Greatest Ever: Basketball: Top Ten Basketball Players Of All Time

5. Larry Bird

Bird was one of the most dominant players in the NBA throughout the 80s, playing at small-forward for the Boston Celtics. In his career he managed 21,791 points, 5,695 assists, and 1,556 steals.

He is a three time NBA Championship winner, and was named the NBA's MVP three times in a row between 1984 and 1986. He was included in the All-Star team for all of his 12 full seasons in NBA, and was named in 10 All-NBA selections.

In 1980 he was named NBA Rookie of the Year, just beating the great Magic Johnson to the award.

4. Magic Johnson

"Magic" is an appropriate nickname for Johnson. A five time NBA Champion with the LA Lakers, he retired from the game three times in total. He recorded 17,707 points, 6,559 rebounds, and 10,141 assists in his distinguished career.

Magic Johnson is also a three time NBA MVP, a 12 time All-Star member and a ten time All-NBA team member. He remains the NBA's all-time leader in assists per game with an average of 11.2.

After retiring in 1991 due to the discovery of his HIV, he attempted a comeback in 1996, which had limited success.

3. Wilt Chamberlain

At 7ft 1in and, at times, over 300 lbs, Wilt Chamberlain was an imposing and intimidating figure on the basketball court. He scored 31,419 points in his career, one of only five players to have passed the 30,000 mark, as well as recording 23,924 rebounds and 4,643 assists.

Chamberlain is a two time NBA Champion and four time NBA MVP. In 1960 Chamberlain was named Rookie of the Year, and went on to be named in 13 All-Star teams, and ten All-NBA teams.

He holds many records, including most points averaged by a single player in a season (50.4), Most points by a player in one season (4,029), and most points by a player in one half (59). He is perhaps most famous for his 100-point-game, which increasingly looks like an unbeatable record.

He is also one of the best re-bounders in NBA history.

2. Kareem Abdul Jabbar

7ft 2in Jabbar was probably the greatest points scorer in NBA history. His career total of 38,387 is the most totalled by any player by quite a way. One of his most potent weapons was his "Skyhook" shot, which was nigh-on impossible to block.

In addition to his record breaking points tally, Jabbar also recorded 17,440 rebounds and 3,189 blocks. He is a six time NBA Champion, and holds the record for amount of NBA MVP awards won with six.

He was named in the All-Star team 19 times, and the All-NBA team 15 times. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1970.

1. Michael Jordan

There is little debate over who the greatest is. Chamberlain and Jabbar provide some competition, but no-one scaled the heights quite as high as Jordan. Voted Sportsman of the Century by more than one organisation, he doesn't just have a claim to be the greatest basketball player ever, but the greatest sportsman as well.

Nicknamed "Air Jordan" for his phenomenal jumping ability, he broke all kinds of records in basketball. As well as being as very dangerous attacker, Jordan is considered one of the best defensively as well.

He scored 32,292 points, and recorded 6,672 rebounds and 5,633 assists. He is a six time NBA Champion, a five time NBA MVP, a 14 time All-Star team member and an 11 time All-NBA member.

He has been named Rookie of the Year and was included in nine All-Defensive First teams. He holds many records, most notably the highest career points per game with 30.1 ppg.

I am in no doubt that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time!

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