Few players embodied fearlessness and determination quite like Allen Iverson. The Philadelphia 76ers legend, an NBA MVP, 11-time All-Star, and Hall of Famer, redefined what it meant to be a shooting guard despite standing just six feet tall.
Known as “The Answer”, Iverson went head-to-head with some of the greatest players in basketball history, and when it comes to naming the best shooting guards of all time, his opinion carries serious weight.
Recently, Iverson revealed his personal list of the five greatest shooting guards in NBA history — a mix of icons he competed against, rivals he battled in playoff wars, and legends who inspired his game.
Here is Iverson’s top five, ranked from No. 5 to No. 1.
5. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady, better known as T-Mac, was one of the most naturally gifted scorers the game has ever seen. Standing at 6-foot-8, McGrady combined size, length, ball-handling, and shooting touch to dominate defenders across all three levels.
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2× NBA Scoring Champion
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7× All-Star, 7× All-NBA Selection
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Hall of Fame inductee
Iverson admired McGrady’s effortless scoring and his ability to carry teams as the focal point. Although their careers overlapped during the 2000s, NBA fans never got to witness a memorable postseason clash between the two superstars. Still, Iverson considered T-Mac one of the few guards who could match his artistry on offense.
4. Vince Carter
Known as Vinsanity and Half-Man, Half-Amazing, Vince Carter was one of the most electrifying players in NBA history. His dunks made him a global superstar, but Carter’s game went far beyond highlights.
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8× NBA All-Star
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Played 22 NBA seasons, showing remarkable longevity
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Averaged double-digit scoring for 17 straight years
Iverson and Carter clashed in one of the most iconic playoff series ever — the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Both stars dropped 50-point games, pushing the series to a dramatic Game 7. Iverson’s Sixers prevailed, but Carter nearly rewrote history with a potential game-winner that just rimmed out.
That unforgettable duel cemented their rivalry and mutual respect.
3. Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade, the heart of the Miami Heat, earned his spot as the third-greatest shooting guard of all time. Known for his slashing drives, clutch plays, and relentless competitiveness, Wade left an indelible mark on the game.
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3× NBA Champion (2006, 2012, 2013)
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2006 Finals MVP
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13× All-Star, 8× All-NBA
Wade carried Miami to its first championship in 2006 with a legendary Finals performance against the Dallas Mavericks. Later, he joined forces with LeBron James and Chris Bosh to form the iconic “Heat Big Three”, winning two more titles.
Although Iverson and Wade didn’t have a defining rivalry, Iverson respected Wade’s consistency and winning mentality.
2. Kobe Bryant
For Iverson, there was no question that Kobe Bryant belonged near the top of his list. The Los Angeles Lakers legend modeled much of his game after Michael Jordan, pairing unmatched work ethic with scoring brilliance.
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5× NBA Champion
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2× Finals MVP, 2008 League MVP
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18× All-Star, 15× All-NBA
Iverson and Kobe’s most famous showdown came in the 2001 NBA Finals, when Iverson’s underdog Sixers faced Kobe’s powerhouse Lakers. Although the Lakers won the series in five games, Iverson stole Game 1 with an unforgettable 48-point performance, highlighted by his iconic step-over on Tyronn Lue.
For AI, Kobe wasn’t just a rival — he was a contemporary whose competitive fire mirrored his own.
1. Michael Jordan
At the very top of Iverson’s list is none other than Michael Jordan, widely recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time.
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6× NBA Champion
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5× MVP
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10× Scoring Champion
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Highest career PPG average (30.1) in NBA history
Jordan’s dominance in the 1990s redefined the sport. His perfect 6–0 Finals record, unmatched killer instinct, and cultural impact make him the ultimate benchmark for all shooting guards.
Iverson’s career overlapped briefly with Jordan’s final seasons in Chicago. Their most memorable moment came during Iverson’s rookie year, when he hit his signature crossover and jumper over Jordan — a symbolic moment that showcased the changing of the guard in the NBA.
Despite his success against MJ in that instance, Iverson never hid his respect for Jordan, calling him the standard by which all players are judged.
Conclusion
Allen Iverson’s list of the five best shooting guards in NBA history reflects both his respect for greatness and his personal battles on the court. From McGrady’s artistry, Carter’s highlight reels, Wade’s championships, Kobe’s relentlessness, to Jordan’s unmatched dominance, Iverson’s rankings blend admiration with firsthand experience.
For fans, it’s a reminder that some of the greatest shooting guards of all time defined an era that Iverson himself helped shape.
