I wasnt sure if he was paying attentionfinally I realize he understood everything I was saying. Vote up the best basketball player ever, and those who follow close behind. He also won league MVP for 3 consecutive years, which only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlian have managed to achieve. I think Kobe is 5th, behind Lebron, MJ, and Kareem, and Wilt in that order. AC, Bostons had more than its fair share of Hall of Famers roll through the old Boston Garden, but nobody was as lethal a scorer or as clutch at the end of games like Larry Legend. Top 15 players in NBA history: CBS Sports ranks the greatest of all time, from West and Steph to LeBron and MJ LeBron James and Stephen Curry are the only two active NBA players to. Bird didn't play enough to amass the numbers these guys did, but he outpaced just about everyone in the games he actually played. Magic started as a center and played all positions, registering 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. Haven't followed basketball since the Bulls dynasty fell apart after 1998, so I didn't do well on this. Youre telling me somebodys going to average more than 45.8 minutes per game like Wilt did during his 13 seasons in the NBA? 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. Next on the list is the late Wilt Chamberlian. And though Wade played for the Bulls and Cavs later in his career, hell always be rememberedas a member of theHeat. 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. 11-time NBA All-Star. As a rookie, he went to a team that had finished with the 2nd-worst record in the NBA and led them to the best record in the NBA. Pleasee try guys. AC, Zekes legacy has been somewhattarnished over the yearsby the opinions of his peers and the off-the-court issues he brought on himself while in theKnicks front office. He credits Bruce Lee for teaching him martial arts discipline and spirituality, helping him play in the NBA for 2 decades with quite a few injuries. He played forever, has a ring, scored 17,000 points despite being on two mostly mediocre teams, led centers in FT% and was the first big man to master the 3-point shot. The Big O was a nightmare matchup because he scored in ways few were able to figure out. 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. His college career is practically unmatched, but since were talking professional basketball here know that he was the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to win an MVP between 1960 and 68. Having to argue how Stockton, a 2009 inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, is inarguably one of the greatest point guardsgets laborious. Includes several levels with the players in the NBA 2017. If he gets drafted by the Spurs, KG would have hadmore than just one ring to his name. However, it takes a truly rare talent to make more than one of the categories. But it didnt stop him from averaging 24.3 PPG and 10.0 RPG for his 13 seasons. 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. He was a two-time NBA MVP, appeared in 14 All-Star games,made firstteam All-NBA an insane 11 times, and is a member of the 75th anniversary team. The best of the bunch, though, is "Vinsanity.". Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Retired At The Age Of 42 (Source: Wikipedia). He averaged 30 or more seven times, including a preposterous 40.6 per over 11 games in 1965. And though this isnt all that important, Dirk was able to do it with the same franchise for his entire career. not ever. Same thing goes for Bradley, he was one of the top shot blockers in his day. John Stockton is the NBAs leader in assists and steals; hes a 10-time All-Star, made 11 All-NBA teams, was a five-time All-Defensive squad, and obviously earned inclusion on the NBAs 75thanniversary squad, meaning his rsum runs longer than his (questionable) 61 frame. 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. Bill Russell was one of the most successful players in NBA. They continue to way over hype active players. I know a few random players from the last 20 years, but not nearly enough. How can you have that many current players? 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. His numbers and accoladeslook unreal in 2020. The Admiral was able to do it all and then some. He's on the top-75 anniversary list, but not on this top 100? 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. ESPNs The Last Dance tried its best to encapsulate MJs stranglehold on the basketball world and still didnt do it justice. How many players have ever had his combination of wingspan and shooting? La dunk de la mort is my favorite play in basketball history, and I cannot imagine anything will ever top it. Of course he made the NBA 75 squad. This was just the start for Magic, who at his size, completely changed the way the basketball world looked at guards. AD, 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. Jordan is the name that comes to mind when basketball comes. this needs to be upgraded. It upsets me that people might be shocked that Allen Iverson is included on this list. It also seemed funny how each player's personality seems to have an impact on their category - like Duncan, Nash, and Johnson, 3 of the most widely-considered "nice" guys in the NBA to be assist leaders. The arena on Biscayne will always reside in Wade County. Hes top 10 in rebounds, blocks, win shares, and defensive win shares. 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. They couldnt guard him. Bird filled up a box score but he was never strictly a numbers guyhe was just a winner who made ridiculous passes, had a knack for seeing everything unfold seconds before anyone else on the court, and always made the key play that either sealed the deal or keyed a game-defining run. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. However, theres no denying what he did on the court asthe leader on two of the most hated championship teams in NBA history. I only see one player listed on four of the five lists-- Olajuwon. The most avid NBA fans among you should take my. interesting that 75 total spots (top 15 in each category) are comprised of only 50 different players. After his flourishing NBA career, Shaq, in 2023, is busy with his podcast, The Big Podcast With Shaq.. He had to get famous. Bird's main reason for not appearing on these lists is the short length of his career. I created a quiz for every player who has ever received an MVP vote (over 275 players!). Statistics accurately portray a number of things. 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. I remember Artis Gilmore. In my book, thats the single greatest achievement in NBA history and will be hard to top. It was either a bucket or a foul. Bill Russell might have more titles, Wilt Chamberlain might have all those untouchable records, but Abdul-Jabbar was offensively skilled in ways Russell never was and retired as the league leader in nine statistical categories thanks to an impressive staying power Chamberlain couldnt match. The 1964 NBA MVP, the 1961 Rookie of the Year, a 12-time All-Star,an 11-time All-NBA selection, NBA 75 I can keep going. Before joining the Lakers in 2018, LeBron appeared in 9 consecutive finals. Thediscourse never diesand were here for it. Also surprised about Alvin vs. Oscar Robertson--fewer people got the latter, but he's the one I was aiming for when I typed "Robertson." He has an insane basketball IQ, the build of a football player, a very good post game, and a good jumper especially for the 90s. 1 on theirbest NBA players list, this is an easy one to write. Hes arguably become the best player in the NBA at this point. Zeke not being on the Dream Team is the biggest snub ever, no exaggeration, but he rightfully earned a spot on the NBA75 team. The captain of the Showtime Lakersshould firmly be included on anyones NBA top 5 list. He was truly a one of a kind and easily one of the most entertaining playerson and off-the-courtthat the NBA has ever seen. Dwyane Wade has said AI is part of the reason he woreNo. In his 13 years, Bird led Celtics to 3 NBA titles. Where's Lillard? 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. :). Active players indicated by a light blue background. Kobe ranks fourth among all-time NBA leading scorers with 33,643 career points. When the Complex Sports crew started to put together this list, we didnt waffle over whether LeBron deserved to be ranked higher than MJ. Thats a league MVP award, but I dont think we should knock him for that if thats missing from his rsum when he ultimately retires. AD, Karl Malone falls into a long list of players from the 90s who were really good but ultimately overshadowed by Michael Jordan and theBulls. Likewise, in his last game he dropped 60 points against the Jazz, the most in the previous game by any player. Can you name the top NBA players of all-time according to an ESPN poll of experts from 2016? Thats a fitting tribute to a record consecutive 18-time all-star starter and joint 4 times all-star MVP. Lonzo Ball didn't work for any of these categories. He was overshadowed by Duncan, whose numbers are slightly better, but Garnett was by far the more fun player to watch. STOP IT!! Although ranked second in our list by the end of his career, James may take the number 1 spot. But only Westbrook has put up the seasonal averages (three times) to match Robertsons brilliance and Russ isnt anywhere near the offensive juggernaut Robertson was. There should be no shock that Dwyane Wade lands on this list. LeBron James Is A Four Times NBA Champion (Source: Instagram). When you get Billy Cunningham but miss Dr. J. Garnett, Kobe and Duncan have retired, making them no longer 'active' players. Kevin love and gasol shouldn't be in here. Not a top 50, but I think he makes top 100. Dominant seems like the only adjective to describe Shaqs career. To me the most surprising thing about this list isn't the placement of players or omissionsbut the fact that Vince Carter is still ACTIVE!! All other big man bow down to The Captain. People could argue it but its pretty fair and pretty much on point in order of ranking with arguably some exceptions. 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. Nor did we particularly labor over why Tim Duncan, for instance, deserved top 10 status over Kevin Garnett and Kevin Durant (for now). Later, to honor Bryant, NBA changed the All-Star MVP name to Kobe All-Star MVP in 2020. ZF, The NBAs all time leading scorer and inventor of the most lethal shot in Association history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar skyhook-ed his way to 38,387 career points. What is wrong for me is that there is Blake Griffin for example who didn't achieve that much and I think it is bit early to shove him in there. LeBron is a 6'9" freight train of a human being who can play any position and guard all positions on the court. The description needs to be updated to be accurate. Shaquille ONeal, Currently Works As A Sports Analyst (Source: AL.com). 1 spot on this list when his career is over. Besides his playing style, Bird dominated opposition players with his confidence and swagger. From dropping 41 in back-to-back games to the block in Game 7, LeBron leveled up in 2016. Abdul Jabbar, Retired at the Age of 42 ( Source: ). Block in game 7, LeBron appeared in 9 consecutive finals game 7, LeBron appeared in consecutive. His way were able to do it all and then some often let Duncan his! Imagine anything will ever top it on point in order of ranking arguably... 75 total spots ( top 15 in each category ) are comprised of only 50 different players i a... 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