a 15-year career.
'Clyde the Glide'
If Clyde Drexler was part of any other generation, he would have dominated it but while sharing the timeline with Jordan, he was always second.
He averaged more rebounds, assists, steals, blocks than Kobe Bryant. He even shot the ball better but ultimately he just had the lone championship to show from his 15 years in the league - one he received with the Houston Rockets in 1995.
10 All-Star selections and five to the All-NBA teams were the other accolades he received. He was also a member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.
What makes him great was his efficiency and value to his teams. His #22 jersey has been retired by both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets.
#4 Jerry West
Career Averages: 27.0 points, 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 47.4% FG
Notable Achievement: Only player to win the Finals MVP despite his team losing the Finals (1969).
'The Logo'
Jerry West was also known to be among the fiercest competitors there ever was. He hated losing but just could not get rid of the Boston Celtics. Every year, he elevated his game to new heights, which in turn helped the team but never was he able to beat the men in green from Boston in the Finals.
After seven failed attempts, all against the Celtics, to be crowned Champion in the 1960's, West finally clinched his first title at the fag end of his career in 1972.
In his 14 seasons in the league, West was named an All-Star twelve times and received twelve All-NBA selections. What he couldn't achieve as a player, West did as a general manager racking up more than eight NBA titles as an executive.
#3 Dwyane Wade
Career Averages: 23.3 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 48.4% FG
Notable Achievement: His heroics in 2006 Finals gave the Miami franchise their first championship
In the early years of his career, Dwyane Wade was nicknamed 'The Flash'. That might not be very apt right now, give the way his knees have been the past couple of years. However, nothing can be taken away from what he achieved in prime, even if it was short.
The Miami Heat would not have had any championships if it wasn't for him. Down 0-2 in the 2006 Finals to the Dallas Mavericks, Wade, just in his third year in the league, led the Heat to four straight wins for the franchise first title with insane averages of 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 46.8% shooting.
LeBron James might not have come down to Miami to team up with him. The duo's four year together in the sunshine state was the franchise most successful four years.
As he embarks on his 15th season in the league, this is how his resume looks: 3-time NBA Champion, 2006 Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, 8 All-NBA selections, the 2009 scoring title and the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal.
#2 Kobe Bryant
Career Averages: 25.0 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 44.7% FG
Notable Achievement: The closest thing to Michael Jordan.
'The Black Mamba'
With each passing season of his 20-year NBA career, Kobe Bryant stamped and solidified his place as the greatest shooting guard after Michael Jordan - possibly the only spot that was then up for debate.
An unparalleled work ethic and competitive drive have taken Bryant to five NBA Championships. Along the way, he put together quite a long list of honors and achievements.
Twice he was named the Finals MVP. He has 18 All-Star selections and 15 All-NBA selections to show off. He's been the league's scoring champion twice (2006, 07) and also has a Dunk Contest win on his resume (Rookie year, 1996-97).
All through his career, he's always been portrayed as an offense-first player. Although that might be true defense has always been a priority for him as well. That shows in the recognition he has received for the majority of his career - 12 All-NBA Defensive Team selections.
#1 Michael Jordan
Career Averages: 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 49.7% FG
Notable Achievement (among many): Only player with six NBA Finals MVP to his name.
Five-time league MVP, 14-time All-Star, 3-time All-Star Game MVP, 11 All-NBA selections, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year (1988), 9-time All-Defensive First Team, 10-time Scoring Champion and two Olympic Gold Medals.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan did all of this in just a short 15-year career. Short, only in comparison to the number and volume of his achievements. His name will be found on almost every all-time category that would relate to a player of his stature, height and position.
Jordan is the mark of greatness. So much so that a great achiever from any other field comes to be known as the "Michael Jordan's of." Former US President Barack Obama, while handing Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, agrees:
