Who is the all-time greatest NBA player? The answer is limitless and contentious since many players have demonstrated their potential in the NBA, if not the greatest, then the finest. There are no set standards for determining who is the greatest. Each analyst, player, coach, and fan has their point of view.
In the NBA, 4374 players have appeared in at least one game. So playing in the NBA is no laughing matter. Similarly, being in the conservation of the greatest is equivalent to being a member of an elite club.
Using references from well-known and trustworthy sports networks and websites including ESPN, Complex, Bleacher Report, and Clutch Points, we have compiled a list of our top ten basketball players of all time. No disrespect intended to those who did not make the top ten.
Let’s see who takes the title of greatest.
10. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan, arguably the greatest power forward of all time, is ranked tenth on our list. During his career, he also played center. Furthermore, Duncan is renowned as “The Big Fundamental,” having ruled both ends of the court for 20 years with textbook basketball abilities such as midrange bank jump shots and flawless defensive posture.
He is also multiple winners. Throughout his NBA career, he only played for the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan led them to 5 NBA titles and 1,001 regular-season wins, the most by a player with a single team in NBA history.
Similarly, he has 15 All-Star appearances, 2 NBA MVPs, and 3 Finals MVPs on his resume. Similarly, he is the only NBA player to have been named to both the All-NBA Team and the All-Defensive Team 13 times in a row (1997 to 2010).
Duncan joined the Spurs as an assistant coach for the 2019-2020 season after retiring from the NBA. Duncan was later elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on May 17, 2021.
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Only one word characterizes Shaq O’ Neal’s dominance. With his raw strength, speed, explosiveness, and talents, he overwhelmed the opposition at 7 ft 1 inch and 300 pounds.
Throughout his career, Shaq was dominant at every end of the court, scoring, rebounding, blocking, a low post, and fast-break. Furthermore, his hallmark postmove, known as the doorstep spin technique, intimidated opponents.
Near the hoop, the only way to stop him was to foul, or Shaq would dunk over you. Shaq and Kobe Bryant formed one of the most lethal NBA duos after signing as free agents with the Lakers.
From 2000 to 2002, they won three consecutive championships, with Shaq winning every Finals MVP award. Shaq became the third player in NBA history to win league MVP, finals MVP, and all-star MVP in the same season in 2000.
Later, in 2007, he won his fourth NBA championship. Similarly, he is a 15-time NBA All-Star and an 8-time All-NBA First-Team selection. Shaq O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
8. Larry Bird
Larry Bird, the greatest Celtics player and small forward of all time, is next on our list of the “top NBA players.” He is one of the most admired players in the NBA because of his intelligence, competitiveness, and ability to do anything on the court.
Bird is well-known for his outstanding passing and defensive skills. The bird can also play small forward or power forward. Similarly, he was one of the first players to fully exploit newly developed three-pointers.
Aside from his playing technique, Bird overpowered opponents with his confidence and swagger. Bird led the Celtics to three NBA championships in 13 years. He also earned league MVP for three straight years, a feat only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlian have accomplished.
Similarly, Bird has two Finals MVPs, 12 NBA All-Star honors, and nine All-NBA First Team accolades to his name. The bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. Later, as a member of the “Dream Team,” he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the second time in 2010.
7. Bill Russell
Bill Russell is regarded as one of the most successful players in NBA history. Furthermore, he won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, including two as a player/coach.
When there is conservation in the goat discussion, he is disrespected. Russell is credited for elevating NBA defensive play to new heights.
Furthermore, Russell’s shot-blocking abilities and man-to-man defense were the primary reasons for the Celtics’ dominance during his playing period.
If there had been a defensive player of the year award in the 1960s, Russell would have won it all in his 13 years as an NBA player. Furthermore, he is the first player to reach 20 RPG for the season ten times.
Russell has 5 MVP trophies, 12 NBA All-Stars, and 3 All-NBA First Team selections in addition to 11 NBA titles. Bill Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.
To honor Bill Russell, the NBA has named the Finals MVP as Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP since 2009. After accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, he remarked to Shaq, Robinson, Kareem, Mourning, and Mutombo, “I would kick your ass.”
6. Wilt Chamberlain
The late Wilt Chamberlian is next on the list. His number is legendary around the NBA. For example, in the 1961-62 NBA season, he averaged 50.4 points per game, something no other player has ever done.
Similarly, on March 2, 1962, Chamberlian scored 100 points against the New York Knicks’ highest-scoring NBA player in a single game. In addition, he owns seven scoring titles, eleven rebounding titles, and one durability title in his career.
Wilt is responsible for various NBA rule modifications, including offensive goaltending, lane extension, and revisions to free throw and inbounding restrictions.
Furthermore, Bird and Magic resurrected the NBA and the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Chamberlian earned one of his two titles in 1967 while playing for the 76ers, and the other in 1972 while playing for the Lakers.
Aside from that, he has four MVP awards to his name. Similarly, Chamberlain is a 13-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA First-Team selection, and the 1980 Rookie of the Year.
Wilt Chamberlian was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978. Unfortunately, basketball icon Wilt Chamberlian died on October 12, 1999, at the age of 63, from congestive heart failure.
5. Kobe Bryant
Late Kobe Bryant is regarded as the best Lakers player of all time, having played for the Lakers for 20 years. In the sporting world, he is a role model. Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” helped him achieve everything in his career, and he has every right to be involved in the goat issue.
From 2000 to 2002, Kobe led the Lakers to a three-peat with Shaq O’ Neal. He later won the scoring title in 2006 and 2007. Kobe is an excellent scorer who ranks fourth all-time in NBA scoring.
He averaged 35.4 points per game in 2006-07. Furthermore, against the Raptors in 2006, Kobe recorded the second-most points in a single game. Similarly, he scored 60 points against the Jazz in his most recent game, the most by any player in a single game.
The true Game MVP
Kobe received his first and only MVP award in 2008. Later, in 2008, he led the USA’s “Redeem Team” to gold medals in both the Beijing and London Olympics.
Later, in 2008 and 2009, Bryant led the Lakers to back-to-back championships, earning Finals MVP honors each year. Kobe Bryant will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. Here’s a brief homage to one of the all-time great NBA players.
Kobe Bryant, 41, perished in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with his daughter Gianna, six family friends, and the pilot.
Later, to honor Bryant, the NBA renamed the All-Star MVP award the Kobe All-Star MVP beginning in 2020.
That’s a fitting tribute to the record-breaking 18-time all-star starter and four-time all-star MVP.
4. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson’s distinctive smile and enthusiasm for basketball are beloved by many NBA fans across the world. He is most likely the best point guard to ever play in the NBA, and his legacy proves it. As a 6’9″ guard, he was a walking triple-double machine, ranking third all-time in triple-doubles with 138.
There would have been no “Showtime” Lakers without Magic Johnson. His quick breaks, no-look passing, and alley-oops elevated Lakers basketball to new heights.
Furthermore, his rivalry with Larry Bird catapulted the NBA to its current heights. During his first season, he replaced an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Magic began as a center and played all positions, tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. Following that, he won his first NBA title and was named Finals MVP.
Later in his career, Magic went on to win four more NBA championships and three Finals MVP awards. Aside from that, Magic has been named league MVP three times, an NBA All-Star 12 times, and an All-NBA First Team member nine times.
Magic had to quit at the age of 32 due to HIV in 1991. However, he returned to the 1992 Olympics to build “The Dream Team,” the best basketball team of all time.
Magic Johnson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once for his career in 2002 and again as a member of the “Dream Team” in 2010.
3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Moving on to the final three, Kareem Abdul Jabbar is ranked third on our list of the greatest NBA players of all time. He is one of the players whose career statistics and achievements demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the best.
To begin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time best scorer, with 38,837 points in 20 seasons. Abdul-Jabbar has received every individual award available in the NBA.
Furthermore, he has won the most league MVPs in league history, with six. Kareem was also named rookie of the year in his first season.
All-Star Game
Furthermore, he is a 19-time NBA All-Star, the most in NBA history, and a 15-time All-NBA First Team selection. After joining with the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar became the team’s captain, guiding them to five championships in 14 seasons.
Furthermore, no discussion of Abdul-Jabbar would be complete without mentioning his hallmark shot, the skyhook. Probably, his unblockable shot let him score a lot of points.
He credits Bruce Lee with teaching him martial arts discipline and spirituality, which enabled him to play in the NBA for two decades despite numerous injuries. Abdul-Jabbar was later inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
2. LeBron James
LeBron James is in his 19th season in the NBA and has never slowed down since his debut. When there is a disagreement about a goat, one name always comes to mind: King James.
Despite being ranked second on our ranking at the end of his career, James may take the top spot. So one might write a 200-page book about his accomplishments and resume.
After winning back-to-back MVP awards, LeBron James joined the Miami Heat in 2010 to create the BIG 3 with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Later, with the Heat, he won two NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and two league MVPs.
Furthermore, in the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James’ consecutive 41-point game and chase-down block in game 7 decided the Cavaliers’ historic 3-1 comeback against GSW.
Before joining the Lakers in 2018, LeBron had appeared in nine straight finals. After missing out in his debut season, he won an NBA ring and Finals MVP the following year.
LeBron has been named to 16 All-NBA teams. He is also a 17-time All-Star and three-time NBA All-Star MVP. Similarly, LeBron is the leading postseason scorer with 7632 points and ranks third all-time with 35,367 points.
LeBron James will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame shortly. Furthermore, by the time he retires, he will undoubtedly have broken numerous records and received numerous honors.
1. Jordan, Michael
Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. When it comes to basketball, Jordan is the first name that springs to mind. Jordan’s skill set the bar for subsequent generations of league players.
His quest to become the greatest began after winning his first NBA title. With two three-peats and six Finals MVPs, there is no doubting why he is the goat.
When basketball’s popularity was at its lowest, his “Airness” Michael Jordan brought it back to life. Basketball’s popularity surged thanks to his Jordan brand.
The five-time MVP was an assassin on the floor, striking down anyone who stood in his way. Jordan was a great defender in addition to being a scoring machine.
Defensive player of the year in the NBA
As a result, he became the only NBA player to win both the NBA defensive player of the year and the NBA MVP award in the same season. Jordan also has a record 10 scoring titles to his name, as well as lifetime scoring averages of 30.1 and 33.4 PPG in the regular season and playoffs.
Similarly, he has 14 NBA All-Star appearances and 10 All-NBA First-Team selections. Jordan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and named a “Dream Team” member in 2010.
Summary
Michael Jordan is ranked first on our ranking of the greatest NBA players of all time. However, the goat dispute is a never-ending circle. As active superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s careers come to a close, and rising prospects like Zion Williamson and Luka Doncic enter the game, anyone can dethrone Jordan in the future.
You may also want to read: Sarati, Prezly Lea, Erin Bria, Talisa Tossell