Born in 1946, the NBA is celebrating its 75th birthday this year which means it is old as fuck. The NBA is a boomer, so not great, but hey, we still love them. Like Timothée Chalamet’s tiny horse, in 75 years we’ve seen some of the best athletes in the world go on to “do great things” in the NBA. Now it’s time to honor the 75 greatest players in NBA history by doing what the NBA doesn’t have the courage to do, rank them. To be fair to my guy Adam Silver, ranking former and current employees is a slipper slope. Imagine showing up to your 9 to 5 at “insert digital brand marketing collective here” and all of a sudden your boss was like “well Jim, as you can see you’re pretty good, but you only worked 60 hour weeks instead of 65 so the CEO didn’t get their full $23 million dollar bonus, so you’re the 75th best employee we have.” Brutal. But hey, top 75 is nothing to shake a stick at. I was like 66th in a graduating class of more than 550 and I’m not made I wasn’t number one, I’m happy to know that I’m smarter than 490 other people. Not everyone can be Michael Jordan, but It is way cooler to be an Alex English than an Andrew Wiggins.
My ranking methodology was simple: impact on winning x stats x accomplishments x vibes x era x impact on the game x could the Spark Notes version of the NBA be told without them = the top 75 players in NBA history.
1.) Michael Jordan
Stats: 15 Seasons, 1072 Games, 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 27.9 PER, 214 Win Shares
Accolades: 6x NBA Champion, 6x Finals MVP, 5x NBA MVP, 11x All NBA, 14x All-Star, 10x Scoring Champ, 9x All-Defensive, 1x DPOY, 1984-85 ROY, Hall of Fame
Jordan is the GOAT until Anthony Edwards wins eight championships and six MVPs in Minnesota.
2.) LeBron James
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1310 Games, 27 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 7.4 apg, 27.4 PER, 241 Win Shares
Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 4x Finals MVP, 4x NBA MVP, 17x All-NBA, 17x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, 6x All-Defensive, 2003-04 ROY
If after every championship you win you have to remind the world that you might be the GOAT but also “don’t care” what people say about you, then you’re just not quite the GOAT.
3.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Stats: 20 Seasons, 1560 Games, 24.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 3.6 apg, 24.6 PER, 273.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 6x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 6x NBA MVP, 14x All-NBA, 19x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, 11x All-Defensive, 1969-70 ROY, Hall of Fame
If you consider birth to retirement (high school, college, etc,) Kareem-Abdul Jabbar is probably the greatest basketball player ever, but what he did in the NBA is still great enough for a bronze medal.
4.) Bill Russell
Stats: 13 Seasons, 963 Games, 15.1 ppg, 22.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 18.9 PER, 163 Win Shares
Accolades: 11x NBA Champion, (No Finals MVP Award until 1969), 5x NBA MVP, 11x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive (Began award in 1968-69 season), Hall of Fame
The George Washington of the NBA still belongs on Mount Rushmore.
5.) Magic Johnson
Stats: 13 Seasons, 906 Games, 19.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 11.2 apg, 24.1 PER, 155.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 5x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 3x NBA MVP, 10x All NBA, 12x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Magic is the best ambassador the NBA has and his rivalry with Larry Bird in the ’80s saved the game.
6.) Wilt Chamberlain
Stats: 14 Seasons, 1045 Games, 30.1 ppg, 22.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 26.1 PER, 247.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 4x NBA MVP, 10x All-NBA, 13x All-Star, 7x Scoring Champ, 2x All Defensive, 1959-60 ROY, Hall of Fame
The most physically dominant player of any generation (unless you talk to Shaq), he should have been the GOAT but Bill Russell ate his lunch for 10 years.
7.) Larry Bird
Stats: 13 Seasons, 897 Games, 24.3 ppg, 10 rpg, 6.3 apg, 23.5 PER, 145.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 3x NBA MVP, 10x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 3x All-Defensive, 1979-80 ROY, Hall of Fame
Maybe the fiercest competitor in NBA history after Jordan, the Celtics vs. Lakers cage match rivalry of the ’80s is probably what most people between the ages of 40 and 60 think of first when they think about the NBA.
8.) Tim Duncan
Stats: 19 Seasons, 1392 Games, 19 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 3 apg, 24.2 PER, 206 Win Shares
Accolades: 5x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 2x NBA MVP, 15x All-NBA, 15x All-Star, 15x All-Defensive, 1997-98 ROY, Hall of Fame
Tim Duncan plays and dresses like he just got a bunch of Khol’s Cash from his grandma for his birthday, but the Big Fundamental handed everyone their ass for 15 years of Spurs dominance.
9.) Shaquille O’Neal
Stats: 19 Seasons, 1207 Games, 23.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 26.4 PER, 181.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 14x All-NBA, 15x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, 3x All-Defensive, 1992-93 ROY, Hall of Fame
The second most dominant big-man ever, Shaq’s peak might be the best we’ve seen since Jordan. If he kept in shape for 15 years there’s no doubt in my mind that he would be in the GOAT conversation.
10.) Kobe Bryant
Stats: 20 Seasons, 1346 Games, 25 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 22.9 PER, 172.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 15x All-NBA, 18x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, 12x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
The closest thing to Jordan since Jordan, there’s a reason why people my age yell “KOBE!!” every time they throw something in the trash.
11.) Hakeem Olajuwon
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1238 Games, 21.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 23.6 PER, 162 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 12x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 9x All-Defensive, 2x DPOY, Hall of Fame
The biggest benefactor of MJ’s 18-month retirement, Hakeem cooked every other center he faced during the golden age of centers in the ’90s.
12.) Kevin Durant
Stats: 13 Seasons, 884 Games, 27 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.2 apg, 25.2 PER, 146.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 9x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 4x Scoring Champ, 2007-08 ROY
Durant has proven himself as more than just one of the best scorers ever, even if he had to join a 73-win team to do it.
13.) Oscar Robertson
Stats: 14 Seasons, 1040 Games, 25.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 9.5 apg, 23.2 PER, 189.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 11x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 1960-61 ROY, Hall of Fame
The triple-double king before Russell Westbrook dethrone him, the Big-O is one of the five pillars of the foundation of the modern NBA ( Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson).
14.) Julius Erving
NBA Stats: 11 Seasons, 836 Games, 22 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 22 PER, 106 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion (2x ABA Champ), 1x NBA MVP (3x ABA), 7x All-NBA (5x All-ABA), 11x NBA All-Star (5x ABA), Hall of Fame
If his ABA career counted, Julius Erving would be somewhere in the top-eight, but even though he didn’t get to the NBA until he was 26, “Dr. J” is still one of the all-time legends of the sport. If anyone made the NBA as cool as it is today, it is Julius Erving.
15.) Steph Curry
Stats: 12 Seasons, 762 Games, 24.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.5 apg, 24 PER, 112.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP, 7x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ
For whatever reason, Steph Curry has his detractors, but his impact on the game is undeniable. The greatest shooter ever changed the way we play the game and led one of the greatest dynasties we’ve ever seen.
16.) Moses Malone
NBA Stats: 19 Seasons, 1329 Games, 20.6 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 22.3 PER, 167.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 3x NBA MVP, 8x All-NBA, 12x NBA All-Star (1x ABA), 2x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
Kind of the most random player to be considered one of the greatest of all time, but Moses Malone was a giant in the ’70s and ’80s.
17.) Jerry West
Stats: 14 Seasons, 932 Games, 27 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 6.7 apg, 22.9 PER, 162.6 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 12x All-NBA, 14x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, 5x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
The Logo took nine tries but he finally got his championship in 1972. One of the godfathers of the NBA.
18.) Karl Malone
Stats: 19 Seasons, 1476 Games, 25 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 23.9 PER, 234.6 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA MVP, 14x All-NBA, 14x All-Star, 4x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
The second best Malone, the Mailman didn’t deliver on Sundays (or in the Finals), but he delivered every other day of the week for 20 years.
19.) Kevin Garnett
Stats: 21 Seasons, 1462 Games, 17.8 ppg, 10 rpg, 3.7 apg, 22.7 PER, 191.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 9x All-NBA, 15x All-Star, 12x All-Defensive, 1x DPOY, Hall of Fame
Kevin Garnett was an absolute psycho on the court for 20 years, and it was so much fun to be a huge KG fan growing up. He proved that anything is possible by taking the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals in 2004. If the NBA puts him on the Anniversary team in a Celtics jersey we riot.
20.) Dirk Nowitzki
Stats: 21 Seasons, 1522 games, 20.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 22.4 PER, 206.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 12x All-NBA, 14x All-Star
Put the Mavs on his back to beat the Heatles in 2011, but I will never put him ahead of KG and maybe that’s my biggest flaw.
21.) Charles Barkley
Stats: 16 Seasons, 1073 Games, 22.1 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 24.6 PER, 177.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA MVP, 11x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Chuck was screwed over by Michael Jordan more than anyone else other than maybe Patrick Ewing, but he came damn close to taking it to the GOAT in the ’93 Finals.
22.) Elgin Baylor
Stats: 14 Seasons, 846 Games, 27.4 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 22.7 PER, 104.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 10x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 1958-59 ROY, Hall of Fame
One of the first players to play above the rim, Baylor averaged 38.3 points per game and 18.6 rebounds per game in 1961-62 while in the fucking Army.
23.) Bob Petitt
Stats: 11 Seasons, 792 Games, 26.4 ppg, 16.2 rpg, 3 apg, 25.3 PER, 136 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP, 11x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, 1954-55 ROY, Hall of Fame
Made the All-NBA First Team every season for the first 10 years of his career, then got relegated to the second team in his 11th and last season.
24.) Dwyane Wade
Stats: 16 Seasons, 1054 Games, 22 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 23.4 PER, 120.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x NBA champion, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 13x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, 3x All-Defensive
Wade will go down as one of the best Robin’s ever, but people forget he was Batman in the 2006 Finals with one of the greatest performances in NBA Finals history.
25.) Giannis Antetokounpo
Stats: 8 Seasons, 589 Games, 20.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.5 ppg, 23.7 PER, 74.6 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x NBA MVP, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 4x All-Defensive, 1x DPOY
If anyone thought Giannis had hit a wall and couldn’t be the best player on a championship team, they were proven wrong last season. Giannis finally broke through with an historic performance, and now has one of the best resumes of any player in their first eight seasons. It is very easy to see a scenario where Giannis keeps ascending and one day joins the ranks of the 10 greatest players ever.
26.) Scottie Pippen
Stats: 17 Seasons, 1178 Games, 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 18.6 PER, 125. Win Shares
Accolades: 6x NBA Champion, 7x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 10x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
The greatest Robin of all time played with the greatest Batman ever. Wanted to be the guy so bad that when it was his turn he benched himself because Toni Kukoc was going to get the last shot. That’s a real alpha.
27.) John Havlicek
Stats: 16 Seasons, 1270 Games, 20.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 17.5 PER, 131.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 8x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 11x All-NBA, 13x All-Star, 8x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
Havlicek had the luxury of playing with Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Tommy Heinsohn, Dave Cowens and plenty of other Hall of Famers and he still cemented himself as an all-time great.
28.) David Robinson
Stats: 14 Seasons, 987 Games, 21.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 26.2 PER, 178.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 10x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ 8x All-Defensive, 1x DPOY, 1989-90 ROY, Hall of Fame
The Admiral could be much higher had he not gone to all four years of college plus two years of Naval obligations, but his seven-year peak is a freak show of athleticism, offense, defense, and getting cooked by Hakeem Olajuwon.
29.) Isiah Thomas
Stats: 13 Seasons, 979 Games, 19.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 9.3 apg, 18.1 PER, 80.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, Hall of Fame
If Magic is the NBA’s best ambassador, Isiah might be the worst. Everyone seems to hate IT, and it is very much warranted. The Bad Boy Piston is a villain, and still a bad ass on the court.
30.) Chris Paul
Stats: 16 Seasons, 1090 Games, 18.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 9.4 apg, 24.9 PER, 189.5 Win Shares
Accolades: 10x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 9x All-Defensive, 2005-06 ROY
The “Point God” helped his stock by leading the Suns to the Finals, and could rise even higher if he finally gets that elusive championship ring.
31.) John Stockton
Stats: 19 Seasons, 1504 Games, 13.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 10.5 apg, 21.8 PER, 207.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 11x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, 5x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
The least vaccinated player on the list, Stockton was a great passer, but never quite got the NBA Championship chemistry right.
32.) Willis Reed
Stats: 10 Seasons, 650 Games, 18.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 18.6 PER, 74.9 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 5x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive, 1964-65 ROY, Hall of Fame
He’s most famous to people my age for hitting the first two shots in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals while injured, but Willis Reed was a dominant center in the era where Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain were kicking everyone’s ass.
33.) Kawhi Leonard
Stats: 10 Seasons, 576 Games, 19.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 23.4 PER, 83.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 7x All-Defensive, 2x DPOY
Kawhi has the weirdest resume of any all-time great. He was drafted 15th, was considered a defensive role player, then won Finals MVP, two DPOY’s, another Finals MVP as a one-year hired gun with Toronto of all teams, now is a perennial MVP candidate with the Clippers, and has also missed essentially two (counting the upcoming 2021-22 season) full seasons due to injury, and basically invented load management. He’s going to be the best player with the worst counting stats.
34.) Steve Nash
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1217 Games, 14.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 8.5 apg, 20 PER, 129.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA MVP, 7x All-NBA, 8x All-Star, Hall of Fame
He maybe didn’t deserve both of his MVP’s but he definitely didn’t deserve to get hip checked by Robert Horry to kill Nash’s best chance at a championship.
35.) Bill Walton
Stats: 10 Seasons, 468 Games, 13.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.4 apg, 20 PER, 39.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 2x All-NBA, 2x All-Star, 2x All-Defensive, 1x Sixth Man, Hall of Fame
Bill Walton easily could have entered the pantheon after winning a championship and MVP by age-25, but those god damn feet cost him the rest of his career. This pick hedges that a bit but it’s undeniable that Waltons few years of his prime were dominant enough to warrant being rewarded as a top 75 player ever.
36.) George Mikan
Stats: 7 Seasons, 439 Games, 23.1 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 27 PER, 108.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 5x BAA/NBA Champion, 6x All-BAA/NBA, 4x All-Star, 3x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
The OG put Minnesota on the basketball map, and now we have the Timberwolves. We should just bring the Lakers back to Minneapolis where they belong.
37.) Bob Cousy
Stats: 14 Seasons, 924 Games, 18.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 7.5 apg, 19.8 PER, 91.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 6x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 12x All-NBA, 13x All-Star, Hall of Fame
The other OG who helped start the Celtics dynasty.
38.) Allen Iverson
Stats: 14 Seasons, 914 Games, 26.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.2 apg, 20.9 PER, 99 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA MVP, 7x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 4x Scoring Champ, 1996-97 ROY, Hall of Fame
The kids seem to think Iverson was a god on the level of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. He is probably the second most overrated player on NBA Twitter by people who were born after he stepped over Ty Lue (first by a mile is Carmelo Anthony), but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t great, just not top 10 great.
39.) James Harden
Stats: 12 Seasons, 877 Games, 25.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 24.8 PER, 142 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA MVP, 7x All-NBA, 9x All-Star, 3x Scoring Champ, 1x Sixth Man
The greatest scorer of this generation who like Iverson is one of the best players to never win a championship.
40.) Patrick Ewing
Stats: 17 Seasons, 1183 Games, 21 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.9 assists, 21 PER, 126.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 7x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 3x All-Defensive, 1985-86 ROY, Hall of Fame
Probably screwed over by the Bulls more than any other player legacy wise.
41.) Walt Frazier
Stats: 13 Seasons, 825 Games, 18.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.1 apg, 19.1 PER, 113.5 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 6x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 7x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
Possibly the second sexiest man in New York in the ’70s after Joe Namath. Terrible color commentator.
42.) Gary Payton
Stats: 17 Seasons, 1335 Games, 16.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.7 apg, 18.9 PER, 145.5 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 9x All-NBA, 9x All-Star, 9x All-Defensive, 1x DPOY, Hall of Fame
The Glove swung at Jordan in 1996 and missed, but he’s one of the only guys brave enough to get in MJ’s face.
43.) Rick Barry
NBA Stats: 10 Seasons, 794 Games, 23.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 20.2 PER, 93.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 6x All-NBA (4x All-ABA), 8x NBA All-Star (4x ABA), 1x Scoring Champ, 1965-66 ROY, Hall of Fame
Legendary asshole who also happened to be good at basketball.
44.) Kevin McHale
Stats: 13 Seasons, 971 Games, 17.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 20 PER, 113 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 1x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 6x All-Defensive, 2x Sixth Man, Hall of Fame
The greatest Gopher ever who I guess also was a key cog on three championship teams in Boston.
45.) Jason Kidd
Stats: 19 Seasons, 1391 Games, 12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 8.7 apg, 17.9 PER, 138.6 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 6x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, 9x All-Defensive, 1994-95 ROY, Hall of Fame
Triple threat point guard who might be ever so slightly overrated because of his triple double prowess and underrated for his bleach blonde look in the ’90s.
46.) Clyde Drexler
Stats: 15 Seasons, 1086 Games, 20.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.4 apg, 21.1 PER, 135.6 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 10x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, Hall of Fame
People thought he was Jordan in 1992, turns out he was Hakeem’s Pippen.
47.) Elvin Hayes
Stats: 16 Seasons, 1303 Games, 21 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 17.7 PER, 120.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 6x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, 2x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
Great offensive player who won a championship with the god damn Bullets in the run-and-gun ’70s.
48.) Dominique Wilkins
Stats: 15 Seasons, 1074 Games, 24.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 21.6 PER, 117.5 Win Shares
Accolades: 7x All-NBA, 9x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
The Human Highlight Reel put up huge stats and not a lot of playoff wins in Atlanta.
49.) Russell Westbrook
Stats: 13 Seasons, 943 Games, 23.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 8.5 apg, 23.2 PER, 104.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA MVP, 9x All-NBA, 9x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ
The new Triple Crown King has had his career derailed in the last three seasons but could shoot back up the list with a championship in Los Angeles.
50.) Wes Unseld
Stats: 13 Seasons, 984 Games, 10.8 ppg, 14 rpg, 3.9 apg, 16 PER, 110.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 1x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 1968-69 ROY, Hall of Fame
The only player other than Wilt to win the MVP in his rookie season, which is insane.
51.) George Gervin
NBA Stats: 10 Seasons, 791 Games, 26.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 21.7 PER, 88.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 7x All-NBA (2x All-ABA), 9x NBA All-Star (3x ABA), 4x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
Silky smooth scorer who made a seamless transition from the ABA to the NBA.
52.) Anthony Davis
NBA Stats: 9 Seasons, 564 Games, 23.9 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 27.1 PER, 85.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 4x All-NBA, 8x All-Star, 4x All-Defensive
The best two-way big of the last 10 years finally got his establishing ring thanks to LeBron.
53.) Dave Cowens
Stats: 11 Seasons, 766 Games, 17.6 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 17 PER, 86.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 3x All-NBA, 8x All-Star, 3x All-Defensive, 1970-71 ROY, Hall of Fame
Apparently Cowens is the worst MVP in league history according to everyone who was pissed when Nikola Jokic won the award last year.
54.) Paul Pierce
Stats: 19 Seasons, 1343 Games, 19.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 19.7 PER, 150 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Pierce probably thinks he’s somewhere in the top 20, but 54 seems right for the guy who definitely didn’t shit his pants during the NBA Finals.
55.) James Worthy
Stats: 12 Seasons, 926 Games, 17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3 apg, 17.7 PER, 81.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Somebody who never shit his pants in the finals was James Worthy. Big Game James won a finals MVP and three championships with the Showtime Lakers.
56.) Sam Jones
Stats: 12 Seasons, 871 Games, 17.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 18.7 PER, 92.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 10x NBA Champion, 3x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Maybe probably the second greatest third-man of all time behind Harry Lime.
57.) Tracy McGrady
Stats: 15 Seasons, 938 Games, 19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.4 apg, 22.1 PER, 97.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 7x All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
Rivalled Kobe in the early 2000’s until injuries ended his career too early. My generation’s Dominique Wilkins. I am probably over rating him and I don’t care.
58.) Robert Parish
Stats: 21 Seasons, 1611 Games, 14.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 19.2 PER, 147 Win Shares
Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 2x All-NBA, 9x All-Star, Hall of Fame
The Chief played more games than anyone and hung around to win three championships with the ’80s Celtics and one with the ’90s Bulls.
59.) Ray Allen
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1300 games, 18.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.4 apg, 18.6 PER, 145.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 2x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, Hall of Fame
The greatest shooter of all time until some asshole named Steph Curry came along and snaked it from him.
60.) Hal Greer
Stats: 15 Seasons, 1122 Games, 19.2 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg, 15.7 PER, 102.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 7x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Probably the best player on this list who most people reading this have never heard of.
61.) Carmelo Anthony
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1191 Games, 23 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 19.7 PER, 104.9 Win Shares
Accolades: 6x All-NBA, 10x All-Star,1x Scoring Champ
This generation’s Tracy McGrady but instead of getting injured he just kinda stopped being great.
62.) Dennis Rodman
Stats: 14 Seasons, 911 Games, 7.3 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 14.6 PER, 89.9 Win Shares
Accolades: 5x NBA Champion, 2x All-NBA, 2x All-Star, 8x All-Defensive, 2x DPOY, Hall of Fame
Pound for pound the best rebounder ever and an infamous member of the Bad Boy Pistons and the ’90s Bulls who is now the only contact we have with North Korea which must be weird for North Koreans.
63.) Reggie Miller
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1389 Games, 18.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 3apg, 18.4 PER, 174.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Spike Lee’s personal nemesis and the reason he didn’t win an Oscar until 2019.
64.) Dwight Howard
Stats: 17 Seasons, 1182 Games, 16.2 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 21.4 PER, 138.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 8x All-NBA, 8x All-Star, 5x All-Defensive, 3x DPOY
The only good center in the league from 2008-2014. Superman in the streets but apparently Zod in the locker room.
65.) Dolph Schayes
Stats: 15 Seasons, 996 Games, 18.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 22 PER, 142.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 12x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, Hall of Fame
Yea, you read that right, Dolph Schayes is still one of the greatest players of all time 57 years after he retired.
66.) Bob McAdoo
Stats: 14 Seasons, 852 Games, 22.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 20.7 PER, 89.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 2x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 3x Scoring champ, 1972-73 ROY, Hall of Fame
Somehow the only MVP left off the 50 year team in 1996, McAdoo wiggles his way back in the top 75.
67.) Billy Cunningham
NBA Stats: 9 Seasons, 654 Games, 20.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 4 apg, 19.4 PER, 63.2 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 1x ABA MVP, 4x All-NBA (1x ABA), 4x NBA All-Star (1x ABA), Hall of Fame
Won a championship as a player with the 76ers in 1967 and another as their coach in 1983. Packed a huge punch in his 6’6″ frame.
68.) Alex English
Stats: 15 Seasons, 1193 Games, 21.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 19.9 PER, 100.7 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x All-NBA, 8x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
John Ford will cry if he doesn’t make the official list.
69.) Paul Arizin
Stats: 10 Seasons, 713 Games, 22.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 19.7 PER, 108.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 4x All-NBA, 10 All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, 1950-51 ROY, Hall of Fame
Might have been the GOAT had it not be for the Korean War.
70.) Tony Parker
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1254 Games, 15.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.5 apg, 18.2 PER, 111.3 Win Shares
Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA, 6x All-Star
The only loss of his career was Eva Longoria.
71.) Nate “Tiny” Archibald
Stats: 13 Seasons, 876 Games, 18.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 7.4 apg, 18 PER, 83.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 5x All-NBA, 6x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
Only player to lead the league in points and assists in the same season.
72.) Pau Gasol
Stats: 18 Seasons, 1226 Games, 17 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 21.4 PER, 144.1 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 4x All-NBA, 6x All-Star, 2002-03 ROY
Traded for his brother in one of the most lopsided trades to hand Kobe rings 4 and 5.
73.) Bernard King
Stats: 14 Seasons, 874 Games, 22.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 19.2 PER, 75.4 Win Shares
Accolades: 4x All-NBA, 4x All-Star, 1x Scoring Champ, Hall of Fame
’80s Tracy McGrady.
74.) Dennis Johnson
Stats: 14 Seasons, 1100 Games, 14.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5 apg, 14.6 PER, 82.6 Win Shares
Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 9x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
DJ was the floor general for the Sonics’ lone championship in 1979 then led Boston to two more as a defensive ace.
75.) Dave DeBusschere
Stats: 12 Years, 875 Games, 16.1 ppg, 11 rpg, 2.9 apg, 15.5 PER, 60.8 Win Shares
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 1x All-NBA, 8x All-Star, 6x All-Defensive, Hall of Fame
Third/secondish star of the two Knicks titles in the ’70s. Winning ended up getting him in the last spot ahead of other very worthy candidates.
The Biggest Snubs: Vince Carter, Earl Monroe, Pete Maravich, Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Nate Thurmond, Bob Lanier, Artis Gilmore, Chris Webber, Adrian Dantley, Bill Sharman, Tommy Heinsohn, Damian Lillard, and Manu Ginobili.
Can’t wait for the NBA’s 100th anniversary when Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are the new co-GOATs.
Dunking on Oxford 