Who are the greatest NBA players of all time? We answered an age-old, highly subjective, and nearly difficult question! Yes, sports fanatics, we’ve produced a list of the best for you. This list has everything from basketball’s early pioneers through luminaries like Jordan and Bird to modern-day greats like Kobe, LeBron, and Steph. So, without further ado, let us give it our all…
45. Bob Cousy
The first modern point guard was Bob Cousy. The original floor general could dribble, pass well, shoot jumpers, and command his troops like General Patton. But that wasn’t the only trick up his sleeve. His mind-boggling assortment of never-before-seen ballhandling talents, ingenuity, and magic tricks like behind-the-back dribbles and shots from either hand mesmerized his opponents.
45. Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy, a 13-time NBA All-Star and 1957 NBA MVP led the Boston Celtics to six NBA titles during his 13-year career.
44. George Gervin
George Gervin was terrifyingly good in the 1970s and 1980s. Gervin’s grace, efficiency, and ruthlessness ripped apart opponents for over a decade with an amazing array of jumpers, runners, and dunks — not to mention his renowned finger-roll layup — for the San Antonio Spurs.
44. George GervinOn April 9, 1978, “The Iceman” set fire to the NBA. Gervin scored 63 points against the Jazz despite sitting out the fourth quarter and some of the third. That’s how talented he was!
43. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller, one of the NBA’s all-time great long-range shooters, is third in league history in three-pointers (2,560). This never-say-die energizer bunny with a flare for the dramatic was most known for his gunslinging three-pointers, especially during Miller Time.
43. Reggie Miller
His perimeter jumpers against the New York Knicks earned him the nickname “Knick Killer,” He concluded his 18-year Indiana Pacers career (1987-2005) with 25,279 points, good for 12th on the league’s all-time scoring list.
42. Kevin McHale
Kevin McHale, a Boston Celtics legend, spent his first six seasons as a valuable bench player, assisting forwards Cedric Maxwell and Larry Bird. McHale, Bird, and Robert Parish became the best front-court triumvirate in NBA history when he did play.
42. Kevin McHale
The power forward had a happy-go-lucky demeanor, but he was basketball’s most dangerous rival. His long arms and legs, razor-sharp elbows, and a dizzying number of post-up plays — including up-and-under, step-throughs, and drop-steps — would annihilate opponents.
41. Russell Westbrook
Love him for his intensity, agility, and jaw-dropping dunks — or despise him for his numerous turnovers, inefficient shooting statistics, and dubious decision-making. In any case, there’s no disputing Russell Westbrook is a beast on the floor.
41. Russell Westbrook
He spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he won the NBA scoring title in 2014-15 and the NBA MVP in 2016-17. “Beastbrook” averaged a triple-double for the fourth time in five years with the Lakers in 2020-21, giving him the most career triple-doubles in the history of the NBA.
40. George Mikan
Okay, let’s go over some history. George Mikan was an early basketball pioneer. George was the first truly dominant NBA big player, standing 6’10” and using his smooth abilities to maximum effect for the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1940s and 1950s, winning five NBA and two NBL titles.
40. George Mikan
With 10,156 points, he retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 1956. The Associated Press ranked George, the best basketball player in the twentieth century’s first half.
39. Steve Nash
Steve Nash, a South African-born Canadian, was known for his dribbling prowess and pick-and-roll prowess. While some questioned his two MVPs, he led the NBA in assists and free throw percentage multiple times during his career. He’s also in the top 10 in three-point shooting, overall assists, and per game.
39. Steve Nash
Yes, for the Mavericks, Suns, and Lakers, the world-class passer and dribbler should have attempted more shots. But there was one important thing he did that often went unnoticed: he improved every player around him.
38. John Havlicek
John Havlicek, like Larry Bird, was a legend in Boston athletics and the NBA. He came to the Celtics as a rookie from a highly successful NCAA program at Ohio State University, won four titles in his first four seasons in Boston, and established himself as one of the NBA’s all-time best sixth men.
38. John Havlicek
“Hondo” became the Celtics’ all-time leading scorer in his 16 seasons in Massachusetts. He is one of just four players in the history of the NBA to have won eight championships. Can you identify the other three?
37. Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes was a true old-school power forward who dominated offense and defense. He helped the Bullets won the title in 1978, and he missed only nine games in his 16 seasons with the Rockets and Bullets (playing 50,000 minutes!) He’d rely on his signature turnaround jump when confronted by taller defenders.
37. Elvin Hayes
He acquired the nickname “The Bionic Man,” and he ranks third all-time in total points scored, trailing only Kareem and Wilt Chamberlain. In terms of overall rebounds, he is only second to Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
36. Jason Kidd
What made Jason Kidd so special? First and foremost, he could read the game like a Grandmaster of Chess. Because of his genius-level basketball IQ, he always knew when to make a showy pass and when to keep it simple.
36. Jason Kidd
He improved as he grew older, altering his game to become an outside shooter. This contributed to his longevity and helped him win his only NBA championship at 38! He is second in NBA history in career assists and thefts, and his rebounding made him a frequent triple-double danger.
35. Kawhi Leonard
Did you know that Kawhi Leonard has the highest regular-season winning percentage in the history of the NBA, at 74.48%? Okay, his injury-plagued seasons with the Spurs, Raptors, and Clippers help him get that win percentage. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, respectively, hold second and third place.
35. Kawhi Leonard
Despite this, he averages 19.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Despite his previous ailments, the Clippers signed the two-time NBA champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year to a four-year, $176 million deal extension.
34. Chris Paul
“The Point God” spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Before his arrival, they had missed the playoffs in 13 of their previous 14 seasons. However, Chris Paul’s outspoken leadership style transformed the failing team into a playoff regular.
34. Chris Paul
“CP3” led the newly renamed Lob City Clippers to the playoffs in each of his six seasons with them. He was responsible for their fast-paced offense; lob passes, and dazzling alley-oop dunks. Unfortunately, he never led that squad to an NBA championship.
33. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit, half man, half werewolf, was born in 1932 and played for the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks from 1954 to 1965. He was an NBA All-Star in all 11 seasons and was twice awarded NBA MVP. He was also the first NBA player to surpass 20,000 points in his career.
33. Bob Pettit
He only won one NBA title (1958), but he was named Finals MVP after scoring 50 points and snagging 25 rebounds. He is, nevertheless, widely considered one of the game’s most dangerous power forwards.
32. Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade’s story is incredible. He came from a broken home on Chicago’s south side. He grew up idolizing and modeling his game after Michael Jordan after turning to basketball to evade illicit drugs and gangs. The Heat picked him because of his hard work and passion.
32. Dwyane Wade
During his 15-year Miami career, he became one of the league’s top shooting guards and won three NBA championships. He holds the record for most points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken in Miami history.
31. Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor forever altered the game of basketball. The muscular forward was a talented shooter (23,149 points), a solid rebounder (11,463), and a great passer during his 14 seasons with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers. But “Rabbit” is best known for his signature hanging jump shot.
31. Elgin Baylor
During the unveiling of Baylor’s statue at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2018, the late great Kobe Bryant told him, “I’ve copied so many of your moves, it’s not even funny.” He would impact players of all ages in the next decades. Elgin died in 2021 at the age of 86.
30. Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing, a Jamaican-American, was a legendary big man of the 1990s. During his 15-year tenure with the New York Knicks, he helped them to 13 postseason appearances, including a trip to the NBA finals in 1994.
30. Patrick Ewing
Unfortunately, he never won a championship for them, but that was only because the Bulls and Rockets dominated the decade. In addition to his Gandalf-like “Thou shalt not pass” shot-blocking reputation (2,894), he scored 24,815 points and grabbed 11,617 rebounds in his career.
29. Karl Malone
Karl Malone has to be one of the most tenacious NBA players. With 36,928 career points, he ranks third in the history of the NBA, trailing only Kareem and LeBron. He accomplished this by averaging 20+ points per game and appearing in all 82 regular-season games ten times in 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz… never missing more than two games in a season.
29. Karl Malone
Malone, the embodiment of perseverance and consistency, was a 14-time NBA All-Star and an 11-time first-team All-NBA selection.
28. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki, dubbed “The Germanator,” is one of the game’s most spectacular power forwards and possibly Europe’s best basketball player. He is sixth all-time in the NBA, scoring 31,560 points, while his career averages are 20.7 points (38% 3PT), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals.
28. Dirk Nowitzki
“The Dunking Deutschman” spent his 21-year career with the Dallas Mavericks, guiding them to 15 NBA playoff appearances, the championship in 2011, and Finals MVP.
27. Rick Barry
Rick Barry, nicknamed “The Miami Greyhound” for his tiny physical stature, whippet-like quickness, and reflexes, was one of basketball’s most unstoppable scorers. He was known for his unconventional underhand “granny-style” free throw technique and was regarded as one of the top all-around players in three separate leagues.
27. Rick Barry
Barry is the only player to have led the NBA, NCAA, and ABA in scoring. His.880 careers free throw percentage is the best in ABA history, and his.900 % is the best of any NBA player.
26. Allen Iverson
On the court, 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson was one of his generation’s most free-flowing, flamboyant scorers and explosive lead guards. But that wasn’t his only influence. Only Jordan, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James have scored more than 26.7 points a game in the last 50 years.
26. Allen Iverson
Off the court, he was a cultural icon and a trailblazer, from his cornrows to his tattoo sleeve and even the jewelry he wore. Despite the NBA’s introduction of a clothing code thanks to Iverson, the legend continued to push the limit and “took a hammering for it” so players could portray themselves precisely how they wanted.
25. Isiah Thomas
Most NBA players could squeeze “Zeke” in their pocket at 6’1″. However, when this soft-spoken guy went onto the court, his lethal combination of natural talent and ferocious competitiveness annihilated all challengers.
25. Isiah Thomas
In the late 1980s, he was the face of the Bad Boys Pistons, who notably knocked Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls out of three straight playoffs. “The finest player I’ve ever played with is Isiah Thomas, and I’ve played with Michael,” Bad Boy John Salley recently revealed. I’ve played alongside Kobe and Shaq.”
24. James Harden
James Harden’s unrivaled scoring and playmaking abilities every week allow him to crush teams. He’s known as “The Beard,” and he’s one of just five players in the league who leads the league in both scoring and assists. Some consider this old, contentious, and frequently amusing left-hander to be the top scorer of all time, with 23,675 points.
24. James Harden
His 23 50-point and four 60-point games rank him among Jordan, Bryant, and Chamberlain. Harden, Jordan, and Chamberlain are the only players to have averaged more than 34 points in several seasons.
23. Scottie Pippen
Scottie began as the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman. Okay, this Boy Wonder wasn’t the most prolific scorer, but he grew up as one of the game’s top defenders. Jordan did not win a title until Pippen rose to prominence.
23. Scottie Pippen
The Dynamic Duo then won three consecutive titles (twice! ), dominating the 1990s. Pippen became the NBA’s only player to lead his club in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in 1995. Best. Robin. Ever.
22. David Robinson
Navy. The San Antonio Spurs were the weakest team in the universe in the late 1980s. Then they signed former college sensation David Robinson directly from the United States. He was known as “The Admiral” because he guided the Spurs to the greatest single-season turnaround in the history of the NBA.
22. David Robinson
He finished his career as a two-time NBA champion, a 10-time NBA All-Star, and a gold medalist on the Olympic Dream Team. Fortunately, Robinson also became a minority owner of the Texan team, as the Spurs would not exist without him.
21. John Stockton
John Stockton is undoubtedly among the top five point guards in the history of the NBA. He retired with 15,806 assists (3,715 more than his closest challenger) and 3,265 steals (581 more than the second-highest player) – two marks that will almost certainly never be broken.
21. John Stockton
He played his whole career with the Utah Jazz, assisting the Salt Lake City team to the playoffs in his 19 seasons from 1984 to 2003.
20. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the epitome of a rags-to-riches tale. He grew up playing childhood basketball for Filathlitikos in Athens after being born in Greece to Nigerian parents. He advanced to the club’s senior team in 2011. In 2013, he was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 15th overall pick in the NBA draft.
20. Giannis Antetokounmpo
But, before he was 27, the “Greek Freak” had won three leagues MVP honors and a championship ring thanks to his seven-foot frame, speed, strength, and ball-handling abilities. Some may consider him the NBA’s new face.
19. Moses Malone
Moses Malone, like Tim Duncan, was one of the NBA’s and ABA’s most unappreciated players of all time. For 20 years, between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s, he’d go about his business quietly but confidently, using his raw strength to beat the opposition down low and collecting more rebounds than Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton combined.
19. Moses Malone
Moses was a 12-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA Team selection while playing for ten teams. He was dubbed “The Chairman of the Boards” because of his ability to rebound.
18. Charles Barkley
On the court, “The Round Mound of Rebound” was as opinionated as he is now as a TNT analyst. His strength and explosiveness made him a prolific scorer in his prime, and he finished his 16-year NBA career as only the fourth player to record 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.
18. Charles Barkley
He was also an excellent playmaker and aggressive defender. Despite being a legendary power forward with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets, he never won a championship.
17. Jerry West
The Boston Celtics are reviled by many, but none more so than Jerry West. Fortunately, “Mr. L.A. “Laker” is renowned more for his numerous victories over every other NBA team and his buzzer-beating 60-foot shot to tie Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals. He lost all six championship finals he played in against the Celtics.
17. Jerry West
Do you recognize the silhouette in the NBA logo? It was inspired and designed by this image of Jerry West. That was how important he was back then.
16. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett was a unicorn who helped revolutionize basketball with the size of a center and the all-around talents of a guard. His intensity, defensive ability, and adaptability enabled him to dunk, pass, and defend emphatically while leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals!
16. Kevin Garnett
When he moved to Boston in 2007, he finally found a squad worthy of his abilities. KG, on the other hand, was his own worst adversary. He took satisfaction in elbowing, shoving, screening unlawfully, and smack-talking. Talk about an uncut diamond!
15. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was one of the game’s most well-rounded offensive guards. Between 1960 through 1970, he had limited success with the Cincinnati Royals, but that all changed when he joined forces with Lew Alcindor in Milwaukee.
15. Oscar Robertson
His smooth abilities, fierce attitude, and leadership in his first season in Wisconsin helped the Bucks win their first NBA championship. “The Big O,” an absolute master of a facilitator, scorer, and rebounder, became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double throughout a season.
14. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon, from Lagos, is the first foreign player on our list. This enormous man had everything. The seven-foot Nigerian, drafted the same year as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton, stands in or near the top ten all-time in points (26,946), rebounds (13,747), and steals (13,747). (2,162).
14. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem finished his career as the league’s all-time block leader (3,830). It’s no surprise that he was dubbed “The Dream” after being selected Defensive Player of the Year twice.
13. Tim Duncan
Can you think of a more humble, low-maintenance, and underappreciated star than Tim Duncan? “The Big Fundamental” was one of the game’s top power forwards, yet he was so unassuming that you could forget he was there! His win share says loudly.
His on and off-court humility belies the fact Timmy D won five championship rings. Only Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have amassed more. If he made a bit more noise, folk would have noticed he’s one of the best of his generation.
12. Julius Erving
Julius Erving came before Michael Jordan. He was a great superstar with the Virginia Squires and New York Nets before joining the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the NBA-ABA merger in 1976. His incredible athleticism and unequaled ability to read the game and span the floor in a flash to slam down dunks earned him All-Star status in every season he played in both leagues.
12. Julius Erving
If “Dr. If J” had entered the NBA before 26, his statistics would almost certainly place him in the top ten of this list.
11. Stephen Curry
Steph Curry would have made an excellent sharpshooter if he hadn’t been a basketball player. Shifting the game back 25 feet from the rim, the NBA’s best-ever long-range marksman inspired every team to shoot more three-pointers.
11. Stephen Curry
He averages 50 points per game and can independently win games for the Warriors. Steph Curry has the most three-pointers ever made (3,189 as of this writing), and he still has a few years left. That’s why the Warriors gave him a four-year, $215 million contract deal in 2022!
10. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is well-known for his incredible scoring abilities. He outperforms Brad Pitt at a bachelorette party. KD’s amazing speed and agility (for a seven-footer), ball-handling, and jumping can impact opponents from any court region while attacking. He’ll stop more shots than a prophylactic when defending.
10. Kevin Durant
Despite spending 11 seasons writing his name into Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Thunder lore, he’ll be remembered for his Judas move to the warmer climate and larger payday of North California’s Golden State Warriors.
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq isn’t a man; he’s a hybrid between a beast and a mountain. But it wasn’t simply his size, strength, and larger-than-life demeanor that propelled him to the top of the NBA center rankings. He was the most powerful, explosive, and potent force in basketball. His on-court brilliance made him a once-in-a-generation talent, making him one of the game’s true entertainers.
9. Shaquille O’Neal
The best passing big man of his generation had everything in his arsenal. He finished with 28,596 points (fifth all-time), 2,732 blocked shots (seventh all-time), and 13,099 rebounds (12th all-time).
8. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant spent his 20-year career with the Lakers, beginning as Shaq’s sidekick. He took over the forward/shooting guard position there. He was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team member, a 12-time All-Defensive Team member, the 2008 NBA MVP, and a two-time NBA Finals MVP before tragedy struck in 2020.
8. Kobe Bryant
Kobe and his adored 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were killed in a helicopter crash, along with six family members and the pilot.
7. Larry Bird
Larry Bird’s statistics aren’t as outstanding as those on this list because his career was cut short due to a back injury. In his final season, Boston Celtics legend number 33 played only 897 games and battled through injury.
7. Larry Bird
Nonetheless, the iconic swingman sealed his place in NBA history by winning three NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, three NBA MVPs, and 12 NBA All-Star selections. The “Hick from French Lick” was a facilitator, rebounder, pure shooter, and all-around scorer in basketball history.
6. Bill Russell
“The Secretary of Defense” aired from 1956 to 1969. During that span, his shot-blocking, man-to-man defense, and 22.5 rebounds per game average helped the Boston Celtics win a record 11 titles. He was voted NBA MVP five times and appeared in 12 All-Star Games.
The only reason it wasn’t 13 times was that he was too busy leading the USA Olympic basketball team to gold in 1956. Then, in his inaugural year, he led the Celtics to their first NBA championship before becoming a civil rights crusader.
5. Magic Johnson
For over a decade, Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. was the face of one of the NBA’s finest teams, the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic Johnson, possibly the greatest point guard of all time, led the Lakers to five NBA titles during their Showtime era in the 1980s.
After obtaining a terrible diagnosis, Magic was forced to retire from basketball in 1991. Nonetheless, he briefly returned to the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. But then everything changed…
4. Wilt Chamberlain
Some consider Wilt Chamberlain to be the greatest NBA player of all time. He holds an absurd number of NBA regular-season scoring and rebounding records. He is still the only player in NBA history to score 100 points in a game and the only athlete to average between 40 and 50 points per game.
Wilt has the most rebounds in NBA history, with 23,924. He had 55 rebounds in one game against the Boston Celtics in 1960. He never fouled out of a game in his 1,205-game career!
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has dominated the NBA’s all-time scoring list for the last four decades, with 38,387 points. The unparalleled record of the 7’2″ monster still stands today, courtesy of his famed skyhook shots and rebounds dominating the game for 20 seasons.
He was a record 19-time NBA All-Star and six-time NBA MVP in 1,560 games. While Michael Jordan and LeBron James were playing alongside Bugs Bunny in Space Jam, Kareem was kicking Bruce Lee’s butt in Game of Death!
2. LeBron James
LeBron still has it. He still can dish the ball like Magic, smash opponents like Jordan, and have the highest basketball IQ of any player. During his time with the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers, “King James” won four NBA championships, four Finals MVPs, and four MVPs.
2. LeBron James
He surpassed 37,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists in the 2021/22 season. Can he, however, exceed Kareem’s all-time point total before retiring? If he does, he may well dethrone Michael Jordan as the GOAT.
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is unquestionably the greatest player in NBA history. With 32,292 points, he was the sport’s fifth-highest scorer, a top-tier defense, and – more often than not — invincible. His six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, ten All-NBA First Team selections, and fourteen All-Star appearances do not begin to define his legendary stature.
1. Michael Jordan
For over a decade, seeing MJ crush opponents for Chicago was like witnessing Russell Crowe dismember gladiators in the Coliseum. He was also the global face of basketball and was responsible for the Nike Air Jordan sneakers.