The 100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time: Nos. 50-26

Mike Anderson by Correspondent Written on July 14, 2009

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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.

50. Jack Sikma

1990-1991:  Center Jack Sikma of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for two during a game against the Denver Nuggets at McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco  /Allsport

Seattle Supersonics
Milwaukee Bucks

Points: 17287
Rebounds: 10816
Blocks: 1048

1x NBA Champion

1977-78 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x NBA All Defensive Second Team

7x All Star

Sikma is often forgotten about. He was one of the best shooting centers of all time and helped usher in centers who could shoot beyond the inside. He is the only center to ever lead the league in free throw percentage. Sikma was a talented rebounder as well as he led the league in defensive boards twice.

49. Jerry Lucas

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Cincinnati Royals
San Francisco Warriors
New York Knicks

Points: 14053
Rebounds: 12942
Assists: 2732

1x NBA Champion

1963-64 NBA Rookie of the Year

1963-64 NBA All Rookie First Team

3x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

7x All Star

Lucas is considered by many one of the smartest players to ever play the game. During his career he became one of the best rebounders around and is currently 13th on the NBA career rebounds list. He also averaged an astounding 15.6 rebounds per game which is fourth best all time.

48. Adrian Dantley

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Buffalo Braves
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz
Detroit Pistons
Dallas Mavericks
Milwaukee Bucks

Points: 23177
Rebounds: 5455
Assists: 2830

1976-77 NBA Rookie of the Year

1976-77 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

6x All Star

If you would say one thing about Dantley, it would be that he could score. The rest of his game was decent but he thrived at putting the ball in the basket. He twice won the scoring title and is currently 20th in career points in the NBA. He also average 24.3 points per game which is the NBA's 16th best.

47. George Gervin

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Virginia Squires
San Antonio Spurs
Chicago Bulls

Points: 26595
Rebounds: 5602
Assists: 2798

1972-72 ABA All Rookie First Team

2x All ABA Second Team

5x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

12x All Star

"Iceman" was as smooth as the came. He could score from anywhere on the court and score he did. Before Michael Jordan came along, Gervin had more scoring titles than any other guard.

The finger-roll specialist won four scoring titles in his career and his currently 13th in total points and 10th in points per game.

46. Bob Lanier

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Detroit Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Points: 19248
Rebounds: 9698
Blocks: 1100

1970-71 NBA All Rookie First Team

8x All Star

Lanier was a very accurate shooting center as he finished in the top 10 in field goal percentage six times in his career. He was also in the top 10 in points per game six different time in his career. Lanier was often overshadowed by other big men of his time but he was a great leader and player.

45. Patrick Ewing

19 Nov 1996:  Center Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during a game against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida.  The Knicks won the game 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons  /Allsport

New York Knicks
Seattle Supersonics
Orlando Magic

Points: 24815
Rebounds: 11607
Blocks: 2894

1984-85 NBA Rookie of the Year

1984-85 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

6x All NBA Second Team

3x NBA All Defensive Second Team

11x All Star

Patrick Ewing knew how to score. He scored in bunches and was a leader for a strong New York Knicks team. Unfortunately he never won the championship. He was the 10th player ever to have 22000 points and 10000 rebounds.

Ewing was a great rebounder and is currently seventh all time in the NBA in defensive rebounds. Ewing's long arm span helped make him a defensive star as well as he is the NBA's sixth all time block leader.

44. Dominique Wilkins

1985:  Dominique Wilkins #21 of the Atlanta Hawks goes up for a layup during a 1985 NBA season game.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks
Los Angeles Clippers
Boston Celtics
San Antonio Spurs
Orlando Magic

Points: 26668
PPG: 24.8
Steals: 1378

1982-83 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

4x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

9x All Star

"The Human Highlight Film" was as exciting a player to watch as anyone. His quickness and ability to hang in the air made for entertaining basketball. Often though, people forget that Wilkins was a true star that was one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen.

He is the NBA's 10th all time leading scorer. He was the scoring champion in the 85-86 season, averaging 30.3 points a game. He holds the record for most free throws made in a game without a miss with 23. He also holds the record for most points in a game seven with 47.

43. Dave Bing

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Detroit Pistons
Washington Bullets
Boston Celtics

Points: 18327
Rebounds: 3420
Assists: 5397

1966-67 NBA Rookie of the Year

1966-67 NBA All Rookie First Team

2x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

7x All Star

Bing was one of the first point guards that was known for his scoring paving the way for some of today's players. In only his second year in the league he had the most points with 2142.

Even though Bing was a great scorer, he could dish the ball as well as he was in the top 10 in assists 6 different times in his career.

42. Chris Webber

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 19:  Chris Webber #4 of the Sacramento Kings shoots over Pau Gasol #16 of the Memphis Gizzlies at Arco Arena on November 19, 2004 in Sacramento, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Golden State Warriors
Washington Bullets/Wizards
Sacramento Kings
Philadelphia 76ers
Detroit Pistons

Points: 17182
Rebounds: 8124
Assists: 3526

1993-94 NBA Rookie of the Year

1993-94 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

5x All Star

Chris Webber is one of the best all around big men the NBA ever saw. Who knows how high he could have been in career statistics had he not battled injuries throughout his career.

Webber could score from the outside and the inside and may have been the best passing big man ever. Webber wasn't known for his rebounding skills but excelled at that as well as shown by leading the league in 98-99 season in RPG with 13.0.

He is one of only six players to average 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in his career.

41. Moses Malone

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Utah Stars
Spirits of St. Louis
Buffalo Braves
Houston Rockets
Philadelphia 76ers
Washington Bullets
Atlanta Hawks
Milwaukee Bucks
San Antonio Spurs

Points: 29580
Rebounds: 17834
Assists: 1936

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

3x NBA MVP

1974-75 ABA Rookie of the Year

4x All NBA First Team

4x All NBA Second Team

1x NBA All Defensive First Team

1x NBA All Defensive Second Team

12x All Star

Moses Malone played in more seasons than any other player as he played 21 years between the ABA and NBA. He is the only player to average 20 points and 10 rebounds with five different teams.

He was the first player to win five consecutive rebounding titles. He is second all time in free throws made. He has more offensive rebounds than anyone in history. He is also sixth all time in career points.

40. Lenny Wilkens

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St. Louis Hawks
Seattle Supersonics
Cleveland Cavaliers
Portland Trailblazers

Points: 17772
Assists: 7211
Rebounds: 5030

9x All Star

Wilkens may be better known for being one of the greatest coaches of all time but he was also one of the best players. Wilkens led the league in assists twice and is 11th all time in career assists. Lenny could do it all but his unselfishness also leads to him being forgotten in many circles.

39. Hal Greer

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Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers

Points: 21586
Rebounds: 5665
Assists: 4540

1x NBA Champion

7x All NBA Second Team

10x All Star

From year to year Greer was one of the best scorers in the league. Six times he was in the top 10 in points. He has the record for most points in a quarter in an All Star game with 19. He is the NBA's 25th all time leading scorer. He was also named to NBA's 50th anniversary team.

38. Billy Cunningham

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Philadelphia 76ers
Carolina Cougars

Points: 16310
Rebounds: 7981
Assists: 3305

1x NBA Champion

1x ABA MVP

1965-66 NBA All Rookie First Team

4x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

5x All Star

Cunningham had a short career but one that was truly great. He was part of the 50th anniversary team. During his career he was in the top ten in scoring on four different occasions.

37. Walt Frazier

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New York Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers

Points: 15581
Assists: 5040
Steals: 681

2x NBA Champion

1967-68 NBA All Rookie First Team

4x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

7x NBA All Defensive First Team

7x All Star

Frazier was one of the best point guards of all time and was the leader of the New York Knicks only two championships. He holds the Knicks franchise record for career assists. Frazier was also a tremendous defender as he was one of the first players to steal the ball consistently.

36. Alex English

1980''s:  Guard Alex English of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during a game versus the Los Angeles Lakers at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn  /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn  /Allsport

Milwaukee Bucks
Indiana Pacers
Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks

Points: 25613
Rebounds: 6538
Assists: 4351

3x All NBA Second Team

8x All Star

English was never a star per say but he was one of the top scorers the game has ever seen. He led the Nuggets to nine straight playoff appearances. When he retired he was sixth all time in career points. He led the NBA in field goals on three separate occasions and is eighth all time.

35. Dolph Schayes

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Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers

Points: 18438
Rebounds: 11256
Assists: 3072

1x NBA Champion

6x All NBA First Team

6x All NBA Second Team

12x All Star

Schayes was one of the better all around players during the NBA's beginning years. He was in the top ten in rebounds in 11 different seasons. He was also one of the best free throw shooters around as he is seventh all time in career free throws. He was also in the top ten in points 11 different times.

He was named to the 50th anniversary team and was one of the NBA's first stars.

34. George McGinnis

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Indiana Pacers
Philadelphia 76ers
Denver Nuggets

Points: 17009
Rebounds: 9233
Steals: 1448

2x ABA Champion

1x ABA MVP

1971-72 All ABA Rookie First Team

2x All ABA First Team

1x All ABA Second Team

1x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

6x All Star

McGinnis was a great player in both the ABA and the NBA. He was named to the ABA's all-time team. He was in the top 10 in rebounds on six different occasions, steals four times, and points four times. He is fifth all time in the ABA in points per game and rebounds per game.

33. Allen Iverson

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 18: Guard Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Miami Heat  on November 18, 2005 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami  Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

Philadelphia 76ers
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons

Points: 23983
Assists: 5511
Steals: 1964

1x NBA MVP

1996-97 NBA Rookie of the Year

1996-97 NBA All Rookie First Team

3x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

10x All Star

You would think at his size it might be hard to score so many points, but Iverson's quickness and toughness makes up for lack of height. He has won the NBA scoring title on four separate occasions and his 27.1 ppg is fifth all time.

Iveson's defensive ability gets overlooked at times but he is a stellar defender that has led the league in steals twice. He is currently has the second most steals and points of active players.

32. Bob Cousy

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Boston Celtics
Cincinnati Royals

Points: 16960
Assists: 6955
APG: 7.5

6x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP

10x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

13x All Star

Cousy was part of some of the best teams as evident by his six championships. He led the league in assists in eight consecutive seasons. He is one of only four players that have made the 25th anniversary, 35th anniversary, and 50th anniversary teams.

Not only could he pass but he could shoot with the best of them as well. He was in the top 10 in points in eight different seasons.

31. Jason Kidd

DENVER - MAY 03:  Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the

Dallas Mavericks
Phoenix Suns
New Jersey Nets

Points: 15318
Assists: 10199
Steals: 2198

1994-95 NBA Rookie of the Year

1994-95 NBA All Rookie First Team

5x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

4x NBA All Defensive First Team

5x NBA All Defensive Second Team

9x All Star

Kidd can handle the ball as good as anyone. He is third all time in career triple doubles with 103. It shows the versatility that he brings to the court. He is led the league in assists per game on five different occasions, totals assists three different times, and steals once.

He is the only player to ever have 15000 points, 7000 rebounds, and 10000 assists in his career. He holds Nets records for three pointers, assists, and steals. He is one of only two players to average a triple double in an entire postseason.

He is currently third in career assists. He is first among active players in assists and steals.

30. Scottie Pippen

8 May 1998:  Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls jumps to dunk the ball during the East Conference Semifinals against the Charlotte Hornets  at Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Bulls defeated the Hornets 103-83. Mandatory Credit: C

Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Portland Trailblazers

Points: 18940
Assists: 6135
Steals: 2307

6x NBA Champion

3x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

8x NBA All Defensive First Team

2x NBA All Defensive Second Team

7x NBA All Star

Pippen was often overshadowed by Jordan but he was one of the most complete players to ever play the game. He made the playoffs in 16 straight seasons and is third all time in career playoff games. He holds the record for career assists and steals by a forward.

He is one of only three players to have 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season. He is one of only four players to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in a season.

29. Gary Payton

12 Feb 2002:  Gary Payton #20 of the Seattle Supersonics drives against Michael Finley #4 of the Dallas Mavericks at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Mavericks defeated the Sonics 112-106. Digital Image. NOTE TO USER:  User expressly acknowledges and

Seattle Supersonics
Milwaukee Bucks
Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics
Miami Heat

Points: 21813
Assists: 8996
Steals: 2445

1x NBA Champion

1990-91 NBA All Rookie First Team

1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

2x All NBA First Team

5x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

9x NBA All Defensive First Team

9x All Star

"The Glove" made stealing the ball an art form. He is third all time in career steals and was in the top 10 on nine different occasions. He is the only point guard to ever win the Defensive Player of the Year.

He was on the all defensive team nine times which is a record. Gail Goodrich once said that Payton is the most complete point guard ever. At different times in his career he led the NBA in assists, steals, and three pointers.

He is the only player to have 20000 points, 5000 rebounds, 8000 assists, and 2000 steals in a career. He holds various Sonics records including: points, assists, steals, games, minutes, field goals, and triple doubles.

28. John Stockton

27 Mar 2000: John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz  passes the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Mavericks defeated the Jazz 113-105.    Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr.  /Allsport

Utah Jazz

Points: 19711
Assists: 15806
Steals: 3265

2x All NBA First Team

6x All NBA Second Team

3x All NBA Third Team

5x NBA All Defensive Second Team

10x All Star

Stockton has the most career assists and steals in the history of ABA/NBA basketball. He had five of the top six biggest assist seasons in history. He has the record for most consecutive seasons and games with one team.

During his long career he only missed 22 games. He had 34 games in which he had 20 assists or more. ESPN named him the fourth best point guard of all time.

27. Clyde Drexler

Guard Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers goes up for two during a game.

Portland Trailblazers
Houston Rockets

Points: 22195
Assists: 6125
Steals: 2207

1x NBA Champion

1x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

10x All Star

Clyde the Glide was a truly great leader and player during his career. He was at the top of the leader board in points, assists, steals, and rebounds often during his career.

He was also a decent blocker as he has the third most ever by a guard. He is one of only three players to have 20000 points, 6000 rebounds, and 6000 assists.

26. David Robinson

SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 4:  David Robinson #50 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a slam dunk in Game one of the 2003 NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets at SBC Center on June 4, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas.  The Spurs won 101-89.  NOTE TO USER: User expre

San Antonio Spurs

Points: 20790
Rebounds: 10497
Blocks: 2954

2x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP

1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

1989-90 NBA Rookie of the Year

1989-90 NBA All Rookie First Team

4x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

4x All NBA Third Team

4x NBA All Defensive First Team

4x NBA All Defensive Second Team

10x All Star

"The Admiral" was one of the classiest guys to ever play the game, but his nice demeanor didn't mean he wasn't tough on the court. He is the only player to ever win the scoring title, rebound title, and block shot title over the course of a career.

He is also the only player to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year over the course of a career. He is one of only four players to have a quadruple double.

He was the fourth ever player to score 70 or more points in a game. He is the NBA's fifth all time block leader, and is fourtth all time in blocks per game.

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written on July 14, 2009 Rankings/List

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