The NBA has a rich history, dating back nearly 68 years, full of
decorated organizations and players. During that time, we’ve seen our
fair share of greats come and go, but which player’s in the game’s
history stand out above the rest? To decide that we will take a look at
my opinion on various criteria including statistics, team successes, and
individual accolades.
10. Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon
Career playoff stats: 25.9 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.3 BPG
Accolades: 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 reg. season MVP
Mostly regarded as the most skilled big man in the history of the game, Hakeem Olajuwon's
dominance on the inside was a thing of beauty. He abused many a defender with his trademark
"Dream Shake" move. Olajuwon's game is so renowned that superstars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron
James and Dwight Howard have looked to improve their game under his tutelage.
Offense aside, Olajuwon was one of the game's greatest defenders, partly evidenced by his 3.3
block-per-game average.
"The Dream" led a marginally-talented Houston Rockets team to back-to-back NBA
Championships, winning two Finals MVPs and one regular season MVP. He is the only player in
NBA history to win regular season MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same
season (1994).
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Career playoff stats: 24.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 2.1 BPG
Accolades: 4 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 1 reg. season MVP
Shaq led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA
Championships in the early 2000s, winning three Finals MVPs in the
process. The 2000 regular season MVP winner was also selected to
14 All-NBA Teams in his career.
8. Tim Duncan
Career playoff stats: 21.9 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.4 BPG
Accolades: 5 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 2 reg. season MVPs
Tim Duncan is the model of consistency. Look through his statistics throughout
the years, and you won't find too much variation.
"The Big Fundamental" led the San Antonio Spurs to four NBA Championships,
en route to three Finals MVPs. His perfect Finals record was blemished last
season in a seven-game series loss to the Miami Heat, but four out of five isn't
too bad. Duncan been selected to 14 All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams each
and still looks to have a little left in the tank.
7. Wilt Chamberlain
Career playoff stats: 22.5 PPG, 24.5 RPG, 4.2 APG
Accolades: 2 NBA titles, 1 Finals MVP, 4 reg. season MVPs
Wilt Chamberlain is the reason I said Shaq was "possibly" the most dominant
player of all time. Chamberlain's dominance is widely acknowledged, and as
time passes he seems more and more like a mythical figure. In the 1961-62
regular season, he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds. Simply unreal.
Had Wilt accomplished more in the postseason, he would be closer to No. 1. It
seems crazy to expect more from a player who averaged 22 and 25, but that's
how it goes when you're the most dominant.
6. LeBron “King” James
Career playoff stats: 28.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 6.7 APG
Accolades: 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 4 reg. season MVPs
LeBron James entered the league burdened with unimaginable expectations. Expectations he
surely couldn't live up to, right? Wrong.
The former Miami Heat superstar has gotten the championship monkey off of his back two
times over and is now chasing history. Just 10 seasons into his NBA career, he's already one of
the game's all-time greats. The statistics and MVP counts speak for themselves. "King James"
has developed into a great two-way player, being named to 9 All-NBA and 5 All-Defensive Teams.
He is now back playing for his hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers which means, the next
player on the list shouldn't get too comfortable, because LeBron could be slowly creeping up the
list by the end of this coming season.
5. Larry Bird
Career playoff stats: 23.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 6.5 APG
Accolades: 3 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 3 reg. season MVPs
Derrick Rose gave a rather fitting assessment of Larry Bird in an interview with ESPN
recently. Bird was never the most athletic player on the court, but he was always
dominant. Whatever he lacked in athleticism, he made up for with his basketball IQ,
great skills—including that deadly jump shot—and fierce competitiveness.
Bird led the Boston Celtics to three NBA Championships, compiling three regular
season MVPs and 2 Finals MVPs along the way. "Larry Legend" was selected to 10 AllNBA and three All-Defense Teams in his 13-year career.
4. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Career playoff stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.4 BPG
Accolades: 6 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 6 reg. season MVPs
Before Duncan, there was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in terms of
consistency. His ability to maintain such averages while competing for
20 seasons is simply a testament to his greatness.
Here's a rundown of Kareem's biggest feats: all-time leading scorer in
NBA history, most regular season MVP awards (six), 15 All-NBA
selections, 11 All-Defense selections, 19 All-Star appearances.
3.Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Career playoff stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 12.3 APG
Accolades: 5 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 3 reg. season MVPs
Magic Johnson began his career with greatness and never looked back. He won Finals
MVP as a rookie when he famously started center in place of the injured Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals. The Finals were like a second home to
Magic and the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, as they made nine trips during his
illustrious career.
The 6'9" point guard used his large frame to shred defenses with precision. Magic's
12.3 assists ranks first all-time in the playoffs. In his 14-year career, he amassed 10 AllNBA selections.
2. Bill Russell
Career playoff stats: 16.2 PPG, 24.9 RPG, 4.7 APG
Accolades: 11 NBA titles, 5 reg. season MVPs
The greatest defender in the game's history led the Boston Celtics to a record 11 NBA
Championships.
Bill Russell is an interesting case, as his offensive stats don't jump out at you, but his
impact went far beyond numbers. Russell could flat-out dominate the game
defensively. Still, his career averages are nothing to sniff at, and if blocks and Finals
MVPs were counted/awarded throughout his career, he would've won plenty of those.
Russell is the greatest winner in all of sports. His 11-championship count may be the
safest record in the NBA game.
1. Michael “Air” Jordan
Career playoff stats: 33.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.7 APG
Accolades: 6 NBA titles, 6 Finals MVPs, 5 reg. season MVPs
Michael Jordan is widely known as the game's greatest player—and for good reason.
"MJ" accomplished everything possible in the game, piling up on the stats and awards. On the game's
biggest stage—the NBA Finals—Jordan went a perfect 6-for-6, also sweeping Finals MVP in his appearances.
The Chicago Bulls legend dominated both sides of the ball, amassing 11 All-NBA selections, nine AllDefensive First team selections and 10 scoring titles.
There is plenty of evidence to support Michael Jordan's GOAT status, however, his greatest feat of all might
have come before he even won an NBA title. In the 1988 season, he won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year
and the NBA's scoring title. His insane '88 season went like this: 35 points on 53% shooting, 5.5 rebounds,
5.9 assists, 3.2 steals, 1.6 blocks.
Yeah, Michael Jordan is the greatest. For now...