NBA's 75 Greatest Players (Our List)

5/26/2022

by Eric Fulton & Julian Spivey

The NBA celebrated its 75th anniversary this season by unveiling its list of the 75 greatest players in league history (except the list featured 76 players due to a tie in the voting - ties are dumb!). Honestly it was a pretty good list the league compiled, but Eric and I thought we could improve on it ever so slightly and we definitely wanted it to be a ranked list instead of listed alphabetically like the league's was. We want you to know that George Gervin was better than Carmelo Anthony and so on. So, we hope you enjoy our additions, don't hate our omissions and respect the fact that when we celebrate 75 years of the NBA we aren't going to throw an extra player at you! - JS

75. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman may not be remembered for his scoring during a 14-year career, but he was known for being one of the greatest rebounders and defenders in NBA history. Rodman won the rebound title seven times, NBA defensive player of the year twice, an eight-time all-defensive player. His defensive and rebound contributions played a key role in two dynasties, the late 1980s Pistons and late 1990s Bulls. EF

74. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard may prove to be the last of the dominant “traditional” centers in NBA history – in that he was mostly an in-the-paint scorer without an outside shot. I think the style of the league changed immensely around the midpoint of his career, which has led to him being a bit of a journeyman in the second half of his career. That first half, though, was both Hall of Fame and NBA75 worthy. Arguably the greatest player in Orlando Magic franchise history, Howard was a five-time All-NBA First Team member with Orlando from 2008-2012 and won three consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards with the team. JS

73. Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo was one of the most feared defenders in the history of basketball. Known for his finger wave after every block, Mutombo played 18 seasons with six different teams. He was an eight time all-star, a three time block champion, a four time defensive player of the year, and a six time all-NBA defensive player. EF

72. Dave Bing
Dave Bing was one of the first great Detroit Pistons and the city of Detroit loved him so much he ended up serving as Mayor of Detroit, literally, from 2009-2013. Bing was a seven-time NBA All-Star, mostly with the Pistons, but also the Washington Bullets. He was the NBA’s leading scorer in 1968 and a All-NBA First Team member in ’68 and 1971. Bing was one of the first truly explosive point guards in the league who was not only a terrific playmaker but also his team’s top scoring option. JS

71. Bob Lanier
Maybe it’s because he was overshadowed by the game’s many great centers of his era, but it was curious Bob Lanier didn’t make the NBA’s cut of the 75 greatest players in league history. We’re going to correct that omission here. Lanier was such a great player that two franchises retired his No. 16 jersey – the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. Lanier averaged a double-double for his career with 20.1 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game and made eight All-Star teams (seven with Detroit). JS

70. Alex English
Alex English was a pure scorer averaging over 21 points per game throughout his NBA career, in which he spent majority of his career with the Denver Nuggets. In six of his sixteen seasons, English played every single game in the regular season (82). He won the scoring championship in the 1982-1983 season, along with being a three-time All-NBA selection and an eight-time NBA all-star. EF

69. Robert Parish
Known as “The Chief,” Parish played over 1600 games in his 21 year career. He was one of the major parts of the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1980s, winning three of his four titles in Boston. A nine time NBA all-star and two time all-NBA performer, Parish was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. EF

68. Dave Cowens
Dave Cowens was the second great big man in Boston Celtics history and potentially the biggest key to the second wave of Celtics championships in the ‘70s, winning two titles in 1974 and 1976. Cowens was the league MVP in 1973 (though somehow didn’t make the NBA All-First Team that year). Cowens was an eight-time All-Star and averaged a double-double for his career with 17.6 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per game. JS

67. Paul Arizin
Paul Arizin was one of the early NBA’s greatest scorers, retiring with the third most points in league history when he called it quits in 1962 after 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors. He made the All-Star team every season he played and was a three-time All-NBA First Team selection. Arizin led the league in scoring in 1952 and 1957 and led his Warriors to a championship in 1956. JS

66. Klay Thompson
In just eight NBA seasons, Klay Thompson has built quite an impressive resume. Though he missed two full seasons due to injury, Thompson has still helped the Golden State Warriors become the modern dynasty in the NBA. His prolific three point shooting has landed him on five NBA All-Star teams, two time all-NBA and he's a three-time NBA champion. EF

65. Bernard King
A small forward out of Tennessee, Bernard King played big in his 14 year career. Though he missed two full seasons due to injury, King was still a four time NBA All-Star, four time All-NBA selection, and scoring champion for the 1984-1985 season when he was a member of the New York Knicks. EF

64. Chris Bosh
Recently the Associated Press chose its All-NBA team by decade and Dirk Nowitzki was chosen as the big man for the 2010s team, which I thought was a bit iffy considering his best decade was the one before. A friend asked who I’d replace Nowitzki with and my answer is Chris Bosh. Bosh, who was unfortunately omitted from the NBA’s 75 list, won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, was an 11-consecutive time All-Star and has had his No. 1 jersey retired by the Heat. JS

63. Earl Monroe
Earl “The Pearl” Monroe was a key member of the Baltimore Bullets in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s and the New York Knicks throughout the ‘70s. The 1968 NBA Rookie of the Year made the NBA’s First-Team in 1969 with the Bullets before teaming with Walt “Clyde” Frazier to form potentially the NBA’s scariest backcourt of the ‘70s, including the 1973 NBA title. Monroe averaged 18.8 points per game for his career and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990. JS

62. Anthony Davis
After leading Kentucky to a National Championship, Anthony Davis has continued his big presence in the NBA. In 11 years, Davis achieved a ton of accomplishments every player dreams about. With eight NBA all-star appearances, three time blocks champion, four time All-NBA, an NBA all-star game MVP and Finals champion, Davis is a certain future Hall of Famer with a chance to add to an already impressive resume. EF

61. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has spent his entire 10 year career with the Portland Trail Blazers averaging over 25 points per game. Lillard won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013 and has also made six all-star appearances to go along with six All-NBA selections. He is widely considered as one of the best clutch game performers in the game today. EF

60. Nate Archibald
Nate Archibald’s nickname was “Tiny,” but his play was anything but with the 6 foot, 1 inch point guard leading the league in both scoring and assists in 1973 with the Kansas City-Omaha Kings. The six-time NBA All-Star would move to the Boston Celtics in 1978, where he would help the Celtics win the 1981 NBA title with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Archibald averaged 18.8 point per game and 7.4 assists per game for his career and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. JS

59. Pete Maravich
Even though he only played 10 seasons in the NBA, “Pistol Pete” Maravich was one of the great players in the NBA during the 1970s. Maravich averaged 24 points per game during his NBA career in which he was a five time all-star, four time all-NBA, and a scoring champion for the 1976-1977 season with the New Orleans Jazz. He was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987, months before his tragic death in 1988. JS

58. Dolph Schayes
Dolph Schayes was one of the NBA’s first dominant big men playing with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers from 1948-1964. Schayes was a 14-time consecutive All-Star and helped lead the Nats to the 1955 NBA title. He was a six-time All-NBA First Team member and finished his career averaging 18.5 points per game and 12.1 rebounds per game. JS

57. Lenny Wilkens
Lenny Wilkens was such a great basketball mind that he spent a good portion of his career as a player-coach for both the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers. Wilkens begin his career as an All-Star point guard for the St. Louis Hawks before leaving for Seattle, where his No. 19 jersey would eventually be retired. Wilkens averaged 16.5 points per game and 6.7 assists per game for his career and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989. He would go on to become the winningest coach in NBA history before being surpassed by Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich. JS

56. Bob McAdoo
Bob McAdoo was maybe the most curious omission from the NBA’s 75th anniversary list unveiled this season. It likely had something to do with the amount of great big men of his era and the fact that he played for the Buffalo Braves during his best years, but his numbers – 22.1 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game – along with being the league’s MVP in 1975 really should’ve had him on the league’s list. Oh well, the three-time NBA scoring leader and five-time All-Star is well on our list. JS

55. Hal Greer
Hal Greer was one of the NBA’s most dominant guards of the 1960s with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers making the All-Star team 10 consecutive years from 1961-1970 and a seven straight-time member of the NBA All-Second team. Greer averaged 19.2 point per game for his career and was a member of the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers championship team with Wilt Chamberlain and Billy Cunningham. Greer was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. JS

54. Willis Reed
Playing his entire 10 year career in New York, Willis Reed was the heart and soul of the two Knicks NBA Championship teams of the 1970s. Reed averaged a double-double in his career (18.7 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game). Reed won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1965. He was also a seven time NBA All-Star, won NBA and NBA All-Star MVPs in the 1969-1970 season, a five time all-NBA, and a two time NBA Finals MVP. Reed was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. EF

53. Walt Frazier
A part of the two Knicks championships in the 1970s, Walt “Clyde” Frazier played 10 of his 13 NBA season in New York. Frazier averaged nearly 19 points per game in his career. He was a seven time NBA All-Star, a six time all-defensive member, won the 1975 NBA All-Star MVP, and was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. EF

52. Nate Thurmond
Unlike today’s small ball oriented league, there was no shortage of dominant big men in the NBA in the ‘60s and ‘70s and this list thus far has proven that. Nate Thurmond was yet another dominant big man of that era manning the paint for the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors from 1963-1974 making seven All-Star teams and being named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team twice and Second Team three times. One of the greatest rebounders in NBA history Thurmond finished his career with the same amount of rebounds per game (15.0) as he did points per game. JS

51. Kevin McHale
One of the key pieces in the Celtics three championships in the 1980s, Kevin McHale played his entire 13 year career in Boston. His presence on the offensive and defensive side in the front court helped the Celtics advanced to eight NBA Finals in the 1980s. McHale averaged 18 points per game to go along with seven rebounds per game in his career. He was a seven time NBA All-Star and made the NBA All-Defensive team six times. EF

50. Kawhi Leonard
I’ve rarely, if ever, seen one player have such a positive impact on a franchise as Kawhi Leonard did in the one season he played for the Toronto Raptors (the 2018-19 season). Leonard was the missing piece the Raptors needed to win their first title going from a team eliminated in the first or second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs annually to winning it all. Of course, this was after Leonard was the key figure of the last of the great San Antonio Spurs championship teams of this century. Leonard was both the NBA Finals MVP for the Spurs in 2014 and the Raptors in 2019. As dominant, if not more so, on the defensive side of the ball as the offensive Leonard is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and a three-time NBA All-First Team member. JS

49. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics throughout the 2000s. He played 15 of 19 seasons in Boston. Though it took a while, he would eventually help the Celtics, alongside Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett win the NBA title in 2008. Pierce took NBA Finals MVP honors that season. He made 10 NBA All-Star appearances, named to four All-NBA teams, and was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. EF

48. Carmelo Anthony
After leading Syracuse to a National Championship in 2003, Carmelo Anthony burst to the NBA scene with the Denver Nuggets and made an immediate impact. Anthony was named to the 2003-2004 NBA All-Rookie Team. He has also been a 10-time NBA All-Star and a six-time All-NBA selection. He won the 2012-2013 NBA scoring champion while playing for the New York Knicks. EF

47. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has been one of the most entertaining and interesting players in the NBA today. In the 2016-2017 season, Westbrook joined Oscar Robertson as the only players to average a triple double in an entire season. He averaged about 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists that season and won MVP for his efforts. Westbrook has become an NBA All-star and All-NBA selection nine times each. He has also won NBA All-Star game MVP honors twice. He also has won the league scoring champion twice. EF

46. Clyde Drexler
Known as “Clyde the Glide”, Drexler was one of the great players in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was a 10 time NBA All-Star and a five time all NBA performer. Drexler led the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992 and would win a championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995. He averaged 20 points in his 16 NBA seasons. EF

45. George Mikan
George Mikan was the most dominant big man of his era playing in the NBA from 1947-1954 and again in 1956. In that short career Mikan led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships (this was after winning two with the Chicago American Gears in the National Basketball League before that). Mikan averaged 23.1 point per game in the NBA, including three seasons as the league’s scoring champion. His unique jersey number of 99 is retired by the Lakers. JS

44. George Gervin
George Gervin was one of the smoothest players and scorers in the history of the NBA and truly pioneered a unique shot of his own with the finger roll. His nickname of “The Iceman” is also one of the all-time great nicknames in the history of sport. Gervin began his career in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Virginia Squires and later San Antonio Spurs, whom he’d move to the NBA with in 1976. Gervin would go on to become a nine-time NBA All-Star, four-time scoring champion and five-time All-NBA First team member, averaging 25.1 points per game for his career when numbers between the ABA and NBA are combined. JS

43. James Harden
Known as “The Beard” for his all-time great facial hair, James Harden didn’t start his career as a starter. As part of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the early 2010s with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Harden was the third important guy, but played a significant role as a sixth man. For his efforts, Harden was awarded the sixth man of the year in 2012. When he was traded to the Houston Rockets, his stardom took off like a rocket. Harden became a three time scoring champion, MVP in 2017-2018, a seven time all-NBA and 10 time NBA All-Star. Harden is averaging about 25 points per game in his career. EF

42. Gary Payton
Gary Payton was one of the most tenacious players in NBA history. So adept at defense he was nicknamed “The Glove” and was named NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 (the last guard to win the award until Marcus Smart did this season for the Boston Celtics). Payton was a nine-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA First team member, nine-time All-NBA Defensive First Team member and a bench player on the 2006 Miami Heat championship squad. Payton was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. JS

41. Dominique Wilkins
Known as the “Human Highlight Film,” Dominique Wilkins was a tremendous small forward. Wilkins played 12 of his 16 years with the Atlanta Hawks achieving seven all-NBA selections, nine NBA All-Star selections, and an NBA all-rookie selection for the 1982-1983 season. Wilkins also won the scoring championship for the 1985-1986 season. He averaged nearly 25 points per game in his Hall of Fame career. EF

40. Jason Kidd
Drafted second overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 1994, Jason Kidd became one of the greatest assist players in NBA history. While he only averaged about 13 points per game in 19 seasons, it was his nearly nine assists per game that was the difference in helping his teams win games. The winner of the 1995 NBA Rookie of the Year, Kidd was a 10 time NBA All-Star, nine time all-defensive selection, and a six time All-NBA selection. Kidd led the New Jersey Nets to two straight NBA Finals appearances in 2002 & 2003. Though he didn’t win a championship with the Nets, he did win an NBA title during his second stint with the Mavericks in 2011. EF

39. Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen’s journey to the NBA began at then NAIA school, the University of Central Arkansas. He started out as team manager at 5’9, but grew nine inches one summer and became a star once he got on the court. His tremendous play in college would lead him to being selected fifth overall by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1987 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Chicago Bulls and would be one the key pieces to the Bulls dynasty in the 1990s winning six titles during that time. Pippen was one of the best defensive players during his era as he was selected to 10 NBA All-Defensive teams. A 17 year veteran, Pippen was also a seven time NBA All-Star, seven time All-NBA selection, a 1994 NBA All-Star MVP and an Olympic Gold Medal. EF

38. Elvin Hayes
Yet another dominant big man of the late ‘60s and ‘70s, Elvin Hayes was among the most dominant of his time. Hayes was the league’s scoring champion in 1969 and rebounding leader in 1970 and 1974. Hayes was a 12-time NBA All-Star with the San Diego/Houston Rockets and Baltimore/Washington Bullets (teams moved a lot back then!). Hayes was a three-time member of both the All-NBA First and Second teams in his career and his no. 11 has been retired by the now-named Washington Wizards. He was an integral member of the franchise’s 1978 championship team. Hayes averaged 21 point per game and 12.5 rebounds per game for his career. JS

37. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was one of the deadliest sharp-shooters in NBA history and his depth of shooting made him was of the scariest players of his era because it was the 3-point wild, wild west the league is today when he played. The five-time All-Star retired as the league’s all-time three-point shooter with 2,560 3-pointers made (since surpassed by Ray Allen and then Stephen Curry). Miller’s no. 31 is retired by the Indiana Pacers, whom he spent his entire 18-year career with and is widely considered the greatest player in that franchise’s history. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. JS

36. Steve Nash
Steve Nash had a great 18 year NBA career. Although he never won a title, Nash was the leader of a high flying Phoenix Suns team in the mid-2000s. He won back to back MVPs in 2006 and 2007 in which he led the NBA in assists both years. In addition to his two MVPs, Nash was an eight time NBA All-Star and seven time All-NBA selection. EF

35. Patrick Ewing
Prior to the NBA, Patrick Ewing was a dominant force in the center position for Georgetown University, leading the Hoyas to the NCAA National Championship in 1984 to go along with three Final Four appearances. The New York drafted Ewing as the first overall selection in the 1985 NBA draft hoping that he would lead them to championship success. Although the Knicks did not win a title in Ewing’s 15 seasons, New York came very close in 1994 when they lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games of the NBA Finals. Ewing had stellar career while playing for Knicks. He was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986, an 11 time NBA All Star, a seven time all-NBA performer, and a three all defensive NBA member. Ewing did shine playing in a city with the brightest of lights. EF

34. Chris Paul
One of the league’s most intense players of the current era Chris Paul has led every franchise he’s ever played for the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns to the postseason and is having his most success late in his career as the “Point God” of the Suns. The 12-time All-Star has made four All-NBA First teams and seven All-Defensive NBA First teams. He’s led the league in assists five times and steals six times. Paul has averaged 18.1 points per game and 9.5 assists per game for his career thus far. JS

33. Ray Allen
Ray Allen was one the greatest three point shooters in NBA history. In his 19 year NBA career, Allen shot exactly 40 percent from three point range. The fifth overall pick in the 1996 draft made three all-star appearances with the Milwaukee Bucks and made four more all-star appearances as a member of the Seattle Supersonics. In 2008, Allen teamed up with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to help the Boston Celtics win their first NBA championship in over 20 years. Allen made three more appearances as a member of the Celtics. He would finish his career with the Miami Heat winning a second title in 2013. EF

32. Rick Barry
A lot of folks may remember Rick Barry most for his “granny style” free throw shooting form, but that’s a disservice to the memory of one of the game’s all-time greatest scorers. Barry began his career in 1965 with the San Francisco Warriors before leaving for the ABA in the later part of the decade. After dominating the ABA, Barry would return to the Warriors in 1972 and dominate the NBA for a bit and leading the Warriors to the 1975 NBA title. The eight-time All-Star was named to the NBA All-First team five times, twice before his exodus to the ABA and three times upon his return. His no. 24 is retired by the Warriors. JS

31. Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy was probably the greatest point guard of his era in the NBA and helped form the Boston Celtics dynasty to end all dynasties in the late 1950s. Cousy won six championships with the Celtics, including the last five straight seasons of his career (not counting the cup of tea with the Cincy Royals six years after his retirement). Cousy was the NBA’s MVP in 1957, the first of hits titles with Boston, and was named to 13 All-Star teams and a 10-time consecutive All-NBA First team member. One of the greatest passers in league history he led the league in assists eight times. JS

30. Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson, known as “The Answer,” was a fantastic guard in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Iverson was drafted first overall to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft out of Georgetown. He won Rookie of the Year in 1997, and led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals. Iverson was an 11 time NBA All-Star, a two time All-Star game MVP, three time steals champion, four time scoring champion, and seven time All-NBA selection. He averaged nearly 27 points per game in his 16 seasons in the NBA. EF

29. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit was one of the NBA’s most dominant players of the 1950s and early 1960s with the Milwaukee and later St. Louis Hawks. Pettit won two MVP awards in 1956 and 1959 and led the Hawks to the 1958 NBA title. The 11-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA First team member was one of the game’s most dominant scorers and rebounders of his time averaging 26.4 points per game and 16.2 rebounds per game. Pettit’s no. 9 is retired by the Hawks franchise and he's likely the greatest player that franchise has ever had. JS

28. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas was drafted second overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1981 NBA draft and would play his entire career in Detroit. Before he arrived in Detroit, the Pistons were one of the worst teams in the NBA. Once he put on the Piston uniform, Thomas would lead the team to the top of the NBA summit. He was the leader of a team full of renegades. The Pistons won back to back titles in 1989 and 1990. Thomas won NBA Finals MVP in 1990. The 6’1 guard from Indiana was a 12 time all-star, two time all-star game MVP, all rookie in the 1981-1982 season, and five time all-NBA selection. EF

27. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft. The Bucks at the time won only 15 games in the 2013-2014 season, but they would build a team around the “Greek Freak.” As the Bucks became a better team, so did Antetokounmpo. Beginning with the 2016-2017 season, he would make his first of six straight NBA All-Star appearances. He won NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2017. Giannis would win back to back NBA MVPs in 2018 and 2019. He also became a five time all-NBA selection, four time all-defensive team, the 2019-2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and all-star game MVP. The biggest achievement of Giannis’ career was leading Milwaukee to their first NBA championship in 50 years when he and the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals. He won NBA Finals MVP for his efforts. Giannis has done so much in his young NBA career so far and it continues to blossom before our very eyes. EF

26. John Stockton
John Stockton was the NBA’s quintessential point guard – a focus on the passing game and defensive standout who leads the league all-time in both assists and steals by a wide margin. The 10-time All-Star was an All-NBA First Team member in back-to-back years in 1994 and 1995 and a second-time member on six occasions. He led the league in assists nine consecutive seasons from 1988-1996. His No. 12 is retired by the Utah Jazz for whom he played his entire career with. JS

25. John Havlicek
John Havlicek played his entire 16 year NBA career with the Boston Celtics and achieved major success individually and collectively. Drafted ninth overall by the Celtics in 1962, Havlicek made the all-rookie team for the 1962-1963 season. He made 13 consecutive NBA All-Star teams from 1965 until his retirement in 1978. Havlicek also became an eight time champion with eight All-NBA selection. He won the NBA Finals MVP in 1974 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. EF

24. Moses Malone
Moses Malone may be the most underrated player in NBA history. After all, he won the league’s MVP three times in a five year span from 1979-1983 and I’m willing to bet many folks reading this don’t remember or realize that. Malone was one of the great scorers and rebounders of his era averaging 20.6 points per game and 12.2 rebounds per game for his career. Malone was a 12-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA First Team member and a one-time All-NBA Defensive First Team member. Two NBA franchises have retired his number – No. 24 with the Houston Rockets and No. 2 with the Philadelphia 76ers. JS

23. David Robinson
Nicknamed “The Admiral” for his time in the United States Naval Academy, David Robinson was the leader of the San Antonio Spurs in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was drafted first overall in 1987, but didn’t make his debut until 1989 because of his two year service to the Navy. Robinson won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1989. He would be known for his defensive presence as he won the rebounding title for the 1990-1991 season. The following year, he won defensive player of the year and blocking champion. Robinson was named to eight All-NBA defensive selections to go along with 10 NBA All-Star and All-NBA selections, respectively. Robinson won two titles in San Antonio. EF

22. Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley has likely become the greatest NBA (and maybe even sports in general) in-studio commentator in sports broadcasting history but he was quite the superstar on the court before that. The 1993 NBA MVP for the Phoenix Suns was a force to be reckoned with on the boards, especially impressive given his 6’6’’ frame that made him smaller than most of the players who was robbing rebounds from. The tenacious forward was an 11-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team selection and averaged 22.1 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game for his career. JS

21. Dwyane Wade
The Miami Heat selected Dwyane Wade fifth overall in a star studded 2003 NBA Draft. Wade would become the greatest player in Miami’s history. In 2006, Wade led the Heat to their first NBA title where he was named NBA Finals MVP. He would join forces with LeBron James and Chris Bosh to win two more titles in 2012 and 2013. Wade also became a 13 time NBA All Star, an eight time All-NBA selection, and scoring champion in 2009 and won an NBA All-Star MVP award in 2010. He averaged 22 points per game in his brilliant career. EF

20. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett began his NBA career in 1995 straight out of high school. He played 14 of his 22 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. “KG” led the Timberwolves to their only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2004. For his efforts that season, Garnett was named NBA MVP. In pursuit of a championship, Garnett joined the Boston Celtics in 2007 to team with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The Celtics won the NBA title in 2008 thanks in part to Garnett, who won NBA Defensive Player of the Year during the championship season. He averaged a double-double in his career (18.0 points & 10 rebounds per season). Garnett was a 15x NBA All-Star, 12x NBA All-Defensive, nine time All-NBA selection, and four time rebounding champion. Garnett was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. EF

19. Karl Malone
Nicknamed “The Mailman” not because he was a mail carrier, but he was power forward in dunking a basketball with authority. The 6’9 forward from Louisiana played 18 of his 19 seasons with the Utah Jazz and together with John Stockton, formed a dynamic duo that was lead Utah to many regular season wins. Malone was a two time NBA MVP and led the Jazz to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. He would make a third NBA Finals appearance in 2004 in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Although he never won an NBA championship, Malone still had a fantastic career. He averaged 25 points per game while making 14 NBA All-Star teams and 14x All-NBA selections. At the end of his career, Malone finished second in all-time scoring trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. EF

18. Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor is another legend who might be given the “most underrated of all-time” label. The 11-time All-Star was a force for the Minneapolis and Los Angeles Lakers from his Rookie of the Year winning season in 1958-59 through 1972. Baylor was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, one of only 10 players selected to that honor a double digit amount of times. His No. 22 is retired by the Lakers franchise. JS

17. Julius Erving
Julius “Dr. J” Erving was one of the smoothest and most stylish players in league history with much of that likely developing in the more stylish American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1971-1976 where he won two titles and led that league in scoring three times. His NBA career began in the 1976-77 season with the Philadelphia 76ers where he’d quickly lead that franchise to being one of the best in the Eastern Conference. Erving would win the NBA Most Valuable Player with the 76ers in 1981 and a title in 1983. The 11-time NBA All-Star was voted to five All-NBA First Team selections and had his No. 6 retired by the 76ers and his No. 32 retired by the Brooklyn Nets franchise for his time with that team in the ABA. He finished his career averaging 24.2 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. JS

16. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki was one of the greatest scorers of his era in the NBA and helped fundamentally change the game for big men in the league by extending the court with his deadly jumper. He is the greatest European-born player in NBA history. The 2007 league MVP was a 14-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA first teamer and led the Mavericks to their first (and thus far only) championship in 2011. Nowitzki averaged 20.7 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game for his career, played entirely with Dallas. The Mavericks have retired his No. 41 jersey. JS

15. Jerry West
A sharp shooting guard from West Virginia, Jerry West played his entire 14 year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was an all-star in every season he played. He was also selected to 12 All-NBA teams and a five time NBA All-Defensive selection. Offensively, he thrived as one of the top scorers in that era, averaging 27 points per game in his career. West won the scoring title in the 1969-1970 season. He won NBA Finals MVP in 1969, even though the Lakers lost the series to the Boston Celtics in seven games. West and the Lakers would win the NBA title in 1972. After his playing days, Jerry West became one of top executives in the NBA with several teams, including his beloved Lakers. EF

14. Stephen Curry
Few if any players throughout the history of the NBA have changed the game as much as Steph Curry. Curry’s proficiency behind the arc took the NBA from a two-point focused game to that of a three-point focused game (some would say for the worse). He is the greatest three-point shooter (and likely just shooter) in the game’s history and has led the Golden State Warriors to three NBA titles already in his career. The two-time MVP has averaged 24.3 points per game for his career and 6.5 assists per game. Curry has been named to eight All-Star teams, four All-NBA First Teams and has led the league in scoring on two occasions. JS

13. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon was the best big man in a game full of Hall of Fame big men of his era, late ‘80s through the mid-‘90s. Leading the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles in the mid-‘90s, the 7-footer was the NBA’s MVP in 1994, a 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA First Team selection, five-time All-NBA Defensive First Team selection and the Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back years of 1993 and 1994. Olajuwon’s No. 34 is retired by the Rockets franchise. JS

12. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant made a name for himself right at the beginning of his NBA career at 19. In 2007-2008, he won NBA Rookie of the Year and was an all-rookie selection. When the Seattle Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder, the accolades would not stop. While in Oklahoma City, Durant became NBA MVP for the 2013-2014 season, a four time scoring champion, a seven time NBA All-Star, and made his first trip to the NBA Finals in 2012. In 2016, Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors and joined forces with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. While with the Warriors, Durant would win two NBA titles and was named NBA Finals MVP both times. In 2019, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets. Though he did not play in the 2019-2020 season while recovering from an injury, the next two years would still be solid for Durant. He still has some miles left in his career. EF

11. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaq made an immediate impact when he was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. The Magic were a young franchise in the NBA and Shaq took them to new heights. By his third year, Orlando made it to the NBA Finals. In four season with the Magic, O’Neal was Rookie of the Year and scoring champion. In 1996, Shaq made a huge move by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his eight seasons in Los Angeles, O’Neal blossomed into a tremendous superstar. He would win MVP in 2000, another scoring title, and three straight NBA championships. In 2005, he would join a young Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat and would win his fourth championship. Shaq would play for three move teams (Suns, Cavaliers, and Celtics) before retiring in 2011. In 19 seasons, Shaq was a 15x NBA All Star, 14x All-NBA, three time All-Defensive selection, and three time All-Star MVP. He averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds per game in his career and was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. EF

10. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was the player who could do it all – score with the best of them, pass with the best of them and rebound with the best of them. Until Russell Westbrook managed to do so in the 2016-17 season, Robertson had been the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. His career averages were 25.7 points per game, 9.5 assists per game and 7.5 rebound per game. Robertson was the NBA’s MVP in 1964, a 12-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA First Team selection and led the league in assists on six occasions. His No. 14 is retired by the Sacramento Kings (whom were once the Cincinnati Royals he played most of his career with) and his No. 1 by the Milwaukee Bucks, whom he helped lead to their first NBA championship in 1971. JS

9. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers that same day and would be a Laker his entire 20 year career. Kobe was and All-Rookie selection for the 96-97 season. Once Shaquille O’Neal joined the Lakers, the duo would help return Los Angeles to its championship glory. The Lakers would win three straight NBA titles from 2000-2002 and make another Finals appearance in 2004. When Shaq left Los Angeles, the Lakers struggled for a bit. However, thanks to Kobe, the Lakers would return to the NBA Finals in 2008. They would lose to the Celtics that season, but the Lakers won the next two seasons in 2009 and 2010 with Kobe leading the charge. Bryant would have some memorable individual games in his resume. In 2006 against the Toronto Raptors, he would score 81 points, the most points scored by individual in a NBA game since Wilt Chamberlain’s famous 100 point game in 1962. In his final NBA game in 2016, Kobe would treat fans to one more unforgettable game by scoring 60 against the Utah Jazz. Bryant averaged 25 points per game in his career. He was an 18x NBA All-Star, two time scoring champ, 15x All-NBA, 12x All-Defensive selection, four time all-star MVP, regular season MVP in 2007-2008, and two time NBA Finals MVP. Kobe died in 2020 in a helicopter accident. Later that year, he was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. EF

8. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan is the definition of ultimate team leader and team player in the NBA’s modern era leading the San Antonio Spurs to championships over a 15-year span with his first coming in 1999 and last in 2014. He’d win three titles in between those two. Duncan was a two-time league MVP, 15-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team selection and eight-time All-NBA Defensive First Team selection. Duncan was a quiet personality, but his play did all of the talking on the court. The Spurs have retired his No. 21 jersey and he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. JS

7. Larry Bird
Hailing from little known French Lick, Ind., Larry Bird was a tremendous basketball player that blossomed in the late 1970s. Bird was the sixth overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. The Celtics at that time were going through some rough times. They only won 29 games prior to Bird’s arrival. By the end of the 1979-1980 season, the Celtics won 61 games and Bird became the NBA Rookie of the Year. Bird would help the Celtics win three NBA titles in the 1981, 1984, and 1986. He won three straight NBA MVPs from 1984-1986. In the three times he won a title, Bird was named NBA Finals MVP twice. Bird was also a 12x NBA All-Star, 10x All-NBA, and three time all-defensive player. Injuries forced Bird to retire at the end of the 1991-1992 season. But his time with the Celtics spoke major volumes. He brought the Celtics back to championship glory. EF

6. Wilt Chamberlain
The single-most dominant scorer in NBA history, Wilt Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history to top 100 points in a single game. Only six players in league history have scored 60 or more points on multiple occasions and Chamberlain did it an almost unbelievable 32 times (the next closest is Kobe Bryant with six). Chamberlain was a seven-time scoring champ for the league and a whopping 11-time rebounding champion (he has the most career rebounds in league history). Chamberlain was a 4-time league MVP, 13-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA First Team selection. His no. 13 is not only retired by three different franchises (Warriors, 76ers and Lakers), but also the Harlem Globetrotters with whom he spent a short time with. JS

5. Magic Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson was a magician on the basketball court. He helped Michigan State win the NCAA title 1979 beating Larry Bird and Indiana State. Shortly after, Magic was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his rookie season, Magic helped the Lakers win the NBA title. In game six vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, he played center in place of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and scored 42 points. He was named NBA Finals MVP for that incredible performance. The winning would not stop for Magic and the Lakers as they won five NBA Championships during the 1980s. Two of those five came against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. In addition to the five championships, Magic became a 12x All-Star, two time All-Star MVP, two time steals champion, four time assist champion, three time NBA Finals MVP, and 10x All-NBA. Simply put, Magic has his hands all over the basketball whether it was scoring, rebounding, assisting and stealing. In 1991, Johnson retired due to his HIV illness. He did not play in a NBA game for four seasons. He would come back in the 1995-1996 to play his last 32 games. He averaged nearly 15 points per game during that final season. Magic was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. EF

4. Bill Russell
Bill Russell was likely the greatest leader and teammate in NBA history – he is the sports all-time greatest champion winning a record 11 championships with the Boston Celtics from 1957-1969. Russell was the league’s MVP on five occasions, a 12-time All-Star and a 3-time All-NBA First Team selection (his biggest rival Wilt Chamberlain is the reason for that number being as low as it is). Russell led the NBA in rebounding on four occasions in his career and is second to only Chamberlain in career boards. Russell’s no. 6 is one of many hanging in the rafters for the Celtics organization. JS

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
When you have a single shot or move that comes to mind when you think of a player you know that player was one of the all-time greats. You can’t think of the sky hook without conjuring an image in your mind of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer (for now – LeBron James is fast approaching) and averaged 24.6 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game for his career. Abdul-Jabbar’s 6 MVPs are an NBA record, he’d also add two NBA Finals MVP to that list. Abdul-Jabbar won six championships in his career – five with the Los Angeles Lakers in the ‘80s and his first with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time All-Star, named to 10 All-NBA First Teams (in an era that featured more Hall of Fame big men than any other I believe), a six-time All-NBA Defensive First Team selection. Both the Bucks and Lakers franchises have retired his no. 33. JS

2. LeBron James
Bill Russell was likely the greatest leader and teammate in NBA history – he is the sports all-time greatest champion winning a record 11 championships with the Boston Celtics from 1957-1969. Russell was the league’s MVP on five occasions, a 12-time All-Star and a 3-time All-NBA First Team selection (his biggest rival Wilt Chamberlain is the reason for that number being as low as it is). Russell led the NBA in rebounding on four occasions in his career and is second to only Chamberlain in career boards. Russell’s no. 6 is one of many hanging in the rafters for the Celtics organization. JS

1. Michael Jordan
The greatest basketball player of all-time is Michael Jordan. For 15 seasons, Jordan did it all. He won NBA Rookie of the Year for the 1984-1985 season. A serious foot injury would force him to miss most of the following season, but beginning with the 1986-1987 season, Jordan would win his first of seven straight scoring titles. He would win 10 scoring titles averaging 30 points per game in all but one season. Not only could Jordan could score, he can play defense as well. Jordan was a three time steals champion and a nine time all-defensive selection. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the 1987-1988 season. In the 1990s, Jordan would elevate his game to the next level. He won all six of his NBA championships in the 1990s as well as six NBA Finals MVPs. Even though he retired a couple of times, Jordan was still a top of his game. He became a 14x NBA All-Star, 11x All-NBA selection, and three time NBA All-Star MVP. He finished in the top three in all-time scoring when he retired for good in 2003. Jordan was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. EF

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NBA's 75 Greatest Players (Our List)

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