Sacramento State basketball head coach Mike Bibby recently weighed in on the NBA’s elite point guards, offering high praise for both established stars and emerging talent.
The former NBA standout highlighted Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry’s sustained excellence while recognizing Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham as a rising force following his first All-Star selection in 2025.
Bibby’s insights provide a unique perspective on how the position continues to evolve with veteran leadership and young stars reshaping the league’s landscape.
NBA Great Mike Bibby Breaks Down Today’s Premier Point Guards
During an appearance on “The Field Of 68: After Dark” podcast, Sacramento State HC Mike Bibby didn’t hesitate when asked about his favorite current point guard.
“Steph Curry’s always been incredible. I think he’s top five of all time, to put it bluntly,” Bibby said.
The numbers certainly support Bibby’s assessment. Curry holds the NBA record for most 3-pointers made with over 4,000, a milestone he reached this season. His trophy case includes four NBA championships and two MVP awards, including the league’s first unanimous MVP selection.
Throughout his 16 seasons with the Warriors, Curry has averaged 24.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while earning 11 All-Star selections.
The Next Generation Takes Center Stage
While acknowledging Curry’s greatness, Bibby also expressed enthusiasm for the league’s emerging talent. His commentary reflects a broader shift in how modern point guards approach the game.
“You got these young guys out there too, like Cade Cunningham, you got Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], you got a lot of guys that are really making names for themselves and are fun to watch,” Bibby said, referring to Oklahoma City Thunder star “SGA,” who won the NBA MVP this season.
Cunningham particularly caught Bibby’s attention for his role in Detroit’s resurgence. The former coach noted how the young guard has transformed the franchise’s trajectory.
“You brought Detroit from one of the worst teams in the league to… yeah, I like to see the younger guys come up and just be aggressive and play basketball,” Bibby said.
The statistics validate Bibby’s observations about Cunningham’s impact. Selected first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham has averaged 22.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game through his first four seasons.
Despite battling injuries early in his career, the 23-year-old has demonstrated the leadership qualities and playmaking skills necessary to elevate a rebuilding franchise.
KEEP READING: Cade Cunningham Earns Highest Praise From 5-Time NBA Champion as Pistons Snap 15-Game Losing Streak
Bibby’s perspective carries significant weight given his own successful 14-year NBA career, including seven seasons with the Sacramento Kings, during which he helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances. His transition from player to coach has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of what separates good point guards from great ones.
The contrast between Curry’s established excellence and Cunningham’s ascending trajectory illustrates the point guard position’s evolution in today’s NBA.
Where Curry revolutionized the position with his unprecedented shooting range and off-ball movement, players like Cunningham represent a new breed of oversized playmakers who combine traditional point guard skills with versatile scoring ability.
These observations from Bibby underscore a fundamental shift in how teams evaluate and develop point guards. The position now demands players who can facilitate offense and serve as primary scoring threats while defending multiple positions. Both Curry and Cunningham exemplify these modern requirements, though at different stages of their careers.
As Bibby settles into his new role at Sacramento State, his insights into NBA talent evaluation remain sharp. His analysis reinforces Curry’s place among basketball’s all-time greats while identifying Cunningham as a cornerstone talent capable of leading the next generation of NBA stars.
