Top 10 Point Guard Seasons using Player Impact Metric (1974-2024)

1. 2016 Steph Curry
2. 2008 Chris Paul
3. 2017 Westbrook
4. 2024 Luka Doncic
5. 1987 Magic Johnson
6. 2015 Steph Curry
7. 2009 Chris Paul
8. 1989 Magic Johnson
9. 2016 Westbrook
10. 1991 Magic Johnson

Ray Allen
Average: 49.4
Total: 890.5

Reggie Miller
Average: 48.6
Total: 875.2

Very similar players, but Ray Allen’s 2001 season stands out. He averages 22-5-5 that season, and takes that up to 25-4-6 in the playoffs as the Bucks make the conference finals.

Jordan
Average: 92
Total: 1196.6

Hakeem
Average: 62.9
Total: 1132.4

Jordan is significantly better overall, but Hakeem peaked at the perfect time, capitalizing on Jordan’s absence to dominate the league

Kevin Love
Average: 41.6
Total: 624.1

Draymond Green
Average: 37.7
Total: 491.2

Love’s seasons in Minnesota were elite, as he developed into a 25-10 superstar. However, after his trade to Cleveland, Draymond emerged as the better player.

Chris Webber
Average: 58.5
Total: 702.4

Kevin Garnett
Average: 59
Total: 1239.4

In the early 2000s, Chris Webber was as good as any forward in the league. However, while Garnett, Duncan, and Dirk went on to reach all-time highs, Webber’s knee injuries derailed his career.

Demarcus Cousins
Average: 45.6
Total: 456.2

Al Horford
Average: 42.1
Total: 674.1

DeMarcus reached a higher peak, delivering elite seasons in the mid-2010s. However, the standout is Horford’s longevity, remaining an impact player for nearly twice as long.

McGrady
Average: 53.7
Total: 752.2

Kobe
Average: 64.3
Total: 1222.3

Tracy McGrady and Kobe both soared to superstardom in the early 2000s, with T-Mac peaking the highest in 2003. However, injuries led to T-Mac's decline, while Kobe remained a consistent superstar.

Iverson
Average: 63.7
Total: 828.6

Kidd
Average: 55.3
Total: 1052.5

Iverson’s 2001 season is the best between the two, but Kidd’s longevity is the biggest factor here. Iverson’s post 2008 drop off is dramatic, while Kidd continues to contribute.

Duncan
Average: 66.8
Total: 1270.3

Kobe
Average: 64.3
Total: 1222.3

Interpretation: Duncan controls the early parts of their careers, and peaks the highest in 2003. Kobe takes over as the best player by 2006, but his 2013 Achilles injury gives Duncan the crown again.

From this point on, I’ll be utilizing Player Impact Metric 1.1! This update helped equalize double counted scores for shot blocking. This also includes improved scores for assists, and smoothing out of ABA scores from 1974 to 1976. We are back up and running!

Top 10 Seasons using Player Impact Metric (1974-2024)
1. 2009 LeBron - 111.3
2. 2000 Shaq - 109.4
3. 1989 MJ - 108.9
4. 1991 MJ - 107.7
5 1988 MJ - 107.6
6. 2013 LeBron - 106
7. 1990 MJ - 105.9
8. 2012 LeBron - 105.3
9. 1993 MJ - 103.8
10. 2004 Garnett - 103.6

Curry
Average: 65.1
Total: 911.6

Kobe
Average: 63.4
Total: 1205.3

Interpretation: Curry’s 2016 season represents a peak beyond Kobe’s best, yet Kobe’s fast start contrasts with Steph’s injury-plagued early years.

Harden
Average: 66.4
Total: 1063.1

Wade
Average: 61.3
Total: 919.9

Iverson
Average: 61.5
Total: 800.7

Interpretation: Harden is the clear best, posting the highest peak and average. Interestingly, despite Iverson’s sharp decline, he has the best age 32 season here.

Kidd
Average: 52.6
Total: 999.4

Nash
Average: 42.3
Total: 762.5

Interpretation: Nash’s slow start holds him back, as he didn’t become a star until age 26. His best years rival Kidd’s peak, but Kidd holds the overall edge. Kidd’s longevity and 2003 season are the standouts here

Gobert
Average: 47.8
Total: 574

Mutombo
Average: 44.8
Total: 717.8

Wallace
Average: 42.6
Total: 639.9

Interpretation: Ben Wallace had the highest peak, but Dikembe's longevity is the standout stat here. Gobert started faster than both, but has since slowed down.

Garnett
Average: 60.4
Total: 1270.3

Dirk
Average: 56.2
Total: 1180.3

Interpretation: Two great power forwards who followed nearly identical career trajectories: KG peaked slightly higher, while Dirk had a few more quality seasons at the end.

Chris Paul
Average: 60
Total: 1201.3

Deron Williams
Average: 43.5
Total: 522.1

Interpretation: The CP3 vs. D-Will debate was once legitimate, but likely stemmed from Paul's injury in 2010. In reality, Paul was always the better player by a wide margin.

LeBron
Average: 82.3
Total: 1812.7

Durant
Average: 69.8
Total: 1117.4

Interpretation: Kevin Durant was better than LeBron in 2014, but still a step behind prime LeBron’s level. Since then Durant has missed some seasons but overall they have followed a similar trajectory

2016-2025

Mitchell
Average: 48.2
Total: 386.1

Booker
Average: 42.5
Total: 425

Edwards
Average: 43.1
Total: 215.7

Interpretation: Three all star guards in dead heat with each other. Edwards has narrowly jumped out in front to start this season.

2014-2025

Jokic
Average: 76.8
Total: 768.2

Embiid
Average: 65
Total: 520.6

Giannis
Average: 64.3
Total: 772.7

Interpretation: Giannis took the early lead, but Jokic has pulled ahead in historic fashion. While Embiid briefly passed Giannis, he’s fallen far behind this year

Age 19-25

Luka
Average: 69.4
Total: 486.1

LeBron
Average: 95.1
Total: 571

Interpretation: Luka has played at an MVP level, but LeBron is on another tier. His scoring efficiency and defensive impact give him a score of 111.3 in 2009. It is the best season on this scale

Kobe
Average: 63.4
Total: 1205.3

Wade
Average: 61.3
Total: 919.9

Interpretation: At his peak, Dwyane Wade was as good as, or even better than, Kobe. However, Kobe’s earlier start and stronger finish make his overall legacy more impressive