In a basketball game, two teams of five players go head to head against one another. National Basketball Association (NBA) players must be at least 6 feet tall.
As veteran basketball players continue to rise through the National Basketball Association (NBA) ranks each year, setting and breaking records, fierce competition continues to arise among the top NBA players of all time. Age.
The greatest NBA players of all time have been on display here. Here, though, we sift through the archives to determine the 20 greatest NBA players of all time. Their legacy lives on long after they’ve left the basketball field, thanks to how they entertained audiences with their antics.
Key Takeaways
- With six NBA championships and five MVP awards, Michael Jordan is largely recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set the NBA record for most points scored with 38,387 in his 20-year career.
- With four MVP honors and four NBA championships, LeBron James is one of the most versatile players in NBA history.
- Wilt Chamberlain dominated the NBA in the 1960s, winning seven scoring titles and 11 rebounding titles.
- With five NBA championships and three MVP awards, Magic Johnson transformed the point guard position.
- Larry Bird was a phenomenal scorer and shooter who won three NBA titles and three MVP honors during his career.
- Bill Russell is regarded as one of the best defenders in NBA history, having won 11 NBA titles and five MVP honors.
- Shaquille O’Neal was one of the NBA’s most powerful centers, winning four titles and three Finals MVP medals.
- Tim Duncan was a stalwart for the San Antonio Spurs, winning five NBA titles and three Finals MVP awards.
- With five NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards, Kobe Bryant was a ferocious competitor and scorer.
LeBron James
A member of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, American basketball superstar LeBron James is a household name (NBA). He played small forward and power forward in his early basketball days. He is a highly decorated player who has been three times the NBA Finals Most Valuable Athlete (2012, 2013, 2016) and the recipient of a slew of other honors.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is regarded as one of the most lethal scorers in the history of the NBA. The 33-year-old striker can score from any range, thanks to his adaptable and resilient skill set and greater height than competitors in the same position. 1-1.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is a legend and one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. Because of his excellence, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are the first two players mentioned whenever the topic of scoring defense is brought up. He has always aspired to establish his brand. Kobe Bryant would rather be known just as Kobe Bryant and not as a Jordan scion or any other such thing.
Derrick Rose
One of the NBA’s all-time best players is guarded, Derrick Rose. The “rose” quickly demonstrated a natural quality as a ball defender at the collegiate and high school levels (PG).
James Harden
With him on the team, the Nets suddenly became a legitimate title contender, on par with the best teams in the league, including the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, led by “King” LeBron James. Harden had already vented his dissatisfaction with his time spent with the Rockets, where he felt he would never win an NBA title.
Dwyane Wade
He was the most valuable player in the 2006 NBA Finals for the Miami Heat, and in 2012 he and LeBron James won their second title. In both 2009 and 2010, he was chosen for the All-NBA First Team. In 2009, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys made a song called “Empire State of Mind,” in which they referred to him.
Carmelo Anthony
The 36-year-old legend scored 18 points and led his side to a thrilling come-from-behind victory (125-119) in the game’s final minutes. More importantly, with this win, he became only the 11th player in NBA history to score 27,000 points.
Chris Paul
Christopher Emmanuel Paul, better known as Chris Paul, is a superstar NBA defender. Chris Paul, now 34 years old, has already made an incredible impact on the basketball world and served as an inspiration to countless young players.
Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard’s presence on the Los Angeles Lakers for the opening week of the 2019–20 NBA season has proven to be a pleasant surprise for basketball fans everywhere. Howard had the whole Staples Center field cheering his name during a game on Monday morning, and it was the high point of the season thus far.
Blake Griffin
Renowned NBA forward who starred for the Los Angeles Clippers in his rookie season and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year that year. In the 2009 NBA Draft, he was the first overall pick. He won the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest after a spectacular jump over a KIA and dunk.
Oscar Robertson
Defender inducted into the Hall of Fame who set a record by averaging a triple-double during a season in the NBA. He was the Most Valuable Player of the NBA in 1964 while playing for the Cincinnati Royals, and he led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Finals and a championship in 1971.
David Robinson
Admiral, a 10-time All-Star and future Hall of Fame center for the San Antonio Spurs. He was voted NBA Most Valuable Player in 1995 and won titles in 1999 and 2003. During his time in the NBA, he earned the respect of his peers and was recognized for his sportsmanship with the league’s 2001 Sportsmanship Award.
Hakeem Olajuwon
As the first NBA player to be born on the Black Continent, Olajuwon is not only known as “The Dream” but also as “The King of Africa.” At the same time, his motivational story encouraged the NBA to broaden its scouting network to uncover talent there, which cleared the path for many African-American players in the years to come.
Allen Iverson
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Allen Iverson was among the best American basketball players. There were. However, many things were holding him back, the most glaring of his impulsive spending.
John Stockton
John Houston Stockton is the full name of John Stockton. He spent 19 seasons with the Utah Jazz and earned a reputation as a stalwart defensive presence in the NBA. The stage of creativity is where John Stockton shines brightest. John Stockton established a career record that any other player has not broken: There were 15,806 helpers (second place is Jason Kidd with 12,091 assists)
Isaiah Thomas
The point guard, sometimes known as “The Pizza Boy,” was only 5 feet 9 inches tall when he debuted with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA in 2011. Halfway through the 2014–15 NBA season, he was with the Phoenix Suns until he was traded to the Boston Celtics on another commercial deal. In 2016, he was selected for the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard, at age 22, was the second youngest NBA Finals MVP winner behind Kobe Bryant. Only 20-year-old Magic Johnson (and later 21-year-old Magic Johnson) has won the championship before turning 22. Probably only King James got scared when he stepped onto the field.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a Greek professional basketball player, is one of the most famous athletes in the world, thanks to his incredible physical prowess, speed, and fitness. The Greek basketball superstar’s brilliance and signature style shine through in his ability to be both a strong opponent and a valuable teammate on the court.
Scottie Pippen
Scottie NBA legend Maurice Pippen played for the Chicago Bulls and is a retired American basketball player. The iconic Chicago Bulls team won six NBA titles when he played. To say that Pippen and Michael Jordan helped establish the Bulls as a legendary franchise and expanded the popularity of basketball worldwide would be an understatement. Pippen is a seven-time NBA All-Star and a one-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, and he is widely regarded as one of the best small forwards of all time.
Karl Malone
Pro Basketball Hall of Fame forward with the Utah Jazz known as “The Mailman” for his role as John Stockton’s superb supporting cast. In addition to being named to the NBA’s 14th All-Star team, he was crowned MVP in 1997 and 1999.
When his time in the NBA was winding down, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to win a title for the first time. However, the Lakers were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the championship series.
FAQs
Who is considered the greatest NBA player of all time?
Michael Jordan is largely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a six-time NBA champion, five-time MVP, and ten-time scoring champion.
Who has scored the most points in NBA history?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set the NBA record for most points scored with 38,387 in his 20-year career.
Who has won the most NBA championships?
With 11 titles earned over his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell holds the record for most NBA championships won by a player.
Who has won the most NBA MVP awards?
At six each, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan hold the record for most NBA MVP awards.
Who has the most rebounds in NBA history?
Wilt Chamberlain owns the NBA record for most rebounds with 23,924 throughout his 14-year career.
Who has the most assists in NBA history?
With 15,806 assists throughout his 19-year career with the Utah Jazz, John Stockton owns the record for most assists in NBA history.
Who has won the most NBA Finals MVP awards?
With six and four awards, respectively, Michael Jordan and LeBron James hold the record for most NBA Finals MVPs.
Who has the highest career scoring average in NBA history?
With 30.1 points per game over his 15-year career, Michael Jordan has the highest lifetime scoring average in NBA history.
Who has the most steals in NBA history?
With 3,265 steals over his 19-year career with the Utah Jazz, John Stockton owns the NBA record for most steals.