Ranking LeBron James' Career Right Now Against the Other All-Time Greats

After LeBron James' 2012-13 NBA season, there is no more debating whether or not he is the best player in the game right now. He elevated his game this year to new heights, leaving the likes of Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony far behind.

Now that he's shown he is the best of this generation, the question now becomes where does LeBron rank among the all-time greats?

Although the Chosen One has only played 10 years in the league, it has been enough to put himself among the best there ever was. 

Read ahead and see where King James' first decade in the NBA ranks among other NBA legends' first 10 years as professionals.

15. Julius Erving

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Dr. J's Stats (10 Years In): 26.1 PPG 9.9 RPG 4.5 APG 2.1 SPG 1.7 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Dr. J's PER (10 Years In): 24.7

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Dr. J's Accolades (10 Years In): 5x ABA All-Star, 5x NBA All-Star, 3x ABA MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 5x All-ABA, 4x All-NBA, 1x ABA All-Defense, 3x ABA Scoring Champion, 2x ABA Champion

The fact that Dr. J played in the ABA hurts him on this list. Yes, the ABA produced 11 Hall of Famers, but it wasn't the same league that the NBA was. Dr. J was an offensive machine that could jump out of the gym, but when he came to the NBA he never led the league in scoring when he was in his prime.

14. Charles Barkley

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Barkley's Stats (10 Years In): 23.3 PPG 11.6 RPG 3.9 APG 1.6 SPG 1.0 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Barkley's PER (10 Years In): 25.1

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Barkley's Accolades (10 Years In): 8x All-Star, 1x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 1x NBA Rebounding Leader

Sir Charles was a force on the boards in the 1990s. Despite his lack in size, Barkley had a nose for the ball that only few in NBA history had.

But LeBron has done it all in such a short career. Barkley was an above-average player; James is an all-time great player and is only getting better. The biggest accolade that is missing for the Round Mound of Rebound is the lack of a championship. He is one of many NBA legends that has Michael Jordan to blame for that.

13. Karl Malone

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Malone's Stats (10 Years In): 26.0 PPG 10.9 RPG 3.0 APG 1.4 SPG 0.9 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Malone's PER (10 Years In): 23.1

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Malone's Accolades (10 Years In): 8x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense

Like the Mailman in the '90s, LeBron is considered the strongest player on the court. His physical presence makes players fear him, especially when he drives to the basket.

Even though Malone's Jazz teams didn't make it to the finals until his 12th season, the Stockton-Malone combo became automatic and led to Malone becoming the second-leading scorer in NBA history.

12. Elgin Baylor

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Baylor's Stats (10 Years In): 28.1 PPG 14.2 RPG 4.2 APG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Baylor's PER (10 Years In): 23.2

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Baylor's Accolades (10 Years In): 1959 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA

Like LeBron, Baylor was the most gifted athlete of his day. He was the original Dr. J, Kobe or James himself. Even though he could make anything happen on the court (he averaged 34 points per game between the '61 and '63 seasons), he could never win that illustrious championship title.

That's not saying he didn't try. Along with Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, Elgin took the Lakers to six finals appearances,but could never win when it counted. He's looked at as one of the best that ever played, but if he were in today's NBA he would be crucified by the media for never winning a ring.

And you thought LeBron couldn't come through in the clutch?

11. Kobe Bryant

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Kobe's Stats (10 Years In): 23.9 PPG 5.1 RPG 4.5 APG 1.5 SPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Kobe's PER (10 Years In): 23.2

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Kobe's Accolades (10 Years In): 8x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 6x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 3x NBA Champion

Other than LeBron, Kobe has brought the most comparisons to Michael Jordan. But although Kobe has won five rings, three of those were due to the force that was Shaquille O'Neal. The Diesel was like a freight train in the Lakers' three-peat, winning all three Finals MVP awards.

LeBron never had the teammates Bryant had during his first 10 years. James had Shaq when he was in Cleveland, but by then he had won his titles and was near the end of his career. Until he joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the infamous summer of 2010, the Chosen One's best teammates were Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams and Delonte West.

Kobe was very good throughout his first decade in the league, but he didn't start taking over until after Shaq left.

10. Oscar Robertson

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Robertson's Stats (10 Years In): 29.3 PPG 8.5 RPG 10.3 APG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Robertson's PER (10 Years In): 25

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Robertson's Accolades (10 Years In): 1961 Rookie of the Year, 10x All-Star, 1x MVP, 10x All-NBA, 1x NBA Scoring Champion, 7x NBA Assist Leader

The Big O was the only man to ever average a triple-double in a season. LeBron is the only player since Magic Johnson that can come close to accomplishing that feat.

We so often compare James's career to Michael Jordan, when we should be comparing it more towards Oscar Robertson's. Both players were able to improve their teammates level of play and could take over a game if they wanted to. 

The only hindrance to Robertson's career was the fact he never won a championship. Much like LeBron he didn't have the teammates around him and he couldn't win by himself. The Big O wasn't able to play with Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) until his 11th year in the league. 

9. Shaquille O'Neal

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Shaq's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 12.3 RPG 2.8 APG 2.6 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Shaq's PER (10 Years In): 28.3

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Shaq's Accolades (10 Years In): 1993 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 1x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 9x All-NBA, 2x All-Defense, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 3x NBA Champion

Shaquille O'Neal was the most dominant force in the NBA throughout his first 10 years in the league. Even though he didn't have much of a post game, Shaq used pure power to back the opposing center and score easily inside.

LeBron's game is all over the place, and I mean that in the best way possible. He can run the offense, pass, post up, drive to the lane and this year he is shooting the ball more efficiently than he ever has.

While the Big Diesel dominated down low, the King dominates all over the court.

8. Tim Duncan

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Duncan's Stats (10 Years In): 21.8 PPG 11.9 RPG 3.2 APG 0.8 SPG 2.5 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Duncan's PER (10 Years In): 25.2

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Duncan's Accolades (10 Years In): 1998 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 2x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 10x All-NBA, 10x All-Defense, 3x NBA Champion

While LeBron's game is a lot of flash, Duncan's career has been extremely boring. He doesn't talk much and lets his game do the speaking for him. That style of play won him three championships and helped create the Spurs dynasty of the early 2000s.

Even though he has the championships, the Big Fundamental didn't revolutionize the game like James has. Duncan did his job and relied on his teammates to get the job done when they needed to. James had to provide most of the offense for his team, all while defending the other team's best player at the same time.

7. Magic Johnson

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Magic's Stats (10 Years In): 19.5 PPG 7.4 RPG 11.2 APG 2.0 SPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Magic's PER (10 Years In): 23.8

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Magic's Accolades (10 Years In): 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x NBA Assists Leader, 2x NBA Steals Leader, 5x NBA Champion

Magic Johnson's game is the most similar to LeBron's. Both were forward size, yet could handle the rock with precision and make pinpoint passes to open teammates. Truly a magician with the ball (hence the nickname), Magic was the floor general of the Showtime Lakers in the 1980s. 

But while Magic showed he could step up and be the dominant scorer for the Lakers, it wasn't always his responsibility. He was the facilitator of the offense and had Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy on his squad.

During his seven years in Cleveland, LeBrons best teammates were Delonte West and Mo Williams. Nothing against those two players, but they aren't going to the Hall of Fame. The Cavaliers relied on James to score, pass, rebound and play defense, all at a high level. If he had the quality of players that Magic had, we would be talking about LBJ in a different light.

6. Larry Bird

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Bird's Stats (10 Years In): 25.0 PPG 10.2 RPG 6.1 APG 1.8 SPG 0.8 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Bird's PER (10 Years In): 24.1

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Bird's Accolades (10 Years In): 1980 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 9x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, 3x NBA Champion

Very few have had a higher basketball IQ than Larry Legend. Even though he couldn't jump real high, he made up for it by being able to make any, and I mean any, jumper from any part of the floor and was able to defend his position as well.

The reason he's behind James is that Bird had a better team in front of him. Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale were excellent NBA players that Bird could depend on night in and night out. James didn't have that until he joined the Miami Heat in 2010.

5. LeBron James

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6

Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion

LeBron James is already one of the top six players of all-time at this point in his career. The biggest thing that keeps him from being mentioned among players like Kareem, Jordan, Russell, Magic and Bird is the killer instinct. Basketball fans will never forget the terrible 2010-11 Finals series he had against the Mavericks.

Even with that being said, King James has seemed to bring his game to new heights, winning the NBA championship last season and leading his team on a 27-game win streak, second highest all-time. Add that to the fact that he led his team in scoring, rebounds and assists, and LeBron James continues to climb the ladder of success.

This is where he ranks after 10 seasons in the league. Just wait until he finishes his career.

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Kareem's Stats (10 Years In): 28.6 PPG 14.8 RPG 4.5 APG 1.3 SPG 3.5 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Kareem's PER (10 Years In): 26.9

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Kareem's Accolades (10 Years In): 1970 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 5x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 9x All-NBA, 8x All-Defense, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Rebounding Leader, 1x NBA Champion

Kareem entered the NBA as the best college basketball player ever. The then named Lew Alcindor was fresh out of UCLA and just came off a three-peat as a Bruin. The winning didn't stop there, as Alcindor led the Bucks to a championship in just his second season with the help of Oscar Robertson.

In 1975 Alcindor changed his name to what it is today and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA's all-time leading scorer didn't win another ring until Magic Johnson came along in the 1979-80 season. 

3. Wilt Chamberlain

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Wilt's Stats (10 Years In): 34.4 PPG 24.3 RPG 4.5 APG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Wilt's PER (10 Years In): 28.1

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Wilt's Accolades (10 Years In): 1960 Rookie of the Year, 10x All-Star, 4x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 7x NBA Scoring Champion, 8x NBA Leading Rebounder, 1x NBA Champion

Although Wilt piled on the stats (just look at those numbers!), he wasn't going up against great competition. The NBA was just coming into its own in the 1960s and there were only half the number of teams in the league compared to today.

Even with all that, Wilt was still a stat-filling beast of a center. He was a dominating scorer and rebounder and he led his team in assists for one year just to prove he could do it. Although he was a big man, Wilt could do it all. The fact that a player of that caliber struggled so mightily to win a championship is the reason he's No. 3 on this list.

2. Bill Russell

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Russell's Stats (10 Years In): 16.1 PPG 23.4 RPG 4.0 APG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Russell's PER (10 Years In): 19.5

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Russell's Accolades (10 Years In): 9x All-Star, 5x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 5x NBA Leading Rebounder, 9x NBA Champion

Bill Russell was and forever will be the symbol of winning in the NBA. Even though he doesn't have the numbers Wilt does, he was a master at trusting his teammates and was the ultimate chemistry guy. LeBron is sort of like that now with his play. He likes to get his teammates involved and believes in them when it is time to go to the field of battle.

Another thing Russell and James have in common is there knowledge for the game. This is another reason that Russell tops Wilt on this list. His IQ for the game was second to none. In a column by Bill Simmons on Grantland.com, Russell was able to explain every play that was happening while watching game tape, even in his old age.

If you want to win your fantasy league, then you want a guy like Wilt to start your team with. If you want to win an NBA championship, you'll take Russell. 

1. Michael Jordan

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Jordan's Stats (10 Years In): 32.2 PPG 6.3 RPG 5.9 APG 2.7 SPG 1.0 BPG

LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Jordan's PER (10 Years In): 29.6

LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Jordan's Accolades (10 Years In): 1985 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 3x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 6x All-Defense, 7x NBA Scoring Champion, 3x NBA Steals Leader, 3x NBA Champion

Who did you think would be No. 1?

LeBron's legacy will always be compared to Michael Jordan's. Since being called the Chosen One right out of high school, James was considered to be the next great player and in some circles thought to be able to pass Jordan as the greatest of all time.

But LeBron is nowhere near Jordan right now. Jordan never lost in the NBA finals nor in the playoffs when having home-court advantage. LeBron can't say those things.

However, I do think James will eventually pass MJ, but it's going to take a lot for him just to get close.