Of course, there are outliers in these samples. But Malones accolades compare quite favorably. 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. Stats: 15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG in 14 seasons with San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1963-64 to 1973-74), Chicago Bulls (1974-75 to 1975-76) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1975-76 to 1976-77). The toughest debates may not be the obvious ones. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Regardless of whether you consider Baylor a champion or not, know that another immortal on this list thinks Baylor deserves way more props than he receives. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time All-Star MVP, 1990 Finals MVP, 1984-85 assists champ, two-time NBA champion. 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. He and Larry Bird literally saved the league in the 80s and while they couldnt have been more different stylistically theres no argument whose influence on the game of basketball was greater. Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG in 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1979-80 to 1990-91; 1995-96). 20 Best NBA Players Of All Time - #10-6 10. 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. I can only imagine how that shit looked back in those days. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 2013-14 MVP, 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time Finals MVP, four-time scoring champ, two-time NBA champion. Knock us all you want, but well rest easy knowing Antetokounmpo belongs here as a newly minted NBA immortal. The greatest power forward of all time. Read Kareem Abdul-Jabbars Britannica essay on the New York Rens. His free-throw shooting, on the other hand. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Stats: 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG in 21 seasons with Dallas Mavericks (1998-99 to 2018-19). It is now time that I gave my rankings from six through 10, and I felt this part of the rankings was more challenging than doing the top five. Barkley started J-ing people up and shooting threes, forcing opponents to guard from all over the court and not just on the block. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, five-time MVP, 1963 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 11-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time assists champ, two-time MVP. 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)*. Stats: 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG in nine seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1965-66 to 1971-72; 1974-75 to 1975-76); also played two ABA seasons with Carolina Cougars (1972-73 to 1973-74). Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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. From the 5'3" Muggsy Bogues to the 7'7" Manute Bol, read on to discover the best current and historical players in the NBA at each and every height. The Spurs lucked out, drafted Timmy, and became a quasi-dynasty. Moses Malone 15. The three-time NBA .more The Best Nikola Jokic Fantasy Names #4 of 135 The Best European NBA Players of All Time #3 of 72 The Best NBA Centers Right Now Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). Kevin Durant Career Accomplishments: 2x NBA Champion (2017, 2018), NBA MVP (2014), 2x NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018), 10x All-Star, 2x All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019), 6x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, Rookie of the Year (2008), 4x NBA Scoring Champion (2010-2012, 2014), 50-40-90 club (2013) Stats: 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG in 10 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers (1974-75 to 1977-78), San Diego/LA Clippers (1979-80 to 1984-85) and Boston Celtics (1985-86 to 1986-87). The moments he delivered in South Beach will live in basketball infamy. The NBA's 75th anniversary team was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of media, current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives. Absolutely. Dr. J is the godfather of the modern NBA. Seriously, they made rules to try and limit his dominance since he owns records no player now or in the future will ever come close to eclipsing. Stats: 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG in 16 seasons with Boston Celtics (1962-63 to 1977-78). Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, two-time scoring champ, 2015-16 steals champ, three-time NBA champion. (2023) Table of Contents 10. Splitting his time between the Bucks and Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar won three MVPs with each franchise and five of his six rings in Los Angeles. When Timmy first got here, it was like mental telepathy. Sure, he played with some other legendary Lakers and the 1-8 record in the Finals stands out. 15-20 range when its all said and done, but this seems like a fair spot to start. He had issues with his ankles early in his career forcing us to wait to see the greatness that we caught glimpses of during his time in college at Davidson. There will never be another Michael Jordan. 1 - Hakeem Olajuwon Country: Nigeria NBA Career: 1984-2002 NBA Teams: Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors Topping my list of the best international NBA players of all time is Hakeem Olajuwon. Both times played for the Miami Heat team in 2012 and 2013. by Kwade27534. A Dream Team member andtwo-time gold medal winner who was skilled enough to be considered one of the 50 greatestby the NBA in 1996,andone of the 75 greatest players ever in 2021, Pippen did so much more than his averages indicated (16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 5.2 APG). Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1977-78 MVP, 1977 Finals MVP, 1985-86 Sixth Man of the Year, 1976-77 rebounding champ, 1976-77 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. He was given the nicknames "the Hick from the French Lick" and "Larry Legend.". Most famous player ever? Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 1972-73 MVP, 1973 All-Star MVP, 1970-71 Rookie of the Year, two-time NBA champion. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. 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. Blocks and steals werent tallied back then, but there are researchers that claim Russell averaged anywhere between 8-12 blocks per game. Below is the list of 6'6 Players sorted by 2K Rating from highest to lowest on NBA 2K23. Stats: 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG in seven seasons with Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49 to 1955-56). Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1976-77 scoring champ. Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1985-86 to 2002-03) and Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04). 1. And though Wade played for the Bulls and Cavs later in his career, hell always be rememberedas a member of theHeat. Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant defined the 2000s. From the first dribble he took in an NBA game up until now, hes done nothing but live up to the massive hype that was placed on his shoulders coming out of high school in Akron, Ohio. Do you have a sports website? Since he wasnt flashy, often was called dirty, wore those short shorts, wasnt an athletic outlier,and benefited immensely from playing his entire career with Karl Malone, his brilliance is easily forgotten. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 2016-17 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, three-time assists champ. Stats: 26.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG in 10 NBA seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1976-77 to 1984-85) and Chicago Bulls (1985-86); also played four ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1972-73 to 1973-74) and San Antonio Spurs (1973-74 to 1975-76). There are a few (Oscar, Jerry West) that are overlooked in history. The 2022 All-Star Game is once again slated to return to Cleveland as a nod to that moment. I'll take Jordan, Kareem, and Wilt as the top three. There should be no shock that Dwyane Wade lands on this list. Achievements: 5 Championships, 1 MVP, 2 Finals MVP, 18 times All-Star, 2 Olympic gold medals. Because of Chamberlains domination, the league widened the lane, outlawed players rebounding missed free throws before the ball touched the rim, changed the definition of offensive goaltending, and forbade inbounds passes over the basket because it was an automatic alley-oop to Wilt every single time. Despite going to nine NBA Finals with the Lakers, West won only one title in 1972. Magic made the game funthats what made Magic so special as a player. The Celtics had played for 10 seasons before Russell joined the team, never once reaching a championship series in that time. It's truly hard to imagine that Garnett would ultimately turn into one of the dirtiest players in the history of the NBA. If it wasnt for Michael Jordan retiring for the first time and transitioning to baseball, Hakeem would most likely not have won a title with the Rockets, but that doesnt take away his greatness. ESPNs The Last Dance tried its best to encapsulate MJs stranglehold on the basketball world and still didnt do it justice. The best rebuttal for that would be that he was the best player on the Warriors during his tenure, winning two Finals MVPs. 21 on our list. Kobe Bryant. Accomplishments: Six-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 2012-13 Rookie of the Year. As each individual involved in this incredibly difficult and necessary endeavor lobbied for the player they thought deserved proper billing, we quickly realized it was going to be hellacious coming to a consensus. 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. Youre telling me somebodys going to average more than 45.8 minutes per game like Wilt did during his 13 seasons in the NBA? Accomplishments: Four-time All-Star, 1968-69 All-NBA, 1967-68 Rookie of the Year, 1973 NBA champion. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, four-time All-Defensive team, 2017 All-Star MVP, three-time blocks champ, 2020 NBA champion. Rushmore hill because nobody changed the game like Wilt the Stilt did. He was truly ahead of his time. Youre not supposed to win NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, but Abdul-Jabbar did. Thats why even though he could barely get loose enough to play at the end of his final season, Bird was one of the most celebrated members of the legendary Dream Team. Oh jeez, this guy. 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. Dr. J floated through the air as his lanky limbs cut to the rim and his hair blew in the wind. Hakeem Olajuwon 13. But decisions had to be made. The Big O was a nightmare matchup because he scored in ways few were able to figure out. Donovan Mitchell is the best player on one of the best teams in the NBA: the Utah Jazz. Who will ever score 100 points in a game like Wilt did? ZF, The rare legend that bounced around the NBA during his days in the league, know that Malone playing for seven different franchises in the Association shouldnt distract from the fact he is easily one of the best centers of all time. We all know Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and at least a handful of other stars can mess around and get a triple-double practically whenever they want. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1968-69 scoring champ, two-time rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. 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. Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest player that the NBA has seen and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Kevin Garnett. Duncan grew up in the US Virgin Islands. LeBron James has called him the pound-for-pound best ever. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Stats: 17.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.0 APG in 11 seasons with Washington Capitols (1950-51) and Boston Celtics (1951-52 to 1960-61). Stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1979-80 to 1991-92). 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). LeBron James 1. For 38 years, Abdul-Jabbar has remained the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Detroit won back-to-back championships in the middle of what many call the toughest era of NBA basketballand made Jordan scratch and claw for years before he finally got the Bulls over the hump. 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. Stats: 16.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.7 APG in 15 seasons with St. Louis Hawks (1960-61 to 1967-68), Seattle SuperSonics (1968-69 to 1971-72), Cleveland Cavaliers (1972-73 to 1973-74) and Portland Trail Blazers (1974-75). ZF, While we can argue all day and night about the value of the triple-double in todays position-less game, when Oscar Robertson became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over a season it was nothing short of monumental. 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 . 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). AD, HakeemThe Dream Olajuwons inclusion in this part of the list needs noexplanation. 23 min ago. ZF, If youre wondering why we have the diminutive point guard who played all 19 seasons of his storied career with the Jazz on this list, I have to seriously question your basketball IQ. What? Tim Duncan 10. In my book, thats the single greatest achievement in NBA history and will be hard to top. Shaquille O'Neal. Stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG in 14 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1960-61 to 1973-74). has been obsessively watching sports for nearly three decades and arguing about them with friends for nearly as long. With his latest title, he finally knocked off Finals MVPoff his checklist after a dominant performance against the Boston Celtics. A no-brainer Naismith Hall of Famer inductee in 1977, the only thing missing from his sterling rsum was a championship. He did it all and made sure you knew about it along the way. During the 196162 season, The Big O averaged a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. And no soulwill ever approach his 23,924 career rebounds. He played all five positions in the game and led the Lakers to their first title in nearly a decade. Durant is still the youngest scoring champ in NBA history, with four scoring titles to his resume. My guy was brought to tears when he looked back at how maniacal he was towards his teammates. Kobe Bryant 9. *All stats/accomplishments for active players are entering the 2021-22 season. Who cares? I see Durant climbing these rankings as his career continues. Anthony Marshon Davis Jr., who was born on March 11, 1993, is a 6'10" NBA player. The captain of the Showtime Lakersshould firmly be included on anyones NBA top 5 list. Taking up the final spot in the place for the tenth best player in NBA history, is 'The Dream'. Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. While Im too young to have ever seen him play, his statistics are so mind-blowing that I wish I had a time machine for the express purpose of going back and seeing him in action. I know I risk getting run out of my beloved Chicago on a rail for daring to suggest His Airness isnt the best player ever but, well, I just dont think he is. Shaquille O'Neal was one of the most dominating players of his generation, perhaps even of all time. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. His hybrid play, like Magic Johnsons, was way ahead of its time. 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. He helped the Sixers make the Finals during his first season in the modern NBA, but lost to Bill Waltons Blazers in six games. Stats: 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG in 14 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1989-90 to 2002-03). AC, Way more than just a sidekick to you know who, Scottie Pippens greatness is sadly taken for granted by many, including those who saw it with their own two eyes along with the ones basing their assessments solely on what they saw in The Last Dance. Kobe Bryant* 33643: 5. Oscar Robertson once asked. Donovan Mitchell - Utah Jazz. Accomplishments: Six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 1972-73 scoring and assists champ, 1981 All-Star MVP, 1981 NBA champion. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, widely regarded as one of the most important centers and players of all time, stands out among the NBA's all-time greats. 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. A three-time champion who won three consecutive MVPs in the mid-80s, and obviously made the NBAs 75th anniversary team, Bird knocked down daggers like it was nothing and loved ripping out the hearts of his rivals while talking some of the most underrated trash. 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. Earvin Magic Johnson is still (and might remain) the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP as a rookie. Dirk Nowitzki: 31560: 7. Stats: 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1980-81 to 1992-93). But other than potentially Leonard, Duncan will shine brighter than all the other great players who have ever played for the Spursand just about every other power forward in NBA historybecause of how rock steady solid he was. Stats: 18.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG in 18 seasons with Indiana Pacers (1987-88 to 2004-05). Its the playoff excellence that helps elevate Duncan above the more physically and athletically gifted contemporary power forwards like Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett. List of Best NBA Players: 1) Michael Jordan A name that revitalized Basketball in the world, Michael is perhaps the most recognizable face of Basketball excellence. There were passionate pleas to weigh unprecedented accomplishments over sustained excellence. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 Rookie of the Year, five-time assists champ, 2011 NBA champion. Magic and Shaq crowned Kobe as the greatest Laker everafter he retired. Nor did we particularly labor over why Tim Duncan, for instance, deserved top 10 status over Kevin Garnett and Kevin Durant (for now). Knock us all you want, but well rest easy knowing Antetokounmpo belongs here as a newly minted. NBA Players. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks . ZF, Crazy that Chuck is now underrated. Wilt Chamberlain 4. NBA 75 honoree, five-time champion, three-timeFinals MVP, two-time regular-season MVP, 15-time All-Star,15-time All-NBA and All-Defensive team selection later, Duncan played all 19 seasons inSan Antonio and consistently put up numbers like he was a robotwith the personality, as portrayed by the media,to match. Hes top 10 in rebounds, blocks, win shares, and defensive win shares. Accomplishments: 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defensive team, 2007-08 MVP, two-time Finals MVP, four-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, five-time NBA champion. 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. Vote up the best basketball player ever, and those who follow close behind. 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. as a member of the Miami Heat. 1 scorer in NBA history. The younger generationsgetsto enjoy the Chuckster in ways older NBA fans never imagined. 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). Member of the NBA 75thanniversary team. Tim Duncan 8. Nevertheless, he was an awesome force who dominated the sport for two decades and perfected the sky hook, one of the most gorgeous shots the game has ever seen. JJ went on to the NBA, where The Magic drafted him 11th in the 1st round. I wasnt sure if he was paying attentionfinally I realize he understood everything I was saying. LosingtwoFinals defeats at the hands of MJ and company certainly didnt help. Birds been supplanted by someone else on that mythical list, but the Hick from French Lick is forever aLegend. David Robinson is a true generational talent comes in at No. While Kareem put up a whopping 38,387 points during his playing days, I cant look past the fact that he spent a good chunk of his career receiving passes from Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, the two greatest point guards of all time. 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. NBA75: Meet the best players in league history, Green ejected for Sabonis stomp; Dubs down 0-2, Doc's talk prompts 'unbelievable' Sixers response, Grizzlies' Jackson second-youngest DPOY winner, Sources: Ex-ND coach Brey to join Hawks staff, Giannis MRI clean; Bucks optimistic about status, 'In jeopardy': Grizzlies' Morant may miss Game 2, Pate signs with NBA's G League Ignite program, How 'light the beam' became a Sacramento Kings rallying cry, Overreaction Monday: What we learned from Game 1s, 2023 NBA playoffs: First-round series, Finals, MVP odds, The 25 best players in the 2023 NBA playoffs. Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement, 12 Novels Considered the Greatest Book Ever Written, https://www.britannica.com/list/the-10-greatest-basketball-players-of-all-time. Its time for BritannicaOK, one editor at Britannicato jump into the perpetually unresolved greatest ever in [insert sport here] fray. However, theres no denying what he did on the court asthe leader on two of the most hated championship teams in NBA history. 239 Likes, 41 Comments - (@lakerchapo) on Instagram: "7/9/20 Thursday @skipbayless ranks his Top 10 . Anthony Davis. While the Diesel collapsed defenses, Steph expands them, taking the 3-point philosophy of Mike DAntoni and turning it up a couple notches. 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. The 30 Best NBA Players of All Time, Ranked By Adam Caparell, Zion Olojede, Angel Diaz, Zach Frydenlund Jun 17, 2022 Image via Complex Original The toughest debates may not be the obvious ones.. Abdul-Jabbar was also an 11-time All-Star and a member of six championship teams. 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