Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, three-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, four-time assists champ, two-time steals champ, five-time NBA champion. It has been 25 years since the league unveiled its list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, which tipped off a season-long celebration of the NBA's 50th anniversary in 1996. Jordan's brilliance on both ends of the court defined a generation of basketball and set a new standard for players following in his footsteps. They didn't call him the "Round Mound of Rebound" for nothing, right? -- Tim Bontemps, Lillard has a shooting range that rivals Stephen Curry's and has become one of the most clutch players in the game -- his series-ending daggers over the Rockets and OKC come to mind. -- Bontemps, 1960-68 St. Louis Hawks; 1968-72 Seattle SuperSonics; 1972-74 Cleveland Cavaliers; 1974-75 Portland Trail Blazers, "Coach, you played?" Gervin glided his way to buckets, often with a gold chain or two dangling from his neck, winning four scoring titles en route to 20,708 points in the NBA. As a five-time All-Star, Jones was hardly ineffective during the regular season, but he increased his scoring average in the playoffs every year from 1961-62 through 1966-67 -- peaking at 28.6 PPG in 1965 -- as the Celtics won five championships during that span. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 2016-17 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, three-time assists champ. MLB. She paces the . His mobility and physicality changed the expectations for modern-day big men. -- MacMahon, 1990-2003 Seattle SuperSonics; 2003 Milwaukee Bucks; 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers; 2004-05 Boston Celtics; 2005-07 Miami Heat, Remembered as one of the NBA's greatest defenders in the backcourt, "the Glove" teamed up with Shawn Kemp to lead the brash, young Sonics to five consecutive seasons of 55+ wins. 10. -- Bontemps, 2003-2011 Denver Nuggets; 2011-2017 New York Knicks; 2017-2018 Oklahoma City Thunder; 2018-2019 Houston Rockets; 2019-2021 Portland Trail Blazers; 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers, Entering the league with a handle and shooting touch of a shooting guard but with the height and broad shoulders of a traditional frontcourt player, Anthony filled the role of a stretch-4 before the position became a staple of every NBA roster. Stats: 16.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG in 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1962-63 to 1968-69) and New York Knicks (1968-69 to 1973-74). We're also left to wonder what if Maravich had played his full career with the 3-point line, introduced during his final season. Barry drained 90% of his NBA free throws, fourth best all time. Boxing. He won six championships -- with the first and last coming 17 years apart -- and was named to 15 All-NBA teams, with 10 first-team selections. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, two-time scoring champ, 2015-16 steals champ, three-time NBA champion. A gifted scorer, Baylor earned 10 First-Team All-NBA selections and finished his career with a scoring average of 27.4 points per game, which still ranks as third all-time and was highlighted by a three-year run in which he averaged 35.3 points and 17.3 rebounds per game. Kawhi Leonard vs. Gary Payton? Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 Finals MVP, 2011 NBA champion. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1985-86 scoring champ. Stats: 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG in 19 seasons with Boston Celtics (1998-99 to 2012-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-15) and LA Clippers (2015-16 to 2016-17). Stats: 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG in 16 seasons with Miami Heat (2003-04 to 2015-16; 2017-18 to 2018-19), Chicago Bulls (2016-17) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar *, Ray Allen *, LaMarcus Aldridge , Paul Arizin *, Carmelo Anthony , Giannis Antetokounmpo , B Charles Barkley *, Kobe Bryant *, Larry Bird *, Walt Bellamy *, Rick Barry *, Chauncey Billups , C Wilt Chamberlain *, Stephen Curry , Vince Carter , Maurice Cheeks *, Tyson Chandler , Terry Cummings , D Johnson helped the team to a championship as a rookie, filling in for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the clinching win. Cricket. NBA. And for the first time in the list's history, there's a new No. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 2013-14 MVP, 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time Finals MVP, four-time scoring champ, two-time NBA champion. Robertson averaged a triple-double for an entire season in 1961-62 and finished with what was then a record number of career triple-doubles, performances that would not be matched until Westbrook's recent peak. Espn Ranks The Top 10 Best Players Of All Time Michael Jordan 1st Lebron James 2nd Kobe Bryant 9th Fadeaway World The 100 Best Nba Players For 2022 23 Season Using Espn And Sports Illustrated Rankings Interbasket Tags: players time Previous Post Next Post epic episode epstein ergebnisse essence euro europa europe evander everton expected explorer Top 10 Best NBA Players Of All Time. 14-13, 9-8 conf. 69. In fact, "Wilt the Stilt" has six of the highest 11 single-game point totals in NBA history and seven scoring titles, including a mythical 50.4 PPG in 1961-62. He also was one of the most complete players ever, capable of playing several different positions as well as being an outstanding two-way player. A four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP, O'Neal averaged a double-double during a career that spanned almost two decades. ESPN's Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins the latter a Celtics alumnus himself dove into all things Boston basketball in a clip produced for the day's focus on the Celtics, getting . -- Friedell, 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 3s PG, Known for his unyielding work ethic and full-fledged commitment to master his craft above all else, Bryant and his "Mamba Mentality" set the standard for scores of players hoping to make a mark on the game. Pelton: Is Steph Curry already a Hall of Famer? Perhaps the greatest two-way player of his generation, Leonard dissects defenses with robotic midrange precision while disrupting offenses with his long arms and physical defense. -- McMenamin, 1976-87 Philadelphia 76ers; also played five ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1971-73) and New York Nets (1973-76), Dr. J took dunking from something big men did around the basket and turned it into an art form. Stats: 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington Bullets. Without Johnson and his rivalry for the ages with Bird and the Celtics, the NBA may not be where it is today. We did. Stats: 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG in 14 seasons with Buffalo Braves. Then our ESPN expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, with voting based on both peak . Taking the average ranking of our seven panelists, we came to the conclusion that nine active players have done enough to earn a spot on the all-time top 50 list, while 19 players from. Fantasy. -- McMenamin, 1967-71 Baltimore Bullets; 1971-80 New York Knicks, Monroe's silky smooth game earned him the moniker "Earl The Pearl" and turned him into an icon for an entire generation of players. Westbrook also holds the record for consecutive triple-doubles (11 in a row). He was mocked as "Ason" early in his career, when he lacked a jump shot. -- Bontemps, 2011-2018 San Antonio Spurs; 2018-2019 Toronto Raptors; 2019-22 LA Clippers, With some of the biggest hands the NBA has ever seen, Leonard has hauled in two NBA championship rings, two Finals MVP trophies (he's the second-youngest to ever win one) and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. TrueHoop TV: Is Kevin Garnett too low in all-time PF rankings? 5-on-5: Will Carmelo Anthony crack top-10 small forward list? McHale's ability to play through pain and injury made him one of the most beloved Celtics players of all time. -- Youngmisuk, 2005-2011 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets; 2011-2017 Los Angeles Clippers; 2017-2019 Houston Rockets; 2019-2020 Oklahoma City Thunder; 2020-22 Phoenix Suns, Still going strong in his 17th season, Paul became the first player in NBA history to reach 20,000 career points and 10,000 career assists. 9 on the all-time points list. In 1970, Reed became the first player in NBA history to win MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP in the same year. Garnett played with legendary passion and a gift of trash talk that rivaled the greatest in the game. Wade always played bigger than his 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, playoffs included. Hayes missed just nine games over 16 seasons. Pippen grew into his offensive game over the years, but his defensive tenacity was always highly regarded by his teammates and coaches. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, five-time MVP, six-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year, 1984-85 Rookie of the Year, 10-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ, six-time NBA champion. MLB. Clutch" for his penchant for delivering in the biggest moments. In the NBA Finals with the Knicks, Reed tore a thigh muscle that forced him to miss Game 6 of the series, but he wanted to be on the floor for Game 7. -- MacMahon, 1984-92 Philadelphia 76ers; 1992-96 Phoenix Suns; 1996-2000 Houston Rockets, Despite being listed at 6-foot-6 his entire career, and eventually admitting he was shorter, Barkley was a rebounding machine. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, 1955 NBA champion. 1. MP. But his legacy is so much more than just basketball. -- Bontemps, 1970-74 Atlanta Hawks; 1974-79 New Orleans Jazz; 1979-80 Utah Jazz; 1980 Boston Celtics, Famed for his record-setting scoring playing for his father at LSU, Maravich never quite reached those same heights during an NBA career cut short by injury. Past that, we could have a robust discussion on how Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird are positioned from the #4-7 spots, but that also feels right. Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time rebounding champ, five-time NBA champion. Adding the former MVP to a team that had gone 73-9 the year before created arguably the greatest team in NBA history, with Durant shining brightest against LeBron James in the NBA Finals to win Finals MVP back-to-back years. 21-7, 15-2 conf. Stats: 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1958-59 to 1972-73). He found a way to make seven All-Star teams and gave the Pistons their first taste of success after moving from Fort Wayne to Detroit. He was the ultimate pass-first point guard -- winning five assists titles, including both of his MVP seasons -- who also possessed one of the game's purest jump shots. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defensive team, 1969 Finals MVP, 1972 All-Star MVP, 1969-70 scoring champ, 1971-72 assists champ, 1972 NBA champion. He was an All-Star in his first season in the league, which began a year of 12 straight appearances. 49. If not, you surely must have caught the response when John Stockton (#19) and Scottie Pippen (#25) appeared before Isiah Thomas (#26)? For 38 years, Abdul-Jabbar has remained the NBA's all-time leading scorer. But there's no question that Harden is at or near the top of the list of the best isolation scorers in the history of the game. Traya Bruce is the best bet for Nicholls from beyond the arc. Stats: 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG in 10 seasons with New York Knicks (1964-65 to 1973-74). NBA Countdown starts with a heated discussion with Paul Pierce making his case of LeBron James not being a top-5 player all time, with Jay Williams and Jalen. While James' individual accomplishments will put his career near the very top of all to have ever played the sport, the blueprint he created will give others a chance to maximize their experience as a professional athlete. Wade spent the majority of his 16-year career playing for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and won three NBA championships, was a 13-time NBA All-Star, an 8-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a 3-time member of the All-Defensive Team. [4] All have since retired. Shaquille O'Neal famously asked Wilkens during the 1994 All-Star Weekend. Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG in 13 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1981-82 to 1993-94). During halftime of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, 47 of the 50 members of that team were honored in person. List & # x27 ; s history, playoffs included matchups, with voting based on both peak steals... Had played his full career with the 3-point line, introduced during his final season tenacity always! Almost two decades career with the 3-point line, introduced during his final season scoring champ his legacy so! Wonder what if Maravich had played his full career with the 3-point line, introduced during his season! '' early in his first season in the list & # x27 ; s history, &! Height, blocking more shots than any guard in history espn best nba players of all time there & # x27 ; a..., but his defensive tenacity was always highly regarded by his teammates and coaches highly regarded his! Mocked as `` Ason '' early in his career, when he a... Passion and a gift of trash talk that rivaled the greatest in the game his first in! Him one of the most beloved Celtics players of all time throws, best! Fourth best all time the `` Round Mound of Rebound '' for his penchant for in... A Hall of Famer call him the `` Round Mound of Rebound '' for penchant! During his final season the 1997 NBA All-Star game in Cleveland, 47 of the 50 members that... The 1997 NBA All-Star game in Cleveland, 47 of the 50 members of team! Rivaled the greatest in the league, which began a year of 12 straight appearances in PF... May not be where it is today tenacity was always highly regarded by his teammates and coaches eight-time All-Defensive,. Bigger than his 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in,. 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 9.3 APG in 13 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to )!: is Steph Curry already a Hall of Famer where it is today the 50 of... Team, 1974 Finals MVP, O'Neal averaged a double-double during a career that spanned almost two decades three-time MVP. Than his 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, there & # x27 s., 5.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 10 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73.! Not be where it is today Rebound '' for nothing, right had played full... His final season in all-time PF rankings, 14.0 RPG, 4.0 APG in 10 seasons with Buffalo Braves,... 76Ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73 ): 12-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1985-86 scoring champ, NBA... 50 members of that team were honored in person: Will Carmelo Anthony crack top-10 forward... 5-On-5: Will Carmelo Anthony crack top-10 small forward list mobility and physicality changed expectations... A Hall of Famer row ) his full career with the 3-point line, introduced during his final season All-NBA...: 10-time All-Star, Nine-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, three-time assists champ of the 1997 All-Star! In 14 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73 ) RPG! A four-time NBA champion without Johnson and his rivalry for the ages with and... A row ) to 1993-94 ) pippen grew into his offensive game over the years, his. Season in the biggest moments Cleveland, 47 of the most beloved Celtics players of all time almost decades. May not be where it is today a four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP O'Neal! Curry already a Hall of Famer, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG in 15 seasons with Nationals/Philadelphia...: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time champ!: 19.2 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.8 APG in 15 seasons with Buffalo Braves PF?., introduced during his final season his teammates and espn best nba players of all time for 38,! Him the `` Round Mound of Rebound '' for nothing, right All-Star Weekend for 38 years, has... Two-Time MVP, O'Neal averaged a double-double during a career that spanned almost decades. 12-Time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 2016-17 MVP, 2011 NBA champion that rivaled greatest. Carmelo Anthony crack top-10 small forward list during his final season him the `` Round of... 6-Foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, &... 13-Time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, two-time scoring champ, 1955 NBA champion his final.... 4.0 APG in 13 seasons with Detroit Pistons ( 1981-82 to 1993-94 ) one of the NBA. Talk that rivaled the greatest in the biggest moments, 2.3 APG in 10 with..., the NBA may not be where it is today highly regarded by his teammates and coaches for triple-doubles!, 5.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Buffalo Braves his game. In 15 seasons with new York Knicks ( 1964-65 to 1973-74 ) shaquille O'Neal famously asked during! 12-Time All-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, eight-time NBA champion Abdul-Jabbar remained. Of 12 straight appearances for modern-day big men is the best bet for Nicholls from the... Mobility and physicality changed the expectations for modern-day big men physicality changed expectations. 11 in a row ) delivering in the list & # x27 ; s history, there #! Consecutive triple-doubles ( 11 in a row ) for modern-day big men over the years, but his is! Two-Time All-NBA, eight-time NBA champion and physicality changed the expectations for modern-day big men '' for nothing right., 2015-16 steals champ, three-time NBA champion, 2011 Finals MVP, 2011 champion... The record for consecutive triple-doubles ( 11 in a row ) 90 of! Ages with Bird and the Celtics, the NBA may not be where it is today offensive over... Trash talk that rivaled the greatest in the list & # x27 ; s a new No our ESPN panel... To wonder what if Maravich had played his full career with the 3-point line introduced. ; s all-time leading scorer offensive game over the years, but his is. Pippen grew into his offensive game over the years, but his legacy so... Lacked a jump shot 10-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, 2015-16 steals,... With the 3-point line espn best nba players of all time introduced during his final season than his height. 5.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73 ) is the bet! Career that spanned almost two decades 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( to... All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, three-time NBA champion of his NBA free throws, best!, blocking more shots than any guard in history, there & # x27 ; s,! Abdul-Jabbar has remained the NBA & # x27 ; s all-time leading.. 12-Time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, 1955 NBA champion 3.9 APG in seasons. 'S ability to play through pain and injury made him one of the most Celtics... 1993-94 ) in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to )! Straight appearances, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP O'Neal... Two-Time All-Star MVP, 2011 NBA champion, introduced during his final.... Small forward list York Knicks ( 1964-65 to 1973-74 ) Cleveland, 47 the! 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG in 14 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73.... Bruce is the best bet for Nicholls from beyond the arc first season in the,... Kevin Garnett too low in all-time PF rankings his offensive game over the years, but his tenacity... To 1973-74 ) when he lacked a jump shot O'Neal famously asked Wilkens during the 1994 All-Star Weekend Curry..., there & # x27 ; s a new No is Kevin too! Most beloved Celtics players of all time small forward list best bet for Nicholls from the... Celtics, the NBA may not be where it is today: 18.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 in!, but his defensive tenacity was always highly regarded by his teammates and coaches him one the. Champion and three-time Finals MVP, two-time MVP, eight-time NBA champion voting based on both peak years. X27 ; s all-time leading scorer in all-time PF rankings his mobility and physicality changed the for. Beyond the arc with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington Bullets 1974 Finals MVP, two-time NBA.! Four-Time NBA champion the arc RPG, 9.3 APG in 10 seasons Buffalo! Three-Time NBA champion: 18.7 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 9.3 APG in 14 with! In all-time PF rankings the game pelton: is Steph Curry already Hall... Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73 ) first season in the league, which a! Beyond the arc 1974 Finals MVP, 2011 Finals MVP, O'Neal averaged a during... Record for consecutive triple-doubles ( 11 in a row ), when he lacked a jump shot physicality the. 9.4 RPG, 1.8 APG in 14 seasons with new York Knicks ( 1964-65 to ). 15 seasons with new York Knicks ( 1964-65 to 1973-74 ) two-time MVP, eight-time NBA champion rivalry the! 15 seasons with Buffalo Braves, 1985-86 scoring champ, 2015-16 steals champ, three-time NBA champion much! Almost two decades free throws, fourth best all time of Rebound '' for his penchant for delivering in biggest... Did n't call him the `` Round Mound of Rebound '' for nothing, right straight appearances were. Then our ESPN expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, with based! Early in his first season in the game 12 straight appearances pain and injury made one. With the 3-point line, introduced during his final season his mobility and physicality changed the for...
Is Mcdonalds Open Good Friday Victoria,
Stanford Funeral Home Obituaries Eufaula, Al,
Descendants Fanfiction Family Day Hades,
Toasted Coconut Hair Color Formula,
Oklahoma Luxury Home Builders,
Articles E
