Who are the top 10 NBA players of all-time?
There have been many great players in NBA history, but 10 once-in-a-generation talents stand out above the rest.
The NBA’s rich 77-year history has seen some of the most spectacular performers grace the hardwood.
Legendary players have brought unique elements to the game that have stood the test of time, inspiring generations after them. They’ve also set and broken insurmountable records while winning championships in dynastic fashion.
Narrowing down the best players of all-time boils down to winning pedigree, dominance in their respective era, individual accolades and how well their games would translate in any time period. Here are the 10 best players in NBA history.
10. Bill Russell
Mr. Russell, as he’s respectfully referred to by most, led the Boston Celtics to an unheard of 11 championships in 13 seasons. Russell established himself as one of the best rebounders in history. During his time, blocks were not recorded as an official stat. Had they been, his rejections would only heighten his esteem as a defender. When watching Russell play, he was better than anyone before or after him at blocking shots and keeping the ball inbounds. While it may not seem significant to the average basketball spectator, that is extremely crucial to igniting fast breaks and taking away extra possessions from other teams. A muti-sport athlete in college, Russell was blazing fast and strong, and used such gifts to stymie contemporary Wilt Chamberlain in eight playoff matchups. Though, Russell never averaging 20-plus points in a season prevents him from being higher.
9. Kobe Bryant
The late Kobe Bryant prided himself on being a winner. He captured five championships and two Finals MVP’s in his 20-year career. Bryant was also named to 11 All-NBA First Teams and nine All-Defensive First Teams. Best known for his 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, Bryant was as good of a natural scorer the league has seen. Moreso, Bryant connected on jump-shots with the highest degree of difficulty, sometimes even creating that difficulty for himself. When it mattered most, Bryant came through in the clutch, making the second-most buzzer-beaters ever, per NBA World. What holds Bryant back from cracking the top five is his subpar 44.7 percent field goal clip which dipped in the playoffs on several occasions as well as his secondary role in the Lakers’ three championship runs behind Shaquille O’Neal.
8. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon delivered the Houston Rockets their only two championships in franchise history in 1994 and 1995. “The Dream” was a master of finesse. His revered post moves allowed him to create space and score with efficiency. Olajuwon is the all-time leader in career blocked shots with 3,830 rejections. The Nigerian center was a statistical league leader for five straight years between 1989-1993, having captured the rebounding crown in 1989 and 1990 and the blocks title from 1991-93. Establishing himself as a premiere defender, Olajuwon won the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year, cementing himself as a nonpareil two-way player. Strictly from a talent perspective, Olajuwon is arguably the most gifted player to have entered the league, but having won his two rings during Michael Jordan’s hiatus gives other players a leg up over him.
7. Shaquille O’Neal
The most dominant force in NBA history. That’s O’Neal’s basketball prefix. The LSU product took the league by storm as a chiseled elephantine center who could muscle his way down low and run in transition also. By the time he reached his peak with the Los Angeles Lakers, there was no answer for him on the low block. O’Neal achieved a three-peat, winning as many NBA titles from 2000-2002. A four-time champion, three-time Finals MVP and eight-time All-NBA First Team member, O’Neal’s sheer power and nimbleness go beyond words. O’Neal is docked in most debates for not having taken good care of his body during his professional tenure which could have elongated his career and raised him on several leaderboards. Yet and still, O’Neal’s name belongs with the best of the best.
6. Magic Johnson
Even though Magic Johnson wasn’t the first flashy passer to suit up in the association, he was far and away the best. Johnson was the driving force behind the Showtime Lakers that ran through the league in the 1980s. The Michigan alum won his first championship and Finals MVP at the end of his 1980 season, capping off a memorable Game 7 with 42 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. His prominent coming out party didn’t die down until his retirement. Johnson electrified with no-look passes and one of the highest basketball IQs that fueled him to four assist titles. Johnson finished his career with five rings, three Finals MVPs and three steals titles, proving himself as a noteworthy defender. Johnson was not much of a shooter, but to credit his greatness, delivered big shots in timely moments when his team needed it the most. Johnson was as good intangibly as he was on paper and was the most gifted in one particular facet of the game than anyone else at their strongest suit.
5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook became the most unstoppable shot in the NBA. It carried him to two scoring titles and the league’s all-time scoring record of 38,387 points, which was recently broken by LeBron James last season. Jabbar’s slender frame did not hinder him from imposing his will down low on offense or defending premiere centers in a golden age of big man play. The New York native’s six league MVPs are rivaled by none and his four blocks titles proved him to be a formidable force on both ends. While Jabbar’s resume can outshine any of his peers on this list, those ahead of him had advantages to their game that give them the edge.
4. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan did not wow audiences with high-flying dunks or long-range threes, but “the big fundamental” found ways to get to his spots and utilize impeccable footwork to efficiently score the basketball. As a rim protector, Duncan aged like fine wine, picking up critical rejections in the biggest games. His jab step pull-up 15-footers off glass became his patented shot of choice. Duncan won his first three championships in an era where the Shaq-and-Kobe Lakers were dominating the Western Conference. The Wake Forest product had every tool in his toolbox. He racked up five championships, three Finals MVPs and two league MVPs along with 15 All-Defensive and All-NBA team selections apiece. Had he not played in a Gregg Popovich system that at times limited his playing time and usage rate, his numbers could have reached his qualitative level of greatness.
3. Larry Bird
Larry Bird established himself as the league’s first premiere three-point shooting superstar. “Larry Legend” won three straight MVPs from 1984-86. In that span, he collected two championships at the start and end of that reign while joining the illustrious 50-40-90 club in 1987 and 1988. His 37.6 percent three-point average came in a 12-year stretch where the league average never exceeded 33.3 percent. Not only would Bird light up defenders for 50 and 60-point performances on an annual basis, he’d trash talk with the best stoppers at his position. Bird had a quick first step, incredible court vision and was an exceptional rebounder whose 10.1 boards per game average trails only Elgin Baylor among all small forwards. Bird is the best inside-out player in league history and had it not been for a debilitating back injury, he could have achieved much more in his career.
2. LeBron James
As an all-around talent, it’s hard to put anyone’s name next to LeBron James. The Akron, OH native is the all-time leader in career points (39,868), and is also top 10 in assists, currently situated at No. 4 overall (10,800). Never has there been a player with James’ size, athleticism, IQ and distribution ability. Reaching the Finals 10 times and winning four rings in the process exemplifies his winning acumen. The four-time MVP and 13-time All NBA First Team honoree set the record for most All-Star appearances (20) this year. In spite of his individual stature, James’ six Finals losses and 2011 flameout against the Dallas Mavericks are two roadblocks keeping him from owning the top spot.
1. Michael Jordan
Of course, five-time league MVP Michael Jordan won six championships and the Finals MVP in each title run. But his unparalleled greatness goes beyond that. Jordan’s 10 scoring titles as a shooting guard in an era where centers were the focal point of offenses testifies to his otherworldly scoring ability. He’s tied for the highest career scoring average at 30.1 points per game. Jordan also took home the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first player to have ever won an MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in their career by 1991. None of Jordan’s peers could best him at full strength when the lights shone brightest. With an unstoppable fadeaway jump-shot, Jordan possessed a go-to move and several others in his wide arsenal. The greatest of all-time has no knock to his game. Some nitpick his playmaking ability and have no answer for the eight assists he put up in 1988-89. Others hold his early playoff blunders against the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons against him. Fact of the matter is, once Jordan reached maturity, he was the best.
