ESPN “Experts” Rank the Top 74 Players in NBA History

yeah, there's really not an argument to put kobe ahead of dream that doesn't begin and end with "ringz!" hakeem was just a better player. and oscar robertson? come on. i really don't think there's a lot of argument that bird is better than hakeem but i suppose i'd listen to those for a bit.

i'll never have duncan over hakeem because he didn't require a double team past like 2003, but i can understand how people do. shaq/hakeem is a tie to me, but i don't have a problem giving it to hakeem.

kareem has so many accolades and yet is amazingly unknown because of the era he played in. if we knew him better, would we just think of him as the guy who racked up mvp's with little playoff success and who built some of his ridiculous numbers on a pre-merger nba? probably. but is it fair to only think of him as the old kareem that we actually get to see with showtime? probably not. does he practically have an argument for the GOAT? should his amazing lack of team success in the 70's really relegate him to the wilt realm in the 6-8 range? reading the "nobody touches jordan" website will certainly make you think less of kareem.

hakeem feels like bill russell with offense and yet you just can't ignore the sheer volume of winning for russell. and not on teams that won 65+ every year. sometimes on just sort of the best record. sometimes not even the best record. different players, different opponents. only one thing links them all. russell. hard to explain without him being really, really good. honestly, 1. jordan, 2. lebron are my only 2 locks on the all-time rankings. the players who are in the top 10 are locks but the order can change.

 

Reggie Miller over Clyde lol

 

Giannis top 30 already? Dream out of top 10? People must remember the post 1995 years too much and forgot how he dominated since 1984! Curry top 15, hahahahah, these lists are really just to get us talking. It works again and again and we should actually not for one second believe they're experts and really had any sort of discussion, criteria etc.

Give me a panel with Dream, Bird, MJ, Duncan, Dr. J, Oscar, CP3 & Lebron having a serious top 50 debate. Now that would be prime time TV!

 

Yes there is a very obvious top 10 and regardless of the order they’re ranked I feel like you could take any of them number 1 overall and be pretty happy with your selection. Kobe isn’t in that group. He gets a little bit of the Jeter treatment.

 

The most overrated is and always will be Kobe. Stupid as they may be these guys are still paid to talk about basketball and at least know some history. If you factor in the other 99.9% of the NBA fan population Kobe would probably average out in the top 5 of lists which is crazy. How anyone can say he was better than Jordan or LeBron with a straight face is beyond me.

 

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29105801/ranking-top-74-nba-players-all-nos-10-1

10. Shaquille O'Neal | 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG
9. Kobe Bryant | 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 3s PG
8. Tim Duncan | 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.2 BPG
7. Larry Bird | 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG
6. Wilt Chamberlain | 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG
5. Magic Johnson | 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG
4. Bill Russell | 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG
2. LeBron James | 27.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG
1. Michael Jordan | 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...our-experts-debate-top-74-players-nba-history

 

There should never be a list where Kobe Bryant finishes ahead of Shaq. I'll even go a bit further: I'd venture out and say that the Lakers would have won at least two rings if they never made the Kobe draft day trade and kept Eddie Jones at the 2 to play with Shaq.

 

Hopefully we can sign his brothers Zon and Zrent Barry

 

I just will never understand how anyone can logically put Kareem that high ahead of Magic who was better than him on the same team his entire career. This accumulated stats = GOAT bias started with Lebron when they realized it was his only way to GOAT status and who better to prop up as the accumulated stats GOAT than Kareem playing til he was 50 and the best chance for lebron to pass him up and be "GOAT" in their eyes(throw in political/social activism as criteria now too). Pathetic. Kareem couldn't even win without another guy just outside the top 10 at #11 Oscar Roberston, but yeah Kareem is the GOAT....Dominate the 70s after Russel and Wilt retire and accumulate tons of stats while playing with 2 top 10 players nearly all of his career. Sounds like a poor mans Wilt if Wilt played his whole career with 2 other GOATs and countless other HOF teammates. What did he do without 2 top 11 GOAT teammates and countless other all star-hof teammates? First round losses? Oh but he dominated high school and college. Bill Walton dominated in the same college uniform and won an NBA championship with far lesser talent. Give him his 3 MVPs in Milwaukee after Oscar came in, but his first season in LA he won MVP with a 40-42 record and MISSING the playoffs on a nearly dead NBA and b2b MVP the next season during the MERGER with a league "best" 53 wins and getting swept by Bill Walton on his way to his own ring(Walton finished 2nd in MVP with 4 less wins-DR J was 5th MVP with 3 less wins-Kareem won popularity-period). Won his 6th MVP in Magics rookie season where Magic/Norm and Wilkes were all balling out and Magic would prove it's his team winning the NBA Finals playing Kareems own position while Kareem was out.
4 MVPs while the NBA was about to die. 1 that should be taken away. 1 with 3 other young stars but being best known player on best team in 79. 1 during the NBA/ABA merger to stay the face of the league even though DR J(too flashy) or Walton(too hippie)should have won.

Don't get me wrong. I think Kareem is a Tim Duncan status of a great, just not top 10. I'd put Hakeem and Shaq ahead of both. Wilt has a better case for GOAT over Kareem.

 

Spoiler

74. Artis Gilmore | 18.8 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.4 BPG
17 seasons
Hall of Fame
11x All Star
1974-75 ABA Champ
1996-97 ABA All-Time Team
5x All-ABA
5x All-Defensive
1971-72 All-Rookie
1973-74 AS MVP
1971-72 MVP
1971-72 ROY

73. Dikembe Mutombo | 9.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.8 BPG
18 seasons
Hall of Fame
8x All Star
2x TRB Champ
3x BLK Champ
3x All-NBA
6x All-Defensive
1991-92 All-Rookie
4x Def. POY

72. Damian Lillard | 24.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.5 APG, 2.9 3s PG
8 seasons
5x All Star
4x All-NBA
2012-13 All-Rookie
2012-13 ROY

71. Bob Lanier | 20.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.1 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
8x All Star
1970-71 All-Rookie
1973-74 AS MVP

70. Tony Parker | 15.5 PPG, 5.6 APG
18 seasons
6x All Star
4x NBA Champ
4x All-NBA
2001-02 All-Rookie
2006-07 Finals MVP

69. Bernard King | 22.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
4x All Star
1984-85 Scoring Champ
4x All-NBA
1977-78 All-Rookie

68. Pete Maravich | 24.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG
10 seasons
Hall of Fame
5x All Star
1976-77 Scoring Champ
4x All-NBA
1970-71 All-Rookie

67. Alex English | 21.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 APG
15 seasons
Hall of Fame
8x All Star
1982-83 Scoring Champ
3x All-NBA

66. Dave Cowens | 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG
11 seasons
Hall of Fame
8x All Star
2x NBA Champ
3x All-NBA
3x All-Defensive
1970-71 All-Rookie
1972-73 AS MVP
1972-73 MVP
1970-71 ROY

65. Pau Gasol | 17.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.6 BPG
18 seasons
6x All Star
2x NBA Champ
4x All-NBA
2001-02 All-Rookie
2001-02 ROY

64. Earl Monroe | 18.8 PPG, 3.9 APG
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
4x All Star
1972-73 NBA Champ
1968-69 All-NBA
1967-68 All-Rookie
1967-68 ROY

63. Alonzo Mourning | 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.8 BPG
15 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
2x BLK Champ
2005-06 NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
2x All-Defensive
1992-93 All-Rookie
2x Def. POY

62. Dennis Rodman | 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
2x All Star
7x TRB Champ
5x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
8x All-Defensive
2x Def. POY

61. Robert Parish | 14.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG
21 seasons
Hall of Fame
9x All Star
4x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA

60. Willis Reed | 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG
10 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
2x NBA Champ
5x All-NBA
1969-70 All-Defensive
1964-65 All-Rookie
1969-70 AS MVP
2x Finals MVP
1969-70 MVP
1964-65 ROY

 

Spoiler

59. Bob McAdoo | 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
5x All Star
3x Scoring Champ
2x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
1972-73 All-Rookie
1974-75 MVP
1972-73 ROY

58. Manu Ginobili | 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 Steals PG, 1.4 3s PG
16 seasons
2x All Star
4x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
2002-03 All-Rookie
2007-08 Sixth Man

57. Clyde Drexler | 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 Steals PG
15 seasons
Hall of Fame
10x All Star
1994-95 NBA Champ
5x All-NBA

56. Ray Allen | 18.9 PGG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 Steals PG, 2.3 3s PG
18 seasons
Hall of Fame
10x All Star
2x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
1996-97 All-Rookie

55. Vince Carter | 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.5 3s PG
22 seasons
8x All Star
2x All-NBA
1998-99 All-Rookie
1998-99 ROY

54. Paul Pierce | 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 Steals PG, 1.6 3s PG
19 seasons
10x All Star
2007-08 NBA Champ
4x All-NBA
1998-99 All-Rookie
2007-08 Finals MVP

53. Gary Payton | 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.8 Steals PG
17 seasons
Hall of Fame
9x All Star
1995-96 STL Champ
2005-06 NBA Champ
9x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive
1990-91 All-Rookie
1995-96 Def. POY

52. Tracy McGrady | 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 Steals PG, 1.2 3s PG
15 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
7x All-NBA
2000-01 Most Improved

51. James Worthy | 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 Steals PG
12 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
3x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
1982-83 All-Rookie
1987-88 Finals MVP

50. Wes Unseld | 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
5x All Star
1974-75 TRB Champ
1977-78 NBA Champ
1968-69 All-NBA
1968-69 All-Rookie
1977-78 Finals MVP
1968-69 MVP
1968-69 ROY

49. Reggie Miller | 18.2 PPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 Steals PG, 1.8 3s PG
18 seasons
Hall of Fame
5x All Star
3x All-NBA

48. Bill Walton | 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.2 BPG
10 seasons
Hall of Fame
2x All Star
1976-77 TRB Champ
1976-77 BLK Champ
2x NBA Champ
2x All-NBA
2x All-Defensive
1976-77 Finals MVP
1977-78 MVP
1985-86 Sixth Man

47. George Gervin | 25.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
4x Scoring Champ
7x All-NBA
1996-97 ABA All-Time Team
2x All-ABA
1972-73 All-Rookie
1979-80 AS MVP

46. Dominique Wilkins | 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 Steals PG
15 seasons
Hall of Fame
9x All Star
1985-86 Scoring Champ
7x All-NBA
1982-83 All-Rookie

45. Anthony Davis | 24.0 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.4 Steals PG, 2.4 BPG
8 seasons
7x All Star
3x BLK Champ
3x All-NBA
3x All-Defensive
2012-13 All-Rookie
2016-17 AS MVP

44. Elvin Hayes | 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG
16 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
1968-69 Scoring Champ
2x TRB Champ
1977-78 NBA Champ
6x All-NBA
2x All-Defensive
1968-69 All-Rookie

43. Rick Barry | 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.9 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
1966-67 Scoring Champ
1974-75 STL Champ
1974-75 NBA Champ
6x All-NBA
1996-97 ABA All-Time Team
4x All-ABA
1965-66 All-Rookie
1966-67 AS MVP
1974-75 Finals MVP
1965-66 ROY

42. Russell Westbrook | 23.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.8 Steals PG, 1.1 3s PG
12 seasons
9x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
2x AST Champ
8x All-NBA
2008-09 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
2016-17 MVP

41. Bob Cousy | 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
13x All Star
8x AST Champ
6x NBA Champ
12x All-NBA
2x AS MVP
1956-57 MVP

40. Chris Paul | 18.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.4 3s PG
15 seasons
10x All Star
4x AST Champ
6x STL Champ
8x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive
2005-06 All-Rookie
2012-13 AS MVP
2005-06 ROY

 

Spoiler

39. Walt Frazier | 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 49.0 FG%
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
2x NBA Champ
6x All-NBA
7x All-Defensive
1967-68 All-Rookie
1974-75 AS MVP

38. Bob Pettit | 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
11 seasons
Hall of Fame
11x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
1955-56 TRB Champ
1957-58 NBA Champ
11x All-NBA
4x AS MVP
2x MVP
1954-55 ROY

37. Patrick Ewing | 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG
17 seasons
Hall of Fame
11x All Star
7x All-NBA
3x All-Defensive
1985-86 All-Rookie
1985-86 ROY

36. Kevin McHale | 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 55.4 FG%
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
3x NBA Champ
1986-87 All-NBA
6x All-Defensive
1980-81 All-Rookie
2x Sixth Man

35. Jason Kidd | 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.4 3s PG
19 seasons
Hall of Fame
10x All Star
5x AST Champ
2010-11 NBA Champ
6x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive
1994-95 All-Rookie
1994-95 ROY

34. George Mikan | 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG
7 seasons
Hall of Fame
4x All Star
3x Scoring Champ
1952-53 TRB Champ
5x BAA/NBA Champ
6x All-BAA/NBA
1952-53 AS MVP

33. John Havlicek | 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.2 SPG
16 seasons
Hall of Fame
13x All Star
8x NBA Champ
11x All-NBA
8x All-Defensive
1962-63 All-Rookie
1973-74 Finals MVP

32. James Harden | 25.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 2.8 3s PG
11 seasons
8x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
2016-17 AST Champ
6x All-NBA
2009-10 All-Rookie
2017-18 MVP
2011-12 Sixth Man

31. Isiah Thomas | 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
1984-85 AST Champ
2x NBA Champ
5x All-NBA
1981-82 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
1989-90 Finals MVP

30. Steve Nash | 14.3 PPG, 8.5 APG; 42.8 3P%, 1.4 3PG
18 seasons
Hall of Fame
8x All Star
5x AST Champ
7x All-NBA
2x MVP

29. Allen Iverson | 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.2 3s PG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
11x All Star
4x Scoring Champ
3x STL Champ
7x All-NBA
1996-97 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
2000-01 MVP
1996-97 ROY

28. John Stockton | 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG
19 seasons
Hall of Fame
10x All Star
9x AST Champ
2x STL Champ
11x All-NBA
5x All-Defensive
1992-93 AS MVP

27. Giannis Antetokounmpo | 20.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.3 BPG
7 seasons
4x All Star
3x All-NBA
2x All-Defensive
2013-14 All-Rookie
2016-17 Most Improved
2018-19 MVP

26. Dwyane Wade | 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG
16 seasons
13x All Star
2008-09 Scoring Champ
3x NBA Champ
8x All-NBA
3x All-Defensive
2003-04 All-Rookie
2009-10 AS MVP
2005-06 Finals MVP

25. Kawhi Leonard | 18.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.4 3s PG
9 seasons
4x All Star
2014-15 STL Champ
2x NBA Champ
3x All-NBA
5x All-Defensive
2011-12 All-Rookie
2019-20 AS MVP
2x Def. POY
2x Finals MVP

24. David Robinson | 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.0 BPG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
10x All Star
1993-94 Scoring Champ
1990-91 TRB Champ
1991-92 BLK Champ
2x NBA Champ
10x All-NBA
8x All-Defensive
1989-90 All-Rookie
1991-92 Def. POY
1994-95 MVP
1989-90 ROY

23. Charles Barkley | 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG
16 seasons
Hall of Fame
11x All Star
1986-87 TRB Champ
11x All-NBA
1984-85 All-Rookie
1990-91 AS MVP
1992-93 MVP

22. Elgin Baylor | 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
11x All Star
10x All-NBA
1958-59 AS MVP
1958-59 ROY

21. Scottie Pippen | 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG
17 seasons
Hall of Fame
7x All Star
1994-95 STL Champ
6x NBA Champ
7x All-NBA
10x All-Defensive
1993-94 AS MVP

20. Kevin Garnett | 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.4 BPG
21 seasons
Hall of Fame
15x All Star
4x TRB Champ
2007-08 NBA Champ
9x All-NBA
12x All-Defensive
1995-96 All-Rookie
2002-03 AS MVP
2007-08 Def. POY
2003-04 MVP

 

Spoiler

19. Dirk Nowitzki | 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.3 3s PG
21 seasons
14x All Star
2010-11 NBA Champ
12x All-NBA
2010-11 Finals MVP
2006-07 MVP

18. Moses Malone | 20.3 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG
21 seasons
Hall of Fame
13x All Star
6x TRB Champ
1982-83 NBA Champ
8x All-NBA
1996-97 ABA All-Time Team
2x All-Defensive
1974-75 All-Rookie
1982-83 Finals MVP
3x MVP

17. Karl Malone | 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG
19 seasons
Hall of Fame
14x All Star
14x All-NBA
4x All-Defensive
1985-86 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
2x MVP

16. Jerry West | 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
14x All Star
1969-70 Scoring Champ
1971-72 AST Champ
1971-72 NBA Champ
12x All-NBA
5x All-Defensive
1971-72 AS MVP
1968-69 Finals MVP

15. Julius Erving | 24.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.2 APG
16 seasons
Hall of Fame
16x All Star
1982-83 NBA Champ
2x ABA Champ
7x All-NBA
1996-97 ABA All-Time Team
5x All-ABA
1975-76 All-Defensive
1971-72 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
4x MVP

14. Kevin Durant | 27.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.8 3s PG
12 seasons
10x All Star
4x Scoring Champ
2x NBA Champ
9x All-NBA
2007-08 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
2x Finals MVP
2013-14 MVP
2007-08 ROY

13. Stephen Curry | 23.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.6 3s PG
11 seasons
6x All Star
2015-16 Scoring Champ
2015-16 STL Champ
3x NBA Champ
6x All-NBA
2009-10 All-Rookie
2x MVP

12. Hakeem Olajuwon | 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG
18 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
2x TRB Champ
3x BLK Champ
2x NBA Champ
12x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive
1984-85 All-Rookie
2x Def. POY
2x Finals MVP
1993-94 MVP

11. Oscar Robertson | 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
6x AST Champ
1970-71 NBA Champ
11x All-NBA
3x AS MVP
1963-64 MVP
1960-61 ROY

10. Shaquille O'Neal | 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG
19 seasons
Hall of Fame
15x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
4x NBA Champ
14x All-NBA
3x All-Defensive
1992-93 All-Rookie
3x AS MVP
3x Finals MVP
1999-00 MVP
1992-93 ROY

9. Kobe Bryant | 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 3s PG
20 seasons
Hall of Fame
18x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
5x NBA Champ
15x All-NBA
12x All-Defensive
1996-97 All-Rookie
4x AS MVP
2x Finals MVP
2007-08 MVP

8. Tim Duncan | 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.2 BPG
19 seasons
Hall of Fame
15x All Star
5x NBA Champ
15x All-NBA
15x All-Defensive
1997-98 All-Rookie
1999-00 AS MVP
3x Finals MVP
2x MVP
1997-98 ROY

7. Larry Bird | 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
3x NBA Champ
10x All-NBA
3x All-Defensive
1979-80 All-Rookie
1981-82 AS MVP
2x Finals MVP
3x MVP
1979-80 ROY

6. Wilt Chamberlain | 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG
14 seasons
Hall of Fame
13x All Star
7x Scoring Champ
11x TRB Champ
1967-68 AST Champ
2x NBA Champ
10x All-NBA
2x All-Defensive
1959-60 AS MVP
1971-72 Finals MVP
4x MVP
1959-60 ROY

5. Magic Johnson | 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
4x AST Champ
2x STL Champ
5x NBA Champ
10x All-NBA
1979-80 All-Rookie
2x AS MVP
3x Finals MVP
3x MVP

4. Bill Russell | 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
13 seasons
Hall of Fame
12x All Star
4x TRB Champ
11x NBA Champ
11x All-NBA
1968-69 All-Defensive
1962-63 AS MVP
5x MVP

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG
20 seasons
Hall of Fame
19x All Star
2x Scoring Champ
1975-76 TRB Champ
4x BLK Champ
6x NBA Champ
15x All-NBA
11x All-Defensive
1969-70 All-Rookie
2x Finals MVP
6x MVP
1969-70 ROY

2. LeBron James | 27.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG
17 seasons
16x All Star
2007-08 Scoring Champ
3x NBA Champ
15x All-NBA
6x All-Defensive
2003-04 All-Rookie
3x AS MVP
3x Finals MVP
4x MVP
2003-04 ROY

1. Michael Jordan | 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG
15 seasons
Hall of Fame
14x All Star
10x Scoring Champ
3x STL Champ
6x NBA Champ
11x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive
1984-85 All-Rookie
3x AS MVP
1987-88 Def. POY
6x Finals MVP
5x MVP
1984-85 ROY

 

Bum knee post surgeries Wilt. Wilt in his prime would wreck Kareems world. So would Shaq. Hell, even Moses dominated Kareem. He didn't like facing strength. Hakeem would wreck them all.

 

Giannis at #24 completely discredits this list

 

-Nice to see Pau get some love at #65. Kobe fans acted like he was the worst PF in the league like LeBron fans did to Bosh. Pau led Kobe in WS and DWS in the regular season and playoffs and should have FMVP

-Ray Allen, VC and Pierce and T-Mac ahead of Drexler? Nope. T-Mac nad VC as far as talent but not career.

-AD WAY too high. Top talent ever, but not career wise.

-CP3 WAY TOO LOW

-Petit(and Ewing) behind McHale?? But Mikan ahead of all of them??

-Nash ahead of Isiah and Harden?

-Petit had a much better career than Elgin Baylor who is almost 20 spots back

- Dirk way too high

-#2 to #12 always a toss up and difficult to order

 

What else would anyone expect from ESPN? They said Jordan was the best college player ever, the list was always going to be incredibly biased and foolish.

 

Without Durant Curry would still sit at one championship. In 2017 he outplayed LeBron and then in 2018 Durant was the X factor (if future HOFers could even be X factors) that decided the WCF. Steph's 3 rings mirror that of Wade's 3 rings--one he earned by himself and the other 2 happened because he had a better teammate on the team.

 

(Who belongs in the top 10?) Paul Pierce: The Dream, Hakeem Olajuwon. He doesn't get enough credit. Only player in NBA history to win MVP, DPOY, Finals MVP in the same year. No one else has done that in the same year.