Ok guys and gals.
We all have witnessed the maelstrom surrounding Scottie Pippen’s comments on LeBron James possibly being the greatest NBA player of all time, while calling Michael Jordan the greatest scorer in NBA history.
Time for me to set the record straight. Here is my list of the top ten greatest players in NBA history (ranked from one to ten):
- Magic Johnson
- Michael Jordan
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Bill Russell
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Larry Bird
- Julius Irving
- Oscar Robertson
- Isiah Thomas
- Kobe Bryant
Who are your top ten players in NBA history? Submit them in the comments box below…
Categories: NBA, sports story
In no particular order:
Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Julius Erving
Bill Russell
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Clyde Drexler
Karl Malone
James Worthy
Dominique Wilkins
That James Worthy pick is an interesting one. I always viewed him more as a sidekick and a 3rd option…
1) It’s Erving, with an E!
2) Isiah isn’t even Top 50…hell there are 3 point guards active NOW who would kick his ass.
3) Kobe? Seriously? Are you nuts? Dude has never won a title without an All-NBA teammate (hell he was the *sidekick* on three of them). Hell, last time he had no star beside him he totally missed he playoffs. And you’re putting him ahead of at least two guys who between them won *six* without a single All-NBA teammate on ANY of those teams? (Duncan 4, Hakeem 2). Put down the crack pipe!
😉
My bad yo! “Erving” with an “E” it is…
I almost forgot, “Just say no to drugs”… 🙂
I like the Isiah pick. He was in the shadow of Magic and Jordan but, on the court, he was the undisputed leader of the Bad Boys.
My top ten would go (and I’m considering all players in their 2-3 prime years)
1. Wilt
2. Magic
3. Kareem
4. Jordan
5. Shaq
6. Bird
7. Oscar
8. Russell
9. Doc
10. Kobe
Hon Mention: Isiah, Malone, Duncan, Pippen, Nash, Hakeem, Maravich, Cousy, Barkley, Hawkins
Scott, How you left Shaq off the list is beyond me, brother. lol
JAG,
It was a toss up between Shaq and Kobe for the last spot, and I went with the best player in the NBA at the present time…
I’m old enough too have seen most of the people I will mention:
1. Jordan – 6-0 in NBA Finals. 6 MVPs. Nuff said.
2. Magic Johnson. Great, great player. Lost to Jordan head to head in NBA finals 1991.
3. Bill Russell – 11-1 in NBA Finals. 11-1 PEOPLE. I can’t get into the eras thing. Try to avg 30 rebs/game.
4. Larry Bird – Best shooter maybe ever.
5. Wilt Chamberlain – 50pts/game in one season. Don’t give me the size thing. LeBron is 6’9 and 265. How tall are other guards? Most dominant player ever.
6. Tim Duncan – Hate this phony guy but finals record and overall game doesn’t lie.
7. Julius Erving – My favorite player ever. Without him, there is no Magic, MJ, or Dominique. Dominated 2 leagues at 6’6. Took two teams to finals in 80 and 82 that had no business there except that he played on them. First non-center to win NBA MVP in 1980 in 14 years. Greatest move in NBA Finals history.
8. Elgin Baylor – As with Russell, he averaged 19 rebs/game at 6’5. Precursor to Dr. J.
9. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar – Most unstoppable shot in history. How many titles did Majic win without him? Hmm.
10. Oscar Robertson – Greatest player not name Jordan. Had bad luck to play for a racist owner while in his prime.
The rest:
Kobe Bryant – Michael Jr. is great but has a NBA Finals lost while playing with Shaq, Karl Malone, Gary Payton. And was outplayed in that series by Rip Hamilton. Really?
Shaq O’Neal – See above although did garner 3 NBA Fnals MVPs. Was shut down in 1996 by the next person on my list.
Dennis Rodman – Led the league in rebounding for 8 straight years. Only 4 players in NBA HISTORY has better rebounding stats. In 1996, shut Mourning, Shaq, and Shawn Kemp.
Karl Malone – To me, a product of a good system
Kevin McHale – Second most unstoppable shot ever(turn-around jumper from the post)
Isaih Thomas – Lead Detroit to back to back titles