The 10 Greatest Basketball Players Of All Time
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely considered as the greatest basketball player of all time. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, five NBA MVP awards, and ten scoring titles. Jordan also led the league in steals three times and was named to the All-Defensive First Team nine times. His scoring prowess and highlight-reel plays have cemented his legacy in basketball history.
2. LeBron James
LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA MVP, and sixteen-time All-Star. He has led his teams to the NBA Finals ten times and is widely regarded as one of the best all-around players in the history of the game. LeBron's combination of size, strength, and skill on the court has made him a force to be reckoned with.
3. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and eighteen-time All-Star. He was known for his competitive drive and relentless work ethic, which helped him become one of the greatest scorers in basketball history. Bryant's tragic death in 2020 only added to his legend.
4. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a three-time NBA MVP. He is widely considered as one of the best point guards in basketball history, known for his incredible passing ability and versatility on the court. Johnson also made a successful comeback to the NBA after being diagnosed with HIV in 1991.
5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. He won six NBA championships, six NBA MVP awards, and was named to the All-Star team nineteen times. Abdul-Jabbar was known for his signature move, the skyhook, which was nearly impossible to stop.
6. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan won five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and was a three-time NBA Finals MVP. He was known for his fundamentally sound play and consistent excellence on both ends of the court. Duncan's impressive resume includes fifteen All-Star selections, two NBA MVP awards, and ten All-NBA First Team nods.
7. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal won four NBA championships and was a three-time NBA Finals MVP. He was known for his dominance in the paint, using his size and strength to overpower opponents. O'Neal was also surprisingly agile for his size, allowing him to finish at the rim with ease.
8. Larry Bird
Larry Bird won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and was a three-time NBA MVP. He was known for his clutch shooting and incredible court vision, which allowed him to make precision passes and set up his teammates for easy baskets. Bird was also a ten-time All-Star and named to the All-NBA First Team nine times.
9. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is widely regarded as one of the most dominant players in basketball history. He once scored 100 points in a single game, a record that still stands today. Chamberlain won two NBA championships, four NBA MVP awards, and was named to the All-Star team thirteen times. He was known for his incredible athleticism and strength.
10. Bill Russell
Bill Russell won an astonishing eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. He was also a five-time NBA MVP and twelve-time All-Star. Russell was known for his incredible defense and shot-blocking ability, as well as his leadership on and off the court. He was a pioneer for African American athletes in basketball and beyond.