The Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

The Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history really only the tenth greatest player of all time? Yeah, I do. Despite Kareem's incredible point total of 38,387 during his playing career, I just can't get over the fact that he spent a significant portion of his career receiving passes from two of the all-time great point guards, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. The fact that he spent almost ten thousand years playing in the NBA also inflated his career statistics. Or twenty. It doesn't matter. Regardless, he was a formidable opponent who reigned supreme for twenty years and made history with the sky hook, a shot that no one had ever seen before. Not to mention that he battled Bruce Lee in Game of Death and was really amusing in Aeroplane!, so his cool factor is definitely higher than anyone else's.

Tim Duncan

Though I've always been a die-hard supporter of every Seattle sports franchise, I will admit that in the late '90s and early '00s I had a little affair with the San Antonio Spurs. Amidst the tire-fire of a final score of 78-71, there was occasionally a beautiful sight—Tim Duncan's bank shot—even though they played a slow-paced style of basketball that most fans found boring by the third quarter. During his career, Duncan was a top-tier player and earned the moniker "The Big Fundamental" from Shaquille O'Neal, who is considered an authority on nicknames. His two NBA MVP honours, fourteen All-Star appearances, and four championships prove his incredible talent, even though his infamously bland playing style and reserved personality prevented him from making a cultural effect on par with the other greats.

Shaquille O’Neal

Looking at the "attractive play" spectrum from Duncan's perspective, Shaquille O'Neal is on the other extreme. Shaq frequently used his tremendous bulk—he was 7 feet 1 inch and 315 pounds—to muscle his way to the hoop, in contrast to Timmy's exceptional footwork that allowed him to evade opponents in the post. This tried-and-true method enabled O'Neal lead the NBA in field-goal % ten times throughout his career. Once he got there, he would finish with a thunderous dunk. On the other hand, O'Neal possessed more than just raw athleticism; his close-range jump shots were expertly executed, and his unexpectedly graceful demeanour belied his enormous stature. In contrast, when he shoots free throws.

Bill Russell

In NBA annals, Russell stands alone as the champion. While playing for the Boston Celtics, he won a league championship twelve times out of thirteen. Even though there were only 8 to 14 teams in the NBA at the time, making it statistically easier for one franchise to win the title, that in no way diminishes Russell's historic achievements. Prior to Russell's arrival, the Celtics had a dismal 10-season record, failing to advance past the playoffs thrice. However, Russell shifted the franchise's trajectory and made the Celtics NBA champions in his debut year. His inclusion on this list was not contingent upon any nebulous, ethereal "winningness." Russell, who averaged an astounding 22.5 rebounds per game throughout his career, was also one of the most fearsome defenders in NBA history. He also revolutionised the importance of shot blocking.

Michael Jordan

For the fear of being lynched in my beloved Chicago, I will dare to say that His Airness isn't the greatest basketball legends player of all time. However, I simply do not believe this. Which player has the most fame? Without a doubt. Achievers' all-time high? Very likely. The most extroverted competitor who never lets themselves relax and enjoy genuine human connections? In a word, yeah. His remarkable drive to succeed resulted to six titles, five MVP honours, All-Star berths in each of his full seasons of play, and the possibility that he was the greatest defender of all time. On top of that, he has the best career scoring average in NBA history at 30.1 points per game. His best years were under the tutelage of the strategic mastermind Phil Jackson, and he shared the court with Scottie Pippen, another top-25 player. He was incredible, but he was also very well-supported—much more so than the penultimate man on our list. And to be honest, it's kind of entertaining to tease all the Chicagoans who are surprisingly proud of their athletic achievements. That the 2013 Seattle Seahawks boasted the league's finest defence is relevant.

LeBron James

The greatest player in NBA history is ironically the guy that many fans (naively) think is the league's most overrated choke artist. LeBron James just keeps pulling off impossible feats. Despite being larger than most NFL players, he possesses the same deft footwork as the most nimble basketball guards. Even more impressive is the fact that he has not only thrived under the immense scrutiny that came with being named "The Chosen One" by Sports Illustrated while still a teenager, but has also surpassed all of the high expectations that were placed upon him. No matter how great a player was in the past, they couldn't have handled the pressures of the media like James. This list shows that James has been averaging 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 steals a game, similar to Robertson. However, unlike the Big O, he has been doing this against teams full of great athletes, not halftime cigarette smokers.

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