There has been much debate recently as to whether or not Kobe Bryant is a better basketball player than Michael Jordan. While researching for this list, I came to the decision that I would not stir up that hornets' nest.
This list is based on a number of things: amount of time in the league, point production and other statistics, impact on their era, and NBA titles.
To prevent the outbursts that will come if I don’t explain myself, both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are not on this list because neither has been in the league for more than twelve years.
Without further ado, let's dive in:
10. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Born in the Virgin Islands, Duncan was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 1997.
Duncan has been the leader of the Spurs for years now and is known above all for his great consistency. He is also widely known for his defensive ability, and for being a very clutch player in the Playoffs. He has brought championship trophies to San Antonio in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007.
He leads a team that is generally known as a "boring" team to watch and Duncan is known to complain to the referees. NBA experts label him as one of the best power forwards of all time.
He is still an active NBA player, and has career averages of 21.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
9. Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
Son of a cement mixer from Nigeria, Olajuwon went to college in Houston, Texas. He had a standout career there, and was drafted first overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA Draft—ahead of Michael Jordan.
Olajuwon was known for his skills on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court. He is remembered for being very clutch, especially in the Playoffs. He was also known for his footwork and skill around the basket.
He had a career average of 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He also led the Houston Rockets to two championships in 1994 and 1995.
8. Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns
Shaquille O'Neal was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. O'Neal won the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year award while with the Magic.
O'Neal has been known to miss some of the NBA season due to injuries. Despite that, he was obviously the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, as his demands for a shooter landed him Glen Rice.
Paired with teenage star Kobe Bryant, O'Neal and the Lakers won back-to-back-to-back titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. O'Neal later won another title in 2006 with the Miami Heat. He is active in the NBA today.
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While his poor free-throw shooting ability has been subject to much debate, O'Neal is known firstly for his physical appearance. Standing at 7'1'' and wearing a shoe sized 23, O'Neal dominates the low post wherever he plays. He is not a great defender, but because of his size is pronounced capable.
He has career averages of 25.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
7. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks
Robertson was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960 NBA Draft.
Robertson is regarded as the first “big” guard in the NBA. He is one of the best all-around players in the league, and is often the standard “all-around” players are compared to. Robertson is also considered one of the most versatile players of all time.
He won an NBA Championship in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Robertson had career averages of 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game.
6. Bill Russell, St. Louis Hawks, Boston Celtics
Russell was drafted by the Hawks in 1956, but was traded to the Boston Celtics.
Russell is considered one of the best rebounders of all time. He was not considered a great offensive player, but was very accurate. He had a decade-long rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain. Russell took over for Red Auerbach as a player-coach for the ’66-’67 season. He was involved in eleven NBA Championships.
His career averages are 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
5. Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson was drafted by the Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft, and remained a Laker for his entire 13-year career.
Johnson was listed at 6’9’’, making him the tallest guard in the history of the NBA at that point in time. He is given credit for the term “triple-double” because of his awesome statistics.
While he was known for his astounding passing, his love of the game was also very fun to watch. He always seemed to have a smile on his face.
Magic was involved in five NBA Championships; 1980, ’82, ’85, ’87, and ’88. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game during his career.
4. Larry Bird, Boston Celtics
Bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA Draft.
Bird may be one of the only players who truly defines consistency. He will always be remembered for his deadly shooting, accurate passing, great defense, and remarkable hustle. Bird was known for jumping over scorers' tables for loose balls.
While Bird only has three Championships (1981, ’84, ’86), he has great career averages. He averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game for his career.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers
Abdul-Jabbar was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA Draft.
As the all-time highest scorer in NBA history, Abdul-Jabaar wasn’t embraced by the country until the midpoint in his career. He tended to stay away from the media, but his accomplishments are still great. He is known for his extreme physical fitness, which was way before its time in the NBA. He was also extremely quick and agile for a player who was listed as 7’2’’.
Abdul-Jabaar has six NBA Championships. He averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game throughout his career.
2. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers
Chamberlain was drafted by the Warriors in the 1959 NBA Draft.
Not only was Chamberlain the first player in NBA history to score 4,000 points in a season, he was also a great passer and rebounder. He consistently led the NBA in scoring, assists, and rebounds. He is most known, however, for his dynamic scoring.
Chamberlain only has two Championships (1967, ’72) but has great career averages. He averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game throughout his career.
1. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Jordan redefined the term “superstar” in the NBA. He totally dominated his era, and went beyond stardom to mythic during his career. Even Magic Johnson admits, “there’s Michael Jordan, then there’s the rest of us.” Jordan shattered NBA records during his career. Yet throughout his storied success, he was known for being extremely humble.
His play brought the Bulls six championships as he averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game during his legendary career.
Did I mess up, where did I go wrong? How would you rank the top ten NBA players of all time?
comments (23) write a comment »
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2 months ago
i think duncan, oneal, russel should be higher, chamberlain, robertson should be lower. everything is ok. its just that once you get into the top 10 you can pretty much argue anyone from 2-10.
my rankings would go
1. michael jordan
2. Raymond Felton
3. Jason Richardson
4. Gerald Wallace
5. Omeka Okafor
6. Matt Carrol
7. Jared Dudley
8. Nazr Mohammad
9. Sean May
10. Adam Morrison
from 2 months ago
I am not even going to waste my breath on this. Matt Carrol...? He wasn't even drafted. :)
2 months ago
You are completely wrong. First of all, why is Tim Duncan on your list when he has played only 11 years while Kobe has played 12 seasons. Second, for someone to put Larry Bird ahead of Magic is beyond stupid. Magic won 5 titles while Bird 3. Both won 3 MVPs and both were the players that saved the NBA. Magic is by far and away the greatest point guard of all time and he led the greatest team in the history of the league - the 80's Lakers. Magic has to be ahead of Bird. Next, how is Wilt ahead of Kareem. Kareem won 6 MVPs, scored the most points of all time, won 6 rings and is third in total rebounds and blocked shots. Wit was dominant but he only won 2 titles. Finally, Jordan was great, but not the greatest. Both Kareem and Magic should be ahead of him. Kareem beats him in every major category. He has more MVPs, as many rings, more points and had the most unstoppable shot ever - the sky hook. Magic, on the other hand, is the greatest team player of all time. He is by far the greatest passer and player in terms of improving his teammates. He was also the ultimate winner. He won a nationl championship in college and 5 rings in the NBA while making it to the Finals four other times in the greatest decade in the history of the NBA, the 80's.
from 2 months ago
Michael Jordan was the greatest cluch shooter in NBA history. The lakers of the 80s were filled with stars. The Bulls of the 90s had two great players and than a bunch of roll players. Jordan has the highest scoring average in NBA history he didn't get as many points because he didn't play as long.
Duncan was the best player on his team when they won their championships Kobe has never done it without Shaq and he still won't have after the finals.
from 2 months ago
You are right, Marcel. I goofed on the 11 years that Duncan has been in the NBA, but I would still consider taking Duncan over Bryant in their primes.
Secondly, Magic admits that Jordan was better than him. Did you not read the quote? Jordan should be at the top of every list, and if he isn't you lose a lot of credibility.
2 months ago
Ah, love this kind of article!
So my only contention is Russell vs. Chamberlain. Russell owned Chamberlain in their careers. Add to that, Russell has 11 titles and is considered by many to be the best center of all time. I couldn't, personally, ever put Chamberlain ahead of Russell when these points jump out. Chamberlain revolutionized how the position is played because of his freakish size for the time, but you can't not look at how the two matched up against each other in making this list. At least when the two played at the same time. And no, this has nothing to do with the fact I reside 20 miles outside of Boston.
I can see your points on Duncan, but I would have to put Julius Erving on this list ahead of Duncan. I think it will be interesting to see where history ranks Duncan overall, because he's been the last of the true back-to-the-basket style power forwards. And, while I can't argue, I hate Michael Jordan. Byron Russell is still waiting for the foul to be called.
from 2 months ago
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! You make some great points about Doctor J, he would be eleven.
2 months ago
Wow. I don't care what Magic said about Jordan. Both he and Kareem are better than him. If you had to start your team with one player in the history of the league, you would take both Magic and Kareem ahead of Jordan. Magic could win with any team (he made the finals at the end of his career with Vlade Divac as his starting center) and Kareem was the ultimate winner. He made it to the finals 10 times and won 6 rings. Jordan was great, but he couldn't win shit until all of the great teams and legendary players of the 80's declined. (The Lakers, Celtics, Sixers, Pistons) He only won when there wasn't another great team in the league and he was the only great player with a good supporting cast.
from 2 months ago
So Utah wasn't great? I think I'd take Jordan over Magic and Kareem.
2 months ago
Hell no Utah wasn't great. They were a very good team, but not a great team. They wouldn't have even come close to the 80's contenders like the Lakers, Sixers, Celtics and Pistons. Magic could win with any team, not Jordan. The same goes with Kareem. You put even a mediocre supporting cast around Kareem in his prime they would still be championship contenders. Jordan only started to win when there wasn't another great team and player with a good supporting cast besides himself.
from 2 months ago
Well, it's basically you against the world when you are saying that Jordan isn't number one.
2 months ago
Kareem may be one of the most slept on players in history. Bill Russell is the Greatest winner in American team sports (11 titles in 13 seasons) s/b a notch or two higher on the list.
And I'm not a big fan of Karl Malone as a player or person, but you can't tell me he isn't on the list.
1. Chamberlain
2. Jordan
3. Russell
4. Robinson
5. Jabbar
6. Magic
7. Bird
8. Olajuwuan
9. Karl Malone
10. Bryant
2 months ago
There are great players who have never won a title. Can you name any Boston Celtics that played with Bill Russel? If you can, then name players surrounding Wilt Chamberlin at Philly? Didn't think you could. College basketball rules were changed because of Wilt.
Larry Bird belongs high on the list. If he could not shoot, rebound, assist, or free throw his team to a win, he inspired someone esle on the team to do the job. He was a truly great player.
And, can I get some of what Sam is smoking?
2 months ago
I'd say Duncan and Russell should be higher. They were AMAZING!
2 months ago
Where's Karl Malone?
Malone in my opinion should be 4 on this list.
4. Karl Malone
3.Michael Jordan
2.Wilt Chamberlain
1. Bill Russell
Also how is Bill Russell 5 on this list?
He has 11 championship rings and among his many accomplishments had 10 consecutive seasons in which he averaged over 21 RPG and 3 seasons averaging over 23 RPG.
If blocks were an official stat then, I'm sure his average would've been about 6 BPG. Russell had a career average of 22.5 RPG!
How is Chamberlain, the man Russell dominated his enitre career, most publicized in the playoffs and the in finals.
2 months ago
Great article, Andrew. And for the love of Pete, I don't ever again want to hear that MJ isn't the greatest player in the history of the game. I realize he had Pippen alongside him throughout his NBA title runs but he won titles with virtually no help in the middle.
Magic and Kareem were great, but they're also the only duo on this list.
2 months ago
NO ONE has been or will ever be better than Jordan
2 months ago
I would switch Duncan and Shaq. Even if Duncan has played less than Kobe, he's won four rings with a slew of different role players.
I would also switch Magic with Kareem. Kareen may have more rings, but no one could pass, or play all 5 positions on the court like Magic.
I personally like Bird better than Magic, but I think Magic had a more complete game.
2 months ago
i have to say mine would go like this
1-wilt chamberlain(look at the #s there incredible)
2-jordan(obviously)
3-kareem abdul-jabbar(all time leading scorer)
4-magic johnson(he would help any team in history)
5-larry bird(all around terrific)
6-tim duncan(almost a step everybody that plays forward or center currently)
7-kobe bryant(will move up if he can win a final without shaq)
8-bill russel(tremendous numbers and i mean somehow got to 11 finals thats ridiculous)
9-shaq(only good cus hes big but hes still good)
10-my choice is steve nash(i know that sounds crazy but he is a very clutch shooter,has the ability to improve any team and lots of effort plays come from him)
2 months ago
FINALLY! Someone realizes that Kobe just ain't that great! Thank you Andrew for pointing out the obvious, and for showing that there are different players who were/are better than Kobe Bryant. After last night, it's pretty clear that the Lakers should hit the panic button.
Thanks again, Andrew. You certainly did better on this list than that chick who did the crappy Top 50 players of all time list.
from 2 months ago
Lol, no problem Ron. Glad you agree with me.
from 2 months ago
It does seem that people forget about the superstars of old over time. I certainly am not old enough to remember...any of them. That doesn't mean that they weren't spectacular basketball players.
2 months ago
Me and some guys did a debate on this a couple of months ago. Check this out. Still shocked no one ever puts Isiah Thomas on their list.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/12933-The-Great-Debate-Who-Are-the-Top-10-Players-in-NBA-History--130308
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