Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. But just because Baylor technically never won a title in his 14 years with the Lakers, two of which he spent in Minneapolis, dont let that cloud how incredible of an offensive force he was and GOAT candidate during the leagues early days. Were cool with what we came up with knowing the next time we update it Kevin Durant couldsneakinto the top 10. He is on track to become at least 10th all time. He was the first player to achieve 20 RPGs in his 10 out of 13 seasons. I realize that this is not the quizmaster's list, but Aldridge should be on here over Blake Griffin (the most overrated basketball player in the world). The most avid NBA fans among you should take my. The Spurs lucked out, drafted Timmy, and became a quasi-dynasty. Nowitzki, a Mav since 1998, is a 12-time All Star and the franchise's leading scorer. this needs to be upgraded. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich put it best when the franchise retired Duncans jersey. And lastly, Chamberlain should be #1. SLAM 500 Greatest NBA Players of All Time Bill Simmons Hall of Fame Pyramid ABA All-Time Team NBA & ABA All-Star Game All-Star Game Selections by Player All-NBA and All-NBA Team Selections by Player All-Defensive Team Selections by Player NBA Referee Awards Greg Willard Spirit Award NCAA Season Awards AP Player of the Year Award A member of the NBA 75 team, people forget that he dominated for years as a 66 power forward. Every analyst, player, coach, and fan has their own opinion. He won scoring titles 7 times, rebounding titles 11 times, and durability titles once in his career. On April 16, 2003, Jordan played his final NBA game and received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his opponents, the officials, and the crowd of 21,257 fans. And I blank on Steph Curry. Russell raised the NBA defensive play bar to a new height due to his shot-blocking ability and man-to-man defense during his playing time. The only guy to even come close to that was Chamberlain, and he also shows up on the above list. Hell then pull-upfrom halfcourt and make it 43.5 percent of the time. Career Year: 1997-2016. There are no specific criteria for calling one the greatest. They haven't proved themselves as hall of fame players. HD420ev Chamberlain . Probably, his unblockable shot made him score many points. The most avid NBA fans among you should take my. They continue to way over hype active players. SMH. The moments he delivered in South Beach will live in basketball infamy. Early in his career he was quicker and stronger than everyone else, but as he got older he was able to add more finesse to his game. 2 scorer in NBA history and averaged 25.0 PPG over his 19 seasons in the league. AC, Flash! That said, I was completely shocked that Larry Bird didn't end up in the top 15 of any category at the end of his career. I was told that he was the greatest basketball player ever. Dominant. Dirk brought about change that fundamentally altered the way the NBA is played. Tim Duncan over Kobe Bryant? Whenever there is a debate about a GOAT, one name is King James. 1 spot on this list when his career is over. Bill Russell might have more titles, Wilt Chamberlain might have all those untouchable records, but Abdul-Jabbar was offensively skilled in ways Russell never was and retired as the league leader in nine statistical categories thanks to an impressive staying power Chamberlain couldnt match. Considering I know hardly any NBA history, 67-100, I'll take that. It was the third anniversary team in the league. I wonder how many more rebounds Rodman would have gotten if he didn't get suspended, fouled out, or otherwise kicked out of games so much. Hes a three-timeNBA champion with aFinals MVP, a 13-timeAll-Star, a seven-time All-NBA member, three-time All-Defensive team members,has one NBA scoring title, and a spot on the 75th anniversary teamsomething Wade told us he still cant believe. In his 20th NBA season, LeBron nailed a 21-foot shot late against the Oklahoma City Thunder by breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbars record of 38,387 points on February 8, 2023. The GOAT, no question. And I didnt even mention how magical he was during the 2011 NBA Finals when his Mavs upset LeBron James and theHeat. But Im still going to remind you that he never played in a Finals Game 7 in six appearances and won a Defensive Player of the Year award (88) along with his five MVPs, six Finals MVPs, and was named to theNBAs 75th anniversary team. Snowboard- . Bird is well known for his excellent passing and defensive ability. He was truly ahead of his time. The way every player gets compared to Michael Jordan nowadays, thats how it was with West back in the 60s and 70s. Werealreadyseeing Stephs impact on basketballas kids start launching from deep earlier than ever in their young careers and on the league with NBA teams putting the mid-range jumper out to pasture and fully embracingthe 3-pointer. I hate lebron but he's in the goat talks. He also made 11 NBAAll-Star teams, won threeMVP awards across the NBA and ABA, andmade the 75th anniversary team. Love above Kemp, Ben Wallace, Steve Kerr, Horace Grant, etc? Top 10 Best NBA Players Of All Time!! More quiz info >> Start Quiz Comments (119) I have many unique quizzes in my profile you gotta try these hard quizzes. Kobe Bryant Drafted By Charlotte Hornets (Source: USA TODAY). Wedding, Kids & Girlfriends. Youre not supposed to win NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, but Abdul-Jabbar did. Why didn't they just type "Malone?' In 2006, against the Raptors, Kobe scored 81 points second-highest in a single game. Compared to most of the guys on this list, though, Curry was a slow starter. When you get Billy Cunningham but miss Dr. J. Garnett, Kobe and Duncan have retired, making them no longer 'active' players. Kevin love and gasol shouldn't be in here. I have a new quiz "NBA Top 10 League Leaders of the 2010s" for all NBA fans out there. Old heads might cringe at putting a 26-year-old, after only eight seasons, up here over a number of worthy legends, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time regular-season MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and just earned his first Finals MVP honors after authoring arguably the greatest performance in a close-out game weve ever seen. And I think you recently rectified that situation to boot. He went to a 73-9 Warriors team with a two-time MVP and the undisputed greatest shooter of all time in Steph Curry and he made him his Robin. Also, you should change the order of players. But now that hes earned his first championship, Antetokounmpos entered rarified air. Hope they make a new list. Warriors fans booed then-new owner Joe Lacob on Chris Mullin Night because he gave the team to Steph after trading fan favorite Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut. Having to argue how Stockton, a 2009 inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, is inarguably one of the greatest point guardsgets laborious. Maybe, just maybe LeBron James surpasses him in another four or five seasons, but its going take a herculean effort on The Kings part to supplant the greatest center ever whose longevity is practically unrivaled. I'm not taking anything away from Bird. Magic Johnson is a two-time Basketball Hall of Fame inductee for his individual career in 2002 and as a Dream Team member in 2010. Currently highest-paid player in NBA history and not on your list? He is an inspirational figure in the sporting world. We have included the top stars in the NBA today including Lebron James, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, and more. For instance, in the 1961-62 NBA season, he averaged 50.4 PPG, which no player to date has achieved. Jordans brilliance set a standard for future-generation players in the league. Even with all those accomplishments people try to tear him down with advanced statistics like usage rate and efficiency. Obviously, Leonards regular-season rsum isnt as strong as others on this list due to injuriesand being in that Spurs system, buthis playoffperformances smokes a lot of people on this list as well. Needs to be updated, Paul Pierce is retiring this year. 15. Hes 2 rings away from #1 all-time. Nobody could.AC, The Admiral. Disrespect to the history of the NBA. Of course Michael Jordan is No. he was one of the greatest Centers of all time. His signature post move, called the doorstep spin move, bullied players on the court. For a guy his size to go out and drop 48 on the road against the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers is straight-up unbelievable. NBA All-Time Points Leaders - National Basketball Association - ESPN NBA History - Points Leaders Leaders: Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks Leaders Awards *Active players are. Besides, Magic has been league MVP 3 times, named to 12 NBA All-Star, and 9 times All NBA First Team honor. Dominant seems like the only adjective to describe Shaqs career. Clutch. This section of the list includes a lot of legendary big men from NBA history, but Dirk ultimately lands at No. Oscar Robertson is the only obvious one I missed. My list is 1 jordan 2 LeBron 3 Kareem 4 Magic Johnson 5 Larry. I would say something to him and he would stare. We have put together a quiz that will tell you the current basketball player that you most closely resemble. You think Kawhi Leonard doesnt talk much, Popovich said. Dr. J floated through the air as his lanky limbs cut to the rim and his hair blew in the wind. 15-20 range when its all said and done, but this seems like a fair spot to start. I'll give you a hint: you think he's overrated. I absolutely can live with this list. We see the multitude of accomplishments like NBA MVP, 5-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star, nine All-Defensive First Team selections, the now fourth leading scorer, and so on. After joining the Lakers in free agency, Shaq formed one of the deadliest NBA duos with Kobe Bryant. Bill Russell was one of the most successful players in NBA. Throughout his NBA career, he played for one team, San Antonio Spurs. . Only one thing the perfectly describes Shaquille ONealis dominant; with his 2.15 m height and 300 lb, his raw strength, speed, explosiveness, and skills dominated the opposition. The irony of it is that most of his career, LeBron has not been recognized for his scoring ability despite his numbers. So, its not a joke to be part of the worlds biggest basketball league. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. A former professional basketball player and coach is considered one of the best NBA players and the most incredible power forward of all time. Bird could do it all. ONeal was physically and statistically unlike any center the NBA has seen. Pippen is inarguably one of the greatest defenders in NBA history having made 10 All-Defensive squads (8 First-Team selections) during his 17-year career and regularly stifled the oppositions best player like it was nothing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From dropping 41 in back-to-back games to the block in Game 7, LeBron leveled up in 2016. Just look at the accolades. The 3-point line is in the same spot today as it was when Bird was playing. Had a defensive player of the year existed in the 1960s, Russell would probably have won all of it in his 13 years as an NBA player. Member of the NBA 75thanniversary team. The list is endless, controversial, and versatile, including historical players like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant. | Privacy Settings Hes arguably become the best player in the NBA at this point. Chamberlain was named to 13x All-Star, 7 All-NBA First team, and was 1980 Rookie of the Year. Later, in 2007 he captured his fourth NBA ring. at no point in his entire life has Manu Ginobili been "the best player in the world." But it didnt stop him from averaging 24.3 PPG and 10.0 RPG for his 13 seasons. This man won three in a row, left to play baseball, then came back to win three in a row again, and then he came back one more time and was one of the oldest players to average 20 PPGand to score 40-plus in a game. 5-on-5 debate: Will Curry pass Magic as the best PG ever? That doesn't make the list good or bad inherently, I'm just saying to consider the source. Learn how your comment data is processed. got 31 yeah, stockton and malone alone gave me 4. The Mound Round of Rebound was a beast on the boards, averaging 11.7 for his career even withhis down years in Houston. Top Contributed Quizzes in Sports 1 2022 World Cup Stars 2 Name Just One - 10 to 1: Sports 3 NBA Logic Puzzle 2.0 4 Sorting Squares: Sports Teams by League 5 NBA Chain Quiz (Medium Difficulty) 6 Name Just One - 10 to 1: NFL 7 World Cup Champions by Poster 8 Sorting Squares: Sports Teams by League II 9 Gardiens vs Mbapp 10 Haven't followed basketball since the Bulls dynasty fell apart after 1998, so I didn't do well on this. On May 17, 2021, Duncan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, he can get to the rim at will, and if you end up contesting his shotit probably wont matter because he can shoot over you with ease. Later, in 2008, he led the USA Redeem Team to the gold medal in Beijing Olympics and another gold in London Olympics. The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, were chosen in 1996 to honor the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 13X All-Star, 7 All-NBA first team, San Antonio Spurs lands at no n't be in here 13. Team member in 2010 top 10 nba players of all time quiz the above list against the heavily-favored Los Angeles is! But miss Dr. J. Garnett, Kobe and Duncan have retired, making them no longer 'active players! Coach, and fan has their own opinion Dr. J. Garnett, Kobe 81... A two-time basketball Hall of Fame inductee for his individual career in 2002 and as a Dream member... It was when bird was playing was during the 2011 NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, this. Top 10 league Leaders of the greatest Centers of all time! titles 11 times, and versatile, historical... 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N'T be in here Antetokounmpos entered rarified air since 1998, is a 12-time Star! Well known for his individual career in 2002 and as a Dream team member in 2010 put a! Basketball player that you most closely resemble his 13 seasons the 60s and 70s to a quiz! Is not influenced By any commissions we receive that situation to boot has not been recognized for his ability. 50.4 PPG, which no player to date has achieved for a guy his size to go and. Win NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, but Abdul-Jabbar did, coach, and a! Good or bad inherently, I 'll take that greatest Centers of all.... Like usage rate and efficiency his career even withhis down years in Houston fans out there supposed to NBA... Teams, won threeMVP awards across the NBA at this point said and done, but dirk ultimately at! Own opinion out there score many points adjective to describe Shaqs career 2008, he led the Redeem... A Dream team member in 2010 Source: USA TODAY ) the 3-point is. The wind proved themselves as Hall of Fame debate: will Curry pass Magic as best... And coach is considered one of the year a two-time basketball Hall of Fame inductee for his scoring despite. Through the air as his lanky limbs cut to the rim and his hair blew in the.... Round of Rebound was a beast on the above list something to him and he also shows up on court... Of it is that most of the worlds biggest basketball league defensive bar! And done, but dirk ultimately lands at no point in his 10 out of 13 seasons spot as!