Stephen A.’s BIG LIST of playoff runs by small guards | NBA Countdown

On NBA Countdown, Stephen A. Smith ranks his top 5 playoff runs by small guards that includes Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brunson.
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[@datsapaddlin]

Not having Zeke on the list is definitely a Jordan fan boy move 😂

[@DynastyIcon]

Stephen A been taking nothing but L's these days 💯

[@skipbayless4375]

He's friends with Zeke as well

[@elshark81]

You want individual stats take Zeke in 88. Has record for most steals and his iconic record setting Game 6 in Finals. What about in 90 winning Finals MVP while setting record for 3PT%...led champs in pts, stls and assists.

[@QuezK28]

The moment he had AI 5th I lost respect for this list smfh….

[@kingsleyivande374]

Steph Curry literally won the Championship in 2022, averaging about 28ppg the whole playoffs, winning FMVP, with Andrew Wiggins as his 2nd best player. That run should be No. 1. I can't believe it doesn't even make the list..lol

[@brocky]

Dude is not a small guard though. He's the tallest or anyone mentioned here. He's one of the goats in history though

[@topsykretts2264]

@@brockycurry is 6’2 without shoes so curry does have the best run as a small guard. Jalen Brunson is 6’1 so that’s only an inch difference.

[@KamSosa011]

But if you’re gonna put him on the list anyway to have the 15 run and not the 22 run is insane

[@lhype1748]

Wiggins was an all start stated that year tho

[@jeremiahsmith7706]

He averaged 27. Not 30. And he definitely wasn't dropping 40 every other night like Brunson. But Steph won a chip so you gotta respect that

[@m.davinci9285]

I .T. FROM THE BOSTON CELTICS PLAYOFF RUN WAS CRAZY !!!!!!!!!!!!!...PPL FORGOTTEN I SEE

[@thomascrowniii1693]

No Zeke makes this list fugazi....

[@d-mass]

Stephen A is tripping !!!

[@WorldBeater123]

This might be the dumbest list I have seen. First of all Iverson got a finals win against Shaq in his prime. Lillard in 2019 got SWEPT by Steph. This is dumb.

[@brandonwomack7379]

Bob Myers' soul is irritated by Stephen's voice! Tell me I'm lying lol

[@GreaterSociety]

He's trying to hold it together

[@jakeurton5558]

To have A.I’s 2001 run as 5th is criminal. Go look back at that roster. He was literally the ONLY threat offensively on that team. They were a great defensive team. But his second best option was Aaron McKie who averaged like 10 pts a night lol A.I led them to the finals and beat Shaq and Kobe one game in the finals

[@user-hx9po6ft5j]

Not only this but the 76ers were single digits away in the final minute of Game 2 and Game 3 from beating them and going up 3-0, meaning if they had any NBA calibur starter today who can hit 3 point shots and space the floor he's sweeping LA.

[@CitedEvening703]

What about Steph in 2022? Won the title and finals MVP. Best playoff run by Steph

[@Jblanco20S]

💯 EXACTLY. Plus the man carried the team and played against the best defense team in the league that year in the finals and cooked them 😭 ESPN smoking crack

[@4ktkaram395]

Played no comp

[@usmanioa]

2022 curry is the best version of curry for sure. Curry should be on this top 5 list at least 3 times if we’re being honest

[@CitedEvening703]

​@@4ktkaram395did you even watch the playoff that year? The Warriors were 21% underdogs to win the title going into the finals that year, against the best defense in the league and the DPOY in Marcus Smart

[@nileagia8291]

​@4ktkaram395 They weren't in the playoffs the previous year, and they went against a celtics teams that analysts believed were their worst match-up by far

[@iguesss]

To put dame that high is wild

[@ElizaOrlinsStan]

like Brunson at #1 isn't by far much wilder

[@judyclarkson5887]

@@ElizaOrlinsStan Dame only good for 1 series that playoffs tho. CJ was their best player on that 2019 semis against Denver. while both of them got cooked by Curry in wcf with him averaging 36.5 ppg on that series.

[@aidanmccarthy8278]

Brunson hype getting a little too high

[@soulfulmaple]

this is true and im born in ny and always been a knicks fan. Brunson is really carrying the team but this is the ONLY season he's done it. I can't give him his flowers if he's not consistent in the next 5+ years.

[@Zander98]

@@soulfulmaple What are you talking about, he literally carried them to the second round last year as well with Julius Randle shooting an abysmal 25%

[@nakialawrence7340]

It's been a couple of years now

[@rohanpatel8254]

I know he is playing great at the moment. For me personally it’s hard to watch Brunson dribble the air out of the basketball. Only passing when there is no chance at a shot at the basket. I feel like if you give any all star or near all star type player a green light to shoot every single time down the court they will put up great numbers too.

[@TT337___]

He already has done more than Melo as a Knick.

[@s.a.d7882]

Isiah Thomas Boston run still better especially when losing his sister and still performing

[@camctrail]

The real list (if we're including the same players) 2022 Steph 2001 AI 2016 Kyrie 2015 Steph idk who 5th would be but doesn't rly matter

[@ajblac4774]

Facts you have to make the final to make this list

[@rashad2288]

Stephen A losing his mind 😂

[@rabbijoe316]

A.I. should be #1. He did more with less than anyone else on that list (in a single playoff run).

[@dcdj35]

Dame over Steph is funny when Steph ended Dames szn that year by scoring the most pts ever in a sweep. Chef should’ve been on that list like 3-4 times himself.

[@usmanioa]

Stephen a is an idiot. Currys 2019 playoff run is better than Lillards 2019 playoff run. Not to mention Currys 2015,2022, and 2017 championship runs are some of the best runs by a small guard ever and all three should Be in the top5

[@n.l793]

And Without Kd too 😂😂

[@sammymorales6838]

Exactly and the year he chose for Steph wasn’t even his best run

[@user-rn9co7jc4t]

Stephen A should not be allowed to talk basketball for a while after this

[@leetraviusmckay314]

"they gave me the list my bad" 😂

[@reimixo]

Lillard shot under 41% in the second round, 37% in the WCF... Let's not act like CJ didn't outplay him multiple Times and didn't AVG 24.7ppg those playoffs... And Lillard shot under 42% for those playoffs... 41.8% AI shot 38.9%, but was the only offensive player on his team... Lillard avg 2.2 more ppg than CJ iverson AVG 4.4 more ppg, than the 2nd and 3rd player on his team combined.... And had handchecking.... Got a game from Kobe and shaq... AVG Over 35ppg in the finals.... Please. ....

[@dcpettis9573]

Didn’t AI make the finals and Steph won multiple rings, kyrie also has a ring

[@lionelsheja6381]

THIS IS THE MOST PATHETIC LIST EVER. 1. '22 Stephen Curry 2. '89 Isiah Thomas 3. '01 Allen Iverson 4. '15 Stephen Curry 5. '90 Isiah Thomas

[@DFW817]

I love that Bob Myers a future HOF exposes SAS.

[@kenpedro9705]

A.I pretty much carried his team to the finals in an era where defense was the order of the day. Numbers don't tell the whole story when it comes to evaluating these runs. Brunson has about zero chance of even getting to the finals. If the Knicks even make it to the conference finals, Let's see what he does against Holiday and White, 2 of the best defensive guards in the league. Let's not forget there are 2 sides to the ball game

[@pvl6340]

SAS putting emotions over logic..

[@Jblanco20S]

So we out here making him top 5 with zero rings/ zero finals appearances 😂😂 ESPN is a joke

[@servdv]

Why do yall think rings is everything in a team sport stop watching them

[@hamzarxja]

@@servdvbottom line is Brunson at #1 is beyond pathetic

[@reallegit1831]

​@@servdv but you all cried and shout 6-0 when it comes to Jordan and 4-6 to LeBron.

[@98slime86]

@@servdvai should be #1 if rings dont matter… that roster didnt belong in the finals

[@BigMac156]

Knicks win a couple series and suddenly they're the greatest Knicks team of all time and Brunson is the greatest Knick of all time 😂 ESPN is comedy can't take them serious

[@spamanderson3868]

Magic checked this list on twitter

[@NoName-rg3np]

Magic was the first good big guard. 6’8” ain’t little

[@Mk.Stackss]

Magic ain’t a small guard

[@shiningwizard202]

Who doesn’t know Magic was 6’8? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@SuperMercedes44]

Everyone in the comments doesn’t understand what he said. Magic checked sas on not having Isaiah on the list , not himself. He never said magic needed to be on the list.

[@SuperMercedes44]

@@NoName-rg3nphe never said magic needed to be in the list. Magic check sas on not having Isaiah on it

[@soufatldude700]

bro left out the 4th greatest pg of all time who was also a 2x finals mvp

[@RJupiter]

I love Brunson but he's shooting 30 times at game, he also scored at garbage time a couple of times.

[@buscandoreceita]

Stephen A. staaaaaay of the weeeeeed bruh! C’mon now. You gotta be tripping!! 😂😂

[@king_rich0088]

This list is a joke. AI should be number 2. Litterly put the 76ers on his back and got them to the finals and won them a game. Curry's run in 2022 was his solo job to win his legacy cementing chip. Brunson not even close to the top 5

[@user-hx9po6ft5j]

AI's playoff run is the GOAT considering how awful his team was, nobody else can compare with the degree of difficulty

[@martinfal756]

Stephen A erased from his mind the kick in the but IT gave to Jordan 🤣🤣

[@yo-yoyoyo8233]

He made it to the 2nd round Wow bruh

[@eMCEe131]

Isiah dropped 25 in the 4th quarter against the hall of Fame laden Lakers. Finals MVP. Come on sun!🏀

[@Iam_saeed]

Bob lookin away when they showed Kyrie hittin the shot 😂

[@leetraviusmckay314]

"I'm having a hard time" 😂

[@chillwill7]

Boston Isaiah thomas not being up here is crazy

[@touregarrett]

Why would he be on here? What great Playoff run did he have?

[@chillwill7]

@touregarrett 2017. When he beat the bulls with Rondo (got injured during series), d Wade, and Jimmy butler. Then, he went on to beat prime John Wall and Bradley Beal. Dropped 53 points, called king of the fourth that season, sister died during the first rd and he was already injured for entire playoffs with the hip injury that ended up derailing his career

[@shiningwizard202]

@@touregarrett casual

[@shiningwizard202]

IT is in the top 10 for sure. I wouldn’t put that run top 5 though, but it’s way above this Brunson run lmao

[@shofiulrahman8988]

@@chillwill7 this guy said D Wade with the Bulls , as if that was supposed to be scary 😂😂. Nah IT is 2017 played worse in the playoffs than the regular season. They were the #1 seed. He averaged only 23 in against the Bulls and had 2 games scoring 16 or less. Second round he had the 53 point game, but then he had 3 games of scoring under 19. And then conference finals he was Terrible both games. I know he got injured, but he was extremely inconsistent that playoff run. He would have a good game followed by a terrible game followed by a great game followed by 2 average games

[@syyltdavid0609]

Putting Lillard in front of 15 Steph? He hasn’t even made it out of a conference

[@usmanioa]

Stephen a is an idiot. Currys 2019 playoff run is better than Lillards 2019 playoff run. Not to mention Currys 2015,2022, and 2017 championship runs are some of the best runs by a small guard ever and all three should Be in the top5

[@usmanioa]

Stephen a is an idiot. Currys 2019 playoff run is better than Lillards 2019 playoff run. Not to mention Currys 2015,2022, and 2017 championship runs are some of the best runs by a small guard ever and all three should Be in the top5

[@replicantona]

2019 Lillard got swept by Curry who averaged 37 ppg on his head. Stephen A. is not a basketball analyst actually, you can pick 10 random people of the street rn and 6 of them will know more basketball than him.

[@shiningwizard202]

The Lillard dickriding was getting so annoying, hilarious to see him flatline on that trash Milwaukee team.

[@jedimindtricks5713]

They forgot to mention that Brunson’s averaging 5 more shots than the other guys.. CONTEXT FOLKS

[@soufatldude700]

This man put a guy who never even made a finals as well as a guy that's currently in the second round 😖😖

[@SportsGameVision]

Mark Price, Kevin Johnson, John Stockton, Avery Johnson

[@ethan76708]

This is the worst list I have ever seen in my life

[@brandonwomack7379]

2 for 13 in the first half! Sheesh this take aging horribly already!

[@instantactionz4284]

The absence of Julius Randle has allowed Brunson to become a next level superstar. So fun to watch

[@SportsGameVision]

Dame Lillard over Zeke that’s insane! And Isiah gave SA his first interview!

[@jadencampbell7091]

Brunson reallly having a great game 6😂😂😂

[@jhelitehighlightreels]

1. Curry 2. Isaiah Thomas 3. Irving 4. Iverson 5. Lillard

[@TheMaloneMitchellPodcast]

Lmaooo stephen a said never is blasphemous stay off the weeeeeed

[@YangGChapo]

Iverson’s run of “small guards” definitely the best then Zeke

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

What a list!

[@Omaha-dx7tr]

😎Everyone knows how great Isaiah Thomas was so stop playing. But the best small guard in NBA history was Nate "the skate" Archibald even though he wasn't in the playoffs much he did win a NBA championship and was great. Only player in history to lead the NBA in scoring and assist the same year.

[@user-xj8on9eg3v]

The list is fluid 😂😂

[@drb5003]

Every time SAS does these things they go in the opposite directions..😂😂😂😂

[@backstreetbasketball6128]

The thing is it's a small sample size so his numbers are inflated after the playoffs are over and his numbers are that hood I'll give him the tip of the hat but he still has like half the games played the others guys have

[@skipbayless4375]

Dame had one great series in 2019 and ppl act like he had a great run. How about the guy who swept him in the WCF that year, Steph, who also won two straight games to close out the Rockets without KD the round prior.

[@enzomboula463]

Steph should be here at least twice and one of then should be first

[@gracesflicker]

among the many things wrong with this list, you cannot put dame above the man that sent him home that year and like every other year with his eyes closed

[@user-hx9po6ft5j]

Iverson should be number one, he averaged nearly 34 per game on the worst team to ever make the finals and stole a game from the undefeated LA lakers, Lebron in his prime got swept by the Spurs

[@brettlord6379]

A #1 seed 56-26 record with the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 6th man award, AND Coach of the Year is a weird choice as the worst finals team of all time

[@jaliancasey5409]

Bron was 22 when the Spurs swept him you just on here talking

[@user-hx9po6ft5j]

@@brettlord6379 They only got those accolades by playing with Iverson, none of those players were good.

[@slippsgaming9579]

Niggas just can’t keep bron 🍆 out they mouth. But I agree with you that AI should at least be 2 or 1 fr. He basically had no help vs then in that serious

[@jaliancasey5409]

@@user-hx9po6ft5j Mutombo got DPOY before playing with AI stop talking ball

[@user-ed5kj9ir1e]

What Trae young did 3 years ago was more impressive being the underdog all 3 rounds and facing the 1&3 defense

[@moman36]

AI beat Shaq and Kobe in a finals game when shaq and Kobe were averaging 30 a piece for the playoffs cmon man this is crazy

[@tlocks7847]

No Isaiah Thomas (17’ Celtics) on this is wild

[@christobellwilson103]

SAS gotta be the biggest jinx ever. Whenever Knicks game is on ESPN they can’t hit a shot, they get injuries n they lose….whenever it’s on TNT they play well and win. SAS picked the wolves to win the series….they lost 3 straight. SAS apologized to the nuggets then picked them….they got blown out by 50 in the next game…..now SAS picks the Wolves to win the series again….now we know they definitely gon lose. Smh. The jinx is so bad. As soon as he starts making picks and celebrating, wait for the chaos

[@remy12]

He just guaranteed the Knicks will win game 7 and go to the ECF on sportcenter 10 minutes ago!! Not good for Knicks fans!

[@tkidtt]

Stephen a is wilding. Allen iverson should be number 1 because he did more with less. Allen iverson had a worse team than anyone else on that list

[@r.m.90]

This list is insane 😂

[@jcoop8]

Um, Trae Young and the Hawks ECF run in 2021, brought the house down on the knicks, ended Ben Simmons career, we just gonna forget about that? hello?

[@kimjonghyun3471]

Stephs 2019 run is better than Dame 2019 run 😭. Bro is lost

[@user-jh9tq6rt8d]

That is a hideous list. The real list is: 1. 2022 Steph Curry 2. 1990 Isiah Thomas 3. 2001 Allen Iverson 4. 2016 Kyrie 5. 2024 Brunson AI ahead of Kyrie cause AI was was the #1 option and I’d put Brunson ahead of Kyrie if he takes the Knicks to the finals. #1 and #2 are pretty self explanatory.

[@user-hx9po6ft5j]

Iverson should be number one, then after him you have Isiah Thomas, Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Steve Nash.

[@KingKCA]

They’re Atlanta from a few years ago. This was their 1 chance to do something and will do nothing after this year

[@armontimuzic6785]

Literally before seeing and I still haven’t watched it u said to myself Brunson reminds me of iverson, not there games but how they dominated with scoring

[@pizzathehut1674]

No one talkin how he changed his shoes at halftime lmao

[@fredm.2699]

Wait a minute, greatest runs by small guards, the list includes SC but he isn’t #1?? Bro, we all lived for the Curry 3 and screens.

[@jankevinsalvacion9621]

Isn't this list more of a recency bias? There's definitely a lot more in there: Celtics' Isaiah Thomas 2017, Orlando's Jameer Nelson 2009, Chris Paul's run to the Conference/ Finals, Miami Heat Tim Hardaway, 6'1 Kings' Bobby Jackson, etc. There are many other short guards at the start of the NBA all the way to the 90s.

[@kubavokrouhlicky1809]

Bro the best run in nba history is packing to cancun!!!!!!!!!!

[@iaskquestions]

we would like more game breakdown than basketball history. Austin Rivers, UD, Perkins would be great on countdown to talk basketball or even Zach Lowe. Malika's original crew would be ideal but I appreciate RJ calling games. the screening matches and debates are wearing, with respect...

[@sebastianpedone7209]

No puso a Isiah Thomas que gano DOS TITULOS con Detroit jugando contra Larry Birds, Magic y cia.

[@staras7337]

Lets put a guy who averaged 37 in the finals and made 1-3 comeback against a team who holds the record for the most wins below the guy, who got in the second round against not healthy philly 😂😂

[@tyrelljohnson6901]

If you don't win a chip, then that run means nothing.

[@MikeyMike923]

AI @ #5 and i knew this list was BS

[@armontimuzic6785]

Dame has done nothing bruh !!! This is literally one of the worst list I’ve ever seen as far as order . And what about Isaiah Thomas ??

[@7Kwadwo]

Bob meyers was a great addition

[@John-jm4nv]

Steph and AI made it to the finals and played more playoffs games in that stretch run. How can he be top 1 without making the finals and playing less games ??. This what u call misleading stats without history being attached to it. They need to chill.

[@zepcrazyfre]

I’m still in shock seeing Brunson scoring over 40 points 5 times in a row 🥹🥹🥹 in playoffs games!!! That’s Elite Level! Periodt. SMALL MEN WIN!!! Congrats to Brunson and my Beloved Knicks win or lose!!! *#NOVANOVANOVA*

[@servdv]

I will take Mikes 1 & 2 but I get it Stephen A is a huge knicks fan

[@Merkseason]

not having Trae Youngs run on here is dumb having Brunson at one when he could lose in the second run is also stupid

[@613Gamer]

This network is the so called sports leader and the nba #1 provider for fans. The ball knowledge from the head stooge is in the mud. Shame!

[@dominiqueedwards2847]

No Zeke no Chauncey Billups? Wow

[@albertbaez888]

22 curry was greater run than 16 curry 01 Iverson number 2 def has to be top 3 You HAVE to put Isiah Thomas in this list Lillard should not be on this list Brunson can be in it not bad But put Trae young in this while we at it when he took his team to the easter conference finals

[@mmobilegaming9256]

This list is dog water

[@user-cs1jt2no3c]

So who is the face Brunson or Edwards

[@nikhiltrivedi8126]

Both IT’s should be on there

[@AnthonyPeoples09]

Turn in your G.O.A.T. card Stephen A. Leaving Isaiah Thomas off this list is (in his words,) Blasphemous!

[@CarsonClaws]

An absolute crime that Isiah Thomas isn’t on this list

[@soloexperience]

2001 never happen lol?

[@jacobfulsom8423]

Dame over Ai is crazy

[@tonymcclendon3128]

Dame had a top 3 playoff run by a small guard? Really? He got swept that same year by Steph too. Then AI at 5? List is garbage

[@reembright4231]

A.I at 5 when u just said he was they only offense lol …

[@Isaac-gf3jt]

Kyrie is not 6.3 hes 6.1 he confirmed it himself

[@sadsong5369]

2019 lillard was swept by 2019 Curry

[@AJ-mz9jh]

Jerry West is not on this list? He averaged 40 in a playoff series.