The 5 Greatest NBA Players of All Time

This is a list of the 5 Greatest NBA Players to play the game. My criteria for creating this list is simple, it values winning, intangibles, individual achievements, and of course absolutely being the better player. This list will include the first 5 Greatest Players in NBA History, I'll be creating a 5 player list from here on until I reach the 25 mark. Hope you guys enjoy the read, and thanks for browsing.

Number 1: Michael Jordan 1991

Number 1: Michael Jordan

Accolades:
- 6x NBA Champion (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
- 5x NBA MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
- 14x NBA All-Star (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002-2003)
- 6x NBA Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
- 1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
- 10x All-NBA First Team Selection (1987-1993, 1996-1998)
- 1x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1985)
- 9x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1988-1993, 1996-1998)
- 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1985 NBA All-Rookie Team
- 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998)
- 2x NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner (1987, 1988)
-NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Career Stats
Points 32,292
Rebound 6,672
Assists 5,633

Simply the best, and that's exactly what Michael Jordan was, his game was flawless and had absolutely no weaknesses. His impact was tremendous on both ends, his consistent statistically dominance is something we have yet to see from another player, and his aggressive style of play made him an unstoppable force.

Jordan always looked to take high percentage shots, he was a terrific ball handler, and he established a reputation of being an all time great perimeter defender. He looked to raise his play in big games, he dominated an entire era and created a dynasty unlike no other, he defied the myth of not being able to build around a shooting guard prior to his arrival, and his style impacted the world with his marketing ability.

Jordan has the statistical regular season dominance, but more impressive is his statistical playoff dominance which even rises above his regular season accolades. And while he didn't win his six championships without help, he was undoubtedly the best player on each of his championship teams. Jordan's mentality is unmatched, his clutch play puts him on a level that only two or maybe three other players can share, and his will to win leaves him at simply being the Greatest NBA Player of All Time.

Number 2: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Accolades:
- 6x NBA Champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988
- 6x NBA MVP (1971-1972, 1974, 1976-1977, 1980)
- 19x NBA All-Star (1970-1977, 1979-1989)
- 2x NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985)
- 10x All-NBA First Team Selection (1971-1973, 1974, 1976-1977, 1980-1981, 1984, 1986)
- 5x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1970, 1978-1979, 1983, 1985)
- 5x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1974-1975, 1979-1981)
- 6x NBA All-Defensive Second Team Selection (1970-1971, 1976-1978, 1984)
- 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1970 NBA All-Rookie Team
- NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Career stats
Points 38,387
Rebounds 17,440
Blocks 3,189

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formally known as Lew Alcindor had the most complete and consistent all-around game for any big man in league history. Abdul-Jabbar is regarded as the most fundamentally sound player in the history of the game. He has the statistical edge to compete with Wilt Chamberlain, and the championships to battle Russell.

His offensive game was flawless, his effectiveness scoring the ball at volume rate is simply unheard of, especially with the versatility of his shooting touch. His defensive abilities allowed him to anchor championship teams, his shot blocking reflexes were astonishing, and his footwork provided him to articulate the most dangerous offensive arsenal of all time using the hook shot.

He was the leader of the '71 Bucks championship team, which is considered to be one of the greatest teams of all time. He led the team to 66 wins, a 20 game winning streak (3rd longest), while individually leading the league in scoring, and being voted to his first MVP, doing so all while in only his 2nd season in the league.

His game winning sky hook over Dave Cowens is regarded to be one of the most clutch moments in league history. He has 17 consecutive seasons where he averaged 20 or more points per game, 12 consecutive seasons where he averaged 10 or more rebounds per game, and 11 seasons where he averaged 2 or more blocks per game, and that's not counting his peak years where blocks weren't recorded. Statistically speaking, like many rare players his numbers increase when it comes to the playoffs. His 20 solid seasons of play tops it all off like a cherry on an ice cream Sunday. Words truly aren't enough to define the greatness of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, well maybe one quote:

"Why judge anymore? When a man has broken records, won championships, endured tremendous criticism and responsibility, why judge? Let's toast him as the greatest player ever." - Pat Riley on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Number 3: Bill Russell

Accolades:
- 11x NBA Champion (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)
- 5x NBA MVP (1958, 1961-1963, 1965)
- 12x NBA All-Star (1958-1969)
- 3x All-NBA First Team Selection (1959, 1963, 1965)
- 8x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1958, 1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968)
- 1x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1969)
- 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963)
- NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NBA 35th Anniversary Team
- NBA 25th Anniversary Team

Career stats
Points 14,522
Rebounds 21,620
Assists 4,100

Bill Russell is regarded to be known as arguably the greatest winner in all of sports, and his 11 championship dynasty is also to be known as the greatest in all of sports entertainment. Russell flat out knew how to win, no matter what it took, that was all that mattered to him.

Before Russell's arrival, the Boston Celtics were an average team, they had at the time what's considered some highly equipped players and an above average team. However, it wasn't until Russell's arrival that the Celtics won their first championship, and in route to ten more for a total of eleven. Including winning two impressively as a player/coach.

Truth be told, I had Wilt Chamberlain strictly saved for this spot, but here are some reasons for which I considered Russell to be picked ahead of Wilt:

- In the 142 games Chamberlain and Russell met, Chamberlain would do his usual domination of 28.7 ppg and 28.7 rpg, compared to Russell's 14.5 ppg and 23.7 rpg in the regular season. However, Russell's Celtics won 85 of the 142 games played, that's a 60% winning percentage.

- Chamberlain faced Russell eight times in the playoffs, Russell won seven of those, all in route to a championship. Chamberlain won once in '67.

- The cast around Russell was superb with the likes of Sam Jones, John Havlicek, K.C. Jones, Tommy Heinsohn, and Bob Cousy, but it's not like Chamberlain carried a bunch of scrubs as throughout his time against Russell he played with Billy Cunningham, Hal Greer, Chet Walker, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Paul Arizin, and Nate Thurmond.

- The 1969 finals is something that carries a ton of weight in this debate. It was Wilt's first season with an already superstar boasted Lakers team which featured Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. It can be argued that Wilt had more talent on his side than Russell ever did. Russell's team consisted of John Havlicek and Sam Jones in his last season, with Russell too himself in his final season. With home-court advantage on the side of Chamberlain, the Lakers failed to truly take advantage as the Celtics forced a game 7. With the crowd on the side of the Lakers, Russell showed up in the moments it mattered the most and won the NBA championship.

- Chamberlain himself in an interview stated that he probably couldn't have filled Russell's shoes if he was given the chance to swap with Russell, while I personally feel the mental aspect of the game is where Chamberlain was ultimately inferior to Russell.

Number 4: Wilt Chamberlain

Accolades:
- 2x NBA champion (1967, 1972)
- 4x NBA MVP (1960, 1966-1968)
- 13x NBA All-Star (1960-1969, 1971-1973)
- 1x NBA Finals MVP (1972)
- 7x All-NBA First Team Selection (1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968)
- 3x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1963, 1965, 1972)
- 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1972-1973)
- 1960 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960)
- NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NBA 35th Anniversary Team

Career stats
Points 31,419
Rebounds 23,924
Assists 4,643

Number 4: Wilt Chamberlain

Accolades:
- 2x NBA champion (1967, 1972)
- 4x NBA MVP (1960, 1966-1968)
- 13x NBA All-Star (1960-1969, 1971-1973)
- 1x NBA Finals MVP (1972)
- 7x All-NBA First Team Selection (1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968)
- 3x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1963, 1965, 1972)
- 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1972-1973)
- 1960 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960)
- NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NBA 35th Anniversary Team

Career stats
Points 31,419
Rebounds 23,924
Assists 4,643

Wilt Chamberlain is arguably the most statistically dominant player in league history. Chamberlain is force that will never be witnessed again in league history. Weighing at 285 pounds, with a 7'2 frame, Chamberlain was one of the greatest athletes for a person his size. His strength was unmatched, and his quickness for someone his size was unheard of. Chamberlain, had all the post moves, he was simply unstoppable from all angles, and a defensive beast that couldn't be tamed. From 100 point games, to 50 ppg seasons, Chamberlain did all of what was unheard of, except win a numerous amount of championships.

However, when Chamberlain did win his two championships, he did it on two teams that are considered to be a candidate as one of the greatest teams in league history: the '67 Sixers and the '72 Lakers.

Chamberlain did it all, although he lacked in the championship department, he more than had his fair share of individual success with record breaking numbers to boast his accolades and his overall resume.

Number 5: Magic Johnson

Accolades:
* 5× NBA Champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
* 3× NBA MVP (1987, 1989–1990)
* 12× All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
* 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
* 9× All-NBA First Team Selection (1983–1991)
* 1× All-NBA Second Team Selection (1982)
* 12× All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
* 1980 NBA All-Rookie Team
* 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
* NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Career stats
Points 17,707
Rebounds 6,559
Assists 10,141

Earvin "Magic" Johnson amazed the world with what he could do with a basketball. Magic at 6'9 played the point guard position, and is reguarded today as the greatest point guard of all-time. He also helped change an entire era of basketball as Magic is considered one-half of the duo (Larry Bird) that made the Golden Era of NBA basketball be considered "Golden".

Throughout his rookie season, as a 2nd fiddle to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic helped bring the Lakers the '80 NBA Championship. With the Lakers having a 3-2 series lead, Abdul-Jabbar had to sit out the potential series closing game. Magic filled the Center spot, and led the Lakers to what's considered one of the most clutch games in finals history scoring a game high 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists.

Magic is considered to be one of the biggest mismatches in league history with his 6'9 frame, skills, and versatility. Magic is a deadly half-court player, absolutely devastating when running the fast break, and at his frame and his ability it post-up, he can practically score on anyone.