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The 10 Best NBA Players of All Time

best nba players of all time

It’s a debate that turns friends into enemies. It’s one that will rage on for an eternity. Who are the best NBA players of all time?

Best NBA Players of All Time

Winning championships is what gets you into contention to becoming one of the best basketball players of all time. Just ask these 8 best players who never won an NBA championship. We take a look at all the superstars and what they achieved to work out who the top 10 best NBA players of all time are.

10. Tim Duncan

It’s no secret that Tim Duncan was going to become one of the best NBA players of all time. The 1996-97 NBA season became known as the “Tim Duncan sweepstake” and the Spurs completed the best tank job in NBA history to draft him number one in the 1997 draft.

Duncan helped create a dynasty in San Antonio and he became one of the greatest single franchise NBA players of all time. In a 19-year career Duncan became a 15-time All-Star, won five NBA championships, averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks a game. He was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

9. Bill Russell

Bill Russell is one of the reasons why Lakers vs. Celtics is the best rivalry in NBA history. Russell and the Celtics dominated the 1960’s winning 11 titles across 13 years. One of the best NBA players of all time, Russell averaged 15.1 points and an unbelievable 22.5 rebounds per game.

In an era in which steals and blocks weren’t tallied it’s estimated he averaged upwards of 12 blocks a game. Russell was a five-time MVP and a 12-time All-Star, only missing out on the All-Star game during his rookie season.

8. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal was an absolute beast and the Hall of Fame center was a 15-time All-Star and MVP in 2000. Shaq is one of the best NBA players of all time transforming the game with his explosive athleticism despite being 7’1” and 365 pounds.

Shaq had a dropstep in the post that was impossible to stop. He finished his career winning four NBA championships and averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

7. Larry Bird

Larry Bird helped the explosion of the NBA’s popularity with the greatest NBA rivalry of all time. The 12-time All-Star, 3-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer spent his entire career in Boston and was one of the greatest small forwards ever.

Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game and had a habit of coming up clutch. Not only could he shoot, Bird was defensively strong and he had an ability to somehow anticipate his opponents moves.

6. Wilt Chamberlain

There’s no doubt that 100-point gamer Wilt Chamberlain is one of the best NBA players of all time. A two-time NBA champion, he averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds and 8.8 blocks per game.

In his 14-year career Chamberlain racked up an astonishing 31,419 points and 23,924 rebounds. So dominant was Chamberlain, the NBA changed rules around offensive goaltending, widening the lane and inbounding the ball all because of him.

5. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson’s rivalry with Larry Bird was the biggest rivalry in history and it saved the league. Johnson could dominate at every position and he’s the greatest point guard of all time. The three-time MVP and five-time NBA champion played 12 All-Star games and spent his entire career with the Lakers.

Johnson could do it all – spectacular no look passes, posting up in the paint, shooting from range and a spectacular basketball IQ to name a few. He finished his career averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists per game.

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s sky hook shot was so iconic it could literally be the next NBA logo. The shot was so effective and unstoppable that opponents started targeting his eyes. It was the reason why Abdul-Jabbar wore goggles.

Abdul-Jabbar had 19 All-Star appearances to his name, an NBA record. He also won six championships, six MVP awards and 15 All-NBA teams. He averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.

3. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Byrant is the greatest single franchise player of all time, and third on the list of the best NBA players of all time. In his 20-year career with the Lakers he won three championships, earned 18 All-Star appearances, was a two-time Finals MVP and the 2008 MVP.

Bryant is one of the greatest shooters in history and he left a lasting legacy with his famed “Mamba mentality”. He’s also recognised as one of the most clutch players ever and finished his career averaging of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals.

2. LeBron James

LeBron James ranks as the second best NBA player of all time. The four-time NBA champion and three-time MVP is one of the most explosive players ever. He’s a remarkable passer and rebounder and many argue that he’s got an all round game that makes him worthy for consideration as the greatest ever.

His clutch Game 7 chase down block on Andre Iguodala in the 2016 NBA Finals is the best blocked shot of all time and defines his career. Lebron is the only player in history to reach more than 10,000 points, rebounds and assists.

1. Michael Jordan

The G.O.A.T.

Michael Jordan defined a generation of basketball and is the best NBA player of all time. It wasn’t just his 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game average that makes him the G.O.A.T. He became a global icon both on and off the floor.

No player has ever dominated the league like Jordan did. He was simply unplayable with his lightning-quick first step, beating defenders off the dribble and making game-winning shots like no other. Jordan defied gravity, thrived off pressure situations and his defensive ability wasn’t far off of his offense game.

Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships and claimed the Finals MVP in all of those. He won three titles in a row, left to play baseball, then came back and won another three in a row. There’ll never be another Jordan. He’s left an everlasting legacy as the best NBA player of all time.

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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