I know this blog is going to lead to a lot of debate, and I KNOW I am going to catch heat for the order and there are some people I might have left out. But, I think these are the best 25 players in NBA History! Of course, I didn’t see all these players play but with some of these guys’ stats I would be a fool to leave them off the list. My list is weighed heavily towards the players that I have seen pretty much in their prime. So, from about 1980 to present is where I based my opinion. Without further delay let’s get the debate started and let’s keep it Iz-Real! Here we go #5-1!!!
5. Larry Bird – He along with the #4 player on the list rejuvenated the NBA in the 80’s. Larry lacked quickness and athletic ability but was unstoppable with the rock. With the game on the line you didn’t want the ball in Larrys hand. His legendary jump shot was a layup. Was the transition from scorer to “point forward” at his position. When he was drafted the 80’s dynasty of the Celtics was born. The epitome of clutch and court savvy.
STATS: 3× NBA Champion (1981, 1984, 1986), 3× NBA MVP (1984-1986), 12× All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992), 2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986), 9× All-NBA First Team Selection (1980-1988), 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year, 1980 NBA All-Rookie Team, NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982), 3× NBA Three-Point Shootout Winner (1986-1988), NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, Hall of Fame Inductee 1998
4. Earvin “Magic” Johnson – Best smile in NBA history. Skill set unparalleled and was the most dazzling passer this side of Pistol Pete. Made the term Triple-Double part of the NBA jargon. 5x NBA Champion, 2nd all-time in assists and at 6′9″ was the best big man bringing to ever play guard. The Lakers had “Showtime” and it wouldn’t exist without “Magic”
STATS: 5× NBA Champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), 3× NBA MVP (1987, 1989, 1990), 12× All-Star (1980, 1982–1992), 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987), 9× All-NBA First Team Selection (1983–1991), 1980 NBA All-Rookie Team, 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992), NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, Hall of Fame Inductee 2002
3. Bill Russell - 1st NBA player/coach. 1st Black NBA head coach, 1st player to make blocks a part of the NBA defensive scheme. THE best defensive center of all-time (No questions asked). Only 6′9″, dominated at the center position. Turned Boston into a basketball town. 11 time NBA Champion and is consider the best defensive player to ever play the game. Universally recognized as #1 on the Mount Rushmore of centers.
STATS: 11× NBA Champion (1957, 1959 – 1966, 1968, 1969), 5× NBA MVP (1958, 1961–1963, 1965), 12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969), 3× All-NBA First Team Selection (1959, 1963, 1965), 1× NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1969), 1× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963), NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, NBA 35th Anniversary Team, NBA 25th Anniversary Team, Hall of Fame Inductee 1975
2. “Wilt” Chamberlain – Yin to Bill Russels Yang. The single handed unstoppable force in NBA history. So offensively talented, the NBA changed the rules to adjust to his athletic prowess. Scored over 60 points 32 times. Think about that (no 3 point line.) Size, shape, speed and strength that hadn’t been seen before his time. Only one score 100 points in a game and the only player who could win a game 1 on 5. And least us not forget his conquest total.
STATS: 2× NBA champion (1967, 1972), 4× NBA MVP (1960, 1966-1968), 13× NBA All-Star (1960-1969, 1971-1973), 1× NBA Finals MVP (1972), 7× All-NBA First Team Selection (1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968), 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1972-1973), 1960 NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960), NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, NBA 35th Anniversary Team, Hall of Fame Inductee 1979.
1. Michael Jordan – One the most recognized names in the world. Larry Bird + Julius Erving = Michael Jordan. And he’s was better defensively than both. Shut down 2 guard and forwards we’re nervous at his defensive game. His inside/outside game is second to none. The most ruthless finisher in NBA history. Basically there’s a generation of greats who are ringless because they went up against Jordan. Took the sneaker game into a new stratosphere when Jordans’ started (to this day the 2nd best sellers in Nike history). The reason Kobe/Lebron are lower on this list: because Jordan came before them. All hail “Air Jordan”!!!!
STATS: 6× NBA Champion (1991 -1993, 1996,- 1998), 5× NBA MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), 14× NBA All-Star (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002-2003), 6× NBA Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998), NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988), 10× All-NBA First Team Selection (1987-1993, 1996-1998),, 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1988-1993, 1996-1998), 1985 NBA All-Rookie Team, 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998), 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner (1987, 1988), NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
It’s a GothamJungle thing baby…!!!
[the-author]
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Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls…you can’t get better than that combination and no-one has come close since!
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r u serious lew alcindor is in the top 5
1st in scoring
3rd in rebounds
3rd in blocked shots
and awkwardly 33rd in ass.
Thank you very much for so intelligent article. Good job!