The 100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time: Nos. 25-1

This article was made after extensive research into 300 candidates' 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.

25. Walt Bellamy

Chicago Packers/Zephyrs
Baltimore Bullets
New York Knicks
Detroit Pistons
Atlanta Hawks
New Orleans Jazz

Points: 20941
Rebounds: 14241
Assists: 2544

1961-62 NBA Rookie of the Year

4x All Star

Bellamy never had a lot of accolades but was a truly great player. In his rookie year he averaged 31.6 points a game which is second all time to Wilt Chamberlain. He also averaged 19 rebounds in his rookie year which is third all time. He led the league in field goal percentage as well in his rookie year. He is ninth all time in the NBA in rebounds.

24. Dan Issel

Kentucky Colonels
Denver Nuggets

Points: 27482
Rebounds: 11133
Assists: 2907

1x ABA Champion

1970-71 ABA Rookie of the Year

1970-71 ABA All Rookie First Team

1x All ABA First Team

4x All ABA Second Team

7x All Star

Issel is often overlooked but during his time in the NBA and ABA he scored with the best of them. He is currently 8th all time in points and is the ABA's second all time scorer. He was a dominant rebounder in his career as he is sixth in the ABA in total rebounds. He led the ABA in points on three separate occasions.

23. Artis Gilmore

Kentucky Colonels
Chicago Bulls
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics

Points: 24941
Rebounds: 16330
Blocks: 3178

1x ABA Champion

1971-72 ABA Rookie of the Year

1971-72 ABA All Rookie First Team

1x ABA MVP

5x All ABA First Team

4x ABA All Defensive First Team

1x NBA All Defensive Second Team

Considered by many to be the best ABA player outside of Dr. J. Gilmore dominated in not only they ABA but the NBA as well. He is the NBA all time leader in career Field Goal Percentage with .599. He was also as reliable as they came, once playing in 670 consecutive games. He led the NBA in field goal percentage on four separate occasions. He is the all time NBA/ABA leader in defensive rebounds. He is fourth all time in blocks. It is shocking that he is not in the Hall of Fame and is probably the greatest eligible player not enshrined.

11x All Star

22. Elvin Hayes

San Diego/Houston Rockets
Baltimore/Capital Bullets

Points: 27313
Rebounds: 16279
Blocks: 1771

1x NBA Champion

1968-69 NBA All Rookie First Team

3x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

2x NBA All Defensive Second Team

12x All Star

Hayes led the league in scoring as a rookie yet somehow didn't win Rookie of the Year. He is the last rookie to ever lead the league in scoring. He is third all time in minutes played. He is fifth in the NBA in all time field goals, fourth in the NBA in rebounds, and seventh in the NBA in points.

21. Isiah Thomas

Detroit Pistons

Points: 18822
Assists: 9601
Steals: 1861

2x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1981-82 NBA All Rookie First Team

3x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

12x All Star

Isiah was one of the toughest short men to ever play the game. He personified the "Bad Boys" of the late 80s and early 90s. Thomas famously scored 16 points in 94 seconds in a playoff game in 1984. In Game Seven of the 1988 finals, Isiah played on severely sprained ankle and still scored 25 points in one quarter. He is the Pistons all time leader in points, steals, assists, and games played. He has the sixth most career assists and is 14th in the NBA in steals.

20. Bob Pettit

Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks

Points: 20880
Rebounds: 12849
Assists: 2369

1x NBA Champion

2x MVP

1954-55 NBA Rookie of the Year

10x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

11x All Star

Pettit was an outstanding all around player and was one of the first stars of the NBA. He once scored 50 points in a finals game which at the time was a playoff record. He was the first player to ever score 20,000 career points. When he retired he was second all time in rebounds. Many believe he was the first true power forward in the league. He is third all time in rebounds per game and is seventh all time in points per game.

19. Rick Barry

San Francisco Warriors
Oakland Oaks
Washington Capitols
New Jersey Nets
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets

Points: 25729
Rebounds: 6863
Assists: 4952

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1965-66 NBA Rookie of the Year

1965-66 NBA All Rookie First Team

5x All NBA First Team

3x All ABA First Team

8x All Star

Barry was an all around great player. He is the only player to lead the NCAA, ABA, and NBA in scoring. He was also a tremendous free throw shooter even though he had one of the most unconventional shooting styles at the line. He currently is third in the NBA's highest career free throw percentage.

18. Kevin Garnett

Minnesota Timberwolves
Boston Celtics

Points: 21277
Rebounds: 11682
Blocks: 1733

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP

1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

1995-96 NBA All Rookie Second Team

4x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

8x NBA All Defensive First Team

2x NBA All Defensive Second Team

12x All Star

Throughout his career Kevin Garnett is pretty much done it all. He is the all time leader in seasons played with averages of 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. He has led the league in RPG four different times, rebounds two times, defensive rebounds five times, points once, and field goals once. He is the only player to have 20,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, 4,000 assists, 1,200 steals, and 1,500 blocks in a career. He is the Timberwolves all time leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots, steals, and games played.

17. Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 23820
Assists: 4401
Steals: 1441

4x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1x NBA MVP

1996-97 NBA All Rookie First Team

7x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

2x All NBA Third Team

7x NBA All Defensive First Team

2x NBA All Defensive Second Team

11x All Star

Kobe Bryant is a lethal shooter and one of the best defensive players in the game. He has the second most points ever in a single game with 81. Kobe once scored 50 or more points in four consecutive games. He has lead the league in field goals three times, free throws two times, points four times, and points per game two times. Among active players he is second in free throws, fourth in steals, and third in points and points per game.

16. Hakeem Olajuwon

Houston Rockets
Toronto Raptors

Points: 26946
Rebounds: 13747
Blocks: 3830

2x NBA Champion

2x NBA Finals MVP

1x NBA MVP

2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

1984-85 NBA All Rookie First Team

6x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

3x All NBA Third Team

5x NBA All Defensive First Team

4x NBA All Defensive Second Team

12x All Star

"The Dream" was the first pick in what many consider the greatest draft class in NBA history. He lived up to the first pick and is one of the greatest centers to ever play the game of basketball. He is the only player to ever win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season. He is the only player to ever end his career in the top ten in career blocks and steals. He is one of only four player to have a quadruple double. He is the all time leader in block shots. He led the league in rebounds twice and is the 11th all time in the NBA. He is eighth all time in the NBA in steals and also eighth in points.

15. Tim Duncan

San Antonio Spurs

Points: 19246
Rebounds: 10547
Blocks: 2118

4x NBA Champion

3x NBA Finals MVP

2x NBA MVP

1997-98 NBA Rookie of the Year

1997-98 NBA All Rookie First Team

9x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

8x NBA All Defensive First Team

4x NBA All Defensive Second Team

11x All Star

Duncan is the best power forward of the past 10 years and could eventually become the greatest power forward of all time. Although he may one of the least flashy players around he plays the game the way it is meant to be played and is fundamentally as sound as they come. He is fourth in active players in rebounds, third in blocks, sixth in points, second in rebounds per game, and fourth in blocks per game.

14. Jerry West

Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 25192
Rebounds: 5366
Assists: 6238

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

10x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

4x NBA All Defensive First Team

1x NBA All Defensive Second Team

14x All Star

You can pretty much count on him being associated with basketball as it is his silhouette in the NBA logo. He holds the record for most points in a playoff series with 46.3. He is sixth all time in points per game. He was one of the first guards to be able to shoot from the inside and outside. He paved the way for many players and is truly one of the faces of NBA history.

13. Karl Malone

Utah Jazz
Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 36928
Assists: 5238
Rebounds: 14968

2x NBA MVP

1985-86 NBA All Rookie First Team

11x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

3x NBA All Defensive First Team

1x NBA All Defensive Second Team

14x All Star

Many believe him to be the greatest power forward of all time and it's hard to argue after looking at his career numbers. He is second all time in career points. He is first all time in free throws made and attempts, and defensive rebounds. He had 11 straight seasons of 2000 points which is an NBA record. He is also second all time in career minutes, and 10th in the NBA in steals. Many consider him and Stockton to be the best one-two punch ever.

12. Charles Barkley

Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets

Points: 23757
Rebounds: 12546
Assists: 4215

1x NBA MVP

1984-85 NBA All Rookie First Team

5x All NBA First Team

5x All NBA Second Team

1x All NBA Third Team

11x All Star

"Sir Charles" stats might not have been as great as some other power forwards but anyone that watched him knows how valuable of a player he was. His intensity made up for his lack of size as he stood only 6'6" or shorter depending on who you ask. He is one of only four players to have 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists. He is the shortest player to ever lead the league in rebounds.

11. John Havlicek

Boston Celtics

Points: 26395
Rebounds: 8007
Assists: 6114

8x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

1962-63 NBA All Rookie First Team

4x All NBA First Team

7x All NBA Second Team

5x NBA All Defensive First Team

3x NBA All Defensive Second Team

13x All Star

Havlicek was one of the leaders to some of the greatest Boston Celtics teams of all time. He has the third most NBA titles in history. He was in the top ten in major stats many times throughout his career. He was in the top 10 in field goals eight times, free throws three times, assists seven times, and points six times. He is 11th all time in the NBA in career points. He was the first player to have 1,000 points in 16 straight seasons.

10. Elgin Baylor

Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 23149
Rebounds: 11463
Assists: 3650

1958-69 NBA Rookie of the Year

10x All NBA First Team

11x All Star

Often forgotten about when people talk about Lakers all time greats, Baylor was dominating in his day. He has the record for most points in a finals game with 61. He had 87 games of 40 points or more which is fourth all time. His 27.4 points per game is fourth all time. When he retired he was the NBA's third leading scorer. He is the ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game.

9. Shaquille O'Neal

Orlando Magic
Los Angeles Lakers
Miami Heat
Phoenix Suns

Points: 27619
Rebounds: 12566
Blocks: 2628

4x NBA Champion

3x NBA Finals MVP

1x NBA MVP

1992-93 NBA Rookie of the Year

1992-93 NBA All Rookie First Team

8x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

4x All NBA Third Team

3x NBA All Defensive Second Team

15x All Star

"Shaq" is most likely the most intimidating center to ever play the game. He has dominated the floor since coming in the league and is easily one of the greatest centers of all time. He is second all time in career field goal percentage. One of the things that makes Shaq great is the stats that don't show up, for instance many teams use two or more players to defend him which leaves teammates open for relatively easy shots. He is the active leader in various stats including, field goals, field goal percentage, offensive rebounds, total rebounds, and points.

8. Bill Russell

Boston Celtics

Points: 14522
Rebounds: 21620
Assists: 4100

11x NBA Champion

5x NBA MVP

3x All NBA First Team

8x All NBA Second Team

1x NBA All Defensive First Team

12x All Star

Russell was a good offensive player and a great defensive player. Many believe that if they had kept track of blocks that he would be the all time leader. He has more championships then anyone in basketball. He was also a great rebounder and led the league four times. He was one of only two player to gain 50 boards in a game. He was the first player to ever average 20 rebounds in a game for a single season. He is second all time in total rebounds, and rebounds per game. He is pretty much the only player to be able to shut down Wilt Chamberlain.

7. Larry Bird

Boston Celtics

Points: 21791
Assists: 5695
Steals: 1556

3x NBA Champion

2x NBA Finals MVP

3x NBA MVP

1979-80 NBA Rookie of the Year

1979-80 NBA All Rookie First Team

9x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

3x NBA All Defensive Second Team

12x All Star

Red Auerbach once said Larry Bird was the greatest player of all time. He retired somewhat early due to back problems but had he not his stats would have been even better even though they were already stellar. Michael Jordan once said that if their was anyone he would want to shoot a last second shot it would be Bird. He led the league in three-pointers twice and is considered by many the best three-point shooter of all time. Bird may not be at the very top of some of the big stats but no one can deny that he was great in just about every facet of the game.

6. Julius Erving

Virginia Squires
New Jersey Nets
Philadelphia 76ers

Points: 30026
Steals: 2272
Rebounds: 10525

1x NBA Champion

2x ABA Champion

1x NBA MVP

3x ABA MVP

1971-72 ABA All Rookie First Team

4x All ABA First Team

1x All ABA Second Team

5x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

1x ABA All Defensive First Team

16x All Star

"Dr. J." was one of the first players to play with style. He was possibly the greatest ABA player of all time. He is sixth all time in steals in ABA/NBA history, and fifth in points. He is considered by many the most exciting player to ever play the game. His quickness and style helped basketball's popularity grow and gave it a whole new look.

5. Magic Johnson

Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 17707
Rebounds: 6559
Assists: 10141

5x NBA Champion

3x NBA Finals MVP

3x NBA MVP

1979-80 All Rookie First Team

9x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

12x All Star

Magic was maybe the greatest leader a team has ever seen. He did whatever the Lakers needed him to do and usually excelled at it. He was 6'9" but could handle the ball as good as anyone. He led the league in assists four different times. He also is the all time leader in assists per game with an astounding 11.2. He holds the finals record for most assists in a game with 21. He also has the most playoff assists with 2346. He has the second most triple doubles ever with 138. He is fourth all time in career assists.

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Milwaukee Bucks
Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 38387
Rebounds: 17440
Blocks: 3189

6x NBA Champion

2x NBA Finals MVP

6x NBA MVP

1984-85 NBA Rookie of the Year

1984-85 NBA All Rookie First Team

10x All NBA First Team

5x All NBA Second Team

5x NBA All Defensive First Team

6x NBA All Defensive Second Team

19x All Star

Kareem made the "sky-hook" his signature and it lead the way to the most points in an NBA career. He also has the most MVPs of anyone. He played in the second most games in NBA history, has the eighth highest field goal percentage, third most rebounds, and third most blocks. Not only does he have the record for points and MVPs but also minutes played, field goals made, and all star selections. He was the first player to ever play 20 seasons.

3. Oscar Robertson

Cincinnati Royals
Milwaukee Bucks

Points: 26710
Assists: 9887
Rebounds: 7804

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP

1960-61 NBA Rookie of the Year

9x All NBA First Team

2x All NBA Second Team

12x All Star

He is the only player to average a triple double for a career. It can be argued that he is the best all around player of all time. He averaged 30 points or more in six of his first seven seasons. He was the first player to ever average 10 assists per game in a single season. He was also the first guard to average 10 rebounds per game in a season and did so three times. He led the league in assists six times and when he retired had the most assists, free throws, and was second in points.

2. Wilt Chamberlain

Philadelphia/Golden State Warriors
Philadelphia 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Points: 31149
Rebounds: 23924
Assists: 4643

2x NBA Champion

1x NBA Finals MVP

4x NBA MVP

1959-60 NBA Rookie of the Year

7x All NBA First Team

3x All NBA Second Team

2x NBA All Defensive First Team

13x All Star

Wilt the Stilt was such a dominating player that they had to make rule changes just to make the game more fair for his opponents. He is the only player to average more than 40 and 50 points in a season. He of course has the record for points in a game with 100. He won seven scoring titles, nine field goal percentage titles, 11 rebound titles, and one assist title. Many believe that his on court rivalry with Bill Russell to be the greatest of all time. He holds the record for most career rebounds, and is second in points per game.

1. Michael Jordan

Chicago Bulls
Washington Wizards

Points: 32292
Rebounds: 6672
Assists: 5633

6x NBA Champion

6x NBA Finals MVP

5x NBA MVP

1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

1984-84 NBA Rookie of the Year

1984-85 NBA All Rookie First Team

10x All NBA First Team

1x All NBA Second Team

9x NBA All Defensive First Team

14x All Star

What can you say about Jordan? He may be the greatest athlete of all time. He dominated the game far and above everyone else. He led the league in scoring 10 times and steals three times. He has the top two scoring averages in playoffs with 33.4 and 30.1. He has the most points in playoff history and is third all time in regular season points. He is tied for second in regular season MVPs and has the most finals MVPs. He as in the top three in MVP voting ten different times which is also a record. He was named the greatest basketball player by SLAM magazine and the No. 1 athlete of all time by ESPN. His 30.1 points per game is the highest of all time. He is also third all time in steals per game. His "Airness" was above all the rest and it is unlikely we will ever see a player like him again.