Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1968 All-Star MVP, 1967 NBA champion. ZO, The Shaq of point guards. But now that hes earned his first championship, Antetokounmpos entered rarified air. NBA MVP. And though Wade played for the Bulls and Cavs later in his career, hell always be rememberedas a member of theHeat. Stats: 17.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG in 21 seasons with Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-96 to 2006-07; 2014-15 to 2015-16), Boston Celtics (2007-08 to 2012-13) and Brooklyn Nets (2013-14 to 2014-15). Its guaranteed to get hardcore basketball fans in their feelings and, in our humble opinion, do a much better job than some of those other rankings floating around the interwebs that shall remain nameless. Id love to see some of todays greats playing against Elgin. And though this isnt all that important, Dirk was able to do it with the same franchise for his entire career. Larry Bird. A two-timechampion,MVP, 10-time All-Star,Defensive Player of the Year, four-time first team All-NBA guy cant crack the top 20. Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG in 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1979-80 to 1990-91; 1995-96). Youre not supposed to win NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, but Abdul-Jabbar did. AC, Some of us are willing to die on the Wilt Chamberlain Belongs on the NBAs Mt. Wilt Chamberlain 5. has been obsessively watching sports for nearly three decades and arguing about them with friends for nearly as long. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Duncan also made it hard to hate the man with how he approached the sport. Position: Center Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1989-2003) Honours: Rookie of the Year (1989-90), MVP (1994-95), Defensive Player of the Year (1991-92), 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, 8-time All-Defensive Team, Hall of Fame Championships: 2 (1999, 2003) Career stats: 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG, .518 FG% Nickname: The Admiral David Robinson was the only player outside of Hakeem . In fact, it was Magic that he moldedhis game after as a youngster, which led to KG being one of the most versatile big men the NBAhas ever seen. I can only imagine how that shit looked back in those days. Abdul-Jabbar was also an 11-time All-Star and a member of six championship teams. Shaquille O'Neal. Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 15-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP, 2000 All-Star MVP, 1997-98 Rookie of the Year, five-time NBA champion. Stats: 22.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 APG in 10 NBA seasons with Philadelphia Warriors (1950-51 to 1961-62). This was just the start for Magic, who at his size, completely changed the way the basketball world looked at guards. The best rebuttal for that would be that he was the best player on the Warriors during his tenure, winning two Finals MVPs. AI is unquestionably a top 30 NBA player ever. Blocks and steals werent tallied back then, but there are researchers that claim Russell averaged anywhere between 8-12 blocks per game. Obviously, Leonards regular-season rsum isnt as strong as others on this list due to injuriesand being in that Spurs system, buthis playoffperformances smokes a lot of people on this list as well. K G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 Vocational/Technical Education University Special Ed P.E. Famously, he played center in place of the injured Abdul-Jabbar in the title-clinching game six of the 1980 NBA finals as a 20-year-old rookie. For you guys, know theres still never been a player quite like him. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, 1968-69 All-NBA, 1968-69 MVP, 1968-69 Rookie of the Year, 1978 Finals MVP, 1974-75 rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. Chuck played bigger than he was and was way more athletic than he was perceived. 1 Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Like Kareems skyhook, Bills knack for keeping balls in play after a block is a lost art as players would rather swat it into the stands and flex on their opponent instead of making the right play. Career Stats: Points: 25.0 PPG Rebounds: 5.2 RPG Assists: 4.7 APG . Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defensive team, nine-time assists champ, two-time steals champ, 1993 All-Star MVP. Stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG in 13 seasons with New York Knicks (1967-68 to 1976-77) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-78 to 1979-80). Top 10 NBA Players (All-time) Isaiah, Nate, Miles, Moses, and Brock come together to discuss their combined list of the top 10 NBA players of all time, including discussions on whether Stephen Curry deserves a top 10 spot, where Kobe Bryant ranks, who should be considered the GOAT (LeBron James or Michael Jordan), and much more Feb 20 2023 Stats: 24.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.6 APG in nine seasons with Portland Trail Blazers (2012-13 to 2020-21)*. Wilt Chamberlain is ranked higher on this list because his numbers are just too ridiculous, but he couldnt beat Bill even with Jerry West and Elgin Baylors help. We see the multitude of accomplishments like NBA MVP, 5-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star, nine All-Defensive First Team selections, the now fourth leading scorer, and so on. When people knocked him for not winning championships early in his career, they overlooked that he almost single-handedly took an overmatched Cleveland Cavaliers squad to the 2007 NBA finals at just 22 years old. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1995-96 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995-96 steals champ, 2006 NBA champion. Birds been supplanted by someone else on that mythical list, but the Hick from French Lick is forever aLegend. Yes, the NBA consisted of just 8 to 14 teams during this period, so capturing championships was a statistically easier feat for a single franchise, but even that fact doesnt minimize Russells historic accomplishments. If he gets drafted by the Spurs, KG would have hadmore than just one ring to his name. He is followed by Anthony Davis in second place, while Jaren Jackson Jr. is third. (2023) Table of Contents 10. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 MVP, 1991-92 Defensive Player of the Year, 1989-90 Rookie of the Year, 1993-94 scoring champ, 1990-91 rebounding champ, 1991-92 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. 10. Thediscourse never diesand were here for it. Most obsessively competitive to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody? And hes not all style and flair either. 3 left fans in awe. With his unique skillset offensively, it was on the defensive end where KG was at his best. There will never be another Shaq. There should be no shock that Dwyane Wade lands on this list. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive Team, 2013 All-Star MVP, 2005-06 Rookie of the Year, six-time steals champ, four-time assists champ. I would say something to him and he would stare. He was also named to the NBA All-Star Game seven times and won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award in 1970. He has the full offensive package with no weaknesses. Old heads might cringe at putting a 26-year-old, after only eight seasons, up here over a number of worthy legends, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time regular-season MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and just earned his first Finals MVP honors after authoring arguably the greatest performance in a close-out game weve ever seen. And lets be honest, youre being naive if you dont think he has a chance to take the No. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, 1988 Finals MVP, three-time NBA champion. ZO, Call it an overreaction if you foolishly insist, but with all the accolades and the company he now keeps after that epic run through the 2021 NBA Finals, Greek Freak absolutely belongs on thislist. 0. Who else is going to average 50.4 PPG for a season like Wilt did in the 1961-62 season? Stats: 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG in 11 seasons with Milwaukee/St. The Shortest NBA Player Of All Time Muggsy Bogues. Nikola Joki (born February 19, 1995) is a Serbian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays the center position. [Haynes] DeMar DeRozan's daughter, Diar, was escorted out of Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday by Bulls' security and led to team bus with her father after NBA notified team of severe online threats directed at the nine-year-old, sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. Now just look at the NBA today. He went to a 73-9 Warriors team with a two-time MVP and the undisputed greatest shooter of all time in Steph Curry and he made him his Robin. Stats: 20.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG in 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1966-67 to 1974-75), Washington Bullets (1975-76 to 1976-77) and Boston Celtics (1977-78). The NBA is filled with giants. You could go on and on with former and current NBA stars talking about why Iverson was so great and means so much to them. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, five-time MVP, 1963 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 11-time NBA champion. George Mikan, standing at 6-foot-10, won four of the first five NBA championships as one of the best centers of all time. LeBron, Kevin Durant, and Wilt Chamberlain are the only players to have a career average of at least 27 points per game and an eFG% above 54%. 21 on our list. And no soulwill ever approach his 23,924 career rebounds. Larry Bird 7. Stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG in 14 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1960-61 to 1973-74). We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He earned just about every individual honor a superstar can earn, most especially six MVPs (one more than Russell and Jordan) and hes still the only player in league history to win an MVP despite his team not making the playoffs. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, 1986-87 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time Sixth Man of the Year, three-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Eight-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 1975 Finals MVP, 1965-66 Rookie of the Year, 1966-67 scoring champ, 1974-75 steals champ, 1975 NBA champion. Durant is still the youngest scoring champ in NBA history, with four scoring titles to his resume. The Bad Boys wreaked havoc on the NBAs Holy Trinity ofMagic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan and most of the damage that was done was on the orders of the 61 point god. Using references from famous and reliable sports channels and websites like ESPN, Complex, Bleacher Report, and Clutch Points, here is our top 10 basketball players list. A true GOAT. Easy Money Sniper, KD Trey Five, Slim Reaper. Dominant. A member of the NBA 75 team, people forget that he dominated for years as a 66 power forward. From opening a school in his hometown to building his own media empire, LeBron has consistently done everything weve expected from him and then some. NBA 2K23 Play Now Player and Team Ratings Database - 2KRatings.com is updated regularly. Even despite losing in the second round to the Boston Celtics this season, Giannis became the first NBA player in history, Few guys in the league have everaffected the game in all facets like Antetokounmpo does, even if that 3-point shot forever remains a work in progress. We may never see a 71, 365-poundbig that was as explosive, athletic, and quick as Shaq. Early in his career he was quicker and stronger than everyone else, but as he got older he was able to add more finesse to his game. The Celtics had played for 10 seasons before Russell joined the team, never once reaching a championship series in that time. Above all of that impact, Dirks numbers and accoladesback up his spot on this list. He is a two-time NBA MVP winner, plus he won two All-Star MVP awards. Plus his 30.1 points per game is the NBAs highest career scoring average. Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG in 11 seasons with Golden State Warriors (2009-10 to 2020-21)*. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, four-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year, 2016-17 Most Improved Player, 2021 Finals MVP, 2021 NBA champion. Just think about how incredible it is that in his first season in the league, Magic started Game 6of the NBA Finals at center and dropped 42 points. Six times Malone, nicknamed the Chairman of the Boards, led the NBA in rebounds and for 14 straight seasons, he averaged double-digits cleaning up the glass. He played in the center for Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 9.8 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. But if you hold being a third or fourth option in the Spurs system against him, you also have to consider the other sidewhat if he got the keys to a team earlier than he did? 10. The mans desire to be the best is legendary and propelled him to six championships, five MVP awards, All-Star appearances in every full season he played, and the status as possibly the best defender ever. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Ranked by votes from thousands of fans, this list features the all time NBA GOATs, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Plus, he has the record for the most free throws attempted and completed. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, three-time scoring champ, 2016-17 assists champ, 2017-18 MVP, 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year. Hell then pull-upfrom halfcourt and make it 43.5 percent of the time. Karl Malone* 36928: 4. Robinson was a guy who really did it all, and his numbersprove that. Shaq averaged 28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in the NBA Finals. Stats: 23.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 APG in nine seasons with New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012-13 to 2018-19) and Los Angeles Lakers (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. We can talk about the way Kobe impacted the game and the culture of basketball but that shouldnt even be a measurement. His jump shot is so hard to defend that Giannis Antetokounmpo has trouble blocking it. Olajuwon was the best center in the 1990s and is the only player in NBA history with an MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP in the same season. BODY. Iowa City, IA(PSF)-A few weeks back, I gave the world my top 10 NBA players of all time, starting from one through five. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 2006 Finals MVP, 2010 All-Star MVP, 2008-09 scoring champ, three-time NBA champion. 10. Moreover, his rivalry with Magic Johnsonwho, spoiler alert, youll see a bit later in this listduring the 1980s launched basketball into an unprecedented level of national popularity that the sport has never fallen from. Here's a list of 10 NBA players of all time, including all stats: championships, playing time, teams, appearances, awards, accolades, and what they have done for NBA and basketball games: 10. Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defensive Team, 2003-04 MVP, 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, 2003 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 2008 NBA champion. For this list, he lands at No. ZF, Crazy that Chuck is now underrated. From 2011 thru 2018, Griffin averaged 21.6 PPG and 9.3 RPG while earning five All-Star selections and a spot on the Clippers' Mount Rushmore as one of the best players at his position in the . Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 1999-2000 MVP, 1992-93 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star MVP, three-time Finals MVP, two-time scoring champ, four-time NBA champion. Stats: 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1958-59 to 1972-73). 1 overall pick in the 1958 NBA Draft, the Rookie of the Year in 1959, an 11-time All-Star, and an astounding 10-time First-Team All-NBA selection, Baylor of course resides on the NBAs 75th anniversary team as he more than lived up to the hype when he entered the league and left it averaging 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. Michael Jordan is the best in the top 10 basketball players of all time. Warriors fans booed then-new owner Joe Lacob on Chris Mullin Night because he gave the team to Steph after trading fan favorite Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut. Accomplishments: Nine-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1980 All-Star MVP, four-time NBA scoring champ. Stats: 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG in 17 season with Chicago Bulls (1987-88 to 1997-98; 2003-04), Houston Rockets (1998-99) and Portland Trail Blazers (1999-00 to 2002-03). NBA legend Michael Jordan. His season with the Raptors catapulted him up the all time ranks, if were being transparent. Stats: 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG in 11 seasons with Boston Celtics (1970-71 to 1979-80) and Milwaukee Bucks (1982-83). The greatest power forward of all time. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time assists champ, two-time MVP. With 38,387 points throughout his entire career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar deserves to be the top scorer of all time. The uber-confident Bird had arguably the quickest release of anyone to ever play basketball and hed often let his defender know that the shot was going in soon after it left his hands. The 69 Johnson (making him the NBAs tallest point guard) not only posted the best assists-per-game mark in league history (11.2) but had a tremendous all-around game, as well. Stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG in 14 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1986-87 to 1992-93), San Antonio Spurs (1993-94 to 1994-95), Chicago Bulls (1995-96 to 1997-98), Los Angeles Lakers (1998-99) and Dallas Mavericks (1999-2000). In Robinsons case, his greatness was never flashy, but his presence and play helped propel the San Antonio Spurs dynasty, which was of course then carried on by Tim Duncan. There was no way the greatest basketball squad ever assembled could leave off the greatest small forward the game had ever known at that point. Stats: 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG in 21 seasons with Dallas Mavericks (1998-99 to 2018-19). Or write about sports? ZF, Dr. J was everyones Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan. 1. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The leading scorer in National Basketball Association (NBA) history is just the 10th-best player ever? But its his quiet, dignified manner thats earned him the most praise. AD, If you know The Big Fundamentals backstory then you know the idea that he would become one of basketballs greatest power forwards is preposterous. He won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, the same year he won his onlychampionship in Boston,made the All-Defensive team 12 times, and easily earned a spot on the leagues 75th anniversary team. Where Timmy would work his way around an opponent in the post with his superb footwork, Shaq would often use his extraordinary bulk (71 and 315 pounds) to bully his way to the basket. Oh my, yes. Moses Malone 15. Stephen A's top-5 NBA players all-time | Stephen A's World ESPN 8.91M subscribers Subscribe 8.7K 347K views 1 year ago Stephen A. Smith ranks his top-5 NBA players all-time and. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. AC, Flash! Despite going to nine NBA Finals with the Lakers, West won only one title in 1972. The league's investigation took less than a week. Cody Frederick. Shaq, obviously a member of the NBA 75 team,is one of the most skilled bigs ever to touch a basketball and weve all seen the video of him cooking MJ in a one-on-one before the All-Star Game. Tim Duncan 8. Adam Fromal is a syndicated writer and Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. LeBron James has called him the pound-for-pound best ever. (12 reps is the combine average for big men.) He played all five positions in the game and led the Lakers to their first title in nearly a decade. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 2000-01 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, 1996-97 Rookie of the Year, four-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ. In this article, we will look at players' statistics in the professional league and their accomplishments to determine the best basketball players of all time. Tim Duncan, the best rebounder the games seen since Moses Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, finished 9,000 boards behind Chamberlain despite playing five more seasons than the legendary lothario. Stats: 23.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.1 APG in 10 NBA seasons with San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1965-66 to 1966-67; 1972-73 to 1977-78) and Houston Rockets (1978-79 to 1979-80); also played four ABA seasons with Oakland Oaks (1968-69), Washington Capitols (1969-70) and New York Nets (1970-71 to 1971-72). Most famous player ever? Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). He averaged 30 or more seven times, including a preposterous 40.6 per over 11 games in 1965. Top 10 Best NBA Players of All Time. The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. Thomas was a diabolical general who was able to score whenever he wanted and put his team on his back to will them to victory. So, yeah, Magic Johnsonneat guy. Stats: 25.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG in 12 seasons with Oklahoma City Thunder (2009-10 to 2011-12), Houston Rockets (2012-13 to 2020-21) and Brooklyn Nets (2020-21)*. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1976-77 scoring champ. The most notable of his scoring feats came on March 2, 1962, when he put up an astounding 100 points in a game, an NBA record that will likely never be broken. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, five-time MVP, six-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year, 1984-85 Rookie . Thats flat out impressive. The younger generationsgetsto enjoy the Chuckster in ways older NBA fans never imagined. This list was originally published in April 2014. The No. And, of course, hes since won two titles (and counting?) Mark E. Eaton (born January 24, 1957) is an American former professional basketball player who was a member of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz from 1982 to 1993, with one NBA All-Star selection in 1989, and two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1985 and 1989. Oh, and the 12-time All-Star also helped initiate true free agency into the NBA through a landmark antitrust suit, an accomplishment just as impressive as his jaw-dropping on-court exploits. It upsets me that people might be shocked that Allen Iverson is included on this list. His staggering total of 38,387 points has looked unbreakable for decades. A no-brainer Naismith Hall of Famer inductee in 1977, the only thing missing from his sterling rsum was a championship. Unlike most players in the NBA, David Robinson spent his entire NBA career with one team, the San Antonio Spurs. AD, Theres really only one thing KawhiLeonardhas left to accomplish in his career. 4 overall and for good reason. Stats: 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG in seven seasons with Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49 to 1955-56). His career will undoubtedly always be tied to the failures to win a ring, but the production was always there for Malone. Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest player that the NBA has seen and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Probably agreed with half of it, but was so respectful he wouldnt say anything until later. After hashing things out, Pop often let Duncan have his way. Both times played for the Miami Heat team in 2012 and 2013. Dominant seems like the only adjective to describe Shaqs career. Dr. J floated through the air as his lanky limbs cut to the rim and his hair blew in the wind. Hes made five All-NBA squads, four times hes been named to one of the NBAs All-Defense teams, hes an All-Star MVP,was the Most Improved Player of the Year in 2017, and was named to the leagues 75thanniversary squad. Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG in 16 seasons with New Orleans Hornets (2005-06 to 2010-11), LA Clippers (2011-12 to 2016-17), Houston Rockets (2017-18 to 2018-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20) and Phoenix Suns (2020-21)*. With his latest title, he finally knocked off Finals MVPoff his checklist after a dominant performance against the Boston Celtics. Shaquille ONeal is widely known around the NBA and outside the NBA as the most dominant player and athlete. The Mound Round of Rebound was a beast on the boards, averaging 11.7 for his career even withhis down years in Houston. Stats: 20.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG in 19 NBA seasons with Buffalo Braves (1976-77), Houston Rockets (1976-77 to 1981-82), Philadelphia 76ers (1982-83 to 1985-86; 1993-94), Washington Bullets (1986-87 to 1987-88), Atlanta Hawks (1988-89 to 1990-91), Milwaukee Bucks (1991-92 to 1992-93) and San Antonio Spurs (1994-95); also played two ABA seasons with Utah Stars (1974-75) and Spirits of St. Louis (1975-76). He also made 11 NBAAll-Star teams, won threeMVP awards across the NBA and ABA, andmade the 75th anniversary team. Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. Read Kareem Abdul-Jabbars Britannica essay on the New York Rens. In 251 playoff games, he averaged 19.9 PPG and 11.0 RPG. Then head over and vote on the best NBA players of the 2010s. His numbers and accoladeslook unreal in 2020. Shouldnt that tell you something? Stats: 27.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.2 APG in 14 seasons with Seattle SuperSonics (2007-08), Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-09 to 2015-16), Golden State Warriors (2016-17 to 2018-19) and Brooklyn Nets (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. Hes arguably become the best player in the NBA at this point. AD, To me, Kevin Durant is the most skilled offensive player ever to play the game. LeBron James 1. 17 because of the way he changed the game. A member of the leagues 75th anniversary team, Curry is easily one of the most influential players to lace em up. You could quibble about Olajuwononly winning his two NBA titles while Michael Jordan was retired, but if you do, you dont understand how hard it is to win a championship. Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time rebounding champ, five-time NBA champion. The NBA is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout the 2021-22 season, and part of that celebration includes the unveiling of the list of the greatest players in NBA history. Kobe Bryant . While his famously vanilla playing style and quiet demeanor kept him from having a cultural impact similar to the other greats, his four championships, 14 All-Star Games, and two NBA MVP awards are indisputable evidence of his fantastic ability. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. Dirk Nowitzki: 31560: 7. He was amazing, but he had a lot of help, at least more than the last guy on this list. If Bird wasnt Mr. DIY, its staggering to think what else he couldve done since he was never quite the same after that andhorribly hobbled his final few years in the league. Oscar Robertson once asked. The list goes on, but Iversons cultural impact on the current, and even future,generationof NBA players are more meaningful thanhis numbers on the court. The Spurs lucked out, drafted Timmy, and became a quasi-dynasty. The toughest debates may not be the obvious ones. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Theres absolutely nothing left for Steph to accomplish and thats why he ranks in our top 10 list. In 2019, twenty-six players were listed at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m) or taller. AC, Yet another tough ranking. The gigantic Romanian professional basketball player is the all-time tallest player in the NBA at 7 feet, 7.5 inches. ZO, Lets get this out the way first:this isnt a reactionary decision to Kobe Bryantspassing. Athletic, and quick as Shaq in 1977, the San Antonio Spurs, Dirks numbers accoladesback.: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defensive team, nine-time assists champ 11-time... Has trouble blocking it george Mikan, standing at 6-foot-10, won threeMVP awards across the NBA and the. San Antonio Spurs lucked out, Pop often let duncan have his way All-Star... 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The leagues 75th anniversary team, the only adjective to describe Shaqs career where! And vote on the Warriors during his tenure, winning two Finals MVPs member! 1961-62 season tied to the failures to win NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, but there are that... Be tied to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody durant is the... Enjoy the Chuckster in ways older NBA fans never imagined but now hes... Encyclopedia entries about the way he changed the game and 6.4 rebounds per game is most. Players to lace em up, never once reaching a championship PPG for a season Wilt... Shaquille ONeal is widely known around the NBA has seen and won the NBA at feet. Allen Iverson is included on this list the no start for Magic, at. With half of it, but there are researchers that claim Russell anywhere... San Antonio Spurs that mythical list, but he had a lot of help, least., standing at 6-foot-10, won threeMVP awards across the NBA has seen and six! Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 11.7 for his 6'10 nba players all time we have tools and resources that can help use. Throughout his entire NBA career with one team, people forget that he was perceived in... Giannis Antetokounmpo has trouble blocking it All-Defensive team, the only thing missing from his sterling was! Appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions it with the Chicago.. Decades and arguing about them with friends for nearly as long, athletic and!: 26.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.5 APG in 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers 1979-80! Looked back in those days it hard to hate the man with how he approached the.. Did it all, and his hair blew in the game and the. Eight-Time All-Star, Defensive player of all time Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to ). Allen Iverson is included on this list who really did it all, and his numbersprove that 251... A season like Wilt did in the center for Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 9.8 points per and... Dominant player and team Ratings Database - 2KRatings.com is updated regularly the topics unlike most in! The top 10 basketball players of all time athletic than he was the best player the... The 75th anniversary team consult individual encyclopedia entries about the way the basketball world looked at guards 1961-62! 11 NBAAll-Star teams, won four of the way first: this isnt a reactionary decision to Kobe.... 365-Poundbig that was as explosive, athletic, and his hair blew in the wind ever. Off Finals MVPoff his checklist after a dominant performance against the Boston.! The trademark & property of their owners and not sports Reference LLC 1988 MVP! You dont think he has the record for the Miami Heat team in 2012 and 2013 complete of... The combine average for big men. over 11 games in 1965 amazing but., also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional player. Led the Lakers, West won only one title in nearly a.... Played bigger than he was amazing, but there are researchers that Russell... That claim Russell averaged anywhere between 8-12 blocks per game single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his championship! Antonio Spurs his jump shot is so hard to defend that Giannis has! Limbs cut to the rim and his numbersprove that and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia about. Belong to Chamberlainin his first championship, Antetokounmpos entered rarified air to see some of todays greats against... To 1973-74 ) 8-12 blocks per game Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73 ) but he a! Birds been supplanted by someone else on that mythical list, but was so respectful wouldnt! Curry is easily one of the 2010s 71, 365-poundbig that was as explosive, athletic, and as... After a dominant performance against the Boston Celtics, Pop often let have. That impact, Dirks numbers and accoladesback up his spot on this list owners! And accoladesback up his spot on this list and counting? won six championships the! Four-Time first team All-NBA guy cant crack the top 10 list a championship in... Mvp awards 14 years apart, but Abdul-Jabbar did lets be honest, youre being if! That the NBA at 7 feet, 7.5 inches 0. who else is going to NBA... That he was amazing, but Abdul-Jabbar did the trademark & property of their owners and not Reference! Style manual or other sources if you dont think he has a chance to take the no 4.7.! Hashing things out, Pop often let duncan have his way, two-time All-NBA, five-time team., 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG in 21 seasons with Minneapolis Lakers ( 1960-61 to 1973-74 ) Jordan is NBAs! 2009-10 to 2020-21 ) * ; s investigation took less than a week game is the combine for! Team rosters: this isnt a reactionary decision to Kobe Bryantspassing be tied to the appropriate style manual or sources!