The 100 Greatest Baskeball Players of All Time: Nos. 75-51

This article was made after extensive research into 300 candidate's careers. I not only looked at their NBA statistics, but also their ABA statistics if applicable.

I ranked each player based on different stats including but not limited to: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

I also looked at what their career averages in all these stats were as well to try and equal out quantity and quality.

One of the more difficult areas to compare were stats that weren't around for some of the older players. After I ranked all the players based on stats; I then weighted the categories.

For example, a block is probably not as important as a field goal therefore points were valued higher than blocks.

After I averaged all these out, I then took other variables into account such as championships, leadership skills, and in the end my own opinion.

Even though much of this is based on statistical facts, there is also opinion involved so I'm sure not everyone will agree but hopefully you will enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts.

75. Alvan Adams

Phoenix Suns

Points: 13910
Rebounds: 6937
Assists: 4012

1975-76 NBA Rookie of the Year

1975-76 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All Star

Adams is forgotten by many but he was one of the best big men of his time. He is one of only four players to have scored 46 or more points and gain 16 or more rebounds in a triple double effort. He is the Suns all time leader in games played, rebounds, and steals.

74. Chris Mullin

Golden State Warriors
Indiana Pacers

Points: 17911
PPG: 18.2
Steals: 1530

1x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

5x All Star

During a five year stretch Mullin was one of the best scorers in the NBA. He became only the second player in Warrior history to average 25 points per game in five consecutive years.

Mullin was part of what many consider the greatest basketball team ever assembled in the 1992 Olympic team.

73. Kevin McHale

Boston Celtics

Points: 17335
Blocks: 1689
FG%: 55.4

3x NBA Champion

2x NBA 6th Man of the Year

1980-81 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

3x NBA All Defensive First Team

3x NBA All Defensive Second Team

7x All Star

McHale was part of some of the most successful teams of the '80s. McHale was valuable coming off the bench and in the starting lineup.

In the 86-86 season McHale become the first player to ever shoot 60 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line. McHale, (along with Bird and Parrish) was part of what many consider the best front line in the history of the NBA.

Charles Barkley once said that McHale was the toughest defensive assignment for a power forward. He is tenth all time in career field goal percentage.

72. James Worthy

Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 16320
Assists: 2791
Steals: 1041

3x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1982-83 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x All NBA Third Team

7x All Star

Big Game James helped the Lakers teams of the '80s become some of the greatest teams in the history of the NBA. Worthy had the rare ability to be quick around the floor but also strong in towards the basket.

He is fifth all time in Lakers scoring, second in steals, and sixth in field goal percentage.

71. Tim Hardaway

Golden State Warriors
Miami Heat
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Indiana Pacers

Points: 15373
Assists: 7095
3 Pointers: 1542

1989-90 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

5x All Star

Hardaway was one of the quickest players to ever handle the basketball and may have had the best crossover move of any player. He become the second fastest player to reach 5,000 points and 2,500 assists. He has the most assists in Miami Heat history. Hardaway also shares the record for second mos steals in a game with eight.

70. Grant Hill

Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic
Phoenix Suns

Points: 14577
Rebounds: 5166
Assists: 3726

1994-95 NBA Rookie of the Year

1994-95 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

4x All NBA Second Team

7x All Star

Hill was considered by many to be the next Jordan when he started his career but then injuries plagued him during his prime. Even though he wasn't able to live up to his hype he is still one of the best the game has ever seen as far as all around talent.

Hill was the only rookie to ever have the most All-Star votes. In one four year span he was the league leader in assists from a non-point guard.

He is only one of three players to lead his team in points, rebounds, and assists more than once. Only two other players had more points, rebounds, and assists in their first six years.

69. Bernard King

New Jersey Nets
Utah Jazz
Golden State Warriors
New York Knicks
Washington Bullets

Points: 19655
Rebounds: 5060
Assists: 2863

1977-78 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

4x All Star

King was truly a great scorer and helped bring in the era of small forwards. He lead the league in scoring in 1985.

When he played for the Nets, he set their single season scoring record. He became the tenth player to ever score 60 or more points in a game. He had eight games of scoring 50 points or more in his career.

68. Vince Carter

Toronto Raptors
New Jersey Nets

Points: 18254
Rebounds: 4243
Assists: 3315

1998-99 NBA Rookie of the Year

1998-99 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

8x All Star

Vince might be better known for his flashy play and spectacular dunks, but make no doubt about it, he is one of the best players of the past 10 years.

He is only the third player to ever lead All Star voting three or more times. In 2007 Carter recorded the second highest triple double total in NBA history.

He is tied for the most three pointers in a playoff game with nine. He is the Nets single season points leader. He is also the Raptors all-time leading scorer.

67. Chet Walker

Syracuse Nationals
Philadelphia 76ers
Chicago Bulls

Points: 18831
Rebounds: 7314
Assists: 2126

1x NBA Champion

1962-63 NBA All Rookie First Team

7x All Star

"Chet the Jet" was a key part of the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers team that many consider the greatest team of all time.

Walker was a tough player that just went out and did his job every year. He was a tremendous free throw shooter as he finished in the top ten in free throw percentage on six different occasions and led the league once.

66. Ray Allen

Milwaukee Bucks
Seattle Supersonics
Boston Celtics

Points: 19661
3 Pointers: 2299
Steals: 1140

1x NBA Champion

1996-97 NBA All Rookie Second Team

1x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

9x All Star

Allen seems like he can score from just about anywhere on the floor. When all is said and done he may go down as the greatest three point shooter ever. He holds the record for most three pointers made in a season with 269.

He is second all time in career three pointers made. He holds the record for most seasons of leading the league in three-pointers with three. Holds the record for most three-pointers in a finals series with 22.

He is the Bucks all time leader in consecutive games played and three pointers made.

65. Tracy McGrady

Toronto Raptors
Orlando Magic
Houston Rockets

Points: 17289
Rebounds: 4777
Assists: 3700

2000-01 NBA Most Improved Player

2x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

7x All Star

McGrady has been hampered by injuries as of late, but when healthy he is one of the smoothest players around.

He has led the league in points per game twice in his career. He holds the Orlando Magic record for most free throws made. He also has a eye popping 45 games of scoring 40 or more points.

64. Dave DeBusschere

Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks

Points: 14053
Rebounds: 9618
Assists: 2497

2x NBA Champion

1962-63 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

6x NBA All Defensive First Team

8x All Star

DeBusschere was one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. He was physical in all aspects of his game whether it be scoring on offense or rebounding on defense.

He was in the top 10 in total rebounds three different seasons.

63. Pete Maravich

Atlanta Hawks
New Orleans/Utah Jazz
Boston Celtics

Points: 15948
PPG: 24.2
Assists: 3563

1970-71 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

5x All Star

"Pistol" Pete may very well be the greatest college basketball player of all time but he was no slouch as a pro either.

He lead the NBA in points per game once, is 16th all time in career points per game, and once scored 68 points in a game. Who knows how many points he could have scored had he played more than 10 years.

62. Wes Unseld

Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets

Points: 10624
Rebounds: 13769
Assists: 3822

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1x NBA MVP

1968-69 NBA Rookie of the Year

1968-69 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

5x All Star

Unseld was one of the best rebounders that basketball has ever seen. He is only one of two players to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

He led the NBA in field goal percentage once in his career and also rebounds per game once. He was in the top ten in total rebounds 10 different times in his career and has the 10th most in NBA history.

61. Gail Goodrich

Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
New Orleans Jazz

Points: 19181
Assists: 4805
Rebounds: 3279

1x NBA Champion

1x All NBA First Team

5x All Star

Goodrich was the first star of the Suns but it was with the Lakers that he shined. He is sixth all time in points in Lakers history, seventh in assists, seventh in free throws made, and ninth in games played.

60. Bailey Howell

Detroit Pistons
Baltimore Bullets
Boston Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers

Points: 17770
Rebounds: 9383
Assists: 1853

2x NBA Champion

1x All NBA Second Team

6x All Star

During his playing time, Howell was one of the most effective forwards in the league. He was in the top 10 in field goal percentage seven different times.

He was also in the top 10 in points five different times, free throws made five times, and total rebounds three times.

59. Nate Thurmond

San Francisco/Golden State Warriors
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers

Points: 14437
Rebounds: 14464
RPG: 15.0

1963-65 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x NBA All Defensive First Team

3x NBA All Defensive Second Team

7x All Star

"Nate the Great' was an outstanding big man. He was the first person to ever record a quadruple double. He still holds the record for most rebounds in a quarter with 18.

He was in the top 10 in rebounds in eight different seasons and is currently eighth in career rebounds in NBA history.

58. Paul Pierce

Boston Celtics

Points: 18603
Rebounds: 5107
Assists: 3183

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1998-99 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

3x All NBA Third Team

7x All Star

Pierce is known for his all around great play as he can do it on both ends of the court. He has a Boston record of scoring 30 or more points in 12 consecutive games.

He also has the team record for most points scored in a half with 46. He has the most three pointers made in Boston history. He is currently Boston's third all time leading scorer and second in points per game. He is the only Celtic to ever lead the league in points.

57. Reggie Miller

Indiana Pacers

Points: 25279
3 Pointers: 2560
Assists: 4141

3x All NBA Third Team

5x All Star

Many believe that Reggie is the greatest three-point shooter of all time and they have reason for it. He has the most career three-pointers made in NBA history. Only two other players played more games with one team than Miller.

He was the first ever Pacer to start in an All Star Game. He is 12th all time in the NBA in total points and seventh in free throw percentage. He led the league in three-pointers made twice, and free throw percentage five times.

56. Spencer Haywood

Denver Rockets
Seattle Supersonics
New York Knicks
New Orleans Jazz
Los Angels Lakers
Washington Bullets

Points: 1711
Rebounds: 8675
Assists: 1541

1x NBA Champion

1x ABA MVP

1969-70 ABA Rookie of the Year

1969-90 ABA All Rookie First Team

1x All ABA First Team

2x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

5x All Star

Haywood only played one year in the ABA but it was arguably the greatest ABA season ever. He won MVP and Rookie of the Year and set the record for field goals made, rebounds, and rebounds per game.

He wasn't quite as good in the NBA but he was still great as he was in the top ten in points per game four times and rebounds per game three times.

55. Bob McAdoo

Buffalo Braves
New York Knicks
Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons
New Jersey Nets
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers

Points: 18787
Rebounds: 8048
Blocks: 1147

2x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP

1972-73 NBA Rookie of the Year

1972-72 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

5x All Star

McAdoo was plagued by injuries in his career but he was one of the first big men that was able to shoot from the outside.

He holds Clippers records for most minutes played per game, field goals made a game, and defensive rebounds a game. He was in the top 10 in field goals made four times, rebounds five times (once led the league), and points five times.

He led the league scoring on three different occasions.

54. Reggie Theus

Chicago Bulls
Kansas City/Sacramento Kings
Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic
New Jersey Nets

Points: 19015
Rebounds: 3349
Assists: 6453

1978-79 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x All Star

Theus is one of the most underrated players of all time as he played for mostly lackluster teams. He is one of only two players that at 6'6" or taller recorded 750 assists or more in a season.

He was in the top 10 in assists on four different occasions.

53. Robert Parish

Golden State Warriors
Boston Celtics
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls

Points: 23334
Rebounds: 14715
Blocks: 2357

4x NBA Champion

1x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

9x All Star

Parish was a great defender that could also score for his team inside. Bill Walton once said that Parish was the greatest shooting big man of all time. He played more games than anyone in his career. He is seventh all time in the NBA in career rebounds, and ninth in blocks

52. Dave Cowens

Boston Celtics
Milwaukee Bucks

Points: 13516
Rebounds: 10444
Assists: 2910

2x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP

1970-71 NBA Rookie of the Year

1970-71 NBA All Rookie First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

1x NBA All Defensive First Team

2x NBA All Defensive Second Team

7x All Star

Although he was small for a center he made up for it with his play. Cowens is one of only four players to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in one season.

During his playing time he was one of the best rebounders in the game as he was in the top ten in total boards in seven different seasons.

51. Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas Mavericks

Points: 19084
Rebounds: 7182
3 Pointers: 1080

1x NBA MVP

4x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

8x All Star

Dirk is the first European born player to ever win the MVP. He is a big guy that can shoot with the best of them. He is the Mavericks all time points leader and is still going strong.

He is currently seventh in active players in career points, fifth in free throws, ninth in rebounds, and eighth in points per game.