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. Accomplishments: 12-time NBA All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, two-time NBA All-Defensive team, three-time NBA MVP, 1983 Finals MVP, six-time NBA rebounding champ, 1983 NBA champion. Defenses have to stay up on him full-court, which his handles and elusiveness make impossible to do. Anybody else going to averaged 22.9 RPG during their career like Wilt did? He has also documented in the Netflix series The Last Dance. LeBron not only matched the hype, but he exceeded it. Oh jeez, this guy. When youre ranking the best shooting guards of all time, just make sure you have Wade after MJ and Kobe. Were cool with what we came up with knowing the next time we update it Kevin Durant couldsneakinto the top 10. For perspective, only eight NBA players can claim over 200 win shares in their career. Not only does he routinely pull off feats that Ive never before seen, he has consistently evolved his game to fix the relative weak spots he was previously criticized for. J.J. Redick played three years at Duke and then went on to the NBA. AD, The Big Ticket is one of those players where the rings convo holds little to no weight. They breath different air than the rest of us and thats ok. Lets not forget LeBronis only 1,326 points away from passing Kareemto become the No. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. The player with the highest 2K Rating among current players whose height is 6'6 on NBA 2K23 is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Magic is the starting point guard on your all-time team. And I didnt even mention how magical he was during the 2011 NBA Finals when his Mavs upset LeBron James and theHeat. Top 10 NBA Players Of All Time! He played at the highest level on both sides of the floor and like Bill Russell before him knew exactly what he had to do to help his team win day in and day out. Mark E. Eaton (born January 24, 1957) is an American former professional basketball player who was a member of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz from 1982 to 1993, with one NBA All-Star selection in 1989, and two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1985 and 1989. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, 1955 NBA champion. He helped revolutionize the power forward position even more so than Tim Duncan did (hes a center! Healmost averaged a triple-double his rookie season before his iconic campaign during the 1961-62 season when he was good for 30.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 11.4 APG a night. David Robinson is a true generational talent comes in at No. But he was so much more than a dazzling smile. The Big Fundamental was never a fun player to up against because his trash talk was elite with little words he said. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, three-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 1979-80 Rookie of the Year, 1982 All-Star MVP, three-time NBA champion. 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. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, four-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, 1958 NBA champion. Players dont choose the era they play in, all we can do is look at who dominated it. Dwyane Wade has said AI is part of the reason he woreNo. I have a confession to make: even though Im a lifelong devotee to all Seattle sports team, I had a fan-fling with the San Antonio Spurs teams of the late 90s and early 2000s. 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. In case you hadn't noticed, the Wiz from Wuerzburg has been outscored by only five playersAbdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Admittedly, Chamberlain played at a time when post players were significantly smaller and basketball wasnt drawing the types of athletic marvels we see today, but the man was so incredibly dominant that he deserves a spot in the top five regardless of context. Oh, and while this has nothing to do with his ranking on this list, its still incredibly awesome and noteworthy that he has successfully fought off HIV for over two decades, helped de-stigmatize AIDS through his high-profile advocacy, and launched a second career as an entrepreneur who opens businesses predominantly in poverty-stricken areas in efforts to spur urban revitalization. Jordan retired for the first time at the . The Admiral was able to do it all and then some. 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. Thanks to that remarkable season, Hurts just became the highest-paid NFL player of all time. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. He wasnt as athletic as the other big men, but till the end of his career, he made a major impact on both ends of the floor, including in his last NBA Finals win in 2014. 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. 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. I think Kawhi could end up in the Nos. Stats: 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG in 17 season with Chicago Bulls (1987-88 to 1997-98; 2003-04), Houston Rockets (1998-99) and Portland Trail Blazers (1999-00 to 2002-03). Point guards werent supposed to be 65 scoring machines that could get a bucket from anywhere on the court like The Big O could. 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. Yes, they played the kind of slow-paced ball that put most fans to sleep by the third quarter, but there was often a thing of pure beauty hidden among the tire-fire of a 7871 final score: Tim Duncans bank shot. But Malones accolades compare quite favorably. The Bad Boys wreaked havoc on the NBAs Holy Trinity ofMagic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan and most of the damage that was done was on the orders of the 61 point god. Its still bewildering to watch old highlights and see how smooth Olajuwon, atrue dominant force on both sides of the ball, was able to move in the paint for a player his size. AC, Flash! Stats: 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG in 15 seasons with Atlanta Hawks (1982-83 to 1993-94), LA Clippers (1993-94), Boston Celtics (1994-95), San Antonio Spurs (1996-97) and Orlando Magic (1998-99). So, yeah, Magic Johnsonneat guy. Hes a 7guard. Magic's 12.3 assists ranks first all-time in the playoffs. In 2019, twenty-six players were listed at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m) or taller. You could easily argue for him being the best center of all time over Shaq and Abdul-Jabbar. LeBron James is one of the best players in NBA history. Its time for BritannicaOK, one editor at Britannicato jump into the perpetually unresolved greatest ever in [insert sport here] fray. You get that because its Bird and Magic were talking about and they basically saved the NBA in the 80s. He was a swimmer and didnt start playing basketball until later as a teen. Unlike most players in the NBA, David Robinson spent his entire NBA career with one team, the San Antonio Spurs. JJ went on to the NBA, where The Magic drafted him 11th in the 1st round. In honor of his playing career, here is a list of Abdul-Jabbar's NBA career accomplishments: 6 times NBA champion, 2 times NBA Finals MVP, 6 times NBA Most Valuable Player, 19 times NBA All-Star, 10 times All-NBA First Team. Dominant seems like the only adjective to describe Shaqs career. Join our linker program. Id love to see some of todays greats playing against Elgin. J.J. Redick. People who viewed the 6'10" NBA Players List also viewed: Most obsessively competitive to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody? Golden State won their first championship in four decades three years later. 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). His numbers and accoladeslook unreal in 2020. AC, As someone who has LeBron James as No. Shouldnt that tell you something? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Almost up until deadline, we debated whether Shaquille ONeal, inarguably one of the best big men in NBA history and a true disruptor on the court, deserved to be ranked higher than the late, great Kobe Bryant. Accomplishments: 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 12-time All-Star, 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, 2013-14 MVP, two-time Finals MVP, two-time NBA Champion. A 19-time All-Star who 15 times finished in the top 5 of the MVP voting, well spare you from listing out all his accolades because youd be scrolling this fine piece of #contentfor hours. 10. Four-time NBA scoring champion. The only player in history to come close to matching his winning is Michael Jordan. Barkley couldnt be stopped offensively either, beating out Jordan for the 93 MVP and taking his new team the Suns to the Finals where he lost to Jordans Bulls in six. During his early years in the NBA, Kevin Garnett was undoubtedly one of the nicest players in the league. and fought Bruce Lee in Game of Death, so his cool quotient is easily the highest of anyone on this list. For 38 years, Abdul-Jabbar has remained the NBA's all-time leading scorer. * Indicates member of the Hall of Fame. 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. The NBA is filled with giants. Career Per-Game Stats: 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.0 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 8.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 6.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.0 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 8.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 11.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 17.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.1 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.0 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.3 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 18.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.1 blocks, Accolades: Four-time All-Star, Three-time All-NBA, Three-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.2 blocks, Accolades: One-time MVP, 11-time All-Star, Four-time Scoring Champion, Seven-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 10.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.1 blocks, Accolades: One-time NBA Champion, Two-time All-Star, Three-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.2 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer,10-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, Five-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 16.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks, Accolades: Three-time NBA Champion, Three-time All-Star, One-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 27.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer, One-time NBA Champion, 12-time All-Star, One-time Scoring Champion, 12-time All-NBA, Five-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 20.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks, Accolades: One-time MVP, Two-time All-Star, One-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 14.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks, Accolades: Two-time MVP, Seven-time All-Star, Seven-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks, Accolades: One-time NBA Champion, Seven-time All-Star, One-time Scoring Champion, Six-time All-NBA, Three-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks, Accolades: One-time NBA Champion, 10-time All-Star, Two-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer, One-time NBA Champion, One-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats:25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, Accolades: Five-time NBA Champion, One-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, Two-time Scoring Champion, 13-time All-NBA, 11-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.8 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer, Six-time NBA Champion, Five-time MVP, 14-time All-Star, 10-time Scoring Champion, 11-time All-NBA, Nine-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.6 blocks, Accolades: One-time NBA Champion, Nine-time All-Star, Four-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 24.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.7 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer,One-time NBA Champion, Two-time ABA Champion, One-time NBA MVP, Three-time ABA MVP, 11-time NBA All-Star, Five-time ABA All-Star, Seven-time All-NBA, Five-time All-ABA, One-time ABA All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks, Accolades: Two-time MVP, Seven-time All-Star, One-time Scoring Champion, Seven-time All-NBA, Three-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 25.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks, Accolades: Two-time All-Star, Two-time Scoring Champion, Two-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.4 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer,Five-time NBA Champion, Three-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, unknown steals, unknown blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer,11-time NBA Champion, Five-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, One-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 18.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.2 blocks, Accolades: Three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Star, Five-time All-NBA, Four-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.3 blocks, Accolades: Four-time NBA Champion, Two-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, 13-time All-NBA, 13-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 23.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.0 blocks, Accolades: One-time NBA Champion, One-time MVP, 10-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 3.1 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer,Two-time NBA Champion, One-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 12-time All-NBA, Nine-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, Accolades: One-time NBA Champion, One-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, unknown steals, unknown blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer,Two-time NBA Champion, Four-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, Two-time All-Defensive, Seven-time Scoring Champion, Career Per-Game Stats: 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.5 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.6 blocks, Accolades: Hall of Famer, Six-time NBA Champion, Six-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 11-time All-Defensive, Career Per-Game Stats: 2.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.9 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.6 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats:15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.6 blocks, Accolades:Four-time All-Star, One-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 1.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.1 steals, 0.7 blocks, Career Per-Game Stats: 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.9 blocks, Accolades: Six-time All-Star, Five-time All-NBA, Career Per-Game Stats: 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.2 steals, 3.3 blocks. When the Complex Sports crew started to put together this list, we didnt waffle over whether LeBron deserved to be ranked higher than MJ. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, 1958-59 Rookie of the Year, 1959 All-Star MVP. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, five-time MVP, 1963 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 11-time NBA champion. Adam Fromal is a syndicated writer and Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Haters will counter that Wilt played against a bunch of stiffs in the 60s and 70s when the idea that a 71 center could be the most athletic player on the court was reserved forcomic books. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Hell then pull-upfrom halfcourt and make it 43.5 percent of the time. Hes top 10 in rebounds, blocks, win shares, and defensive win shares. Oh my, yes. Famously, he played center in place of the injured Abdul-Jabbar in the title-clinching game six of the 1980 NBA finals as a 20-year-old rookie. The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. Wilt Chamberlain 4. ZF, How much of an explanation do you need here? But now that hes earned his first championship, Antetokounmpos entered rarified air. Through the publication of this list, James has averaged a Robertson-esque 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 steals per game andunlike the Big Ohe was doing so against teams stocked with elite athletes and not players who smoked cigarettes at halftime. Malone is a 14-time All-Star player with 11 NBA First Team selections. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1976-77 scoring champ. Welcome to the ultimate database of every NBA player. Stats: 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 3.1 BPG in 18 seasons with Houston Rockets (1984-85 to 2000-01) and Toronto Raptors (2001-02); NBA's career leader in total blocks. Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). 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. The Black Mamba. Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG in 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1979-80 to 1990-91; 1995-96). Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. The leading scorer in National Basketball Association (NBA) history is just the 10th-best player ever? An average male aged 20 or older in the United State stands just 5'9.5"whilethe typical height of an NBA athlete is usually around 6'7", but varies year to year. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, 1971 All-Star MVP, 1969-70 assists champ. The NBA says Dallas violated the league's policy on resting players and had a desire to lose . Top accolades: Six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 14 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections. We could go through all the stats and the awards to prove why James should be where he is on this list, but theres really no need. Yes, the man many fans (ignorantly) consider the most overrated choke artist in the league is actually the best player to ever set foot on a court. However, theres no denying what he did on the court asthe leader on two of the most hated championship teams in NBA history. Duncan grew up in the US Virgin Islands. If he gets drafted by the Spurs, KG would have hadmore than just one ring to his name. When you think of LeBron James, youthink of greatness. My guy was brought to tears when he looked back at how maniacal he was towards his teammates. Steven Jackson: Dark Horse Commercial of the Year Candidate, Brian Wilson vs. James Harden: The Battle of the Beards, Comparing NBA Stars to their Animal Equivalents. A no-brainer Naismith Hall of Famer inductee in 1977, the only thing missing from his sterling rsum was a championship. NBA MVP. BODY. Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG in 11 seasons with Golden State Warriors (2009-10 to 2020-21)*. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time assists champ, two-time MVP. The most seasons played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) by a player listed at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) or shorter was 14 seasons by Muggsy Bogues who played from 1987 to 2001 . The Bulls won 93-82. Kevin Durant might have some of the best nicknames in the NBA, if not sports, but thats not why hes on this list. Both times played for the Miami Heat team in 2012 and 2013. We can talk about the way Kobe impacted the game and the culture of basketball but that shouldnt even be a measurement. K G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 Vocational/Technical Education University Special Ed P.E. Accomplishments: 19-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 11-time All-Defensive Team, six-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 1969-70 Rookie of the Year, two-time scoring champ, four-time blocks champ, 1975-76 rebounding champ, six-time NBA champion. Stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 7.4 APG in 13 seasons with Cincinnati Royals/KC-Omaha/Kansas City Kings (1970-71 to 1975-76), New York Nets (1976-77), Boston Celtics (1978-79 to 1982-83) and Milwaukee Bucks (1983-84). Ever. spin wheel Random wheel. AC, Elgin Baylor never won a ring. The GOAT, no question. Theres a reason why theFinals MVP awardis named after him. Hes a three-timeNBA champion with aFinals MVP, a 13-timeAll-Star, a seven-time All-NBA member, three-time All-Defensive team members,has one NBA scoring title, and a spot on the 75th anniversary teamsomething Wade told us he still cant believe. 1 of 2. 5. As he told us in arecent interview, you cant talk basketball without mentioning the king of Miami-Dade County. Its the playoff excellence that helps elevate Duncan above the more physically and athletically gifted contemporary power forwards like Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett. Magic probably wouldve played much longer and could be higher on the list if health issues didnt get in the way. 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. Stats: 20.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG in 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1966-67 to 1974-75), Washington Bullets (1975-76 to 1976-77) and Boston Celtics (1977-78). Larry Bird 7. There was a point in ONeals career where no one could stop him. He has the full offensive package with no weaknesses. AD, Theres really only one thing KawhiLeonardhas left to accomplish in his career. Bill Russell is grossly disrespected when talking about the greats. But so far, no one has passed the level of MJ. 2 scorer in NBA history and averaged 25.0 PPG over his 19 seasons in the league. Stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG in 14 seasons with Boston Celtics (1950-51 to 1962-63) and Cincinnati Royals (1969-70). Stats: 27.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.4 APG in 18 seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-04 to 2009-10; 2014-15 to 2017-18), Miami Heat (2010-11 to 2013-14) and Los Angeles Lakers (2018-19 to 2020-21)*. Others argued it should be about the numbers andthat awardsdont always end up belonging to the most deserved individual. Cody Frederick. Oh, and the 12-time All-Star also helped initiate true free agency into the NBA through a landmark antitrust suit, an accomplishment just as impressive as his jaw-dropping on-court exploits. The three-time MVP and 1983 Finals MVP was a 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, member of the NBAs 75th anniversary team, and a rebounding machine practically unrivaled during the 70s and 80s. KD has only averaged under 25 points per game ONCE in his 12 seasons and that came in his rookie campaign. Stats: 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG in 19 seasons with Orlando Magic (1992-93 to 1995-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-97 to 2003-04), Miami Heat (2004-05 to 2007-08), Phoenix Suns (2007-08 to 2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10) and Boston Celtics (2010-11). AC, The. Magic Johnson was born on 14 August 1959 in Lansing, Michigan. 1 spot on this list when his career is over. 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. Even despite losing in the second round to the Boston Celtics this season, Giannis became the first NBA player in history, Few guys in the league have everaffected the game in all facets like Antetokounmpo does, even if that 3-point shot forever remains a work in progress. He is a two-time NBA MVP winner, plus he won two All-Star MVP awards. He also made 11 NBAAll-Star teams, won threeMVP awards across the NBA and ABA, andmade the 75th anniversary team. Jerry West was that lethal shooting the ballan absurd 47.4 percent for his careerand retired after the 1974 season ranked in the top 5 in points scored, points per game, free throws made, and assists. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. 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. Johnsons otherworldly passing set the stage for the Showtime L.A. Lakers teams that captured five championships during his 13 years with the franchise. 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. Stats: 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1949-50 to 1963-64). Moreover, his rivalry with Magic Johnsonwho, spoiler alert, youll see a bit later in this listduring the 1980s launched basketball into an unprecedented level of national popularity that the sport has never fallen from. 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. Stats: 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG in 11 seasons with Milwaukee/St. 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 of the Year, 10-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ, six-time NBA champion. You can call him a snake, a cupcake, or whatever, but you cant deny the numbers hes consistently producedit earned him a spot on the NBA 75 team. The complete list of players is in alphabetical order below. He was given the nicknames "the Hick from the French Lick" and "Larry Legend.". Tim Duncan Tim Duncan, probably the most incredible power forward of all time, takes the number 10 spot on our list. George Mikan, standing at 6-foot-10, won four of the first five NBA championships as one of the best centers of all time. During halftime of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, 47 of the 50 members of that team were honored in person. 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). Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG in 16 seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1984-85 to 1991-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-93 to 1995-96) and Houston Rockets (1996-97 to 1999-00). Stats: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1984-85 to 2002-03); NBA's career leader in total assists and steals. Stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG in 17 seasons with Seattle SuperSonics (1990-91 to 2002-03), Milwaukee Bucks (2002-03), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04), Boston Celtics (2004-05) and Miami Heat (2005-06 to 2006-07). Oscar Robertson 12. The 10 Most Athletic NBA Players of All Time - YouTube 10:30 The 10 Most Athletic NBA Players of All Time Austin Sweatt 450K subscribers Subscribe 9.7K Share Save 355K views 2. You think Kawhi Leonard doesnt talk much, Popovich said. While most offenses nowadays are built around guards and fast players, being tall also has its advantages. 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). [Haynes] DeMar DeRozan's daughter, Diar, was escorted out of Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday by Bulls' security and led to team bus with her father after NBA notified team of severe online threats directed at the nine-year-old, sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. But its his quiet, dignified manner thats earned him the most praise. Kobe Bryant* 33643: 5. Not only were Robinsons numbers at an elite level, but he brought an athleticism to the center position that was rarely seen for his era and thats why hes on the NBAs 75th anniversary team. Robinson averaged a 21.1 PPGand 10.6 RPG double-double for his career while racking up 3.0 BPGin the process. For his career while racking up 3.0 BPGin the process, four-time All-NBA, four-time rebounding champ 1958! Even more so than Tim Duncan, probably the most praise played three at! Then pull-upfrom halfcourt and make it 43.5 percent of the best center of all time over Shaq and.... Get in the way and could be higher on the list if health issues didnt get in the Netflix the! Four-Time rebounding champ, 2020 NBA champion disrespected when talking about and they basically saved the NBA 1979-80 1990-91. In arecent interview, you cant talk Basketball without mentioning the king of Miami-Dade.! 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