Kevin Johnson / Tim Hardaway

Before Chris Paul and Deron Williams and their 20/10 games, before Derrick Rose was dropping 25ppg and Rajon Rondo was diming 14 apg, the league had two explosive point guards who could kill you with their scoring AND their passing. Yet, I don’t think either will make the hall of fame.

Tim Hardaway and Kevin Johnson were both from the Bay Area – Hardaway played for the Warriors and Kevin Johnson went to college at Cal Berkeley. Their games were fresh. Solid point guards, with swag to their games. Of course, they were a notch below Magic Johnson and John Stockton, but man they were fun to watch. They both had killer seasons in 1991. Hardway put up 23.4 points a game and passed out 10 assists. Johnson scored 19.7 ppg and dished 10.7 assists nightly.

From 1988-1990, Johnson was 20/10 every year. Ditto for Hardaway in 1991-1992.

The points guards today are badass. I’m not knocking Paul, Williams, Rose, Rondo, and Russell Westbrook. I just want to acknowledge a pair of my favorite players, who were doing it a few generations before them.

Kevin Johnson 97 SP Authentic Sign of the Times $41.00 12/06/10

Tim Hardaway 97 SP Authentic Sign of the Times $20.00 11/23/10

Chris Paul 05 Topps Rookie Photoshoot.

I don’t think this card exists, so I mocked up a version instead. The 05 Draft produced a trio of tremendous guards that includes Paul, Deron Williams,and Monta Ellis.