Top 50 Best Basketball Players Of All Time

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It requires speed, agility, and the ability to think on your feet. Over the years, there have been many great basketball players who have left their mark on the game. Some have become household names, while others are barely remembered. This article takes a look at the top 50 best basketball players of all time.

1. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He played for the Chicago Bulls from 1984 to 1998 and won six NBA championships. Jordan was known for his incredible scoring ability, his clutch performances in big games, and his leadership skills. He was a ten-time scoring champion, five-time MVP, and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Jordan's legacy has continued long after his retirement, as he remains one of the most popular athletes in the world.

2. LeBron James

LeBron James is one of the most dominant players in the game today. He has won four NBA championships and has been named MVP four times. James is known for his all-around game, as he can score, rebound, pass, and play defense at a high level. He is also a great teammate and leader on the court. James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers during his career.

3. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant was a five-time NBA champion and one of the best scorers the game has ever seen. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers for his entire career and was known for his fierce competitiveness and work ethic. Bryant was a 18-time All-Star and won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA. His tragic death in 2020 shocked the sports world and his legacy will be remembered for years to come.

4. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was a 12-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers and was known for his incredible passing ability, court vision, and leadership. Johnson was also a fierce competitor and was able to elevate the play of his teammates. He retired early due to contracting HIV, but was able to make a successful comeback and continue to make a positive impact on the game of basketball.

5. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain was one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He scored 100 points in a single game and averaged over 50 points per game for an entire season. Chamberlain was also a great rebounder and shot-blocker. He won two NBA championships with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

6. Larry Bird

Larry Bird was one of the greatest shooters and passers in NBA history. He won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and was a 12-time All-Star. Bird was known for his incredible work ethic and competitive spirit. He was also a great teammate and leader on the court.

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a six-time NBA champion. He won five of his championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Milwaukee Bucks. Abdul-Jabbar was known for his iconic skyhook shot and his incredible consistency and longevity as a player. He was also a great teammate and leader on the court.

8. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal was a dominant force in the NBA for over a decade. He won four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. O'Neal was known for his size and strength, as well as his ability to score and rebound at a high level. He was also a great teammate and leader on the court.

9. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan was a five-time NBA champion and one of the most consistent players in NBA history. He played for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire career and was known for his incredible fundamentals and leadership. Duncan was also a great defender and shot-blocker. He was a 15-time All-Star and won two NBA MVP awards.

10. Bill Russell

Bill Russell is one of the greatest winners in NBA history. He won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and was known for his incredible defensive abilities and leadership. Russell was also a great rebounder and shot-blocker. He is one of the most decorated players in NBA history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

11. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest centers in NBA history. He won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets and was known for his incredible footwork and post moves. Olajuwon was also a great defender and shot-blocker. He was a 12-time All-Star and won two NBA MVP awards.

12. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is one of the most skilled scorers in NBA history. He has won two NBA championships and has been named MVP four times. Durant has an incredible ability to score from anywhere on the court and can also rebound and pass the ball at a high level. He has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets during his career.

13. Karl Malone

Karl Malone is one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. He was a two-time NBA MVP and a 14-time All-Star. Malone played for the Utah Jazz and was known for his incredible scoring ability and consistency. He ranks second on the NBA's all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

14. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He won one NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks and was known for his incredible shooting ability and leadership. Nowitzki was also a great rebounder and played solid defense throughout his career. He was a 14-time All-Star and won the NBA MVP award in 2007.

15. Jerry West

Jerry West is one of the greatest guards in NBA history. He won one NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and was known for his incredible shooting ability and leadership. West was a 14-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

16. Julius Erving

Julius Erving, also known as "Dr. J", revolutionized the game of basketball with his incredible athleticism and creativity. He won two ABA championships and one NBA championship during his career. Erving was a 16-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

17. Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He won the NBA MVP award in 2001 and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals that same year. Iverson was known for his incredible crossover dribble and ability to score from anywhere on the court. He was a 11-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

18. Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley was a dominant force in the NBA during his career. He was a 11-time All-Star and won the NBA MVP award in 1993. Barkley played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets and was known for his incredible rebounding and scoring ability.

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19. Steve Nash

Steve Nash is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He won two NBA MVP awards during his career and was known for his incredible passing ability and leadership. Nash played for the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks during his career and was a eight-time All-Star.

20. Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson is one of the greatest guards in NBA history. He was the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season and was a 12-time All-Star. Robertson won one NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

21. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett was one of the most versatile players in NBA history. He won one NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and was known for his incredible defense and rebounding. Garnett was a 15-time All-Star and won the NBA MVP award in 2004.

22. David Robinson

David Robinson was one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. He won two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and was known for his incredible scoring and shot-blocking ability. Robinson was a 10-time All-Star and won the NBA MVP award in 1995.

23. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade won three NBA championships with the Miami Heat and was known for his incredible scoring ability and clutch performances in big games. Wade was a 13-time All-Star and won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2006.

24. Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen was one of the most versatile players in NBA history. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and was known for his incredible defense, rebounding, and passing ability. Pippen was a seven-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

25. Chris Paul

Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in the game today. He has been named to the All-NBA team 10 times and has led the league in assists four times. Paul is known for his incredible passing ability and leadership on the court. He has played for the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, and Phoenix Suns during his career.

26. Moses Malone

Moses Malone was one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history. He won three NBA MVP awards and led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA championship in 1983. Malone was also a great scorer and shot-blocker. He was one of the most dominant players in NBA history.

27. John Stockton

John Stockton is the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals. He played for the Utah Jazz for his entire career and was known for his incredible passing ability and leadership. Stockton was a 10-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

28. Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing was one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. He played for the New York Knicks for most of his career and was known for his incredible scoring and shot-blocking ability. Ewing was a 11-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

29. Reggie Miller

Reggie Miller is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He played for the Indiana Pacers for his entire career and was known for his incredible shooting ability and clutch performances in big games. Miller was a five-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

30. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce won one NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and was known for his incredible scoring ability and clutch performances in big games. Pierce was a 10-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

31. Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady was one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. He led the league in scoring twice and was a seven-time All-Star. McGrady was known for his incredible shooting ability and athleticism. He played for several teams during his career, including the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs.

32. Vince Carter

Vince Carter is one of the most electrifying players in NBA history. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1999 and was known for his incredible dunking ability and scoring ability. Carter played for several teams during his career, including the Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks.

33. Ray Allen

Ray Allen is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He won two NBA championships and was a 10-time All-Star. Allen was known for his incredible shooting ability and clutch performances in big games. He played for several teams during his career, including the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.