The Greatest NBA Players Of All Time

Bill Russell

The greatest winner in team sports, Russell is also easily among the smartest players to have ever laced up high tops. Behind 48 minutes of intense concentration a game, Boston won 11 titles with the hard-working Russell at center. An impeccable rebounder and defender, perhaps no player competed with more focus. Russell was an exceptional teammate, doing whatever his team needed to win. Though he was surrounded by Hall-of-Famers, Russell was the glue that kept the Celtics together. It's highly doubtful any player comes close to replicating his championship success.

Elgin Baylor

A once-in-a-generation player, Baylor revolutionized the swingman position. He enjoyed a stellar career with the Lakers, and dazzled the league with his all-around game. He destroyed defenses with often unstoppable scoring outbursts, and was also an excellent rebounder and facilitator. Few players could score like Baylor.

Shaquille O’Neal

An absolute monster in the paint, O'Neal terrorized post defenders with his brute strength. He also had tremendous athleticism for a player his size. Shaq never quite got the respect he deserved despite winning four titles. There may not ever be a player like him again.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

A seemingly unstoppable sky hook helped him win six titles after winning three titles in college. Perhaps the most amazing stat for the all-time leading scorer is 19: that's the number of Abdul-Jabbar's All-Star Game appearances. A consummate professional, the Lakers long-time captain made the players around him better with his low-post defense that started fast breaks and his ability to convert important shots. Though he often looked too relaxed with his effortless style, the all-time leading scorer was also a hard-nosed player who wasn't afraid to be physical.

Michael Jordan

There aren't enough superlatives to describe him. Unquestionably the greatest perimeter scorer in history, Jordan defined the 90s as a six-time champion after dropping jaws with his raw scoring ability in the 80s. The Chicago Bulls legend had amazing coordination and balance, making his style of play a pleasure to watch. An elite defender, he made the All-Defensive First Team nine times. To top it all off, he hit numerous clutch shots and never lost in the Finals. Few players have ever played with as much fierce competitive spirit. Jordan, perhaps to a fault, was extremely demanding of his teammates to compete at their highest level.

Hakeem Olajuwon

Among the most graceful and agile centers in NBA history, Olajuwon often seemed unguardable with his low-post moves and impeccable footwork. He was also a legitimate superstar on defense. The Dream might actually be the most under-rated player on this list.

Magic Johnson

A point guard in a power forward's body, Johnson had perhaps the best court vision in NBA history. The Lakers trusted No. 32 with the ball when the game was on the line to either find the open man, or hit the game-winning shot, which he did on countless occasions. Like Jordan, Russell, and a certain rival from French Lick, Johnson was obsessed with winning. During the fast-break 80s, he was better than anyone at leading the charge in transition. Like Robertson, Johnson had little trouble grabbing rebounds and assists, recording triple-doubles rather routinely. Had his career not been cut short, Johnson would almost certainly be the all-time assist leader, since he still has the highest average (11.2).

Larry Bird

One of the great sharpshooters of all-time, Bird was also one of the game's best passers. An under-rated defender, Bird is remembered as a fierce competitor who often dove on the court and into the stands for loose balls. Like his contemporaries Johnson and Jordan, Bird's competitive spirit was legendary. He despised losing, and he played like it. A superstar scorer on a team of scorers, Bird had a knack for finding inventive ways to put up points while never compromising the Celtics' chances of winning.

Wilt Chamberlain

It's tempting to put Chamberlain at No. 1 simply because his accomplishments almost seemed impossible, and because the rules were changed to prevent him from dominating so much. The remarkably athletic center once led the NBA in scoring with a 50.4 scoring average, and once led the league in total assists (702). Even in his final season, at age 36, Chamberlain played all 82 games and averaged 43.2 minutes per game and led the league in field-goal percentage (72.7) and rebounding (18.6). Not only did he score 100 points in a game, Chamberlain also had a 55- rebound game against the Celtics. Imagine if the NBA recorded blocks back then.

Tim Duncan

He's an example of a quiet player who never posts eye-popping statistics or jaw-dropping dunks, but does what's most important: win. Duncan was the key figure in five San Antonio Spurs titles, and what's particularly impressive is that they came 15 years apart. Like Abdul-Jabbar, Duncan comes up big on both the offensive and defensive lanes. There has never been anything flashy about him, but the fundamentally sound big man has flashy rings to show for it. When he retires, he will be remembered as one of the greatest scorers and rebounders ever.

LeBron James

Among the most athletic players in NBA history, James is the definition of a full-court player and often plays like a combination of Jordan and Johnson. He is a force on both sides of the court, and continues to add to his legacy with an impressive streak of reaching the Finals. He can move up this list if he continues to win and post similar statistics, but he has already accomplished so much. On top of his high scoring seasons year after year, James is an under-appreciated passer with the court vision of a veteran point guard.

Jerry West

A complete shooting guard with brilliant touch, he is still one of most versatile perimeter players in history. Mr. Clutch also played with complete desperation, unwilling to accept defeat. West had little trouble scoring with his 27 points-per-game average, and was a premier sharpshooter.

Julius Erving

A high-flying scorer, Erving was among the most entertaining players to ever play. Dr. J played with a fluid style that that the league had never seen. He made everything look easy, and poured in points in both the NBA and ABA. In his final season, Erving averaged 18.9 points per game at age 36.

Kobe Bryant

Perhaps he would have been better off playing in a different era. Bryant's name will always be linked to Jordan, as he attempted to surpass his idol's accolades. It always seemed like a futile attempt, considering Jordan's far-reaching influence on the game, and how fans always side with the original over the next guy. But Bryant's achievements can't be diminished or downplayed. He's No. 3 in scoring, has five titles, 17 All-Star Game appearances and nine All-Defensive First Teams to his credit. While he didn't surpass Jordan in most people's minds, he has been a memorable and ruthless competitor.

Oscar Robertson

Not blessed with the same athleticism as Jordan, Robertson was perhaps the craftiest player in NBA history. He managed to average a triple-double one season, as his 6'5 height didn't prevent him from grabbing 12.5 rebounds a game in 1961-1962. He also nearly accomplished a triple-double average in four other seasons. Robertson was brilliant at creating his own shot and using angles to avoid defenders as he would go on to average better than 30 points per game for six seasons, and lead the league in assists in seven seasons. His combination of points and assists is unprecedented.

Karl Malone

Perhaps the most consistent player in NBA history, Malone was a scoring machine that averaged 20 or more points per games in all but two seasons of a career that ended at age 40. No forward ran the pick-and-roll better than Malone. The Utah Jazz were always an elite team with the Mailman.

Patrick Ewing

Averaging 20 points or more a game over 13 consecutive seasons is quite an accomplishment. Despite being overshadowed by Olajuwon, Shaq and Robinson, Ewing was just as consistent as those players, if not more. Perimeter players thought twice about penetrating on Ewing, but he still averaged 2.4 blocks over 15 seasons.

Clyde Drexler

"Clyde the Glide" couldn't win a title in his prime with Portland, but the Trail Blazers were always among the elite teams in the league. An excellent scorer and rebounder, Drexler was also a very good defender, averaging two or more assists in seven seasons. He only failed to average better than 17 points per game in his rookie year.

Scottie Pippen

He took a secondary role to the greatest player in history, and in the process, Pippen helped the Bulls win six rings. One of the best defenders of the 90s, the versatile Pippen was also able to penetrate past opponents and effectively play full-court basketball. He was also an under-rated rebounder.

Charles Barkley

More athletic than many give him credit for, Barkley was consistently one of the best rebounders in the NBA despite barely being 6'6. He remained a highly effective scorer into the later part of his career, and even after injuries. In his prime, Barkley was burdened by a rather weak supporting cast.