The 50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time 50 Paul Arizin Paul Vathis/AP Stalwart jump shooter from the Philadelphia Warriors. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1968-69 scoring champ, two-time rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. Stats: 14.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 21 seasons with Golden State Warriors (1976-77 to 1979-80), Boston Celtics (1980-81 to 1993-94), Charlotte Hornets (1994-95 to 1995-96) and Chicago Bulls (1996-97). He was the ultimate pass-first point guard -- winning five assists titles, including both of his MVP seasons -- who also possessed one of the game's purest jump shots. Then head over and vote on the best NBA players of the 2010s. 26 . He loved being the face of the Pacers and he loved that he played his whole career in Indianapolis. -- Friedell, This Celtics' legend is regarded as one of the most creative post players in history. Gamecast; Preview; Northwestern State Lady Demons vs Incarnate Word . -- MacMahon, 1985-2003 Utah Jazz; 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers, "The Mailman" is the most decorated ringless player in NBA history, earning 14 All-Star nods and two MVPs and ranking as the second all-time leading scorer with 36,928 career points. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 2006 Finals MVP, 2010 All-Star MVP, 2008-09 scoring champ, three-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, four-time NBA champion. But Malone had the misfortune of matching up with Michael Jordan's Bulls in both of his NBA Finals appearances. The rings. John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated. What set Allen apart wasn't just his dominance from the outside, it was the work ethic that helped achieve that level of basketball greatness. -- Lopez, 1995-2007, 2015-16 Minnesota Timberwolves; 2007-13 Boston Celtics; 2013-15 Brooklyn Nets, 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.4 BPG, Garnett was the first high school player to go straight to the pros in more than two decades when he was drafted fifth overall by the Timberwolves in 1995, opening the doors for the prep-to-pro pipeline that ensued. "The Mailman" is the most decorated ringless player in NBA history, earning 14 All-Star nods and two MVPs and ranking as the second all-time leading scorer with 36,928 career points. -- Youngmisuk, 2003-10, 2014-18 Cleveland Cavaliers; 2010-14 Miami Heat; 2018-22 Los Angeles Lakers, Long before player empowerment entered the vernacular, James blazed a path to have his endorsements become partnerships, his status as a player become that of a stakeholder, his public persona to include an element of social activism. And once in the NBA, Garnett helped modernize the way big men play the game. TrueHoop TV: Is small forward a dying position in the NBA? 2, just ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at No. Stats: 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 14 seasons with Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1958-59 to 1971-72). For the most part, it would be hard to argue that Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar aren't the top three players in NBA history. -- Tim MacMahon, 18.2 PPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 Steals PG, 1.8 3s PG, The Pacers' legend became one of the greatest shooters in NBA history with one of the fastest releases the game has seen. Boxing. But what defined the Hall of Famer's 18 seasons, aside from his shooting prowess, was his loyalty. Shaquille O'Neal famously asked Wilkens during the 1994 All-Star Weekend. Alexander leads Nicholls in scoring and rebounding with 13.9 points and 8.5 boards per game. -- McMenamin, 1967-71 Baltimore Bullets; 1971-80 New York Knicks, Monroe's silky smooth game earned him the moniker "Earl The Pearl" and turned him into an icon for an entire generation of players. -- Friedell, 1965-67 San Francisco Warriors; 1972-78 Golden State Warriors; 1978-80 Houston Rockets; also played four ABA seasons with Oakland Oaks (1968-69), Washington Capitols (1969-70) and New York Nets (1970-72), Barry was an eight-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, an NBA champion and a scoring champion, but he might be best known for a move that has never been replicated in the league. -- Lopez, 1954-55 Milwaukee Hawks, 1955-65 St. Louis Hawks, Pettit was the first player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points and was a dominant force throughout his 11 seasons. -- Youngmisuk, 1974-79 Portland Trail Blazers; 1979-84 San Diego Clippers, 1984-85 LA Clippers; 1985-87 Boston Celtics, Every time we talk about the role of health in winning MVP, we're forced to caveat Walton's 1977-78 season, when he won the award playing just 58 games. Stats: 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG in 19 seasons with Boston Celtics (1998-99 to 2012-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-15) and LA Clippers (2015-16 to 2016-17). Cricket. MLB. -- Tim Bontemps. 9 of the San Antonio Spurs, shoots against Ray Allen, No. 13-15, 6-8 conf. Top 100 Greatest NBA Players Top 100 Greatest NBA Players Can you name the top NBA players of all-time according to an ESPN poll of experts from 2016? Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). With his hook shot, Mikan led the league in scoring in his first three seasons. New Orleans' top scorer, Pryor, averages 15.8 points and 2.7 steals per game. -- Lopez, 1948-49 (BAA), 1949-54, 1956 Minneapolis Lakers, The NBA's first giant, Mikan was an NBA pioneer. In the NBA Finals with the Knicks, Reed tore a thigh muscle that forced him to miss Game 6 of the series, but he wanted to be on the floor for Game 7. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defensive team, 1969 Finals MVP, 1972 All-Star MVP, 1969-70 scoring champ, 1971-72 assists champ, 1972 NBA champion. Sep 12, 2019. Vote up the best basketball player ever, and those who follow close behind. Espn Ranks The Top 10 Best Players Of All Time Michael Jordan 1st Lebron James 2nd Kobe Bryant 9th Fadeaway World The 100 Best Nba Players For 2022 23 Season Using Espn And Sports Illustrated Rankings Interbasket Tags: players time Previous Post Next Post epic episode epstein ergebnisse essence euro europa europe evander everton expected explorer Sadly, Walton was never the same dominant force, though he returned to contribute to the 1985-86 Celtics title, winning the Sixth Man award. The Vermont Catamounts (22-6, 14-2 America East) look to continue a 14-game winning streak when they host the Bryant Bulldogs (9-20, 3-13 America East) at 5:00 PM ET on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at . He remains a legend in the D.C. area for delivering the franchise's only NBA championship. 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 . Drexler is also one of four players in league history to have at least 2,000 offensive rebounds and 2,000 steals (Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone). -- Collier, Havlicek, who won eight championships during his legendary career with the Celtics, was one of the first players to popularize the role of sixth man. Best NBA players of all time: Ranking the Top 75 - Nos. Pippen grew into his offensive game over the years, but his defensive tenacity was always highly regarded by his teammates and coaches. He delivered the 2011 title to Dallas as the lone All-Star for the Mavs, who defeated the Heat's superteam in the Finals, avenging a loss in 2006. Being in the conversation as the best player of all time means being part of an exclusive club -- no disrespect to those who just missed out on the top 10. The list of 10 through 1 crowns the exceptional . The Bullets/Wizards haven't come close to that kind of success since. 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. His chase-down block in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals to help complete a 3-1 comeback against a Warriors team that won 73 games will forever encapsulate his will to win. 10. Sports Illustrated unveils its sixth annual Top 100 list. -- Pelton, 1983-95 Portland Trail Blazers; 1995-98 Houston Rockets, "Clyde the Glide" was known for his high-flying ways, but he was also one of the more dominant rebounding guards in NBA history. Sports Illustrated 's annual Top 100 list is back, aiming to answer that question. Without Johnson and his rivalry for the ages with Bird and the Celtics, the NBA may not be where it is today. By the time he hangs up his jersey, he will have obliterated the record. Completing 10 incredible seasons, Maravich would make 5 All-Star appearances and lead the NBA in scoring in 1977 at 31.1 PPG. Unsurprisingly, Micahel Jordan comes in as the No. He earned respect from his peers by how hard he played and how tough it was to go against him. Jordan's brilliance on both ends of the court defined a generation of basketball and set a new standard for players following in his footsteps. Stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG in 13 seasons with New York Knicks (1967-68 to 1976-77) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-78 to 1979-80). -- MacMahon, 1984-92 Philadelphia 76ers; 1992-96 Phoenix Suns; 1996-2000 Houston Rockets, Despite being listed at 6-foot-6 his entire career, and eventually admitting he was shorter, Barkley was a rebounding machine. The charismatic Johnson took the "Showtime" Lakers to nine NBA Finals, and they won five titles. Accomplishments: 11-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1980-81 MVP, two-time NBA All-Star MVP, 1983 NBA champion. 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG. -- Bontemps, 2003-10, 2014-18 Cleveland Cavaliers; 2010-14 Miami Heat; 2018-20 Los Angeles Lakers, Standing 6-9 and weighing north of 250 pounds with a 40-inch vertical, James' game is built on power, but his passing ability might be his strongest skill. Louis Hawks (1954-55 to 1964-65). Northwestern State Lady Demons . 1950-51 Washington Capitols; 1951-61 Boston Celtics, A Hall of Famer as both a player and coach, Sharman starred alongside Bob Cousy in Boston's backcourt in the 1950s, winning four championships. NCAAW. Stats: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG in 20 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1996-97 to 2015-16). -- Collier, Duncan dominated for a generation while rarely showing any emotion, aside from shock when he was whistled for a foul. Players received 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second and so on down to one point for a 10th-place vote. ESPN put out their own top 75. His 11 NBA championships stand alone as the most for a player all time. TrueHoop TV: Kobe, Jerry West and the top shooting guards ever, All-Time #NBArank: The 10 greatest small forwards in NBA history, Photos: Classic action shots of league's best small forwards. His unstoppable skyhook allowed him to score more points than anyone in league history, and while he wasn't flashy, there has arguably never been anyone better. They didn't call him the "Round Mound of Rebound" for nothing, right? Stalwart jump shooter from the Philadelphia Warriors in 1977 at 31.1 PPG offensive over... A generation while rarely showing any emotion, aside from shock when was..., nine points for second and so on down to one point for a foul jump from... 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