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Back in 2021, we put out our ranking of the greatest NBA players ever a couple of weeks before the league released its official list. We've updated it every year since, and if our original list already featured more modern-day players than the NBA's, that's even more true now with the addition of 2020s superstars to the ranking. Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic cracked the list in previous years, and there's now a Canadian guard who shall remain nameless skyrocketing up the charts in this year's edition. You'll have to scroll down a bit to find out who that is.
As in past editions, we held a team vote among HoopsHype's staff members, discarded the highest and lowest ranks for each player and awarded points based on the remaining ranks.
Check out the final results below.
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, four Finals MVPs, four MVPs, 13 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 22 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, three Olympic gold medals, one Olympic MVP
Regular season ranking:1st in scoring, 4th in assists, 6th in steals, 23rd in rebounds, 69th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 1st in scoring and steals, 2nd in assists, 4th in rebounds, 9th in blocks
LeBron James replaced Michael Jordan at No. 1 in our all-time ranking for the first time two years ago, and hasn't looked back since, following that up by adding an Olympic gold medal, an Olympic MVP award, the inaugural NBA Cup (with its MVP), along with the usual All-Star and All-NBA selections since then.
While we still consider MJ to have a higher peak than LeBron, at this point you have to bow down to King James. His advantage in terms of sustained excellence is just too big to ignore, with LeBron at No. 1 and far ahead of His Airness in an increasing number of accolades and statistical categories.
James came into the NBA with unreal expectations and somehow managed to surpass all of them – and then some. James is clutch, he can score at a ridiculous level, rebounds well and is an amazing playmaker, perhaps his most impressive trait. Few players have ever matched James’ absurd basketball IQ, one that he could use to continue to dominate for a few seasons as his career winds down.
The player with the most playoff wins without All-NBA or All-Star teammates, LeBron became the oldest player to lead a playoff series in scoring when his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round. James is also the player with the most playoff series victories in a single career, now 12 ahead of the next player on this list.
All in all, even the biggest backers of the next player on this list in the GOAT debate have to admit, James’ career, and the fact he’s been able to stay this good for this long, has been nothing short of astounding. It’s extremely unlikely we’ll ever see another career like James’, one that saw him earning All-NBA honors even in his 40s.
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, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 4th in steals, 6th in scoring, 53rd in assists, 128th in blocks, 143rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in scoring, 3rd in steals, 13th in assists, 35th in blocks, 40th in rebounds
Probably the most iconic and famous athlete in all of sports, Jordan was the face of the NBA for a long time, and his star status outside of sports was almost hard to believe, and still sort of is.
Jordan’s mid-range game – face-ups, jab-steps, pull-ups, turnarounds, fadeaway, all of it – was second to none, and he was also a freakish athlete who could finish through contact and over length. And then there was the aspect of his clutchness, as Jordan was so often successful in nailing game-winners in the most high-pressure situations imaginable. Oh, and he was a top-tier defender, too.
Though we finally moved James ahead of him, it’s understandable many people are still in the MJ GOAT camp.
It would be interesting to see how Jordan’s resume - statistical and team accomplishment-wise - would look if not for his first retirement in 1993, fresh off a three-peat, and had he not retired again at merely 35 years old the second time, once again coming off a three-peat. Considering that in his final comeback, Jordan was still able to average 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals over two seasons with the Washington Wizards, in his age-38 and -39 campaigns, we probably missed out on some more moments of Jordan magic when he was retired for his age-35, -36 and -37 seasons.
Even so, that in his last full six seasons in Chicago, Jordan was able to win six championships, earning Finals MVPs each time, to go with winning four regular-season MVP awards while leading the NBA in scoring all six years, can only be described as legendary, and is a large reason why so many people still believe him to be the NBA’s true GOAT.
Top accolades: Six NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, six MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 19 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 2nd in scoring, 3rd in rebounds and blocks, 51st in assists, 113th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in blocks, 3rd in scoring, 6th in rebounds, 33rd in assists, 36th in steals
The GOAT debate is considered a two-horse race in the NBA, but if there is a strong third candidate, it’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who dominated for almost two decades thanks to his skyhook shot and overall greatness as a scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. The longevity argument is strong with Abdul-Jabbar, as the all-time big man won his two Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, first in 1971 and then again in 1985. Most players’ careers don’t last anywhere near that long, yet Kareem was dominating at the highest level for that long. Still, Jordan and James are too tough to overcome, despite Abdul-Jabbar’s resume.
Top accolades: Five NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, three MVPs, nine All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 8th in assists, 24th in steals, 91st in scoring, 156th in rebounds, 416th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 1st in assists, 4th in steals, 17th in scoring, 20th in rebounds, 145th in blocks
The consensus best point guard in NBA history comes at No. 4 on our list. The leader of one of the finest teams in basketball history, Magic Johnson had flash, pizzazz, and any adjective you can think of as a playmaker, often hightailing it down the open floor and making spectacular passes that not many others would have attempted, let alone pulled off as successfully as he did. Magic was also a winner, making iconic plays over and over again in the biggest of stages. Add in his super charismatic personality, and you have the complete package as one of the biggest superstars the league has ever seen.
Top accolades: 11 NBA titles, five MVPs, 11 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 2nd in rebounds, 123rd in assists, 180th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 1st in rebounds, 30th in assists, 43rd in scoring
Bill Russell’s record for most NBA titles will never be beaten, as no one has come, or will come close to his 11 career championships. Russell’s resume is actually hurt because many accolades, like Finals MVP or Defensive Player of the Year didn’t even exist in his heyday. What’s more, since blocks weren’t recorded as a stat back then, there’s no way to know how many Russell had for his career. There’s a chance he would be at the top of the blocks standings along with the player coming up next on our ranking. That’s one of the reasons we consider him the greatest defensive player ever.
Russell may not have had the longest career, but boy, was that run successful. Just as a curious note: Russell had more MVPs than All-NBA 1st Team selections in his career (three).
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one Finals MVP, four MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, 13 All-Stars, two All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 1st in rebounds, 8th in scoring, 86th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in rebounds, 21st in scoring, 39th in assists
The most dominant big man offensively in NBA history, though that partially had to do with the level of competition Wilt Chamberlain faced in his era. Still, when you dominate at the level Chamberlain did, who cares who he did it against?
Chamberlain did come a little short in the team success department as he was usually better in the regular season than in the playoffs, something that many believe had to do with an unwillingness to get fouled late in close games due to his unreliable free throw.
Chamberlain’s single-season rebounding and scoring records are unassailable. Plus he has the second-best scoring average behind only Jordan. And had MJ played one more year with the Wizards, Chamberlain might actually be No. 1 in that stat. Chamberlain is also the only guy to lead the league in total scoring, rebounds and assists for a season, and retired as the all-time leader in scoring and rebounding at the time.
Top accolades: Three NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, three MVPs, nine All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 40th in scoring, 43rd in steals, 50th in assists, 62nd in rebounds, 169th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 9th in assists and steals, 11th in rebounds, 14th in scoring, 41st in blocks
Bird may not rank super high in the stat department – a byproduct of a shorter career than normal for NBA superstars and being part of a star-studded team. That doesn't put a dent in his all-time great status, though. The legendary swingman filled the stat sheet night after night, with as complete a game as anyone who's ever played the sport.
Bird was the kind of talent that you could plop into the NBA today, and he’d still be a superstar. The French Lick, Indiana, native could do it all at the highest of levels, shooting, scoring, rebounding and playmaking with an almost magical level of flair to his game. Bird was clutch, too, hitting timely shots on the grandest of stages, deep in the NBA playoffs. Bird’s most forgotten vital shot came in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers, a game-winning and series-sealing jumper to give Boston the 4-3 series victory. Boston was down three games to one in that series at one time prior to its memorable comeback, capped by Bird’s game-winner.
From 1983-84 to 1985-86, Bird won league MVP honors all three years, making him one of just three players in NBA history to win three straight MVP awards, along with Russell and Chamberlain. In those seasons, Bird averaged 26.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.8 steals on nearly immaculate 50.4/39.2/88.9 percent shooting splits. Boston also won championships in two out of those three years, with Bird taking home Finals MVP both times.
Bird’s career may have been cut somewhat short due to injuries, but there’s no questioning his all-time greatness, as his peak is among the best we have ever seen in the NBA.
Top accolades: Five NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, 11 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 18 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 4th in scoring, 17th in steals, 36th in assists, 119th in rebounds, 214th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 4th in scoring, 7th in steals, 12th in assists, 42nd in rebounds and blocks
Not as high a peak as other megastars, but his career is one of amazingly sustained excellence – a result of an almost unparalleled work ethic and devotion to his craft, which helped him develop into an outrageous scorer out of the mid-range and near the rim, and a high-impact perimeter defender.
Kobe Bryant was first a sidekick to Shaq before then becoming the man for the Lakers and winning five titles overall, two of which he earned Finals MVPs for. Bryant, who finished his career with more All-NBA 1st Team selections than Jordan (!), also probably turned more people into basketball fans than any player not named Michael (or Earvin).
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, one MVP, eight All-NBA 1st Team selections, 15 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 8th in blocks, 10th in scoring, 15th in rebounds, 240th in assists, 365th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 4th in blocks, 5th in scoring and rebounds, 53rd in assists, 93rd in steals
The most dominant physical specimen in the NBA since the days of Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal was an absolute freak with his blend of size, strength and unreal explosiveness. During O’Neal’s peak years, teams were making moves with the sole intention of containing the big man. Many ho-hum centers made a killing thanks to that, just because they were another huge body to throw at O’Neal.
The fact that the Big Aristotle won only one MVP was kind of ridiculous in hindsight, as there were various seasons he was the most dominant player in the league. O’Neal wanting to be a star off the court probably took away a bit of impact on the court, but he was devastating throughout his career regardless, even despite being a poor free-throw shooter.
Top accolades: Five NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, two MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 5th in blocks, 6th in rebounds, 20th in scoring, 112th in assists, 174th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 1st in blocks, 3rd in rebounds, 6th in scoring, 34th in assists, 50th in steals
The rare low-maintenance superstar, Tim Duncan was impactful and successful team-wise from the get-go through the end of his career. Duncan anchored the winningest team of the century and did so in a low-key manner, without enough acclaim for his greatness or accomplishments. Don’t believe us? How about the fact that he never won Defensive Player of the Year despite being selected to eight 1st Team All-Defenses, making that slight a major travesty, one that shows how underrated he was even in his prime. There’s even a chance Duncan would be ranked higher in many GOAT lists with a more entertaining off-court persona, but either way, he’s the greatest power forward ever.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 1st in blocks, 10th in steals, 14th in rebounds, 15th in scoring, 235th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 3rd in blocks, 13th in rebounds, 16th in scoring, 21st in steals, 74th in assists
The first international player on the list, Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the greatest big men ever, and he competed and produced at an elite level on both ends of the floor with outstanding low-post moves and defensive skills to match. Olajuwon ranks first in blocks on record, though there’s a bit of an asterisk on that because they didn’t keep track of those before 1973-74. Also, he is the only player to rank Top 15 in four different major statistical categories: points, rebounds, blocks and steals.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 16 All-Stars, four Olympic gold medals, one Olympic MVP, one World Cup gold medal, one World Cup MVP
Regular season ranking: 5th in scoring, 50th in blocks, 64th in assists, 74th in rebounds, 89th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 7th in scoring, 24th in blocks, 28th in rebounds, 36th in assists, 44th in steals
Scoring comes so easy for him it’s almost ridiculous, as Kevin Durant is a 7-footer with ballhandling, quickness and a pristine jumper that he can hit from legitimately anywhere on the floor. Durant’s also an impactful defender when he needs to be, moving his feet quickly and blocking shots at pivotal moments. Durant may still move up a few spots in the rankings, but will not be in contention for the top spots due to missed time because of injury.
He will have to settle with being the greatest player in Olympic basketball history, the only one with four gold medals and the lone star with MVPs in the NBA, Olympics and World Cup.
Durant’s legacy is also ultimately hurt by the fact that he was never able to win a championship on a team without the next player on this list. Sure, Durant won Finals MVP both years the Warriors won titles with him, but he was playing on an absolutely loaded roster, one with so much shooting-created space on it that it allowed Durant to wreck opposing defenders in one-on-one situations with a ton of room for him to operate.
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, two World Cup gold medals
Regular season ranking: 19th in scoring, 27th in assists, 39th in steals, 289th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 11th in scoring, 19th in assists, 24th in steals, 76th in rebounds, 193rd in blocks
Stephen Curry changed the way the game is played. His shooting gravity has pulled basketball into a hyper-spaced-out era over the past decade-plus, one where nearly every player on the floor shoots threes.
Curry's playmaking deserves more credit than it receives, too, as the former Davidson standout is a solid passer, in part thanks to defenders having to remain glued to him on the perimeter, but also just because he has pretty good vision as a passer. The future Hall-of-Famer is already the greatest shooter ever – and it's not particularly close.
It looked like Curry would be able to break into the Top 10 here, but the fact that he’s toiled away on a mediocre Golden State team over recent seasons has prevented him from adding even more championship hardware to his resume. If he were able to accomplish that, there’s no question he’d break into our Top 10.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one MVP, nine All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in assists, 17th in scoring, 86th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 32nd in assists, 80th in scoring, 159th in rebounds
The first player to average a triple-double in league history, Oscar Robertson was an expert playmaker, rebounder and scorer at the lead guard spot, and a somewhat underrated player historically. He experienced very little team success until he joined forces with Lew Alcindor in Milwaukee, but did eventually win an NBA championship. One of the most well-rounded offensive guards ever, Robertson could pull up and hit jumpers from all over the midrange, get to the rim and finish around the basket through the trees and create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates by getting to the rim and firing off dimes.
Robertson enjoyed a five-year stretch in which he finished in the Top 3 MVP vote each season, including 1963-64 when he won the award outright. He followed that up in ‘65 by finishing second in the vote, losing out to Russell by just 32 votes.
What stops Robertson from having even more respect historically is the fact that he spent the first decade of his career, the entirety of the ‘60s, on a middling Cincinnati Royals team, one that somehow only made it to the playoffs six times in that stretch and never even got to an NBA Finals, despite having arguably the best guard in the world at the time on their roster. That had more to do with Robertson’s teammates than anything the triple-double machine was doing wrong.
Even so, NBA history loves to glorify championship success, and there’s no doubt that’s the one area in which Robertson’s resume is lacking.
Top accolades: Two MVPs, 11 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 14 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 3rd in scoring, 7th in rebounds, 12th in steals, 65th in assists, 74th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 7th in rebounds, 8th in scoring, 18th in steals, 47th in assists, 51st in blocks
A model of consistency through the years, Karl Malone had a 17-year stretch, just discounting his first and last seasons, where he averaged at least 20 points per game. In that span, he put up 26.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest, numbers that most players would love to average for one season, let alone 17. Malone did have some shortcomings in the playoffs, however, at least compared to fellow megastars, and that put him a little lower on the totem pole than he could have been with a ring or two on his resume.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, three MVPs, eight All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, two All-Defensive Team selections
Regular season ranking: 5th in rebounds, 12th in scoring, 30th in blocks, 139th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 32nd in rebounds, 39th in blocks, 65th in scoring, 159th in steals, 410th in assists
Perhaps the most underappreciated superstar ever, Moses Malone was as dominant as it gets at the center spot with physical toughness as a rebounder, leading the league in nightly boards an astounding six times, including once at 17.6 rebounds per game. Malone was also a monster scorer in the paint, using his brute strength to batter smaller foes down low. Many consider Malone the greatest offensive rebounder the league has ever seen, as his timing and instincts to chase boards on offense were second to none.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one MVP, nine All-NBA Teams, 15 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal, one FIBA Americas gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in rebounds, 19th in steals and blocks, 23rd in scoring, 57th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 17th in rebounds, 25th in blocks, 39th in steals, 44th in scoring, 68th in assists
One of the first unicorns in the NBA, Kevin Garnett had the size of a center and all-around skills of a guard, even bringing the ball down before big men were really allowed to do that. Garnett took run-of-the-mill Wolves teams to the playoffs consistently while scoring, rebounding, distributing and defending at an elite level. One could even argue Garnett sacrificed offensive numbers to put all-out effort on defense. Fun fact (except if you’re a Wolves fan): Minnesota made the playoffs in eight of 14 Garnett seasons and only five in the 22 years without him. That’s the kind of impact he had. His championship ring with the Celtics came late, but it was beyond deserved.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 14 All-Stars, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 27th in scoring, 37th in assists, 248th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 9th in scoring, 17th in assists, 73rd in rebounds
No one on this Earth could possibly hate the Celtics as much as Jerry West, having lost to them in the Finals six times out of the six he faced them. Impossible to blame West for those championship defeats, though, as he put up beastly numbers against them on a consistent basis – just as he did against the rest of the NBA.
West was a masterful combo guard who performed at a high level thanks to his scoring and playmaking. He was also a great shooter, both off the dribble and with his feet set. West achieved All-Star honors in every season of his pro career, which only three other players with 10-plus seasons of NBA experience (Julius Erving, Bob Pettit and Paul Arizin) have accomplished.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, 12 All-NBA selections, 14 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 7th in scoring, 28th in rebounds, 56th in blocks, 98th in steals, 165th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 18th in scoring, 24th in rebounds, 55th in blocks, 57th in steals, 107th in assists
The highest-ranking European player on the list, Dirk Nowitzki was another revolutionary player thanks to his three-point and off-the-dribble prowess in a 7-foot-tall body. Nowitzki’s elite skill level made the common thinking go from being that big men need to stay in the paint to: If your big men don’t space the floor, you’re at a disadvantage. Nowitzki made a contender, and eventually, a champion, out of the Mavericks without star sidekicks for the most part of his career, hoisting the trophy in 2011 and winning Finals MVP for his efforts, one of the most legendary playoff runs by a star ever.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, one Eurobasket bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 42nd in scoring, 63rd in rebounds, 90th in blocks, 96th in assists, 189th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 52nd in scoring and rebounds, 68th in blocks, 78th in assists, 158th in steals
A rags-to-riches story if there ever was one, Giannis Antetokounmpo went from playing in a semi-professional league overseason to being a 15th-overall pick in the draft to winning multiple league MVP awards in just a few years.
The Greek forward boasts freakish length and athleticism plus a massive work ethic and motor, which help him absolutely dominate despite lacking an outside jumper.
It does get very difficult to move much higher up this list once you reach this part of the rankings, as the players still ahead of Antetokounmpo are all all-timers, but Antetokounmpo is still in his prime, a dominant two-way player and definitely will add more accolades to his mantle in the coming years, so we don’t think Antetokounmpo has peaked here.
Potentially helping Antetokounmpo’s cause as far as adding to his accolades was his offseason move to Miami, a franchise that will try to set up a consistent winner around the Greek Freak after Milwaukee tried - and failed - to do so over recent years.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one MVP, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 54th in steals and blocks, 79th in scoring, 208th in assists, 233rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 15th in blocks, 22nd in steals, 26th in scoring, 51st in assists, 56th in rebounds
He was 26 by the time he made his NBA debut after years in the ABA, so Julius Erving would rank far higher in the statistical categories had he spent his whole career in the Association. Erving was the most spectacular player at the time thanks to his unreal athleticism and ability to fly down the floor in transition to hammer in dunks… and he was a winner, too. Often considered Jordan before Jordan (just without a jumper), Erving was an All-Star every season he played (ABA or NBA).
Top accolades: 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 29th in rebounds, 35th in scoring, 166th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 10th in rebounds, 20th in scoring, 58th in assists
With ridiculous scoring and rebounding numbers, especially for a non-big man, Elgin Baylor was one of the first players who would awe fans with impressive athleticism from the wing. He never got the championship he deserved, however, and the Celtics are largely to blame, as out of his seven Finals losses, six came against Boston. Baylor finished his career with as many All-NBA 1st Teams as Abdul-Jabbar, which is crazy to consider. Baylor was one of the best wings ever and considering the era he did it in, that made him one of the most important players in NBA history, as he opened the door for many of the elite wings that came later.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, three MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars, one Olympic silver medal, one Olympic bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 41st in assists, 61st in rebounds, 84th in scoring, 170th in steals, 240th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 31st in assists, 37th in rebounds, 42nd in scoring, 83rd in steals, 101st in blocks
The best passing big man of all time, Nikola Jokic, is only the ninth player in league history to win three NBA MVPs. What's more, along with winning an NBA championship in 2022-23, Jokic also carried Serbia to a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics, becoming the first man ever to lead the Olympic tournament in scoring, rebounds and assists, showing his output is hugely impactful to winning.
Jokic finished second in the MVP vote last season for the second straight year, tying him with Russell and Bird for the most consecutive Top-2 MVP finishes in league history at six apiece. That's right, for the past six seasons, Jokic has finished no lower than second in the MVP vote, showing a rare level of sustained utter dominance the likes of which we have rarely ever seen in the NBA.
Jokic can legitimately do it all from the center spot, creating for teammates like a point guard, posting up with incredibly high efficiency as a finisher, spacing the floor from three and rarely missing on his signature floater. Even his defense has improved, as he rebounds like a monster and has quick, intelligent hands to rack up steals.
Still just 31 and with a game that will continue to age well, we could easily envision a future in which Jokic makes a solid-sized leap further up this list, especially if he and the Nuggets can snag more championship hardware in the years to come.
Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one Finals MVP, eight All-NBA selections, 13 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 34th in scoring and steals, 49th in assists, 133rd in blocks, 296th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 13th in scoring, 15th in steals, 25th in assists, 27th in blocks, 66th in rebounds
One of the greatest shooting guards ever, Dwyane Wade never won a league MVP award but came close in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Wade was an elite scorer even without much of a three-point shot, as he was dynamic at splitting defenders in the pick-and-roll, possessing a rare ability to glide to the rim and score at the basket, while also having a reliable midrange game. He was also a solid playmaker and a plus-defender, especially as a shot-blocker, as he ranks as the player 6-foot-4 or shorter with the most blocks ever. Wade also showed great humility in playing second fiddle to LeBron to chase titles later in his prime.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one MVP, 10 All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, eight All-Defensive selections, two Olympic gold medals, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 6th in blocks, 37th in rebounds, 46th in scoring, 67th in steals, 356th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 5th in blocks, 31st in rebounds, 54th in steals, 57th in scoring, 162nd in assists
One of the best bodies in NBA history, David Robinson’s physique looked like it was molded out of clay in his prime. He used his frame and strength to torture opponents on both ends for years, doubling as a high-level scorer and freakishly impactful defender, especially protecting the rim. Still, Robinson didn’t get over the hump until Duncan came around, which hurt his spot on this list.
Top accolades: One MVP, 11 All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 19th in rebounds, 28th in steals, 31st in scoring, 113th in assists, 131st in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 15th in rebounds, 35th in steals, 36th in scoring, 65th in assists, 67th in blocks
The Round Mound of Rebound, Charles Barkley was extremely unique not just for his outspoken personality but for his dominance down low despite being generously listed at 6-foot-6. He was a beast on the glass and as a scorer thanks to his absurd strength and explosiveness in his prime. Barkley never got the ever-elusive ring, but he’s still one of the all-time greats at power forward with his dominant face-up and post-up games, along with his monstrous abilities on the glass.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 10th in assists, 18th in steals, 71st in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 16th in assists, 23rd in steals, 53rd in scoring, 191st in rebounds, 266th in blocks
One of the best point guards ever, Isiah Thomas combined talent with fierce competitiveness. He could create at an elite level but could also score out of the midrange off the dribble. He was the face of the Bad Boys Pistons who beat Jordan’s Bulls three straight times in the playoffs in the late ’80s. The one thing holding Thomas back on this list is he had a short career for star standards.
Top accolades: Six NBA titles, seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, eight All-Defensive Teams, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 8th in steals, 38th in assists, 68th in scoring, 97th in rebounds, 114th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in steals, 11th in assists, 14th in rebounds, 19th in scoring, 26th in blocks
Arguably the greatest Robin in league history and also the best perimeter defender, Scottie Pippen was a fierce player with freakish physical attributes, including long arms and extremely quick feet, who would absolutely stifle opposing stars. Pippen was at his best as a slasher and transition scorer but could also create for teammates at a high level, making him a point forward ahead of his time.
Top accolades: 11 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 2nd in assists and steals, 36th in scoring, 193rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 5th in assists, 12th in steals, 32nd in scoring, 100th in rebounds, 316th in blocks
The Point God, Chris Paul, was one of the steadiest floor generals in NBA history, one capable of acting as a head coach on the floor, getting teammates into the right spots, destroying opponents out of the pick-and-roll and scoring at a high level when needed thanks to his unreal touch as an off-the-dribble scorer in the midrange.
The only thing still missing from his legacy is a ring, but he’s a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer without one. Paul’s career ended somewhat unceremoniously, retiring after being dumped by the Los Angeles Clippers after 16 appearances with the team in 2025-26. Paul left the NBA as second all-time in assists and steals, extremely impressive accomplishments showing both his longevity and his peak as a player. Paul led the NBA in assists five times in his career, first as a 22-year-old with the then-New Orleans Hornets, and most recently in 2021-22, 14 seasons later, as a 36-year-old playing for the Phoenix Suns.
If that doesn’t speak to his greatness as a player, then nothing does. Paul’s contributions to the game will be remembered fondly, even with his inability to win a championship.
He’s also pound-for-pound one of the greatest in basketball history. (We actually ranked him as thebest short player ever.)
Top accolades: Eight NBA titles, one Finals MVP, 11 All-NBA selections, 13 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 22nd in scoring, 40th in assists, 84th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 15th in scoring, 28th in assists, 38th in rebounds, 264th in steals
One of just four players in league history with eight championships, John Havlicek was a great scorer on the wing, a player who could hit mid-range jumpers or get buckets in transition, and who was always willing to do the dirty work, as evidenced by the legendary “Havlicek stole the ball” moment from the 1965 Eastern Finals.
Top accolades: One MVP, seven All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 15th in steals, 30th in scoring, 54th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 60th in steals, 62nd in scoring, 83rd in assists, 416th in rebounds
A cultural icon as well as one of the best lead guards of his era, Allen Iverson has to be one of the most ridiculously explosive athletes the sport has ever seen, especially out of a player generously listed at 6-feet tall. Iverson’s crossover was devastating (just ask Jordan), and his bombastic style as a scorer made for thrilling viewing throughout his prime. Iverson was one of the most influential players ever, both on and off the court was one of the most exciting players to watch and in his prime. He could really score with the best of them in such an unorthodox package.
Top accolades: One MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars, one Sixth Man of the Year award, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in scoring, 12th in assists, 20th in steals, 135th in rebounds, 196th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 6th in assists and steals, 10th in scoring, 51st in rebounds, 69th in blocks
James Harden has a Hall-of-Fame resume thanks to his unreal scoring ability and playmaking. His crossover and stepback jumper made him impossible to slow down, as did his strong shoulder on drives to the rim. He still has a chance to add to his legacy over the coming years, though winning a championship ring is starting to feel like a really long shot.
Believe it or not, Harden is now higher on the all-time playoff assists list than he is on the scoring list, which speaks to his genius as a playmaker to go with his historical scoring skills. But he continues to fall short in the playoffs, which might just be a part of his legacy.
Top accolades: One NBA title, two MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 18th in rebounds, 45th in scoring, 376th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 30th in rebounds, 55th in scoring, 199th in assists
The first player to reach 20,000 career points, Bob Pettit was a smooth power forward, especially for his era, who would do a ton of damage in transition and as a mid-range scorer. He won Finals MVP in 1958 after exploding for 50 points and 25 rebounds in the deciding game.
The first star power forward who started to do what we expect power forwards to do today, Pettit would space the floor from the midrange, pulling opposing bigs away from the basket, and either nail pull-up jumpers in their faces or use his quickness to drive by them and finish near the basket. Pettit started to modernize the power forward position despite playing in the '50s and ‘60s, performing at such a high level that he was named a 1st Team All-NBAer in each of the first 10 seasons of his career. And in his 11th and final campaign, he was merely named to 2nd Team All-NBA.
Pettit’s 26.4 points per game average for his career ranks as the 10th-highest in league history, while his 16.2 rebounds per game average for his career ranks third all-time.
If anything, Pettit might be underrated historically by the average modern basketball fan.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Defensive selections
Regular season ranking: 69th in steals, 118th in scoring, 282nd in rebounds, 295th in blocks, 350th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 19th in steals, 24th in scoring, 41st in rebounds, 80th in assists, 84th in blocks
Kawhi Leonard once owned the distinction of having the highest winning percentage in NBA regular-season history, but that is no longer the case. Leonard was a secondary character in his first title run (until the 2014 Finals, at least) but led the Raptors to the mountaintop on his back. Always steady, even in the highest of pressure situations, and the King of Load Management, ranking Kawhi is a bit tricky considering how much time he misses due to injury.
Regardless, he’s an all-timer based on accolades, production and impact as one of the best mid-range scorers and defensive wings ever, one with a clutch gene, too.
Top accolades: 11 All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking:1st in assists and steals, 53rd in scoring, 415th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 3rd in assists, 5th in steals, 49th in scoring, 147th in rebounds, 191st in blocks
John Stockton’s assists and steals record will never be beaten, as the Jazz legend finished his career with 15,806 assists (3,254 more than the second-highest player, Chris Paul) and 3,265 steals (537 more than the second-highest player, once again, Paul). Was he ever the best point guard in the NBA? Perhaps not. But the longevity speaks for itself, and Stockton was excellent for a very long time, earning MVP votes for the first time in his career in 1987-88, and for the final time in 2000-01, 13 years apart, in two very different eras of the game.
Stockton also deserves a ton of credit for how durable he was. In 19 seasons, Stockton missed just 22 games and had 18 seasons in which he played every possible game. Even as a 40-year-old in '03, Stockton played in and started all 82 games for the Jazz.
A killer out of the pick-and-roll, one who always seemed to make the right read, be it to pull up and knock down a midrange jumper, or set up a teammate, usually Karl Malone, for an easy scoring opportunity, we don’t think we’ll ever see as reliable of a floor general as Stockton.
Top accolades: Two MVP awards, seven All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 6th in assists, 99th in scoring, 243rd in steals, 480th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 10th in assists, 66th in scoring, 233rd in steals, 248th in rebounds
Along with Mike D’Antoni and the Seven-Seconds-or-Less Suns, Steve Nash moved basketball forward thanks to his pick-and-roll wizardry and ability to shoot off the dribble, including from beyond the arc, something that wasn’t as common in his era. Nash’s two MVP awards were quite controversial but there’s no question he’s one of the finest players of his generation, as he was truly a gifted point guard, one who was a wizard as a passer and could shoot at an elite level.
Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 7th in blocks, 26th in rebounds, 28th in scoring, 125th in steals, 410th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 7th in blocks, 26th in rebounds, 38th in scoring, 84th in steals, 165th in assists
One of the legendary big men of the ’90s, Patrick Ewing was a beastly shot-blocker who had great size and strength down low, but who also had soft touch as a scorer in the post and out of the mid-range. Was never able to win a title, however, due mostly to the Rockets and Bulls, but he’s still remembered as one of the best centers in league history, as he was a beast shot-blocker and scorer from the 5-spot.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 77th in scoring, 126th in assists, 134th in steals, 272nd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 89th in scoring, 107th in steals, 121st in assists, 251st in rebounds, 263rd in blocks
An excellent scorer on the wing, Rick Barry may be best remembered these days for his granny-style free-throw shooting, but he was so much more than that, as he could handle the ball at 6-foot-7, shoot off the dribble or around the rim and do a bit of everything else well, including rebound and create for others. One of the first do-everything wings the NBA ever saw, Barry would rank even higher statistically in league history if he didn’t go to the ABA for four seasons in his prime.
Top accolades: Six NBA titles, one MVP, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 13 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 22nd in assists, 111th in scoring, 309th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 20th in assists, 70th in scoring, 177th in rebounds
The original floor general, Bob Cousy was the first star player who did everything a modern point guard should do, be it dribble, give quality passes, direct teammates or shoot jumpers. Cousy was called the Houdini of the Hardwood because of his ball-handling skills and creativity.
Cousy was the league’s first flashy star-level player, making the game more interesting for the casual fan. The native of New York City had a game replete with behind-the-back dribbles, no-look passes, pull-up scoring touch and fast-break pizzazz, making the golden era Celtics extremely entertaining to watch. And not only were they entertaining, but they were dominant, as Cousy helped the team win six titles in the late '50s and early '60s. Cousy led the NBA in nightly assists eight straight years, from 1952-53 to 1959-60, also earning 1st Team All-NBA honors for 10 straight seasons, with one league MVP award (in 1956-57) also in there.
Cousy was truly a revolutionary, changing the way the point guard position was played, and performing in a way that influenced many flashy point guards after him.
Top accolades: One NBA title, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 3rd in assists and steals, 66th in rebounds, 97th in scoring, 328th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 4th in assists, 8th in steals, 48th in rebounds, 68th in scoring, 176th in blocks
One of the greatest point guards ever, Jason Kidd could make the flashy pass or the simple play with the best of them while also loving to hightail it in transition to wear opponents down in transition. Also used his ridiculous basketball IQ to rack up steals and defend at a high level. He even became an adept outside shooter later on in his career, which really added to his longevity and helped him win a title with the 2010-11 Mavericks, as his outside shooting was pivotal for Dallas on that playoff run.
Top accolades: One NBA title, six All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, two All-Defensive 2nd Team selections
Regular season ranking: 4th in rebounds, 13th in scoring, 27th in blocks, 268th in steals, 368th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 21st in blocks, 36th in rebounds, 59th in scoring, 123rd in steals, 294th in assists
An old-fashioned big man who was really strong and aggressive, especially on defense. Elvin Hayes also had a masterful post game with a trademark turnaround jumper that he’d go to when he was defended by taller players. Hayes was called the Bionic Man because he was relentless, rarely missing a game until he was 38.
Top accolades: One NBA title, nine All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 5th in steals, 11th in assists, 39th in scoring, 259th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 29th in assists and steals, 60th in scoring, 160th in rebounds, 307th in blocks
Perhaps the greatest point guard defender of all time, Gary Payton had unnatural strength for his size, quick feet and elite hands and timing to help him lock down foes one-on-one as well as rack up the steals. He was also an excellent playmaker and a solid scorer, who used a solid mid-range game to get buckets. Payton even added to his legacy by not having an ego and being willing to become a role player late in his career, which helped him win a title as a backup on the 2005-06 Miami Heat.
[IMG alt="San Antonio Spurs forward George Gervin (44) against Atlanta Hawks guard Armond Hill (24).
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/hoops_hy...es_974/092b1121038da85b46814348146b851d[/IMG]
Top accolades: Five All-NBA 1st Team selections, nine All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 47th in scoring, 201st in blocks, 216th in steals, 411th in assists, 489th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking:116th in scoring, 181st in blocks, 219th in steals, 293rd in assists, 334th in rebounds
A smooth operator on the wing as a scorer, George Gervin could fill it up with the best of them despite lacking much of a three-point shot. He is best remembered for his beautiful finger-roll layup, still one of the nicest moves in any player’s arsenal ever, but his game was far more than that, as the Ice Man was one of the best all-around scorers the league has ever seen. He did it in a 6-foot-7 package, too, making him a very unique player for his prime and opening the door for other supersized wings later to play more on the perimeter.
Top accolades: One NBA title, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, five All-Defensive selections, one NBA Cup, two Olympic gold medals, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 23rd in blocks, 61st in scoring, 69th in rebounds, 158th in steals, 461st in assists
Playoffs ranking: 54th in blocks, 110th in rebounds, 121st in scoring, 184th in steals, 316th in assists
A player who could keep moving up this list, Anthony Davis already has Hall-of-Fame credentials despite having some good years ahead of him. Davis is extremely skilled for his size, able to shoot and dribble, as well as being ridiculously mobile, which, coupled with his otherworldly length, makes him an elite defender. Unfortunately, injury issues have plagued his career.
Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 18th in scoring, 68th in steals, 112th in rebounds, 210th in blocks, 306th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 152nd in scoring, 197th in steals, 287th in blocks, 289th in rebounds, 393rd in assists
One of the most explosive players of all time, Dominique Wilkins was more than just a dunker. He could score with the best of them, using his physical advantages and unreal athleticism to torture opponents in the deep-to-short mid-range area. Wilkins was legitimately one of the best in-game dunkers ever, one of the scariest players to face when he had a head of steam and was heading to the basket. He could also hit jumpers from the midrange and was an absolute menace scoring the basketball. Wilkins had some legendary playoff battles with Bird in his prime that will be remembered forever.
Top accolades: One NBA title, five All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in steals, 38th in scoring, 39th in assists, 142nd in rebounds, 185th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 13th in steals, 24th in assists, 34th in scoring, 53rd in rebounds, 70th in blocks
One of the best 2-guards ever, Clyde Drexler was a fantastic scorer, rebounder and playmaker for his position, while also using his athleticism well defensively. Drexler even won a championship in his career, arguably the toughest in NBA history at that, playing a fantastic second fiddle to Olajuwon and turning the Rockets that year from a borderline playoff team into a championship repeater.
Top accolades: Five NBA titles, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 399th in rebounds, 407th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 102nd in scoring, 127th in rebounds, 360th in assists
The first truly dominant NBA big man, George Mikan used his massive size to his advantage along with the unusually soft touch he had for a player of his era. Mikan could finish ably with either hand in the paint. There’s a reason the Mikan Drill is still used to this day.
Something not many may realize is that Mikan has the best playoff winning percentage of any All-Star (minimum: 50 games played) at 70 percent. For context, Jordan is at 66.48.
Top accolades: One MVP, nine All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 5th in assists, 14th in scoring and steals, 60th in rebounds, 357th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 18th in assists, 27th in steals, 29th in scoring, 69th in rebounds, 242nd in blocks
One of the most energetic players the NBA has ever seen, Russell Westbrook was absolutely tenacious every minute he’s on the floor, often fighting off bigger opponents for rebounds and flying down the floor in transition to throw down dunks. Of course, as is the case with basically every player, age has affected the former triple-double machine, and that athleticism and energy level have dwindled as Westbrook’s effectiveness pales in comparison to what they used to be. Still, Westbrook is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s best players ever, a literal cheat code statistically in his prime, and his career will probably be looked at even more fondly once it’s over.
Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one Finals MVP, two-time All-NBA 3rd Team selections, seven All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 125th in scoring, 168th in steals, 225th in blocks, 287th in assists, 321st in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 31st in scoring, 40th in steals, 73rd in assists, 87th in blocks, 90th in rebounds
A 3/4 hybrid, James Worthy had the quickness to get by larger, slower defenders and the size to score over small opponents. Worthy was especially terrific in transition as a member of the Showtime Lakers. A three-time NBA champion, Worthy was even a Finals MVP one of those years and a vital part of the dynasty Lakers of the ’80s.
Top accolades: Six All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, three Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 11th in scoring, 85th in rebounds, 95th in steals, 190th in assists, 211th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 78th in scoring, 117th in steals, 170th in rebounds, 254th in assists, 332nd in blocks
One of the smoothest scorers in the wing the league has ever seen, Carmelo Anthony became renowned for his jab step in the mid-range, but he had many more moves than that. Anthony also liked to bully smaller defenders and hit them with turnaround fadeaways, putting up a historic amount of points thanks to his well-rounded ways of scoring. There were times in his prime when it felt like once Anthony would get it going, he was impossible to defend. The numbers reflect that, too – after all, ranking Top 11 ever in scoring is almost hard to fathom. It’s unfortunate Anthony wasn’t able to have more team success in his career, which would have helped him move up this list.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, four All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 21st in scoring, 23rd in steals, 84th in assists, 95th in rebounds, 177th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 23rd in scoring, 31st in steals, 54th in assists, 57th in rebounds, 77th in blocks
Paul Pierce was a beastly scorer in his prime, one who could fill it up from all three levels and score on even the most elite of defenders. Pierce was also quite clutch, hitting a ton of big shots in his day, actually ranking as the player with the most buzzer-beating game-winners in NBA history. Young fans might not know it today but Pierce was a monster in his heyday, one of the best one-on-one scorers in the league and a solid-enough defender on the other end. He had some huge battles with Kobe Bryant in the playoffs, too, only adding to the Celtics-Lakers lore.
Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one NBA Cup, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 37th in scoring, 42nd in assists, 259th in steals, 452nd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 86th in assists, 98th in scoring, 177th in steals, 388th in rebounds, 439th in blocks
Damian Lillard may sadly be done moving up in this ranking, barring an exceptional recovery from his Achilles injury – a rarity at his age. Even as is, however, Lillard is one of the best score-first point guards ever, with outstanding shooting ability and clutch shots galore on his resume. Still, Lillard is missing that elite team success, and his time to win a championship is running out.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one MVP, two All-NBA selections, five All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 72nd in scoring and blocks, 80th in rebounds, 352nd in steals, 497th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 37th in blocks, 97th in scoring, 107th in rebounds, 200th in steals, 442nd in assists
A monster-scoring big man who led the league in points three consecutive seasons, including once at 34.5 points per game, Bob McAdoo had a pristine mid-range jumper and a plethora of post moves to torment opponents with. McAdoo was special because he was a big man who could shoot and do his damage with his face-up game, something that was unheard of in his era. The Hall-of-Famer was quietly quite influential.
Top accolades: Three All-NBA 3rd Team selections, five All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 26th in scoring, 55th in steals, 122nd in assists, 395th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 33rd in scoring, 61st in steals, 113th in assists, 256th in rebounds, 297th in blocks
One of the finest shooters ever, Reggie Miller ranks seventh in league history in made three-pointers (2,560). He was also extremely clutch about his shot-making, with a career highlight tape featuring multiple game-winning threes from high-pressure postseason contests. Miller is another player who, despite being an all-time great playing in his era, would probably have been even more effective today, as his shooting would have translated beautifully to this era that places such an emphasis on outside shooting.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 29th in scoring, 60th in steals, 103rd in assists, 258th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 40th in scoring, 52nd in steals, 77th in assists, 131st in rebounds, 249th in blocks
Had his peak come 20 years later, it’s fascinating to ponder what Ray Allen’s numbers might have looked like, as his bombastic style of play consisting of shooting a ton of threes would have fit wonderfully in today’s NBA. Still, Allen carved out a Hall-of-Fame career in his era anyway as one of the best shooters ever. Allen was also very clutch, with a highlight reel of playoff daggers and game-winners, including arguably the clutchest three-pointer ever, which came in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals with his Heat down 3-2 in the series and facing defeat to the Spurs. We all remember how that ended.
Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one All-NBA 1st Team selection, seven All-Stars, six All-Defensive selections, two Sixth Man of the Year awards
Regular season ranking: 32nd in blocks, 101st in scoring, 115th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 10th in blocks, 22nd in scoring, 34th in rebounds, 166th in assists, 239th in steals
Celtics legend Kevin McHale was known for putting opponents in something called the torture chamber, which basically meant when McHale would post up, it was torture for foes to defend due to his sharp elbows, long arms and ridiculous array of moves in the paint. Few historically can match McHale’s mix of post-up moves, including up-and-unders, step-throughs and drop-steps galore. He was a winner, too, playing a great partner role to Bird for those legendary Celtics teams.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, one All-NBA 1st Team selection, five All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 13th in rebounds, 148th in assists, 378th in scoring, 422nd in blocks, 468th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 8th in rebounds, 75th in assists, 166th in blocks, 182nd in scoring, 227th in steals
Despite standing just 6-foot-7, Wes Unseld was one of the most physically imposing centers ever thanks to his incredible strength and stout frame. Unseld was one of the best rebounders in NBA history, averaging 14.0 for his career and leading the league in boards in 1974-75, and was extremely efficient at finishing down low.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, four All-NBA selections, six All-Stars, two Olympic silver medals, one World Cup gold medal, three Eurobasket gold medals
Regular season ranking: 22nd in blocks, 30th in rebounds, 44th in scoring, 135th in assists, 496th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 16th in blocks, 35th in rebounds, 63rd in scoring, 79th in assists, 209th in steals
One of the greatest international NBA players of all time, Pau Gasol was a menace in his heyday, a supremely skilled big man who could shoot, dribble a bit, pass and create for teammates, and use his long limbs well when tasked with rebounding and protecting the rim. Despite being a well-liked figure around the NBA, winning two rings and having such a well-rounded skill set, Gasol was one of the most glaring omissions of the NBA75 list. We didn’t make the same inexplicable mistake.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, seven All-Stars, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 75th in assists, 147th in scoring, 305th in rebounds, 418th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 49th in assists, 76th in scoring, 123rd in rebounds
Walt Frazier, remembered partly by his cool nickname Clyde, was one of the smoothest point guards of his era, one who could also take over the bulk of the scoring load for the Knicks. Frazier was also one of the best point-guard defenders ever, making a ridiculous seven 1st Team All-Defenses in his career.
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, two All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 8th in rebounds, 10th in blocks, 32nd in scoring, 96th in steals, 424th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 6th in blocks, 9th in rebounds, 37th in scoring, 63rd in steals, 208th in assists
The starting center on those legendary Celtics teams of the 1980s, Robert Parish was a great complement to the likes of Bird and McHale, willing to do all of the dirty work down low while still providing a solid scoring punch in the paint. Parish ranks in the Top 10 in both career rebounds and blocks and was a beast in both respects in his prime. Without Parish, the ’80s Celtics might not have been as successful as they were, as he was the perfect role player for what they needed.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, five All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, one All-Defensive 1st Team selection
Regular season ranking: 72nd in rebounds, 286th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 81st in rebounds, 164th in scoring, 379th in assists
Best known for limping out onto the court for Game 7 of the 1970 Finals for New York and hitting his first two shots on a bad thigh, Willis Reed is now widely considered one of the greatest Knicks of all time, a big man slightly short on stature but not on talent and sheer will. Reed was a monster rebounder and shot-blocker despite standing just 6-foot-9.
Top accolades: One NBA title, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 10th in rebounds, 13th in blocks, 57th in scoring, 148th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 13th in blocks, 19th in rebounds, 81st in scoring, 131st in steals, 378th in assists
At one time, Dwight Howard was the best big man in the NBA, a run that spanned multiple seasons with the Magic. Howard was an awe-inspiring athlete for his size, who would often sky for rebounds, block shots or finish alley-oops. Like Gasol, Howard was another glaring omission from the NBA75 list despite being a Top 10 rebounder ever, ranking 15th all-time in blocks and having three Defensive Player of the Year awards. But that might have to do with him not being that well-liked by coaches and teammates during his time in the league.
Howard was also a huge playoff performer, coming up big both when he was a star with the Magic (he impressively led them to the Finals in 2008-09) and as a role player with the Lakers, finally winning a title in 2019-20.
Top accolades: One NBA title, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 31st in rebounds, 75th in scoring, 233rd in assists
Playoffs ranking: 50th in rebounds, 84th in scoring, 182nd in assists
A big man far ahead of his time, Dolph Schayes was one of the first power forwards who would space the floor and shoot jumpers from the deep mid-range, something he did quite well in the late ’40s, ’50s and early ’60s. Schayes could also dribble past opponents and drive to the hoop on hard closeouts. He paved the way for the modern stretch-4.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars, one Clutch Player of the Year award, one World Cup bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 224th in scoring, 281st in assists, 341st in steals, 354th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 96th in assists, 114th in scoring, 156th in blocks, 163rd in steals, 393rd in rebounds
Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the cut last year, but skyrockets up to the 64th-overall spot this year, no small feat for a player who is still just 28 years old with plenty of his prime remaining. After winning MVP for a second straight year last season, Gilgeous-Alexander became one of just six players ever to not only win back-to-back MVPs, but also to make four consecutive 1st Team All-NBAs while doing so. The other players to have accomplished the same are Bird, Magic Johnson, Jordan, Duncan and LeBron James, meaning SGA is now in truly rarefied air as far as what he’s done at his peak.
Gilgeous-Alexander is enjoying one of the best primes at the guard position we have ever seen in league history, and if he keeps up this pace, we may have to remove the ‘guard’ part of that statement; he’s been that dominant, with his throwback, midrange bucket-getting style, his crafty and slippery drives at the basket and his ability to knock down big shots.
Some may not appreciate his style of play, believing he tries to draw too many fouls (some may call it flopping), but getting to the foul line and knocking down free throws at a high rate is one of the most efficient ways to score, so clearly, his style of play is conducive and impactful to winning - at the highest level, too, as proved by the Thunder’s 2024-25 march to a championship.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one All-NBA 2nd Team selection, 11 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 93rd in rebounds, 108th in scoring, 118th in blocks, 370th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 80th in blocks, 125th in rebounds, 158th in scoring, 196th in steals, 471st in assists
Chris Bosh’s accolades are impressive enough, and that’s with his career tragically being cut short due to issues with blood clotting. Bosh went from being a No. 1 option with the Raptors to willingly playing third fiddle to James and Wade in the Big 3 era in Miami, and did so as an excellent safety valve, one who could hit open jumpers at a high level, as well as attack in isolation when needed. It’s a shame he went down when he did, as he was set to be Miami’s best player after James’ departure before his own career ended. Bosh spacing the floor from the frontcourt as a No. 1 option would have been a whole lot of fun to watch.
Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, six All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 31st in assists, 119th in scoring, 384th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 140th in assists, 386th in scoring, 495th in steals
One of the hardest-to-stop players of his era thanks to ridiculous quickness and speed, Tiny Archibald tormented opponents in the ’70s and early ’80s when attacking the basket, even despite being barely six feet tall. Archibald was also a very solid playmaker and could hit jumpers from the short midrange area, making him a load to defend in more ways than one.
Archibald is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in nightly scoring and nightly assists in one season, doing so in 1972-73 at 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game. We think the only reason he doesn’t get more credit for that absurd accomplishment is that he did it for a 36-win Kansas City-Omaha Kings team that missed the playoffs.
Prior to the injury that changed his career in 1976-77, one that never allowed him to regain the explosive speed that made him so special, Archibald was on a historic pace, with three 1st Team All-NBAs under his belt by the time he was 27. Over his first seven seasons, he averaged 24.8 points and 8.0 assists per game, to go with 1.6 steals. The only players in league history to average at least 24.5 points and eight assists per contest, for comparison's sake, are Robertson, Luka Doncic and Trae Young, showing just how special of a scorer and playmaker Archibald was prior to the injury.
Top accolades: Five NBA titles, two All-NBA 3rd Team selections, two All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 24th in rebounds, 274th in blocks, 487th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 12th in rebounds, 86th in blocks, 113th in steals, 227th in scoring, 252nd in assists
Dennis Rodman didn’t just have a great nose for knowing where a ball was going to go after hitting the rim; he was also absolutely relentless, refusing to let anyone get in his way to secure a board. Rodman was also an elite defender of multiple positions, using absurd strength to bully opponents trying to body him. An underrated passer, his mind games destabilized many a team… including his own sometimes. A member of two all-time teams – the Bad Boys Pistons and Jordan’s Bulls – Rodman was one of the best role players the game has ever seen.
Top accolades: Four All-NBA selections, five All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 135th in scoring, 172nd in assists
“Pistol” Pete Maravich was one of the flashiest players ever, with a highlight package filled with behind-the-back, no-look passes and stop-on-a-dime shooting prowess, one that impresses to this day. The NBA’s leading scorer in 1976-77, Maravich’s legacy is negatively affected by losing more games than he won in his career and only playing 17 playoff games in his prime, 26 in total.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one MVP, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, eight All-Stars, one All-Defensive 1st Team selection
Regular season ranking: 40th in rebounds, 219th in scoring, 264th in assists, 301st in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 33rd in rebounds, 100th in scoring, 124th in assists, 161st in blocks, 178th in steals
Florida State legend Dave Cowens is one of just two players ever to win league MVP in a season they weren’t voted 1st Team All-NBA along with another Celtics legend, Bill Russell. He was a bundle of energy in his prime, one who was a monster rebounder, averaging 15.2 rebounds over his eight-year prime, and helped the Celtics win two championships during his time in the league.
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, six All-Stars, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 21st in assists, 58th in scoring, 160th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 7th in assists, 12th in scoring, 34th in steals, 122nd in rebounds, 489th in blocks
Once clearly the best European point guard in NBA history (though that's debatable now), Tony Parker dominated opposing backcourt players with quickness, a tight crossover and a beautiful tear-drop floater in the lane. Parker was clutch and played a huge role in four championships for San Antonio, even winning one Finals MVP. He changed the game for guards trying to reach the NBA from overseas by proving that European guards can be elite players in the NBA, too, and look where we are now with players like Luka Doncic dominating the league. Parker’s influence on the game is underrated today.
Top accolades: One Conference Finals MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, six All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year award, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague MVP
Regular season ranking: 111th in assists, 165th in scoring, 362nd in rebounds, 437th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 82nd in assists, 99th in scoring, 143rd in steals, 207th in rebounds, 373rd in blocks
Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is next in what has been a long line of all-time great players to have donned the purple and gold. Doncic might have made a bigger move up this list after his fantastic 2025-26 campaign, one that saw him lead the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game, to go with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, but he got injured late in the regular season and missed the entire postseason, which is unfortunate, because it would not have been surprising to see him lead L.A. on a deep playoff run. As is, without him, the Lakers made it to the second round of the postseason.
Even so, Doncic is on a historic pace, with the only question about him going forward being his fitness level, but even then, he looked far more in shape last season than he ever has in his career. After earning 1st Team All-NBA honors in 2025-26, Doncic became just the fifth player in league history to earn six 1st Team All-NBA nods by age 27.
What's more, Doncic is on a pace that gives him a shot to overtake Jordan for the highest scoring average in league history. Doncic is currently averaging 29.2 points per game for his career, to Jordan's 31.1 point-per-game scoring average. With Doncic still just 27 and LeBron James now off his team, don't be surprised to see Doncic go on a scoring average over the next stretch of his career, one that could put Jordan's record in jeopardy.
Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal, one World Cup MVP
Regular season ranking: 76th in scoring, 102nd in assists, 179th in steals, 466th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 58th in scoring, 69th in assists, 80th in steals, 171st in blocks, 316th in rebounds
Maybe the best ball-handler in NBA history, Irving will always be remembered for his huge shot at the end of Game 7 in the 2016 Finals that helped the Cavs win their first title. One of the craftiest finishers around the rim, Irving is unstoppable getting in the paint. Despite his tendency to attract drama and missing games, his talent has been irresistible for fans and (many) executives.
Top accolades: Two All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 24th in scoring, 49th in steals, 82nd in assists, 130th in blocks, 152nd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 115th in scoring, 134th in steals, 151st in assists, 210th in blocks, 217th in rebounds
Aside from being one of the most explosive dunkers in league history, Vince Carter was a productive player for 22 years – something that not many could have expected considering how reliant on athleticism he was during his prime. Many argue that with his talent, he should have done more in his prime than just two All-NBA selections (neither was even 1st Team) and many questioned his drive and love for the game. Even so, he was one of the best 2-guards in the NBA at his peak and a fan favorite even if he never won anything that noteworthy. Plus, would he really have played for 22 years if he didn’t love basketball?
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 1st Team, four All-Stars, Rookie of the Year award
Regular season ranking: 98th in scoring, 170th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 138th in scoring, 170th in assists, 430th in rebounds
Nicknamed The Pearl, Earl Monroe was a smooth ballhandler and scorer from the midrange who could stop on a dime and knock down jumpers with aplomb. His accolades and production don’t speak to how well-respected he was as a player, with his game being one of the original confident guards who scored with creativity. A lot of players of later generations modeled their games after him, so his influence was huge.
Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 128th in scoring, 183rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 195th in scoring, 263rd in rebounds, 441st in assists
A champion with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1955-56, Paul Arizin was one of the first players to use the jump shot to his full advantage, becoming a very effective shooter from that area during the NBA’s infancy.
Arizin led the league in scoring twice, first in 1951-52 at 25.4 points per game, in just his second season in the league, and then again in 1956-57, as a 28-year-old. The smooth scoring swingman was also a playoff riser, leading the then-Warriors in scoring in the ‘56 postseason, one that saw the team win that year’s championship, led by Arizin’s high-level contributions.
Making Arizin’s career even more impressive is the fact that right at the start of his prime, in what were supposed to be his third and fourth NBA seasons, he missed both campaigns to serve as a Marine in the Korean War. He then came back and reeled off eight straight All-Star appearances, showing no signs of rust whatsoever. Arizin earned two 1st Team All-NBAs after his two years of service, and finished second in the MVP vote in 1955-56.
Top accolades: Two All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 54th in scoring, 267th in steals, 270th in assists, 283rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 373rd in scoring
Injuries in his prime really hurt his standing on this list, as Bernard King blew out his knee the year he earned the second 1st Team All-NBA selection of his career, missing the entire following season and never regaining his explosiveness after that. Even so, King, the NBA’s leading scorer in 1984-85, was one of the smoothest high-scoring wings of his era.
Top accolades: One MVP, five All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 165th in blocks, 217th in scoring, 255th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 71st in blocks, 110th in scoring, 115th in rebounds, 223rd in assists, 324th in steals
On a per-minute basis, few players in NBA history produce as much statistically as Joel Embiid. When ready to go, he's one of the most unstoppable big men ever thanks to his massive frame, mobility and deep bag.
The problem with him is that he doesn't play that many minutes considering he misses a lot of time due to health reasons regularly. Plus his track record in the playoffs is spotty as well.
If he manages to stay in shape and healthy, he could move up in this ranking. We’re not holding our breath at this points, though.
Top accolades: Three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 25th in scoring, 104th in assists, 150th in blocks, 155th in steals, 157th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 106th in scoring, 154th in assists, 292nd in rebounds, 304th in blocks, 358th in steals
The highest-scoring player of the ’80s, Alex English was ahead of his time as a 6-foot-8 swingman with an elite nose for scoring the basketball smoothly around the rim. Even without a reliable three-pointer, English averaged 26.0 points in the 1980s as a member of the Denver Nuggets.
Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, one Most Improved Player award
Regular season ranking: 78th in scoring, 120th in assists, 124th in steals, 155th in blocks, 257th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 190th in assists, 209th in blocks, 220th in scoring, 305th in steals, 399th in rebounds
A more impressive playoff career (he never made it out of the first round in his prime) could have greatly changed where Tracy McGrady finished in this ranking, as could have more longevity. But at his peak, McGrady was one of the most explosive and productive do-everything wings in basketball, one who would have dominated in the modern NBA. The Kobe-or-TMac debate was a thing for a few years.
Top accolades: One NBA title, seven All-NBA 2nd Team selections, 10 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 41st in scoring, 92nd in assists, 224th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 85th in scoring, 89th in assists, 205th in rebounds
One of the best and underrated guards of the 1960s, Hal Greer was an All-Star 10 times that decade and an All-NBA 2nd Teamer seven times, helping lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship in 1966-67 alongside Chamberlain in what was one of the most slept-on guard-big duos in league history.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Bill Walton, Draymond Green, Lenny Wilkens, Artis Gilmore, Adrian Dantley, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Nate Thurmond, Chris Webber, Sam Jones, Dikembe Mutombo, Manu Ginobili, Jayson Tatum, Jerry Lucas, Dave Bing, Jimmy Butler, Alonzo Mourning, Bob Lanier, Dennis Johnson, Joe Dumars, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Sharman, Bobby Jones, Robert Horry, Derrick Rose, Billy Cunningham and Dave DeBusschere
DIFFERENCES WITH THE OFFICIAL NBA LIST
IN: Nikola Jokic, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Bosh, Tony Parker, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Vince Carter, Bernard King, Joel Embiid, Alex English and Tracy McGrady
OUT: Bill Walton, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Lucas, Sam Jones, Nate Thurmond, Bill Sharman, Dave Bing, Dave DeBusschere and Billy Cunningham
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: 80 greatest NBA players ever: The HoopsHype list
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As in past editions, we held a team vote among HoopsHype's staff members, discarded the highest and lowest ranks for each player and awarded points based on the remaining ranks.
Check out the final results below.
1. LeBron James
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Top accolades: Four NBA titles, four Finals MVPs, four MVPs, 13 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 22 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, three Olympic gold medals, one Olympic MVP
Regular season ranking:1st in scoring, 4th in assists, 6th in steals, 23rd in rebounds, 69th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 1st in scoring and steals, 2nd in assists, 4th in rebounds, 9th in blocks
LeBron James replaced Michael Jordan at No. 1 in our all-time ranking for the first time two years ago, and hasn't looked back since, following that up by adding an Olympic gold medal, an Olympic MVP award, the inaugural NBA Cup (with its MVP), along with the usual All-Star and All-NBA selections since then.
While we still consider MJ to have a higher peak than LeBron, at this point you have to bow down to King James. His advantage in terms of sustained excellence is just too big to ignore, with LeBron at No. 1 and far ahead of His Airness in an increasing number of accolades and statistical categories.
James came into the NBA with unreal expectations and somehow managed to surpass all of them – and then some. James is clutch, he can score at a ridiculous level, rebounds well and is an amazing playmaker, perhaps his most impressive trait. Few players have ever matched James’ absurd basketball IQ, one that he could use to continue to dominate for a few seasons as his career winds down.
The player with the most playoff wins without All-NBA or All-Star teammates, LeBron became the oldest player to lead a playoff series in scoring when his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round. James is also the player with the most playoff series victories in a single career, now 12 ahead of the next player on this list.
All in all, even the biggest backers of the next player on this list in the GOAT debate have to admit, James’ career, and the fact he’s been able to stay this good for this long, has been nothing short of astounding. It’s extremely unlikely we’ll ever see another career like James’, one that saw him earning All-NBA honors even in his 40s.
2. Michael Jordan
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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, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 4th in steals, 6th in scoring, 53rd in assists, 128th in blocks, 143rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in scoring, 3rd in steals, 13th in assists, 35th in blocks, 40th in rebounds
Probably the most iconic and famous athlete in all of sports, Jordan was the face of the NBA for a long time, and his star status outside of sports was almost hard to believe, and still sort of is.
Jordan’s mid-range game – face-ups, jab-steps, pull-ups, turnarounds, fadeaway, all of it – was second to none, and he was also a freakish athlete who could finish through contact and over length. And then there was the aspect of his clutchness, as Jordan was so often successful in nailing game-winners in the most high-pressure situations imaginable. Oh, and he was a top-tier defender, too.
Though we finally moved James ahead of him, it’s understandable many people are still in the MJ GOAT camp.
It would be interesting to see how Jordan’s resume - statistical and team accomplishment-wise - would look if not for his first retirement in 1993, fresh off a three-peat, and had he not retired again at merely 35 years old the second time, once again coming off a three-peat. Considering that in his final comeback, Jordan was still able to average 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals over two seasons with the Washington Wizards, in his age-38 and -39 campaigns, we probably missed out on some more moments of Jordan magic when he was retired for his age-35, -36 and -37 seasons.
Even so, that in his last full six seasons in Chicago, Jordan was able to win six championships, earning Finals MVPs each time, to go with winning four regular-season MVP awards while leading the NBA in scoring all six years, can only be described as legendary, and is a large reason why so many people still believe him to be the NBA’s true GOAT.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Top accolades: Six NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, six MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 19 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 2nd in scoring, 3rd in rebounds and blocks, 51st in assists, 113th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in blocks, 3rd in scoring, 6th in rebounds, 33rd in assists, 36th in steals
The GOAT debate is considered a two-horse race in the NBA, but if there is a strong third candidate, it’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who dominated for almost two decades thanks to his skyhook shot and overall greatness as a scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. The longevity argument is strong with Abdul-Jabbar, as the all-time big man won his two Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, first in 1971 and then again in 1985. Most players’ careers don’t last anywhere near that long, yet Kareem was dominating at the highest level for that long. Still, Jordan and James are too tough to overcome, despite Abdul-Jabbar’s resume.
4. Magic Johnson
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Top accolades: Five NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, three MVPs, nine All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 8th in assists, 24th in steals, 91st in scoring, 156th in rebounds, 416th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 1st in assists, 4th in steals, 17th in scoring, 20th in rebounds, 145th in blocks
The consensus best point guard in NBA history comes at No. 4 on our list. The leader of one of the finest teams in basketball history, Magic Johnson had flash, pizzazz, and any adjective you can think of as a playmaker, often hightailing it down the open floor and making spectacular passes that not many others would have attempted, let alone pulled off as successfully as he did. Magic was also a winner, making iconic plays over and over again in the biggest of stages. Add in his super charismatic personality, and you have the complete package as one of the biggest superstars the league has ever seen.
5. Bill Russell
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Top accolades: 11 NBA titles, five MVPs, 11 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 2nd in rebounds, 123rd in assists, 180th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 1st in rebounds, 30th in assists, 43rd in scoring
Bill Russell’s record for most NBA titles will never be beaten, as no one has come, or will come close to his 11 career championships. Russell’s resume is actually hurt because many accolades, like Finals MVP or Defensive Player of the Year didn’t even exist in his heyday. What’s more, since blocks weren’t recorded as a stat back then, there’s no way to know how many Russell had for his career. There’s a chance he would be at the top of the blocks standings along with the player coming up next on our ranking. That’s one of the reasons we consider him the greatest defensive player ever.
Russell may not have had the longest career, but boy, was that run successful. Just as a curious note: Russell had more MVPs than All-NBA 1st Team selections in his career (three).
6. Wilt Chamberlain
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one Finals MVP, four MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, 13 All-Stars, two All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 1st in rebounds, 8th in scoring, 86th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in rebounds, 21st in scoring, 39th in assists
The most dominant big man offensively in NBA history, though that partially had to do with the level of competition Wilt Chamberlain faced in his era. Still, when you dominate at the level Chamberlain did, who cares who he did it against?
Chamberlain did come a little short in the team success department as he was usually better in the regular season than in the playoffs, something that many believe had to do with an unwillingness to get fouled late in close games due to his unreliable free throw.
Chamberlain’s single-season rebounding and scoring records are unassailable. Plus he has the second-best scoring average behind only Jordan. And had MJ played one more year with the Wizards, Chamberlain might actually be No. 1 in that stat. Chamberlain is also the only guy to lead the league in total scoring, rebounds and assists for a season, and retired as the all-time leader in scoring and rebounding at the time.
7. Larry Bird
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Top accolades: Three NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, three MVPs, nine All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 40th in scoring, 43rd in steals, 50th in assists, 62nd in rebounds, 169th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 9th in assists and steals, 11th in rebounds, 14th in scoring, 41st in blocks
Bird may not rank super high in the stat department – a byproduct of a shorter career than normal for NBA superstars and being part of a star-studded team. That doesn't put a dent in his all-time great status, though. The legendary swingman filled the stat sheet night after night, with as complete a game as anyone who's ever played the sport.
Bird was the kind of talent that you could plop into the NBA today, and he’d still be a superstar. The French Lick, Indiana, native could do it all at the highest of levels, shooting, scoring, rebounding and playmaking with an almost magical level of flair to his game. Bird was clutch, too, hitting timely shots on the grandest of stages, deep in the NBA playoffs. Bird’s most forgotten vital shot came in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers, a game-winning and series-sealing jumper to give Boston the 4-3 series victory. Boston was down three games to one in that series at one time prior to its memorable comeback, capped by Bird’s game-winner.
From 1983-84 to 1985-86, Bird won league MVP honors all three years, making him one of just three players in NBA history to win three straight MVP awards, along with Russell and Chamberlain. In those seasons, Bird averaged 26.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.8 steals on nearly immaculate 50.4/39.2/88.9 percent shooting splits. Boston also won championships in two out of those three years, with Bird taking home Finals MVP both times.
Bird’s career may have been cut somewhat short due to injuries, but there’s no questioning his all-time greatness, as his peak is among the best we have ever seen in the NBA.
8. Kobe Bryant
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Top accolades: Five NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, 11 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 18 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 4th in scoring, 17th in steals, 36th in assists, 119th in rebounds, 214th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 4th in scoring, 7th in steals, 12th in assists, 42nd in rebounds and blocks
Not as high a peak as other megastars, but his career is one of amazingly sustained excellence – a result of an almost unparalleled work ethic and devotion to his craft, which helped him develop into an outrageous scorer out of the mid-range and near the rim, and a high-impact perimeter defender.
Kobe Bryant was first a sidekick to Shaq before then becoming the man for the Lakers and winning five titles overall, two of which he earned Finals MVPs for. Bryant, who finished his career with more All-NBA 1st Team selections than Jordan (!), also probably turned more people into basketball fans than any player not named Michael (or Earvin).
9. Shaquille O'Neal
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Top accolades: Four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, one MVP, eight All-NBA 1st Team selections, 15 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 8th in blocks, 10th in scoring, 15th in rebounds, 240th in assists, 365th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 4th in blocks, 5th in scoring and rebounds, 53rd in assists, 93rd in steals
The most dominant physical specimen in the NBA since the days of Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal was an absolute freak with his blend of size, strength and unreal explosiveness. During O’Neal’s peak years, teams were making moves with the sole intention of containing the big man. Many ho-hum centers made a killing thanks to that, just because they were another huge body to throw at O’Neal.
The fact that the Big Aristotle won only one MVP was kind of ridiculous in hindsight, as there were various seasons he was the most dominant player in the league. O’Neal wanting to be a star off the court probably took away a bit of impact on the court, but he was devastating throughout his career regardless, even despite being a poor free-throw shooter.
10. Tim Duncan
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Top accolades: Five NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, two MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 5th in blocks, 6th in rebounds, 20th in scoring, 112th in assists, 174th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 1st in blocks, 3rd in rebounds, 6th in scoring, 34th in assists, 50th in steals
The rare low-maintenance superstar, Tim Duncan was impactful and successful team-wise from the get-go through the end of his career. Duncan anchored the winningest team of the century and did so in a low-key manner, without enough acclaim for his greatness or accomplishments. Don’t believe us? How about the fact that he never won Defensive Player of the Year despite being selected to eight 1st Team All-Defenses, making that slight a major travesty, one that shows how underrated he was even in his prime. There’s even a chance Duncan would be ranked higher in many GOAT lists with a more entertaining off-court persona, but either way, he’s the greatest power forward ever.
11. Hakeem Olajuwon
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 1st in blocks, 10th in steals, 14th in rebounds, 15th in scoring, 235th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 3rd in blocks, 13th in rebounds, 16th in scoring, 21st in steals, 74th in assists
The first international player on the list, Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the greatest big men ever, and he competed and produced at an elite level on both ends of the floor with outstanding low-post moves and defensive skills to match. Olajuwon ranks first in blocks on record, though there’s a bit of an asterisk on that because they didn’t keep track of those before 1973-74. Also, he is the only player to rank Top 15 in four different major statistical categories: points, rebounds, blocks and steals.
12. Kevin Durant
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 16 All-Stars, four Olympic gold medals, one Olympic MVP, one World Cup gold medal, one World Cup MVP
Regular season ranking: 5th in scoring, 50th in blocks, 64th in assists, 74th in rebounds, 89th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 7th in scoring, 24th in blocks, 28th in rebounds, 36th in assists, 44th in steals
Scoring comes so easy for him it’s almost ridiculous, as Kevin Durant is a 7-footer with ballhandling, quickness and a pristine jumper that he can hit from legitimately anywhere on the floor. Durant’s also an impactful defender when he needs to be, moving his feet quickly and blocking shots at pivotal moments. Durant may still move up a few spots in the rankings, but will not be in contention for the top spots due to missed time because of injury.
He will have to settle with being the greatest player in Olympic basketball history, the only one with four gold medals and the lone star with MVPs in the NBA, Olympics and World Cup.
Durant’s legacy is also ultimately hurt by the fact that he was never able to win a championship on a team without the next player on this list. Sure, Durant won Finals MVP both years the Warriors won titles with him, but he was playing on an absolutely loaded roster, one with so much shooting-created space on it that it allowed Durant to wreck opposing defenders in one-on-one situations with a ton of room for him to operate.
13. Stephen Curry
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Top accolades: Four NBA titles, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, two World Cup gold medals
Regular season ranking: 19th in scoring, 27th in assists, 39th in steals, 289th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 11th in scoring, 19th in assists, 24th in steals, 76th in rebounds, 193rd in blocks
Stephen Curry changed the way the game is played. His shooting gravity has pulled basketball into a hyper-spaced-out era over the past decade-plus, one where nearly every player on the floor shoots threes.
Curry's playmaking deserves more credit than it receives, too, as the former Davidson standout is a solid passer, in part thanks to defenders having to remain glued to him on the perimeter, but also just because he has pretty good vision as a passer. The future Hall-of-Famer is already the greatest shooter ever – and it's not particularly close.
It looked like Curry would be able to break into the Top 10 here, but the fact that he’s toiled away on a mediocre Golden State team over recent seasons has prevented him from adding even more championship hardware to his resume. If he were able to accomplish that, there’s no question he’d break into our Top 10.
14. Oscar Robertson
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one MVP, nine All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in assists, 17th in scoring, 86th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 32nd in assists, 80th in scoring, 159th in rebounds
The first player to average a triple-double in league history, Oscar Robertson was an expert playmaker, rebounder and scorer at the lead guard spot, and a somewhat underrated player historically. He experienced very little team success until he joined forces with Lew Alcindor in Milwaukee, but did eventually win an NBA championship. One of the most well-rounded offensive guards ever, Robertson could pull up and hit jumpers from all over the midrange, get to the rim and finish around the basket through the trees and create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates by getting to the rim and firing off dimes.
Robertson enjoyed a five-year stretch in which he finished in the Top 3 MVP vote each season, including 1963-64 when he won the award outright. He followed that up in ‘65 by finishing second in the vote, losing out to Russell by just 32 votes.
What stops Robertson from having even more respect historically is the fact that he spent the first decade of his career, the entirety of the ‘60s, on a middling Cincinnati Royals team, one that somehow only made it to the playoffs six times in that stretch and never even got to an NBA Finals, despite having arguably the best guard in the world at the time on their roster. That had more to do with Robertson’s teammates than anything the triple-double machine was doing wrong.
Even so, NBA history loves to glorify championship success, and there’s no doubt that’s the one area in which Robertson’s resume is lacking.
15. Karl Malone
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Top accolades: Two MVPs, 11 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 14 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 3rd in scoring, 7th in rebounds, 12th in steals, 65th in assists, 74th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 7th in rebounds, 8th in scoring, 18th in steals, 47th in assists, 51st in blocks
A model of consistency through the years, Karl Malone had a 17-year stretch, just discounting his first and last seasons, where he averaged at least 20 points per game. In that span, he put up 26.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest, numbers that most players would love to average for one season, let alone 17. Malone did have some shortcomings in the playoffs, however, at least compared to fellow megastars, and that put him a little lower on the totem pole than he could have been with a ring or two on his resume.
16. Moses Malone
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, three MVPs, eight All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, two All-Defensive Team selections
Regular season ranking: 5th in rebounds, 12th in scoring, 30th in blocks, 139th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 32nd in rebounds, 39th in blocks, 65th in scoring, 159th in steals, 410th in assists
Perhaps the most underappreciated superstar ever, Moses Malone was as dominant as it gets at the center spot with physical toughness as a rebounder, leading the league in nightly boards an astounding six times, including once at 17.6 rebounds per game. Malone was also a monster scorer in the paint, using his brute strength to batter smaller foes down low. Many consider Malone the greatest offensive rebounder the league has ever seen, as his timing and instincts to chase boards on offense were second to none.
17. Kevin Garnett
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one MVP, nine All-NBA Teams, 15 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal, one FIBA Americas gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in rebounds, 19th in steals and blocks, 23rd in scoring, 57th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 17th in rebounds, 25th in blocks, 39th in steals, 44th in scoring, 68th in assists
One of the first unicorns in the NBA, Kevin Garnett had the size of a center and all-around skills of a guard, even bringing the ball down before big men were really allowed to do that. Garnett took run-of-the-mill Wolves teams to the playoffs consistently while scoring, rebounding, distributing and defending at an elite level. One could even argue Garnett sacrificed offensive numbers to put all-out effort on defense. Fun fact (except if you’re a Wolves fan): Minnesota made the playoffs in eight of 14 Garnett seasons and only five in the 22 years without him. That’s the kind of impact he had. His championship ring with the Celtics came late, but it was beyond deserved.
18. Jerry West
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 14 All-Stars, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 27th in scoring, 37th in assists, 248th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 9th in scoring, 17th in assists, 73rd in rebounds
No one on this Earth could possibly hate the Celtics as much as Jerry West, having lost to them in the Finals six times out of the six he faced them. Impossible to blame West for those championship defeats, though, as he put up beastly numbers against them on a consistent basis – just as he did against the rest of the NBA.
West was a masterful combo guard who performed at a high level thanks to his scoring and playmaking. He was also a great shooter, both off the dribble and with his feet set. West achieved All-Star honors in every season of his pro career, which only three other players with 10-plus seasons of NBA experience (Julius Erving, Bob Pettit and Paul Arizin) have accomplished.
19. Dirk Nowitzki
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, 12 All-NBA selections, 14 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 7th in scoring, 28th in rebounds, 56th in blocks, 98th in steals, 165th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 18th in scoring, 24th in rebounds, 55th in blocks, 57th in steals, 107th in assists
The highest-ranking European player on the list, Dirk Nowitzki was another revolutionary player thanks to his three-point and off-the-dribble prowess in a 7-foot-tall body. Nowitzki’s elite skill level made the common thinking go from being that big men need to stay in the paint to: If your big men don’t space the floor, you’re at a disadvantage. Nowitzki made a contender, and eventually, a champion, out of the Mavericks without star sidekicks for the most part of his career, hoisting the trophy in 2011 and winning Finals MVP for his efforts, one of the most legendary playoff runs by a star ever.
20. Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, one Eurobasket bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 42nd in scoring, 63rd in rebounds, 90th in blocks, 96th in assists, 189th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 52nd in scoring and rebounds, 68th in blocks, 78th in assists, 158th in steals
A rags-to-riches story if there ever was one, Giannis Antetokounmpo went from playing in a semi-professional league overseason to being a 15th-overall pick in the draft to winning multiple league MVP awards in just a few years.
The Greek forward boasts freakish length and athleticism plus a massive work ethic and motor, which help him absolutely dominate despite lacking an outside jumper.
It does get very difficult to move much higher up this list once you reach this part of the rankings, as the players still ahead of Antetokounmpo are all all-timers, but Antetokounmpo is still in his prime, a dominant two-way player and definitely will add more accolades to his mantle in the coming years, so we don’t think Antetokounmpo has peaked here.
Potentially helping Antetokounmpo’s cause as far as adding to his accolades was his offseason move to Miami, a franchise that will try to set up a consistent winner around the Greek Freak after Milwaukee tried - and failed - to do so over recent years.
21. Julius Erving
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one MVP, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 54th in steals and blocks, 79th in scoring, 208th in assists, 233rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 15th in blocks, 22nd in steals, 26th in scoring, 51st in assists, 56th in rebounds
He was 26 by the time he made his NBA debut after years in the ABA, so Julius Erving would rank far higher in the statistical categories had he spent his whole career in the Association. Erving was the most spectacular player at the time thanks to his unreal athleticism and ability to fly down the floor in transition to hammer in dunks… and he was a winner, too. Often considered Jordan before Jordan (just without a jumper), Erving was an All-Star every season he played (ABA or NBA).
22. Elgin Baylor
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Top accolades: 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 29th in rebounds, 35th in scoring, 166th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 10th in rebounds, 20th in scoring, 58th in assists
With ridiculous scoring and rebounding numbers, especially for a non-big man, Elgin Baylor was one of the first players who would awe fans with impressive athleticism from the wing. He never got the championship he deserved, however, and the Celtics are largely to blame, as out of his seven Finals losses, six came against Boston. Baylor finished his career with as many All-NBA 1st Teams as Abdul-Jabbar, which is crazy to consider. Baylor was one of the best wings ever and considering the era he did it in, that made him one of the most important players in NBA history, as he opened the door for many of the elite wings that came later.
23. Nikola Jokic
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, three MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars, one Olympic silver medal, one Olympic bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 41st in assists, 61st in rebounds, 84th in scoring, 170th in steals, 240th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 31st in assists, 37th in rebounds, 42nd in scoring, 83rd in steals, 101st in blocks
The best passing big man of all time, Nikola Jokic, is only the ninth player in league history to win three NBA MVPs. What's more, along with winning an NBA championship in 2022-23, Jokic also carried Serbia to a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics, becoming the first man ever to lead the Olympic tournament in scoring, rebounds and assists, showing his output is hugely impactful to winning.
Jokic finished second in the MVP vote last season for the second straight year, tying him with Russell and Bird for the most consecutive Top-2 MVP finishes in league history at six apiece. That's right, for the past six seasons, Jokic has finished no lower than second in the MVP vote, showing a rare level of sustained utter dominance the likes of which we have rarely ever seen in the NBA.
Jokic can legitimately do it all from the center spot, creating for teammates like a point guard, posting up with incredibly high efficiency as a finisher, spacing the floor from three and rarely missing on his signature floater. Even his defense has improved, as he rebounds like a monster and has quick, intelligent hands to rack up steals.
Still just 31 and with a game that will continue to age well, we could easily envision a future in which Jokic makes a solid-sized leap further up this list, especially if he and the Nuggets can snag more championship hardware in the years to come.
24. Dwyane Wade
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Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one Finals MVP, eight All-NBA selections, 13 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 34th in scoring and steals, 49th in assists, 133rd in blocks, 296th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 13th in scoring, 15th in steals, 25th in assists, 27th in blocks, 66th in rebounds
One of the greatest shooting guards ever, Dwyane Wade never won a league MVP award but came close in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Wade was an elite scorer even without much of a three-point shot, as he was dynamic at splitting defenders in the pick-and-roll, possessing a rare ability to glide to the rim and score at the basket, while also having a reliable midrange game. He was also a solid playmaker and a plus-defender, especially as a shot-blocker, as he ranks as the player 6-foot-4 or shorter with the most blocks ever. Wade also showed great humility in playing second fiddle to LeBron to chase titles later in his prime.
25. David Robinson
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one MVP, 10 All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, eight All-Defensive selections, two Olympic gold medals, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 6th in blocks, 37th in rebounds, 46th in scoring, 67th in steals, 356th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 5th in blocks, 31st in rebounds, 54th in steals, 57th in scoring, 162nd in assists
One of the best bodies in NBA history, David Robinson’s physique looked like it was molded out of clay in his prime. He used his frame and strength to torture opponents on both ends for years, doubling as a high-level scorer and freakishly impactful defender, especially protecting the rim. Still, Robinson didn’t get over the hump until Duncan came around, which hurt his spot on this list.
26. Charles Barkley
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Top accolades: One MVP, 11 All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 19th in rebounds, 28th in steals, 31st in scoring, 113th in assists, 131st in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 15th in rebounds, 35th in steals, 36th in scoring, 65th in assists, 67th in blocks
The Round Mound of Rebound, Charles Barkley was extremely unique not just for his outspoken personality but for his dominance down low despite being generously listed at 6-foot-6. He was a beast on the glass and as a scorer thanks to his absurd strength and explosiveness in his prime. Barkley never got the ever-elusive ring, but he’s still one of the all-time greats at power forward with his dominant face-up and post-up games, along with his monstrous abilities on the glass.
27. Isiah Thomas
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 10th in assists, 18th in steals, 71st in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 16th in assists, 23rd in steals, 53rd in scoring, 191st in rebounds, 266th in blocks
One of the best point guards ever, Isiah Thomas combined talent with fierce competitiveness. He could create at an elite level but could also score out of the midrange off the dribble. He was the face of the Bad Boys Pistons who beat Jordan’s Bulls three straight times in the playoffs in the late ’80s. The one thing holding Thomas back on this list is he had a short career for star standards.
28. Scottie Pippen
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Top accolades: Six NBA titles, seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, eight All-Defensive Teams, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 8th in steals, 38th in assists, 68th in scoring, 97th in rebounds, 114th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 2nd in steals, 11th in assists, 14th in rebounds, 19th in scoring, 26th in blocks
Arguably the greatest Robin in league history and also the best perimeter defender, Scottie Pippen was a fierce player with freakish physical attributes, including long arms and extremely quick feet, who would absolutely stifle opposing stars. Pippen was at his best as a slasher and transition scorer but could also create for teammates at a high level, making him a point forward ahead of his time.
29. Chris Paul
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Top accolades: 11 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 2nd in assists and steals, 36th in scoring, 193rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 5th in assists, 12th in steals, 32nd in scoring, 100th in rebounds, 316th in blocks
The Point God, Chris Paul, was one of the steadiest floor generals in NBA history, one capable of acting as a head coach on the floor, getting teammates into the right spots, destroying opponents out of the pick-and-roll and scoring at a high level when needed thanks to his unreal touch as an off-the-dribble scorer in the midrange.
The only thing still missing from his legacy is a ring, but he’s a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer without one. Paul’s career ended somewhat unceremoniously, retiring after being dumped by the Los Angeles Clippers after 16 appearances with the team in 2025-26. Paul left the NBA as second all-time in assists and steals, extremely impressive accomplishments showing both his longevity and his peak as a player. Paul led the NBA in assists five times in his career, first as a 22-year-old with the then-New Orleans Hornets, and most recently in 2021-22, 14 seasons later, as a 36-year-old playing for the Phoenix Suns.
If that doesn’t speak to his greatness as a player, then nothing does. Paul’s contributions to the game will be remembered fondly, even with his inability to win a championship.
He’s also pound-for-pound one of the greatest in basketball history. (We actually ranked him as thebest short player ever.)
30. John Havlicek
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Top accolades: Eight NBA titles, one Finals MVP, 11 All-NBA selections, 13 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 22nd in scoring, 40th in assists, 84th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 15th in scoring, 28th in assists, 38th in rebounds, 264th in steals
One of just four players in league history with eight championships, John Havlicek was a great scorer on the wing, a player who could hit mid-range jumpers or get buckets in transition, and who was always willing to do the dirty work, as evidenced by the legendary “Havlicek stole the ball” moment from the 1965 Eastern Finals.
31. Allen Iverson
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Top accolades: One MVP, seven All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 15th in steals, 30th in scoring, 54th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 60th in steals, 62nd in scoring, 83rd in assists, 416th in rebounds
A cultural icon as well as one of the best lead guards of his era, Allen Iverson has to be one of the most ridiculously explosive athletes the sport has ever seen, especially out of a player generously listed at 6-feet tall. Iverson’s crossover was devastating (just ask Jordan), and his bombastic style as a scorer made for thrilling viewing throughout his prime. Iverson was one of the most influential players ever, both on and off the court was one of the most exciting players to watch and in his prime. He could really score with the best of them in such an unorthodox package.
32. James Harden
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Top accolades: One MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars, one Sixth Man of the Year award, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in scoring, 12th in assists, 20th in steals, 135th in rebounds, 196th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 6th in assists and steals, 10th in scoring, 51st in rebounds, 69th in blocks
James Harden has a Hall-of-Fame resume thanks to his unreal scoring ability and playmaking. His crossover and stepback jumper made him impossible to slow down, as did his strong shoulder on drives to the rim. He still has a chance to add to his legacy over the coming years, though winning a championship ring is starting to feel like a really long shot.
Believe it or not, Harden is now higher on the all-time playoff assists list than he is on the scoring list, which speaks to his genius as a playmaker to go with his historical scoring skills. But he continues to fall short in the playoffs, which might just be a part of his legacy.
33. Bob Pettit
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Top accolades: One NBA title, two MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 18th in rebounds, 45th in scoring, 376th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 30th in rebounds, 55th in scoring, 199th in assists
The first player to reach 20,000 career points, Bob Pettit was a smooth power forward, especially for his era, who would do a ton of damage in transition and as a mid-range scorer. He won Finals MVP in 1958 after exploding for 50 points and 25 rebounds in the deciding game.
The first star power forward who started to do what we expect power forwards to do today, Pettit would space the floor from the midrange, pulling opposing bigs away from the basket, and either nail pull-up jumpers in their faces or use his quickness to drive by them and finish near the basket. Pettit started to modernize the power forward position despite playing in the '50s and ‘60s, performing at such a high level that he was named a 1st Team All-NBAer in each of the first 10 seasons of his career. And in his 11th and final campaign, he was merely named to 2nd Team All-NBA.
Pettit’s 26.4 points per game average for his career ranks as the 10th-highest in league history, while his 16.2 rebounds per game average for his career ranks third all-time.
If anything, Pettit might be underrated historically by the average modern basketball fan.
34. Kawhi Leonard
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Defensive selections
Regular season ranking: 69th in steals, 118th in scoring, 282nd in rebounds, 295th in blocks, 350th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 19th in steals, 24th in scoring, 41st in rebounds, 80th in assists, 84th in blocks
Kawhi Leonard once owned the distinction of having the highest winning percentage in NBA regular-season history, but that is no longer the case. Leonard was a secondary character in his first title run (until the 2014 Finals, at least) but led the Raptors to the mountaintop on his back. Always steady, even in the highest of pressure situations, and the King of Load Management, ranking Kawhi is a bit tricky considering how much time he misses due to injury.
Regardless, he’s an all-timer based on accolades, production and impact as one of the best mid-range scorers and defensive wings ever, one with a clutch gene, too.
35. John Stockton
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Top accolades: 11 All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking:1st in assists and steals, 53rd in scoring, 415th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 3rd in assists, 5th in steals, 49th in scoring, 147th in rebounds, 191st in blocks
John Stockton’s assists and steals record will never be beaten, as the Jazz legend finished his career with 15,806 assists (3,254 more than the second-highest player, Chris Paul) and 3,265 steals (537 more than the second-highest player, once again, Paul). Was he ever the best point guard in the NBA? Perhaps not. But the longevity speaks for itself, and Stockton was excellent for a very long time, earning MVP votes for the first time in his career in 1987-88, and for the final time in 2000-01, 13 years apart, in two very different eras of the game.
Stockton also deserves a ton of credit for how durable he was. In 19 seasons, Stockton missed just 22 games and had 18 seasons in which he played every possible game. Even as a 40-year-old in '03, Stockton played in and started all 82 games for the Jazz.
A killer out of the pick-and-roll, one who always seemed to make the right read, be it to pull up and knock down a midrange jumper, or set up a teammate, usually Karl Malone, for an easy scoring opportunity, we don’t think we’ll ever see as reliable of a floor general as Stockton.
36. Steve Nash
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Top accolades: Two MVP awards, seven All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 6th in assists, 99th in scoring, 243rd in steals, 480th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 10th in assists, 66th in scoring, 233rd in steals, 248th in rebounds
Along with Mike D’Antoni and the Seven-Seconds-or-Less Suns, Steve Nash moved basketball forward thanks to his pick-and-roll wizardry and ability to shoot off the dribble, including from beyond the arc, something that wasn’t as common in his era. Nash’s two MVP awards were quite controversial but there’s no question he’s one of the finest players of his generation, as he was truly a gifted point guard, one who was a wizard as a passer and could shoot at an elite level.
37. Patrick Ewing
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Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 7th in blocks, 26th in rebounds, 28th in scoring, 125th in steals, 410th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 7th in blocks, 26th in rebounds, 38th in scoring, 84th in steals, 165th in assists
One of the legendary big men of the ’90s, Patrick Ewing was a beastly shot-blocker who had great size and strength down low, but who also had soft touch as a scorer in the post and out of the mid-range. Was never able to win a title, however, due mostly to the Rockets and Bulls, but he’s still remembered as one of the best centers in league history, as he was a beast shot-blocker and scorer from the 5-spot.
38. Rick Barry
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 77th in scoring, 126th in assists, 134th in steals, 272nd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 89th in scoring, 107th in steals, 121st in assists, 251st in rebounds, 263rd in blocks
An excellent scorer on the wing, Rick Barry may be best remembered these days for his granny-style free-throw shooting, but he was so much more than that, as he could handle the ball at 6-foot-7, shoot off the dribble or around the rim and do a bit of everything else well, including rebound and create for others. One of the first do-everything wings the NBA ever saw, Barry would rank even higher statistically in league history if he didn’t go to the ABA for four seasons in his prime.
39. Bob Cousy
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Top accolades: Six NBA titles, one MVP, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 13 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 22nd in assists, 111th in scoring, 309th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 20th in assists, 70th in scoring, 177th in rebounds
The original floor general, Bob Cousy was the first star player who did everything a modern point guard should do, be it dribble, give quality passes, direct teammates or shoot jumpers. Cousy was called the Houdini of the Hardwood because of his ball-handling skills and creativity.
Cousy was the league’s first flashy star-level player, making the game more interesting for the casual fan. The native of New York City had a game replete with behind-the-back dribbles, no-look passes, pull-up scoring touch and fast-break pizzazz, making the golden era Celtics extremely entertaining to watch. And not only were they entertaining, but they were dominant, as Cousy helped the team win six titles in the late '50s and early '60s. Cousy led the NBA in nightly assists eight straight years, from 1952-53 to 1959-60, also earning 1st Team All-NBA honors for 10 straight seasons, with one league MVP award (in 1956-57) also in there.
Cousy was truly a revolutionary, changing the way the point guard position was played, and performing in a way that influenced many flashy point guards after him.
40. Jason Kidd
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Top accolades: One NBA title, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 3rd in assists and steals, 66th in rebounds, 97th in scoring, 328th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 4th in assists, 8th in steals, 48th in rebounds, 68th in scoring, 176th in blocks
One of the greatest point guards ever, Jason Kidd could make the flashy pass or the simple play with the best of them while also loving to hightail it in transition to wear opponents down in transition. Also used his ridiculous basketball IQ to rack up steals and defend at a high level. He even became an adept outside shooter later on in his career, which really added to his longevity and helped him win a title with the 2010-11 Mavericks, as his outside shooting was pivotal for Dallas on that playoff run.
41. Elvin Hayes
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Top accolades: One NBA title, six All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, two All-Defensive 2nd Team selections
Regular season ranking: 4th in rebounds, 13th in scoring, 27th in blocks, 268th in steals, 368th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 21st in blocks, 36th in rebounds, 59th in scoring, 123rd in steals, 294th in assists
An old-fashioned big man who was really strong and aggressive, especially on defense. Elvin Hayes also had a masterful post game with a trademark turnaround jumper that he’d go to when he was defended by taller players. Hayes was called the Bionic Man because he was relentless, rarely missing a game until he was 38.
42. Gary Payton
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Top accolades: One NBA title, nine All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 5th in steals, 11th in assists, 39th in scoring, 259th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 29th in assists and steals, 60th in scoring, 160th in rebounds, 307th in blocks
Perhaps the greatest point guard defender of all time, Gary Payton had unnatural strength for his size, quick feet and elite hands and timing to help him lock down foes one-on-one as well as rack up the steals. He was also an excellent playmaker and a solid scorer, who used a solid mid-range game to get buckets. Payton even added to his legacy by not having an ego and being willing to become a role player late in his career, which helped him win a title as a backup on the 2005-06 Miami Heat.
43. George Gervin
[IMG alt="San Antonio Spurs forward George Gervin (44) against Atlanta Hawks guard Armond Hill (24).
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/hoops_hy...es_974/092b1121038da85b46814348146b851d[/IMG]
Top accolades: Five All-NBA 1st Team selections, nine All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 47th in scoring, 201st in blocks, 216th in steals, 411th in assists, 489th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking:116th in scoring, 181st in blocks, 219th in steals, 293rd in assists, 334th in rebounds
A smooth operator on the wing as a scorer, George Gervin could fill it up with the best of them despite lacking much of a three-point shot. He is best remembered for his beautiful finger-roll layup, still one of the nicest moves in any player’s arsenal ever, but his game was far more than that, as the Ice Man was one of the best all-around scorers the league has ever seen. He did it in a 6-foot-7 package, too, making him a very unique player for his prime and opening the door for other supersized wings later to play more on the perimeter.
44. Anthony Davis
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Top accolades: One NBA title, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, five All-Defensive selections, one NBA Cup, two Olympic gold medals, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 23rd in blocks, 61st in scoring, 69th in rebounds, 158th in steals, 461st in assists
Playoffs ranking: 54th in blocks, 110th in rebounds, 121st in scoring, 184th in steals, 316th in assists
A player who could keep moving up this list, Anthony Davis already has Hall-of-Fame credentials despite having some good years ahead of him. Davis is extremely skilled for his size, able to shoot and dribble, as well as being ridiculously mobile, which, coupled with his otherworldly length, makes him an elite defender. Unfortunately, injury issues have plagued his career.
45. Dominique Wilkins
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Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 18th in scoring, 68th in steals, 112th in rebounds, 210th in blocks, 306th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 152nd in scoring, 197th in steals, 287th in blocks, 289th in rebounds, 393rd in assists
One of the most explosive players of all time, Dominique Wilkins was more than just a dunker. He could score with the best of them, using his physical advantages and unreal athleticism to torture opponents in the deep-to-short mid-range area. Wilkins was legitimately one of the best in-game dunkers ever, one of the scariest players to face when he had a head of steam and was heading to the basket. He could also hit jumpers from the midrange and was an absolute menace scoring the basketball. Wilkins had some legendary playoff battles with Bird in his prime that will be remembered forever.
46. Clyde Drexler
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Top accolades: One NBA title, five All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 9th in steals, 38th in scoring, 39th in assists, 142nd in rebounds, 185th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 13th in steals, 24th in assists, 34th in scoring, 53rd in rebounds, 70th in blocks
One of the best 2-guards ever, Clyde Drexler was a fantastic scorer, rebounder and playmaker for his position, while also using his athleticism well defensively. Drexler even won a championship in his career, arguably the toughest in NBA history at that, playing a fantastic second fiddle to Olajuwon and turning the Rockets that year from a borderline playoff team into a championship repeater.
47. George Mikan
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Top accolades: Five NBA titles, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 399th in rebounds, 407th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 102nd in scoring, 127th in rebounds, 360th in assists
The first truly dominant NBA big man, George Mikan used his massive size to his advantage along with the unusually soft touch he had for a player of his era. Mikan could finish ably with either hand in the paint. There’s a reason the Mikan Drill is still used to this day.
Something not many may realize is that Mikan has the best playoff winning percentage of any All-Star (minimum: 50 games played) at 70 percent. For context, Jordan is at 66.48.
48. Russell Westbrook
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Top accolades: One MVP, nine All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 5th in assists, 14th in scoring and steals, 60th in rebounds, 357th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 18th in assists, 27th in steals, 29th in scoring, 69th in rebounds, 242nd in blocks
One of the most energetic players the NBA has ever seen, Russell Westbrook was absolutely tenacious every minute he’s on the floor, often fighting off bigger opponents for rebounds and flying down the floor in transition to throw down dunks. Of course, as is the case with basically every player, age has affected the former triple-double machine, and that athleticism and energy level have dwindled as Westbrook’s effectiveness pales in comparison to what they used to be. Still, Westbrook is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s best players ever, a literal cheat code statistically in his prime, and his career will probably be looked at even more fondly once it’s over.
49. James Worthy
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Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one Finals MVP, two-time All-NBA 3rd Team selections, seven All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 125th in scoring, 168th in steals, 225th in blocks, 287th in assists, 321st in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 31st in scoring, 40th in steals, 73rd in assists, 87th in blocks, 90th in rebounds
A 3/4 hybrid, James Worthy had the quickness to get by larger, slower defenders and the size to score over small opponents. Worthy was especially terrific in transition as a member of the Showtime Lakers. A three-time NBA champion, Worthy was even a Finals MVP one of those years and a vital part of the dynasty Lakers of the ’80s.
50. Carmelo Anthony
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Top accolades: Six All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, three Olympic gold medals
Regular season ranking: 11th in scoring, 85th in rebounds, 95th in steals, 190th in assists, 211th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 78th in scoring, 117th in steals, 170th in rebounds, 254th in assists, 332nd in blocks
One of the smoothest scorers in the wing the league has ever seen, Carmelo Anthony became renowned for his jab step in the mid-range, but he had many more moves than that. Anthony also liked to bully smaller defenders and hit them with turnaround fadeaways, putting up a historic amount of points thanks to his well-rounded ways of scoring. There were times in his prime when it felt like once Anthony would get it going, he was impossible to defend. The numbers reflect that, too – after all, ranking Top 11 ever in scoring is almost hard to fathom. It’s unfortunate Anthony wasn’t able to have more team success in his career, which would have helped him move up this list.
51. Paul Pierce
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, four All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 21st in scoring, 23rd in steals, 84th in assists, 95th in rebounds, 177th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 23rd in scoring, 31st in steals, 54th in assists, 57th in rebounds, 77th in blocks
Paul Pierce was a beastly scorer in his prime, one who could fill it up from all three levels and score on even the most elite of defenders. Pierce was also quite clutch, hitting a ton of big shots in his day, actually ranking as the player with the most buzzer-beating game-winners in NBA history. Young fans might not know it today but Pierce was a monster in his heyday, one of the best one-on-one scorers in the league and a solid-enough defender on the other end. He had some huge battles with Kobe Bryant in the playoffs, too, only adding to the Celtics-Lakers lore.
52. Damian Lillard
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Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one NBA Cup, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 37th in scoring, 42nd in assists, 259th in steals, 452nd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 86th in assists, 98th in scoring, 177th in steals, 388th in rebounds, 439th in blocks
Damian Lillard may sadly be done moving up in this ranking, barring an exceptional recovery from his Achilles injury – a rarity at his age. Even as is, however, Lillard is one of the best score-first point guards ever, with outstanding shooting ability and clutch shots galore on his resume. Still, Lillard is missing that elite team success, and his time to win a championship is running out.
53. Bob McAdoo
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one MVP, two All-NBA selections, five All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 72nd in scoring and blocks, 80th in rebounds, 352nd in steals, 497th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 37th in blocks, 97th in scoring, 107th in rebounds, 200th in steals, 442nd in assists
A monster-scoring big man who led the league in points three consecutive seasons, including once at 34.5 points per game, Bob McAdoo had a pristine mid-range jumper and a plethora of post moves to torment opponents with. McAdoo was special because he was a big man who could shoot and do his damage with his face-up game, something that was unheard of in his era. The Hall-of-Famer was quietly quite influential.
54. Reggie Miller
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Top accolades: Three All-NBA 3rd Team selections, five All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal
Regular season ranking: 26th in scoring, 55th in steals, 122nd in assists, 395th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 33rd in scoring, 61st in steals, 113th in assists, 256th in rebounds, 297th in blocks
One of the finest shooters ever, Reggie Miller ranks seventh in league history in made three-pointers (2,560). He was also extremely clutch about his shot-making, with a career highlight tape featuring multiple game-winning threes from high-pressure postseason contests. Miller is another player who, despite being an all-time great playing in his era, would probably have been even more effective today, as his shooting would have translated beautifully to this era that places such an emphasis on outside shooting.
55. Ray Allen
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 29th in scoring, 60th in steals, 103rd in assists, 258th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 40th in scoring, 52nd in steals, 77th in assists, 131st in rebounds, 249th in blocks
Had his peak come 20 years later, it’s fascinating to ponder what Ray Allen’s numbers might have looked like, as his bombastic style of play consisting of shooting a ton of threes would have fit wonderfully in today’s NBA. Still, Allen carved out a Hall-of-Fame career in his era anyway as one of the best shooters ever. Allen was also very clutch, with a highlight reel of playoff daggers and game-winners, including arguably the clutchest three-pointer ever, which came in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals with his Heat down 3-2 in the series and facing defeat to the Spurs. We all remember how that ended.
56. Kevin McHale
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Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one All-NBA 1st Team selection, seven All-Stars, six All-Defensive selections, two Sixth Man of the Year awards
Regular season ranking: 32nd in blocks, 101st in scoring, 115th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 10th in blocks, 22nd in scoring, 34th in rebounds, 166th in assists, 239th in steals
Celtics legend Kevin McHale was known for putting opponents in something called the torture chamber, which basically meant when McHale would post up, it was torture for foes to defend due to his sharp elbows, long arms and ridiculous array of moves in the paint. Few historically can match McHale’s mix of post-up moves, including up-and-unders, step-throughs and drop-steps galore. He was a winner, too, playing a great partner role to Bird for those legendary Celtics teams.
57. Wes Unseld
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, one All-NBA 1st Team selection, five All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 13th in rebounds, 148th in assists, 378th in scoring, 422nd in blocks, 468th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 8th in rebounds, 75th in assists, 166th in blocks, 182nd in scoring, 227th in steals
Despite standing just 6-foot-7, Wes Unseld was one of the most physically imposing centers ever thanks to his incredible strength and stout frame. Unseld was one of the best rebounders in NBA history, averaging 14.0 for his career and leading the league in boards in 1974-75, and was extremely efficient at finishing down low.
58. Pau Gasol
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, four All-NBA selections, six All-Stars, two Olympic silver medals, one World Cup gold medal, three Eurobasket gold medals
Regular season ranking: 22nd in blocks, 30th in rebounds, 44th in scoring, 135th in assists, 496th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 16th in blocks, 35th in rebounds, 63rd in scoring, 79th in assists, 209th in steals
One of the greatest international NBA players of all time, Pau Gasol was a menace in his heyday, a supremely skilled big man who could shoot, dribble a bit, pass and create for teammates, and use his long limbs well when tasked with rebounding and protecting the rim. Despite being a well-liked figure around the NBA, winning two rings and having such a well-rounded skill set, Gasol was one of the most glaring omissions of the NBA75 list. We didn’t make the same inexplicable mistake.
59. Walt Frazier
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, seven All-Stars, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 75th in assists, 147th in scoring, 305th in rebounds, 418th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 49th in assists, 76th in scoring, 123rd in rebounds
Walt Frazier, remembered partly by his cool nickname Clyde, was one of the smoothest point guards of his era, one who could also take over the bulk of the scoring load for the Knicks. Frazier was also one of the best point-guard defenders ever, making a ridiculous seven 1st Team All-Defenses in his career.
60. Robert Parish
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Top accolades: Four NBA titles, two All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 8th in rebounds, 10th in blocks, 32nd in scoring, 96th in steals, 424th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 6th in blocks, 9th in rebounds, 37th in scoring, 63rd in steals, 208th in assists
The starting center on those legendary Celtics teams of the 1980s, Robert Parish was a great complement to the likes of Bird and McHale, willing to do all of the dirty work down low while still providing a solid scoring punch in the paint. Parish ranks in the Top 10 in both career rebounds and blocks and was a beast in both respects in his prime. Without Parish, the ’80s Celtics might not have been as successful as they were, as he was the perfect role player for what they needed.
61. Willis Reed
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, five All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, one All-Defensive 1st Team selection
Regular season ranking: 72nd in rebounds, 286th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 81st in rebounds, 164th in scoring, 379th in assists
Best known for limping out onto the court for Game 7 of the 1970 Finals for New York and hitting his first two shots on a bad thigh, Willis Reed is now widely considered one of the greatest Knicks of all time, a big man slightly short on stature but not on talent and sheer will. Reed was a monster rebounder and shot-blocker despite standing just 6-foot-9.
62. Dwight Howard
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Top accolades: One NBA title, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 10th in rebounds, 13th in blocks, 57th in scoring, 148th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 13th in blocks, 19th in rebounds, 81st in scoring, 131st in steals, 378th in assists
At one time, Dwight Howard was the best big man in the NBA, a run that spanned multiple seasons with the Magic. Howard was an awe-inspiring athlete for his size, who would often sky for rebounds, block shots or finish alley-oops. Like Gasol, Howard was another glaring omission from the NBA75 list despite being a Top 10 rebounder ever, ranking 15th all-time in blocks and having three Defensive Player of the Year awards. But that might have to do with him not being that well-liked by coaches and teammates during his time in the league.
Howard was also a huge playoff performer, coming up big both when he was a star with the Magic (he impressively led them to the Finals in 2008-09) and as a role player with the Lakers, finally winning a title in 2019-20.
63. Dolph Schayes
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Top accolades: One NBA title, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 31st in rebounds, 75th in scoring, 233rd in assists
Playoffs ranking: 50th in rebounds, 84th in scoring, 182nd in assists
A big man far ahead of his time, Dolph Schayes was one of the first power forwards who would space the floor and shoot jumpers from the deep mid-range, something he did quite well in the late ’40s, ’50s and early ’60s. Schayes could also dribble past opponents and drive to the hoop on hard closeouts. He paved the way for the modern stretch-4.
64. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars, one Clutch Player of the Year award, one World Cup bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 224th in scoring, 281st in assists, 341st in steals, 354th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 96th in assists, 114th in scoring, 156th in blocks, 163rd in steals, 393rd in rebounds
Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the cut last year, but skyrockets up to the 64th-overall spot this year, no small feat for a player who is still just 28 years old with plenty of his prime remaining. After winning MVP for a second straight year last season, Gilgeous-Alexander became one of just six players ever to not only win back-to-back MVPs, but also to make four consecutive 1st Team All-NBAs while doing so. The other players to have accomplished the same are Bird, Magic Johnson, Jordan, Duncan and LeBron James, meaning SGA is now in truly rarefied air as far as what he’s done at his peak.
Gilgeous-Alexander is enjoying one of the best primes at the guard position we have ever seen in league history, and if he keeps up this pace, we may have to remove the ‘guard’ part of that statement; he’s been that dominant, with his throwback, midrange bucket-getting style, his crafty and slippery drives at the basket and his ability to knock down big shots.
Some may not appreciate his style of play, believing he tries to draw too many fouls (some may call it flopping), but getting to the foul line and knocking down free throws at a high rate is one of the most efficient ways to score, so clearly, his style of play is conducive and impactful to winning - at the highest level, too, as proved by the Thunder’s 2024-25 march to a championship.
65. Chris Bosh
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one All-NBA 2nd Team selection, 11 All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 93rd in rebounds, 108th in scoring, 118th in blocks, 370th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 80th in blocks, 125th in rebounds, 158th in scoring, 196th in steals, 471st in assists
Chris Bosh’s accolades are impressive enough, and that’s with his career tragically being cut short due to issues with blood clotting. Bosh went from being a No. 1 option with the Raptors to willingly playing third fiddle to James and Wade in the Big 3 era in Miami, and did so as an excellent safety valve, one who could hit open jumpers at a high level, as well as attack in isolation when needed. It’s a shame he went down when he did, as he was set to be Miami’s best player after James’ departure before his own career ended. Bosh spacing the floor from the frontcourt as a No. 1 option would have been a whole lot of fun to watch.
66. Nate Archibald
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Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, six All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 31st in assists, 119th in scoring, 384th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 140th in assists, 386th in scoring, 495th in steals
One of the hardest-to-stop players of his era thanks to ridiculous quickness and speed, Tiny Archibald tormented opponents in the ’70s and early ’80s when attacking the basket, even despite being barely six feet tall. Archibald was also a very solid playmaker and could hit jumpers from the short midrange area, making him a load to defend in more ways than one.
Archibald is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in nightly scoring and nightly assists in one season, doing so in 1972-73 at 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game. We think the only reason he doesn’t get more credit for that absurd accomplishment is that he did it for a 36-win Kansas City-Omaha Kings team that missed the playoffs.
Prior to the injury that changed his career in 1976-77, one that never allowed him to regain the explosive speed that made him so special, Archibald was on a historic pace, with three 1st Team All-NBAs under his belt by the time he was 27. Over his first seven seasons, he averaged 24.8 points and 8.0 assists per game, to go with 1.6 steals. The only players in league history to average at least 24.5 points and eight assists per contest, for comparison's sake, are Robertson, Luka Doncic and Trae Young, showing just how special of a scorer and playmaker Archibald was prior to the injury.
67. Dennis Rodman
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Top accolades: Five NBA titles, two All-NBA 3rd Team selections, two All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 24th in rebounds, 274th in blocks, 487th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 12th in rebounds, 86th in blocks, 113th in steals, 227th in scoring, 252nd in assists
Dennis Rodman didn’t just have a great nose for knowing where a ball was going to go after hitting the rim; he was also absolutely relentless, refusing to let anyone get in his way to secure a board. Rodman was also an elite defender of multiple positions, using absurd strength to bully opponents trying to body him. An underrated passer, his mind games destabilized many a team… including his own sometimes. A member of two all-time teams – the Bad Boys Pistons and Jordan’s Bulls – Rodman was one of the best role players the game has ever seen.
68. Pete Maravich
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Top accolades: Four All-NBA selections, five All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 135th in scoring, 172nd in assists
“Pistol” Pete Maravich was one of the flashiest players ever, with a highlight package filled with behind-the-back, no-look passes and stop-on-a-dime shooting prowess, one that impresses to this day. The NBA’s leading scorer in 1976-77, Maravich’s legacy is negatively affected by losing more games than he won in his career and only playing 17 playoff games in his prime, 26 in total.
69. Dave Cowens
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Top accolades: Two NBA titles, one MVP, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, eight All-Stars, one All-Defensive 1st Team selection
Regular season ranking: 40th in rebounds, 219th in scoring, 264th in assists, 301st in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 33rd in rebounds, 100th in scoring, 124th in assists, 161st in blocks, 178th in steals
Florida State legend Dave Cowens is one of just two players ever to win league MVP in a season they weren’t voted 1st Team All-NBA along with another Celtics legend, Bill Russell. He was a bundle of energy in his prime, one who was a monster rebounder, averaging 15.2 rebounds over his eight-year prime, and helped the Celtics win two championships during his time in the league.
70. Tony Parker
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Top accolades: Four NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, six All-Stars, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 21st in assists, 58th in scoring, 160th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 7th in assists, 12th in scoring, 34th in steals, 122nd in rebounds, 489th in blocks
Once clearly the best European point guard in NBA history (though that's debatable now), Tony Parker dominated opposing backcourt players with quickness, a tight crossover and a beautiful tear-drop floater in the lane. Parker was clutch and played a huge role in four championships for San Antonio, even winning one Finals MVP. He changed the game for guards trying to reach the NBA from overseas by proving that European guards can be elite players in the NBA, too, and look where we are now with players like Luka Doncic dominating the league. Parker’s influence on the game is underrated today.
71. Luka Doncic
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Top accolades: One Conference Finals MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, six All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year award, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague MVP
Regular season ranking: 111th in assists, 165th in scoring, 362nd in rebounds, 437th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 82nd in assists, 99th in scoring, 143rd in steals, 207th in rebounds, 373rd in blocks
Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is next in what has been a long line of all-time great players to have donned the purple and gold. Doncic might have made a bigger move up this list after his fantastic 2025-26 campaign, one that saw him lead the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game, to go with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, but he got injured late in the regular season and missed the entire postseason, which is unfortunate, because it would not have been surprising to see him lead L.A. on a deep playoff run. As is, without him, the Lakers made it to the second round of the postseason.
Even so, Doncic is on a historic pace, with the only question about him going forward being his fitness level, but even then, he looked far more in shape last season than he ever has in his career. After earning 1st Team All-NBA honors in 2025-26, Doncic became just the fifth player in league history to earn six 1st Team All-NBA nods by age 27.
What's more, Doncic is on a pace that gives him a shot to overtake Jordan for the highest scoring average in league history. Doncic is currently averaging 29.2 points per game for his career, to Jordan's 31.1 point-per-game scoring average. With Doncic still just 27 and LeBron James now off his team, don't be surprised to see Doncic go on a scoring average over the next stretch of his career, one that could put Jordan's record in jeopardy.
72. Kyrie Irving
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Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA selections, nine All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal, one World Cup MVP
Regular season ranking: 76th in scoring, 102nd in assists, 179th in steals, 466th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 58th in scoring, 69th in assists, 80th in steals, 171st in blocks, 316th in rebounds
Maybe the best ball-handler in NBA history, Irving will always be remembered for his huge shot at the end of Game 7 in the 2016 Finals that helped the Cavs win their first title. One of the craftiest finishers around the rim, Irving is unstoppable getting in the paint. Despite his tendency to attract drama and missing games, his talent has been irresistible for fans and (many) executives.
73. Vince Carter
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Top accolades: Two All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 24th in scoring, 49th in steals, 82nd in assists, 130th in blocks, 152nd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 115th in scoring, 134th in steals, 151st in assists, 210th in blocks, 217th in rebounds
Aside from being one of the most explosive dunkers in league history, Vince Carter was a productive player for 22 years – something that not many could have expected considering how reliant on athleticism he was during his prime. Many argue that with his talent, he should have done more in his prime than just two All-NBA selections (neither was even 1st Team) and many questioned his drive and love for the game. Even so, he was one of the best 2-guards in the NBA at his peak and a fan favorite even if he never won anything that noteworthy. Plus, would he really have played for 22 years if he didn’t love basketball?
74. Earl Monroe
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Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 1st Team, four All-Stars, Rookie of the Year award
Regular season ranking: 98th in scoring, 170th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 138th in scoring, 170th in assists, 430th in rebounds
Nicknamed The Pearl, Earl Monroe was a smooth ballhandler and scorer from the midrange who could stop on a dime and knock down jumpers with aplomb. His accolades and production don’t speak to how well-respected he was as a player, with his game being one of the original confident guards who scored with creativity. A lot of players of later generations modeled their games after him, so his influence was huge.
75. Paul Arizin
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Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 128th in scoring, 183rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 195th in scoring, 263rd in rebounds, 441st in assists
A champion with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1955-56, Paul Arizin was one of the first players to use the jump shot to his full advantage, becoming a very effective shooter from that area during the NBA’s infancy.
Arizin led the league in scoring twice, first in 1951-52 at 25.4 points per game, in just his second season in the league, and then again in 1956-57, as a 28-year-old. The smooth scoring swingman was also a playoff riser, leading the then-Warriors in scoring in the ‘56 postseason, one that saw the team win that year’s championship, led by Arizin’s high-level contributions.
Making Arizin’s career even more impressive is the fact that right at the start of his prime, in what were supposed to be his third and fourth NBA seasons, he missed both campaigns to serve as a Marine in the Korean War. He then came back and reeled off eight straight All-Star appearances, showing no signs of rust whatsoever. Arizin earned two 1st Team All-NBAs after his two years of service, and finished second in the MVP vote in 1955-56.
76. Bernard King
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Top accolades: Two All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 54th in scoring, 267th in steals, 270th in assists, 283rd in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 373rd in scoring
Injuries in his prime really hurt his standing on this list, as Bernard King blew out his knee the year he earned the second 1st Team All-NBA selection of his career, missing the entire following season and never regaining his explosiveness after that. Even so, King, the NBA’s leading scorer in 1984-85, was one of the smoothest high-scoring wings of his era.
77. Joel Embiid
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Top accolades: One MVP, five All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 165th in blocks, 217th in scoring, 255th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 71st in blocks, 110th in scoring, 115th in rebounds, 223rd in assists, 324th in steals
On a per-minute basis, few players in NBA history produce as much statistically as Joel Embiid. When ready to go, he's one of the most unstoppable big men ever thanks to his massive frame, mobility and deep bag.
The problem with him is that he doesn't play that many minutes considering he misses a lot of time due to health reasons regularly. Plus his track record in the playoffs is spotty as well.
If he manages to stay in shape and healthy, he could move up in this ranking. We’re not holding our breath at this points, though.
78. Alex English
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Top accolades: Three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 25th in scoring, 104th in assists, 150th in blocks, 155th in steals, 157th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 106th in scoring, 154th in assists, 292nd in rebounds, 304th in blocks, 358th in steals
The highest-scoring player of the ’80s, Alex English was ahead of his time as a 6-foot-8 swingman with an elite nose for scoring the basketball smoothly around the rim. Even without a reliable three-pointer, English averaged 26.0 points in the 1980s as a member of the Denver Nuggets.
79. Tracy McGrady
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Top accolades: Seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, one Most Improved Player award
Regular season ranking: 78th in scoring, 120th in assists, 124th in steals, 155th in blocks, 257th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 190th in assists, 209th in blocks, 220th in scoring, 305th in steals, 399th in rebounds
A more impressive playoff career (he never made it out of the first round in his prime) could have greatly changed where Tracy McGrady finished in this ranking, as could have more longevity. But at his peak, McGrady was one of the most explosive and productive do-everything wings in basketball, one who would have dominated in the modern NBA. The Kobe-or-TMac debate was a thing for a few years.
80. Hal Greer
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Top accolades: One NBA title, seven All-NBA 2nd Team selections, 10 All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 41st in scoring, 92nd in assists, 224th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 85th in scoring, 89th in assists, 205th in rebounds
One of the best and underrated guards of the 1960s, Hal Greer was an All-Star 10 times that decade and an All-NBA 2nd Teamer seven times, helping lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship in 1966-67 alongside Chamberlain in what was one of the most slept-on guard-big duos in league history.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Bill Walton, Draymond Green, Lenny Wilkens, Artis Gilmore, Adrian Dantley, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Nate Thurmond, Chris Webber, Sam Jones, Dikembe Mutombo, Manu Ginobili, Jayson Tatum, Jerry Lucas, Dave Bing, Jimmy Butler, Alonzo Mourning, Bob Lanier, Dennis Johnson, Joe Dumars, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Sharman, Bobby Jones, Robert Horry, Derrick Rose, Billy Cunningham and Dave DeBusschere
DIFFERENCES WITH THE OFFICIAL NBA LIST
IN: Nikola Jokic, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Bosh, Tony Parker, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Vince Carter, Bernard King, Joel Embiid, Alex English and Tracy McGrady
OUT: Bill Walton, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Lucas, Sam Jones, Nate Thurmond, Bill Sharman, Dave Bing, Dave DeBusschere and Billy Cunningham
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: 80 greatest NBA players ever: The HoopsHype list
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