Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas lead the list of the greatest guard rivalries in NBA history.

Rivalries have always been a major part of NBA competition, and we have witnessed some very influential rivalries among the greatest NBA guards. We have decided to name the best rivalries we have seen and narrow down the ones that were more than basketball-related but might have been built on hatred.

The greatest guards ever have always been locked in exciting rivalries and fans were treated to witnessing it in the 1970s until the early 2020s. The greatest guards ever including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant had their rivalries, and let’s find out which ones were truly the best.

1. Michael Jordan vs. Isiah Thomas

No guard rivalry can compare to Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas’. As we will continue to see, Isiah is involved in an iconic rivalry that still continues to light a fire in their bellies today. Interestingly, it started way before the 1992 Dream Team scenario which we will inevitably get to.

The seeds of their rivalry were sown in the Eastern Conference battles between Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Thomas’ Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, known as the “Bad Boys” for their physical and aggressive style of play, stood as a formidable obstacle to Jordan’s quest for NBA supremacy.

The clashes between the Bulls and Pistons were more than just games; they were epic, hard-fought battles that unfolded in the most important moments, in the NBA playoffs. The Pistons, led by Thomas, implemented a defensive strategy famously known as the “Jordan Rules,” a collective effort to physically wear down and frustrate the Bulls’ talisman. It worked, at least for three years in a row between 1988 and 1990.

The Pistons took out the Bulls in the second round of the 1988 Playoffs despite Jordan averaging 27.4 points per game. In 1989, Jordan led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals but fell short to Thomas and the Bad Boys, losing in six games despite averaging 29.7 points per game. In 1990, they met in the Eastern Conference Finals again, but the Pistons again won the series in seven games despite a 32.1 points per game average from Jordan.

Time and time again, the Bulls could not get past the Pistons and it was a mix of dirty play and clever tactics from them that stopped Jordan from taking over. Thomas was the leader of that team, and it was becoming apparent his rivalry with Jordan was the defining story in the NBA at the time. Of course, Jordan would not be down for long, overcoming the Pistons in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals where Thomas led the charge by not shaking hands with any of the Bulls players following the Game 4 loss. Finally, it was Jordan’s time to overcome his enemy as he went on to defeat Magic Johnson in the Finals which also ended a second rivalry.

Off the court, tensions escalated. Rumors circulated about the exclusion of Isiah Thomas from the 1992 “Dream Team,” and many pointed to a strained relationship between Thomas and Jordan as a contributing factor. The Dream Team, a historic assembly of basketball greatness, became a stage where the Jordan-Thomas rivalry took a backstage, adding another layer to their complex relationship because the point guard belonged with the rest.

Even today, Jordan and Thomas do not have the nicest things to say about each other and it might stem from their competitive battles early on in their careers to the iconic Dream Team drama. Regardless, both players will admit that they respect each other’s careers as professional basketball icons and that they were at the center of the greatest guard rivalry ever.

2. Magic Johnson vs. Isiah Thomas

The Magic Johnson vs. Isiah Thomas rivalry is a compelling saga that unfolded during the 1980s, featuring two of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Their on-court battles not only defined an era but also showcased the unique blend of skill, leadership, and charisma that both players brought to the game.

The leader of the “Showtime” Lakers and the driving force behind the “Bad Boy” Pistons helped form the NBA’s greatest moments in the 1980s and 1990s. Magic won 16 of the 28 matchups against Thomas and the Pistons, averaging 20.6 points and 12.0 assists per game while Thomas chipped in 21.5 points and 10.5 assists per game. Their levels seemed to rise against each other and it was incredible to watch because Thomas actually had the edge in playoff matchups, going 6-4.

Their rivalry reached its pinnacle in the 1988 NBA Finals, where the Lakers and the Pistons clashed in a fiercely contested seven-game series. Magic’s Lakers ultimately emerged victorious, but the battles between these two point guard maestros left an indelible mark. Thomas would get revenge in the 1989 Finals as the Pistons would defeat Magic and the Lakers in a four-game sweep.

Off the court, their relationship was complex. Following the Finals series which were very hotly contested, there were rumors that there was growing hatred between the pair and it might have involved Magic’s HIV diagnosis and rumors about his 𝑠e𝑥uality, which Thomas might have insinuated. Their relationship faced strains, particularly during the controversial exclusion of Isiah Thomas from the 1992 “Dream Team,” a decision in which Magic Johnson was reportedly involved. Even if the pair share hugs and brush off the past today, this rivalry was as nasty off the court as it was on it.

3. Michael Jordan vs. Magic Johnson

The Michael Jordan vs. Magic Johnson rivalry stands as one of the most iconic and influential matchups in NBA history. In the 1980s, Magic Johnson’s “Showtime” Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics dominated the league, but as the decade came to a close, a new force emerged in the form of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Magic, the charismatic point guard with unparalleled court vision and leadership, personified the flashy, fast-paced style of the 1980s. On the other hand, Jordan, the relentless and transcendent shooting guard, ushered in a new era characterized by individual brilliance and a scoring prowess that would redefine the game. Despite Magic’s dominance, it was becoming clear that Jordan was coming for the throne.

It took the Bulls a while to become the force we would come to know, mainly due to Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons. However, in order for Jordan to take over the throne as the best guard in the world, he had to take on and defeat Magic Johnson. Fittingly, that would happen as the Bulls would win their first championship at the Lakers’ expense in the 1991 NBA Finals as Jordan averaged 31.2 points per game and won Finals MVP.

Jordan would go on to win five more championships but it was defeating Johnson that proved to be the first event for Jordan to truly arrive and snatch the throne from the greatest point guard ever. When looking at head-to-head matchups overall, Jordan has the edge with 11 wins in 18 games and averages of 30.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, while Magic posted 19.2 points and 11.6 assists per game.

4. Kobe Bryant vs. Allen Iverson

The Kobe Bryant vs. Allen Iverson rivalry was another one built on pure dominance for the title of the best guard in the world. After Michael Jrodan’s era finished, Kobe Bryant carried that torch but he faced competition from the dominant Allen Iverson. Emerging as the faces of their respective franchises in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers and Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers set the stage for iconic moments.

Their battles were always intense against each other, even before their 2001 NBA Finals matchup. Bryant has the edge in the matchups, winning 24 of the 38 matchups and averaging 25.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Iverson held his own with averages of 26.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, but he only won 14 of those games. Seeing two of the 10 greatest scorers ever going head to head was always a joy.

The defining moment of their rivalry occurred during the 2001 NBA Finals when the Lakers faced the 76ers. Although the Lakers ultimately secured the championship, Iverson’s heroic 48-point Game 1 performance, punctuated by his iconic step-over of Tyronn Lue, showcased his indomitable spirit against the formidable Lakers led by Bryant.

The series became a microcosm of their rivalry, with Iverson’s brilliance challenging Bryant’s quest for dominance. Iverson proved to be the only player who could realistically challenge Bryant as the best in the game. The two also had arguments for being the better scorer, as Iverson won four scoring titles and Bryant won two. Iverson also holds a higher career scoring average (26.7) compared to Bryant (25.5), so it always remains an interesting comparison even after their careers ended.

5. Walt Frazier vs. Jerry West

The Walt Frazier vs. Jerry West rivalry stands as a compelling chapter in the NBA’s history, dating back to the early 1970s. West, the “Logo” and heart of the Los Angeles Lakers, epitomized grit, tenacity, and an unparalleled scoring ability against the grace of the New York Knicks star, Walt Frazier.

Their rivalry reached its zenith during the late 1960s and early 1970s, punctuated by three NBA Finals meetings in 1970, 1972, and 1973. Frazier’s Knicks emerged victorious in two out of three instances, the first coming in the 1970 Finals as the Knicks got the better of the Lakers in seven games. Willis Reed won Finals MVP, and Frazier averaged 17.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game against West (31.3 points, 7.7 assists per game). Frazier’s virtuoso performance in Game 7, where he recorded a triple-double with 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds, etched his name in NBA lore.

West, though on the losing side, showcased his brilliance with a 28-point performance. The 1972 Finals rematch followed a different script, as the Lakers got the better of the Knicks with Wilt Chamberlain winning Finals MVP. West averaged 19.8 points and 8.8 assists per game in the series against Frazier (23.0 points and 8.0 assists per game). Another showdown happened in 1973, this time Frazier winning his second championship at West’s expense with Willis Reed winning another Finals MVP award.

No doubt, the Frazier vs. West rivalry was a critical part of the 1970s, and Knicks fans remember those days with great joy considering they haven’t been in the Finals since 1999. While their head-to-head battles were not as frequent as some other rivalries, the Walt Frazier vs. Jerry West matchup remains a compelling tale of two basketball legends, leaving fans with enduring memories of an era where guards dominated the league.

6. Michael Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler

The Michael Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler rivalry of the early 1990s captivated basketball fans as two of the league’s premier shooting guards were often compared against each other. Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, and Drexler, a dynamic scorer and versatile playmaker, led their respective teams to multiple battles.

Drexler was often placed in the same conversation as Jordan during the 1990s, which Jordan took personally because he felt no player could ever come close to his dominance. Jordan won 14 of the 23 games they played against each other, averaging a monster 34.9 points per game along with 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Drexler competed with averages of 23.9 points but added 6.7 rebounds per game in nine victories.

The 1992 NBA Finals became the iconic stage for their rivalry. In Game 1, Jordan silenced critics who had drawn comparisons between him and Drexler by draining six three-pointers in the first half, famously shrugging his shoulders as if to say, “I don’t know.” This moment became a lasting image, symbolizing Jordan’s unparalleled confidence and skill.

The rivalry also extended to the 1992 Dream Team, where both Jordan and Drexler were key members. Their interactions during the Dream Team practices and the Barcelona Olympics added another layer to their competition, showcasing the intensity even within the camaraderie of representing the United States.

While the Bulls secured six championships in the 1990s and Drexler never got a chance to win with the Trail Blazers because of Jordan, the Jordan vs. Drexler rivalry was iconic and it might even further fuel how truly dominant His Airness was as the greatest player of all time.

7. Kobe Bryant vs. Tracy McGrady

The two shooting guards at the top of their games were Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady. Other than Michael Jordan, no shooting guard came close to Kobe Bryant in terms of resume. But at one point, Tracy McGrady was in a conversation with Kobe Bryant for being the most dominant scorer in the NBA and the best perimeter player. That is how great McGrady was in his prime, with the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets.

In 21 games played against each other, Bryant won 14 games and averaged 26.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while McGrady won seven games and averaged 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Throw in the fact that Bryant has five championships and McGrady has zero and there might not be a competition. However, McGrady won two scoring titles during Bryant’s prime and had some of the greatest offensive explosions we had ever seen.

Tracy McGrady’s career-high 62-point performance against the Washington Wizards in the 2003-04 season was fitting considering one of Bryant’s most iconic performances when he scored 55 points against Michael Jordan and the Wizards a year prior. Is there a correlation? Probably. While injuries derailed McGrady’s career and we did not get to witness the rivalry for as long as we wanted, it was still a blessed time in NBA history to witness two of the most gifted scorers ever.

8. Stephen Curry vs. Russell Westbrook

The clash between Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook is more than a battle of contrasting styles and personalities. On one side, you have Stephen Curry, the Baby-faced Assassin with a silky-smooth shooting stroke that revolutionized the game, turning three-pointers into an art form. On the other, there’s Russell Westbrook, the explosive force of nature, a triple-double machine known for his relentless athleticism and an unwavering intensity that borders on selfishness sometimes. Their rivalry reached its height during the Golden State Warriors’ dominance and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rise to contention in the Western Conference.

Curry and Westbrook’s rivalry was often contained within team dynamics. Curry’s Warriors, with their Splash Brothers era, faced off against Westbrook’s Thunder, forging matchups that were a joy to watch. Before Kevin Durant left Westbrook’s side and joined up with Curry, the Warriors vs. Thunder matchups were iconic. After all, there are countless examples of this rivalry being one of the best in the modern era and we can list them out.

Both guards at the top of their games in the mid to late 2010s, Curry won back-to-back MVPs in 2015 and 2016, with Westbrook winning it in 2017. Curry’s deep three game-winner against the Thunder is one of the greatest shots ever. What about the time the Warriors defeated the Thunder despite being down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals and then stole Durant from Westbrook’s side?

Curry certainly won the wars, but Westbrook held his own in the battles by averaging 22.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 24 victories against Steph. The Warriors star holds averages of 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game against Westbrook while winning 23 games, so at least Westbrook can feel chuffed in that regard.

9. Luka Doncic vs. Devin Booker

The budding rivalry between Luka Doncic and Devin Booker continues to grow. It all started when Booker came out and claimed a “Luka Special” when it comes to flopping. Doncic then responded after Booker’s trash talk rubbed him the wrong way, claiming “everybody acts tough when they’re up”. Perhaps the largest moment in this rivalry (in the modern era) is the birth of a meme that sees Luka grinning up on Devin following a Western Conference Finals beatdown.

A game on March 2023 between the Suns and Mavericks led to more trash talk, once again with Doncic coming up with clever trash talk following a face-to-face altercation on the court. Luka claimed after the game: “It’s fine, it’s just a competitive game man, it’s all good. Just next time don’t wait till it’s three seconds left to talk.” It continues to get worse, at least for social media members, as statistical nights matched up against each other.

Luka Doncic had the (tied) fourth-highest scoring game in NBA history with a 73-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks, outshining Devin Booker’s 62-point performance in the same week when the Suns lost to the Indiana Pacers. While rivalries in the modern NBA are nowhere near as contentious as it was in the past, the Doncic vs. Booker rivalry is the most interesting one in the league right now.

10. Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams

The Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams rivalry was a captivating one that unfolded during the mid-2000s. Heralded as the marquee floor generals of their generation, Paul and Williams were drafted back-to-back in the 2005 NBA Draft. Paul, selected No. 4 overall by the New Orleans Hornets, and Williams, taken No. 3 by the Utah Jazz, aimed to prove they were the premier floor generals of their era.

The rivalry reached its zenith during the 2007-08 NBA season when both guards were at the peak of their powers. With his dazzling handles and court vision, Chris Paul led the league in assists and steals, earning the NBA steals title two years in a row. Meanwhile, Deron Williams, known for his size, strength, and superb decision-making, guided the Jazz to multiple playoff appearances. The battle for All-Star selections and All-NBA team honors became an annual spectacle, fueling debates among fans about who truly deserved the title of the league’s best point guard year after year.