It's pretty clear to most even casual NBA fans who the greatest player of all-time is: Michael Jordan. But how do the active players fit into the list of all-time greats? I'm going to compile my top 5, based on career to-date. Following the list, I will put a list of active players who have the best chance of cracking into the top players ever to hit the hardwood.
All-Time Rankings Among Active Players
1) Kobe Bryant- Granted, he's one of the most hated players on the planet, but he is also the best. At 6'6", 205 pounds, Bryant has the prototypical body for an elite basketball talent. Bryant has three NBA championship rings and consistently performs in the playoffs, truly making him a great player. Over his career, Bryant has compiled mind-blowing statistics including an average of 25 points per game, to go with 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. What is perhaps even more impressive, is even though Bryant is most widely known for his offensive ability, his defense may just be worth equal acclaim. As a 7-time All Defensive selection, the rest of the league certainly realizes how well Bryant plays on the defensive end. His natural athletic ability and quickness allow him to stick like glue on smaller guards, while his strong 6'6" frame make him more than capable of guarding a star such as Tracy McGrady. It's quite simple: Bryant will go down as one of the top 20 players in the NBA, without a doubt. ESPN even went as far as to rank him the second best shooting guard of all-time behind Jordan, ahead of the "NBA Logo", Lakers legend Jerry West.
2) Tim Duncan
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8 months ago
Couldn't agree more. Kobe is the best player skillwise to ever play no matter what anyone tells you. Its amazing that he has a career average of 25 when he averaged 7 and 13 his first two years. think if he had the green light his whole career. On the young players amare should replace carmelo. He has yet to get out of the first round and is a one demensional scorer. It should be: 1. Lebron 2. Dwight 3. Dwayne( when 100%) 4. chris paul 5. Amare 6. Deron
8 months ago
I would have to place Duncan at the top of the list. I can't really envision any argument that would persuade me into thinking Kobe was a greater player than either Duncan or Shaq. More skilled and talented, yes. But Kobe isn't nearly as accomplished or impacting as the two big men. However, I come from the mold of thinking that post players have a greater impact on the game than perimeter players (with the exception of Jordan).
You can make an argument, in my opinion, that Shaq and Duncan are already top 10 players of all-time (in the latter half of the top 10, though). Not sure you can do the same for Kobe. At least, not yet.
As for the young guns, I think Paul has proven he's an all-time great in the making. I'd have him third or maybe second behind only LeBron and perhaps Dwight Howard.
8 months ago
Thanks for the feedback. I certainly think that Duncan could be considered for the number one spot, but when it comes down to it, I believe that Kobe has been the best player of our generation.
8 months ago
Its not even close! Kobe is only competing with Jordan at this point for the top spot all-time, forget competing with current players.
8 months ago
I'm not all too sure about that. Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, and Bill Russell are all leaps and bounds ahead of Kobe.
8 months ago
I agree that Duncan should be at the top of the list. Also, I would take Carmelo Anthony off the young list that will have an impact. I think he is an All-Star player, a solid player, but thats about it. I really don't see him doing anything significant to help change or contribute to the game at this point.
Also, I respect Kobe as a player, and think he's the best in the game right now, but people need to get off the whole comparing him to MJ..because he's not MJ and he certainly won't go down as the best of all time. Like Benjamin mentioned players like Wilt and Bill Russell and so many others that have come before him are light years ahead of him. Kobe's current career is not even better then Duncans or Shaqs (in which Shaq is the one that helped Kobe even get the rings he has now), and in my opinion the only thing that seperates Kobe from Iversons career is the rings, because Iverson has actually had a better career then Kobe. For what Iverson has been able to do and dominate this league at his size is nothing short of amazing. If Iverson was 6'6...i'm scared to even imagine. But Kobe does belong on this list though, obviously.
8 months ago
Let's not get carried away here. Kobe still has to "get by" the other great guards--Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Bob Cousy--before he can challenge Jordan's thrown. The aforementioned players have some serious bodies of work that shouldn't be brushed aside or forgotten in the face of Kobe's currently brilliant play.
7 months ago
I still don't get putting Kobe over Shaq. Shaq was the MVP for all 3 of Kobe's championships. And when in his prime, Shaq dominated Duncan in one on one play.
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