This is a widely debated topic, for there is no set system for deciding who is better than who. Also, there are many varying factors in judging a player’s career, such as playoff success, era played, and career statistics. Some attributes can’t be kept in a stat line, and can only be judged by actually watching games. That being said, here is a compilation of the twenty five greatest players to grace the NBA/ABA:
(SIDE NOTE: this list is for players who have either retired or already completed ten or more NBA seasons, so this will exclude players that may be good enough to make the list but are still too young).
25.) Walt Frazier (7x All Star, 2 Championships, 7x All Defense)
Before he was an announcer for the Knicks, Walt “Clyde” Frazier raised New York’s only two banners in the early 70’s. He did it with his defense and consistent scoring, paired with Earl Monroe to form the legendary Rolls Royce Backcourt. Over 30 years later, Frazier is still the Knicks’ All Time assist leader.
24.) Isiah Thomas (12x All Star, 2 Championships, ‘90 Finals MVP, 7th all time in assists)
Isiah Thomas was the face of the Bad Boy Pistons. Their unorthodox play style was called dirty by some, but got the job done. Thomas enjoyed making flashy passes and finishing with creative touch around the rim for a small guy. His Pistons team ran the league in between the dominance of Bird/Magic and Jordan.
23.) David Robinson (2 Championships, 10x All Star, ‘95 NBA MVP, ‘92 DPOY, ‘90 ROTY)
Robinson accomplished everything any NBA player could want. Even though he didn’t start his career until his mid twenties after he completed his military service, he managed to rack up a staggering list of accolades due to his tough defense and array of post moves. Robinson was featured on the legendary Olympic “Dream Team” as well, so a gold medal can be added to his list of NBA accomplishments.
22.) John Havlicek (13x All Star, 8x All Defense, 8 Championships, ‘74 Finals MVP)
Havlicek was one of the faces of the early Celtics and NBA. His lockdown defense defined his career. His famous steal to clinch the Celtics a championship was a routine play, but the “Havlicek stole the ball!” call by the announcer still resonates fifty years later.
21.) Kevin Garnett (15x All Star, 12x All Defense, ‘08 NBA Champion, ‘08 DPOY, ‘04 NBA MVP)
Garnett’s career was modeled off his famous phrase, “anything is possible.” He jumped into the league straight out of high school and immediately began putting up All Star numbers. Garnett probably has a couple screws loose up in his head, maybe from banging his head against a wall before every game. However, his angry play style only made him a more ferocious scorer and rebounder. This play style took him all the way to a championship win in ‘08 versus the Lakers.
20.) Charles Barkley (11x All Star, ‘93 NBA MVP, 11x All NBA)
Sir Charles Barkley was royalty during his long NBA reign. Even though he was only 6’6, he outrebounded everyone, averaging just under 15 rebounds per game his third year in the league. He now remains on the NBA scene after retirement, hosting NBA Countdown with Shaq.
19.) Dirk Nowitzki (13x All Star, ‘07 NBA MVP, ‘11 NBA Champion, ‘11 Finals MVP)
When your opponent’s best three point shooter also happens to be seven feet tall, you have no choice but to just tip your hat and accept the consequences. Dirk signature fadeaway is impossible to block. The only chance defenders have is to contest the shot and hope Dirk missed but he made it enough times to accumulate over 29K career points. He solidified his career when he upset Lebron’s superteam in Miami with minimal help to claim his only title.
18.) John Stockton (10x All Star, 5x All Defense, #1 All Time in Assists and Steals)
Stockton and Malone abused the pick and roll offense. Stockton’s unique passing ability set up his opponents for easy baskets routinely. Whoever was being guarded by Stockton had to be perfect in their ball handling, otherwise he would swipe the ball right out of their hands. Unfortunately, he was just another victim of the Jordan era, so he never got a championship ring.
17.) Julius Erving (3 Championships, 16x All Star, 4x NBA MVP, ‘76 All Defense)
Dr. J was every kid’s favorite player in his era. He was the godfather of dunking, winning the NBA’s first annual Dunk Contest with his iconic slam from the free throw line. The afro and short shorts didn’t stop him from raising two banners in New York and one in Philadelphia. In one of the defining moments in NBA history, Dr J rose up and seemingly hung in the air for a reverse layup from behind the basket in the finals versus the Lakers.
16.) Karl Malone (14x All Star, 2x NBA MVP, 4x All Defense, 36.9K career points)
The Mailman was the larger counterpart of the notorious Stockton-Malone duo. He attacked the rim in an angry fashion with no regard for whoever was in his way. He was unbreachable on defense. He took care of himself better than anyone, which lead to his long and consistent career. Malone averaged over twenty ppg for seventeen straight years. It’s a shame the Mailman couldn’t deliver on Sundays, otherwise he might have beat Jordan and the Bulls.
15.) Elgin Baylor (11x All Star, ‘59 ROTY, 27.4 career ppg average)
Maybe it’s because he lacked a championship, but Elgin Baylor is one of the most underrated superstars the NBA has ever had. In one season, he averaged over 34 points per game. Baylor brought a creative play style that made basketball exciting to watch. You couldn’t double team him, because his passing skills were so accurate that an easy basket was virtually guaranteed. He would put passes behind his back, over his head, and through players’ legs. His opponents considered him the most difficult player they had to guard at forward.
14.) Jerry West (14x All Star, 5x All Defense, ‘72 NBA Champion, ‘69 Finals MVP)
If there was a three point line during West’s career, he certainly would have utilized it, for he knocked down shots from twenty feet out with ease. The Logo used his small size to his advantage, picking players’ pockets and cutting through them on offense. It’s worth noting that West managed to win the Finals MVP Award in a series that he lost, which emphasizes his dominance over his opponents.
13.) Moses Malone (13x All Star, ‘83 NBA Champion, ‘83 Finals MVP, 3x MVP)
Moses Malone had to fight for every point he ever scored. He never stopped hustling on the boards, and would rip down offensive rebounds for a living. Malone had a colossal influence over any game he played. He managed to take a poor suited Rockets team all the way to the NBA Finals. Later, in an all-time classic performance, Malone squared off against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and stood his ground to claim a championship. He is on the list of the NBA’s top ten career points all time.
12.) Hakeem Olajuwon (12x All Star, 2 Championships, 2x Finals MVP, ‘94 NBA MVP, 2x Defensive POY, 9x All Defense)
Hakeem was often called “The Dream,” but he gave his opponents nightmares. His signature move, the Dream Shake, left defenders in the dust. Pat Riley recalls putting four Laker defenders on him at once in the Western Conference Finals, yet he still found a way to score. Olajuwon played in the shadow of Michael Jordan, getting drafted two picks apart from him, which limited his playoff success. However, during Jordan’s hiatus in 1994 he capitalized and took it to Patrick Ewing and the Knicks in a seven game series.
11.) Oscar Robertson (12x All Star, ‘71 NBA Champion, ‘61 ROTY, ‘64 NBA MVP)
Oscar Robertson is most famous for being the only play ever to average a triple-double (10+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists) over an entire season. Robertson could anticipate plays before they even happen, which set up some pretty passes and fancy moves. He was a master of creating shots for himself and popularized the pull up jumper. Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar swept Earl Monroe and the Bullets for Robertson’s only championship.
10.) Tim Duncan (15x All Star, 5 Championships, 3x Finals MVP, 15x All Defense, 2x NBA MVP, ‘98 ROTY)
The Big Fundamental is the top power forward on this list. He may not have been the most exciting to watch, but his flawless post moves and tough defense don’t need to make a highlight reel to be great. What makes Duncan legendary is the longevity of his excellence. His reign over the Western Conference spanned over a decade, dooming players such as Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. Happy retirement, big fella.
9.) Kobe Bryant (5 Championships, 2x Finals MVP, 15x All Star, 12x All Defense, ‘08 NBA MVP)
Kobe is an example of a player who got better with age. He was already an All Star his second year in the league, so the climb was pretty high. Mamba took the league by storm with his high flying dunks, cold blooded shooting, and creativity with the ball. He will gladly show off his five championship rings, which were all won in Los Angeles. His 81 point performance is the closest anyone has come to Chamberlain’s 100. Kobe committed himself fully as a student of the game.
8.) Bill Russell (11 Championships, 12x All Star, 5x NBA MVP)
Bill Russell is the most successful winner in all of sports. His Celtics team dominated the early eras of basketball, at one point claiming eight consecutive titles. On any given night, Russell was almost guaranteed to walk away with twenty rebounds. His longstanding rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain helped shape him into the competitor that he was. In what may be the greatest individual rivalry in the league’s history, the two butted heads and each walked away legends.
7.) Shaquille O’neal (15x All Star, 4 Championships, 3x All Defensive, 3x Finals MVP, ‘00 NBA MVP)
Shaq, Shaq Diesel, The Big Aristotle, whatever you want to call him, he was a freak. Despite his huge frame, he still had soft touch around the rim. When he isn’t making oddly off putting Gold Bond commercials, he is ripping down backboards on his powerful slams. Shaq had many homes, and was a part of infamous duos that included Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade. Free throws proved to be his major kryptonite, but they didn’t stop him from raising banners.
6.) Wilt Chamberlain (2 Championships, 4x MVP, 13x All Star, 50 ppg average in 1961)
Chamberlain is one of those players whose numbers may have been inflated due to the era they played in. That being said, it is still unbelievable to score a hundred points in a single game, a feat that probably will never be beat, without a three point line. Chamberlain simply disrespected his opponents with his dominance in the post. Unfortunately he played in the same era as Bill Russell’s Celtics, so he didn’t win as many championships as he may have liked to, however their rivalry made him a better competitor after all. Chamberlain hold 72 different NBA records.
5.) Lebron James (3 Championships, 4x MVP, 12x All Star, 6x All Defense)
It isn’t common that the fastest player on the court also happens to be 6’8, but Lebron is an uncommon player. He can muscle his way through any defender for an easy two points. Lebron is a human highlight reel, making plays that make ESPN almost daily. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of his career is winning a championship for Cleveland, his hometown, after years of trials and tribulations. King James has dominated the late 2000’s and will likely continue to for years to come.
4.) Larry Bird (3 Championships, 3x NBA MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 12x All Star, ‘80 ROTY)
Don’t let Bird’s quiet demeanor fool you, he was a fierce competitor. He was a pure shooter, and given any space he would capitalize with a jump shot. His impeccable defense and flawless passing made him a complete player. Come playoff time, Bird buried future Hall of Famers routinely. His playoff success solidified him as a Boston sports legend.
3.) Earvin “Magic” Johnson (12x All Star, 5 Championships, 3x NBA MVP, 3x Finals MVP)
The face of the Showtime Lakers, Magic was a unique player to say the least. He earned his nickname from his flashy play style. Magic played point guard at 6’9, but one of the defining moments of his career came when he started at center his rookie year in place of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, his outstanding career was cut short when he contracted HIV 12 years into his career.
2.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6 Championships, 6x NBA MVP, 2x Finals MVP, NBA’s All-time Leading Scorer, 19 All Star Games, 69-70 ROTY)
Kareem made his living in the post. At 7’2, Kareem towered over his opponents and used his height perfectly to his advantage. His famous sky hook was unguardable and he executed it down to a science. He was no stranger to the playoffs, making it thirteen consecutive years with the Lakers, who he won five of his six titles with. One season, Kareem averaged just under 35 points per game before the three point line was even invented. His success and longevity puts him above nearly every player to ever touch the floor.
1.) Michael Jordan (6 Championships, 5x NBA MVP, 6x Finals MVP, 14 All Star Games, 32,292 Career Points, 84-85 ROTY, 10x Scoring Champ)
The undisputed ruler of basketball, Michael Jordan dominated the game in every aspect. He was a freak athlete, yet fundamentally perfect. Jordan would never shy away from pressure, even with the game on the line in the NBA Finals, which he won six times. He dominated his opponents mentally. While some players hoped to be a step ahead of their opponent, he was five steps ahead, and would give opponents nightmares before they even played him. Jordan feared no man. No matter who you were, he was guaranteed to get the best of you on both ends of the floor. There’s never been a better player and likely never will be.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Dwayne Wade, George Gervin, Pete Maravich, Steve Nash, Kevin McHale, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, Bob Pettit, Rick Barry, Allen Iverson.