Confidence is basically a job requirement for NBA guards. They’re the shot creators, the floor generals, the players with the ball in their hands when it matters most—and most of them don’t exactly struggle with self-belief.
But sometimes that confidence tips into full-blown delusion. These are the guards who talked the talk, hyped themselves into stardom, and then forgot to back it up with consistent production.
20. Sebastian Telfair
Telfair arrived with high school hype and NBA dreams, treating himself like the next Iverson. But the league quickly reminded him that expectations don’t equal impact.
19. Jimmer Fredette
Jimmer-mania was real, and no one was more convinced than Jimmer himself. Unfortunately, the NBA isn’t built for guys who think unlimited range is a strategy.
18. Austin Rivers
Austin played like a guy who thought he was always the best player on the floor—even when he wasn’t close. Being a coach’s son didn’t help tone down the self-promotion, either.
17. Dennis Smith Jr.
DSJ came in dunking like a superstar and talking like one, too. But the league quickly figured out he wasn’t the second coming of Derrick Rose.
16. Tony Wroten
Wroten moved like a guy who thought he was about to blow up at any moment. Instead, he just kind of faded away while still believing the breakout was coming.
15. Nate Robinson
Nate could ball, no doubt, but he had the swagger of a guy who thought he was a franchise player. Three dunk contest wins didn’t translate to lasting NBA relevance.
14. Dion Waiters
Dion never met a heat check he didn’t like, even if he hadn’t made a shot in ten minutes. He acted like a star from day one and never let reality get in the way.
13. Emmanuel Mudiay
Mudiay skipped college and hit the NBA with sky-high expectations—and he was all in on the hype. Sadly, the handles and court vision never quite caught up.
12. Jamal Franklin
Franklin walked into the league with the confidence of a two-time All-Star. But his stay was so short you might’ve missed it if you blinked.
11. Nick Young
Swaggy P built his entire brand around being cooler than he was consistent. His shot selection was matched only by his belief that every single one of them was going in.
10. Delonte West
West was talented, no question, but he carried himself like a top-tier guard when his production said otherwise. The confidence never dipped, even as his career stalled.
9. Ramon Sessions
Sessions acted like he was one breakout season away from being a household name. That season never came, but the belief never wavered.
8. Iman Shumpert
Shump had lockdown defense, a hip-hop career, and big personality energy. But his offensive game never lived up to how he carried himself on the court.
7. Marcus Banks
Banks hyped himself as a floor general with elite tools, but the game tape rarely backed it up. His confidence kept getting him contracts, even if his play didn’t keep him on the floor.
6. Tyreke Evans
After his Rookie of the Year campaign, Tyreke played like the league was already his. He never stopped believing he was a star, even after the numbers said otherwise.
5. Michael Carter-Williams
MCW started with a bang and acted like the Sixers had found their franchise cornerstone. But the hype faded fast, even if his confidence didn’t.
4. Brandon Jennings
Jennings once dropped 55 as a rookie and decided that was his baseline. He spent the rest of his career chasing that moment, fully convinced he was a superstar.
3. Jordan Clarkson (early years)
Before settling into a solid sixth-man role, Clarkson played like a guy who thought he should take every shot. He had irrational confidence long before it was cute.
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2. D’Angelo Russell
D-Lo has always believed he’s that guy, even when he’s not the guy on his own team. The talent is real, but so is the tendency to coast on vibes and past potential.
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1. Gilbert Arenas
Agent Zero could absolutely light it up, but his belief in himself somehow exceeded even his wildest scoring nights. From locker room antics to interviews, no one bought into the Gilbert Arenas hype harder than Gilbert himself.
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