25. John Stockton
Stockton is the all-time leader in both total assists with 15,806, and the all-time leader in total steals with 3,265. Over his 20-year career, he averaged 13.5 points and 10.5 assists, along with three rebounds and 2.2 steals. He also shot an amazing 51.5 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from the three-point line, and 82 percent from the free-throw line.
He was also a very good defensive guard, as he was selected to five All-NBA defensive teams, all second-team selections. He also led the league in both total assists and assists per game for nine consecutive seasons, from the 1987-1988 season through the 1995-1996 season.
However, he never won a championship with the Jazz in his long and durable career, as they lost both times they advanced to the Finals against the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.
24. Charles Barkley, "Sir Charles"
Barkley is the best rebounder of all time for his height. In his career, he had averages of 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks. He also shot a tremendous 54.1 percent from the field and 73.5 percent from the free-throw line. He was selected to 11 All-Star teams.
He was also selected to 11 All-NBA teams, with five of the selections as a member of the first team. He won an All-Star Game MVP and, more importantly, an MVP Award in the 1992-1993 season as a member of the Phoenix Suns.
However, he could never lead his team to a championship, for in his only Finals appearance, his Suns lost to the Bulls.
23. Kevin McHale
McHale was a key member of the three championship Celtics teams in the 1980s. He had career averages 18 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks. He also shot an amazing 55.4 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. He won two Sixth Man of the Year Awards in 1984 and 1985.
He was selected to seven All-Star teams and one All-NBA team, as a member of the first team. He was also one of the best defensive big men in his era, as he was always at the top of the list of block leaders. He was selected to the All-NBA Defensive team six times, with three of the selections on the first team.
22. Karl Malone, "The Mail Man"
In terms of statistics, Malone would be much higher on this list. However, Malone wasn't clutch or a winner. He had great career averages of 25 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks. He also shot 51.6 percent from the field and 74.2 percent from the free-throw line. He ranks second all-time in total points, as he is only behind Kareem.
In his long and durable career, he was selected to the All-Star team 14 times and he was selected to the All NBA team 14 times, with 11 of the selections as a member of the first team. He also won two All-Star Game MVPs and two regular MVP awards. However, he never won a ring as, he could never lead the Jazz to a title.
21. Elvin Hayes, "The Big E"
Hayes is one of the most underrated players in the history of the league. He ranks in the top 10 in career points, field goals made, rebounds, and minutes played. He has career averages of 21 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, one steal, and two blocks per game. He was also selected to 12 All Star teams in his 16-year career.
58 comments Last one added 7 days ago — Leave a Comment
Steven Jarjees 9 months ago
Very good list. Many people would argue Jordan over Magic and Kareem, but i agree with your top 3. I also agree with many others that you put on this list.
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Marlon Oram 9 months ago
Great list. I agree with the top three in order. I also am happy that Hakeem is getting recognition for how great he was on both ends of the court. I am also glad Elvin Hayes was on the list as he would usually be left on a similar list by a different person.
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
I agree with you Marlon about Hakeem getting recognized for his extremely all around game offensively and defensively. You are also right about Elvin Hayes usually being left off. I think he is extremely underrated for all of the accomplishments he has achieved.
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Anthony Evgenidis 9 months ago
The list is solid with the correct names but the order in m opinion is inaccurate. MJ is #1 I would argue and the rest of the Basketball universe, I will only ask you what number every kid and NBA player identifies with? Not 32 but 23. I would have Hakeem ahead of Wilt because of the greater competition he faced throughout his career as a measuring stick of his greatness. I have no idea why Tim Duncan is in your top 8 with all honesty considering this is an "all time selection". Even putting Kobe at 9 is premature you could argue, although I believe he will be higher on the list when he is done.
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
Anthony, how can you say Duncan doesn't deserve to be in the top ten. He has 4 rings, 3 Finals MVP awards, 2 MVP Awards (back to back) and is one of the best offensive and defensive big men ever. He is also without a doubt the greatest power forward of all time. Magic and Kareem are both better than MJ. Kareem dominated the league for 20 yrs and Magic is the greatest team player who dominated the league's best era. (1980's)
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Nate Smith 9 months ago
I think the list has good names, but is out of order.
10. Hakeem
9. Oscar Robertson
8. Kobe Bryant
7. Tim Duncan
6. Larry Bird
5. Bill Russell
4. Magic Johnson
3. Kareem
2. Wilt
1. Michael Jordan
I think Shaq and Jerry West just miss the top 10. Shaq because while his prime was GOAT material, he under-achieved defensively and often mailed it in during the regular season. Jerry West because he doesn't have enough rings and no MVP awards.
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Anthony Evgenidis 9 months ago
Well the MJ argument I don't really have to sell people on, just ask Magic and Bird, in their interviews they told who the best player they ever saw was. And as for Duncan his accomplishments are very impressive but like I said before not in the "top 8" or 10 for that matter. The fact that Kobe is not ahead of him in my own personal opinion takes away from the value of your list, that discounts the MJ part as well. Dr. J at 20? Shaq behind Duncan? He has 4 rings as well if you want to use that measure, like I said the list is good but the order in certain areas I personally find inaccurate.
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Jorge Franceschi 8 months ago
Don't even get me started on Kobe over Duncan. Duncan has won back-to-back MVPs and was the leader of his team during each of the Spurs' FOUR championships. Bryant may have been Shaq's equal in their last two championships, but he was never THE MAN, like Duncan. Tim Duncan's team has never missed the playoffs (Kobe in 2004-05, when Duncan was winning his third championship). Tim Duncan's team has never failed to get into the second round of the playoffs. Kobe had three straight years of no playoffs (04-05) or first round-and-out to Phoenix (05-06, 06-07), a team Duncan has abused like a bastard stepchild. Tim Duncan is a living legend and has made a living making his teammates better. Kobe just started making his teammates better last season.
Kobe's legacy has been overhyped. Granted, he's one of the best 50 players of all time, no doubt. If he were in San Antonio, he wouldn't get the publicity he gets. If Tim Duncan played for the Lakers or Celtics, the PR machine would make him the second coming of Michael Jordan, which, come to think of it, he is the greatest player since Jordan retired. And yes, that includes Shaq.
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
I don't care what Magic or Bird said about MJ. Magic is the best of all time. If u want to start your franchise with one player it will either be Magic or Kareem, not MJ. Also, if I remember correctly, Bird said after one of the Finals games against the Lakers that Magic was the best player he's ever seen. Also, in a recent interview James Worthy who played with MJ, Kareem and Magic said Kareem was the greatest because of his longevity and he would start his team with Magic over anyone else because of his passing, selflessness and leadership.
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nat iviri 9 months ago
I don't think that Kobe should be ahead of Shaq, because he helped while Shaq collected the postseason awards, being a helper among so many players with so many awards takes some credibility away from the author of this list. Current perception of a player or his publicity shouldn't account for accomplishments that others already got, because the others already were very talented players at their respective times. I think Jerry West should've been top 10, c'mon even the nba logo is after him, and again if you go back in time you'll easily see that Dr. J was a lot greater hands down than current big publicity Kobe.
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Nate Smith 9 months ago
Nat:
I think lots of people would agree with you just because Shaq in his prime was so dominant. The problem is that while Shaq won four rings, each came with a top 5 player co-leading. Also while Shaquille received 3 finals MVPs, if you look at 2001 and 2002 Western Conference Finals, Kobe was the best player with his clutch play and ability to get to the line (Against the Spurs and Sacramento). So while Shaq got the finals' MVPs, Kobe was equally responsible for those championships.
Aside from the three finals' MVPs, Kobe and Shaq's career accolades are similar except for the fact that Kobe Bryant has 6 more All NBA first team defense accolades than Shaq. Also, Kobe led his team to the best record in the most competitive conference in the history of the game last season and took a team to the finals without a top 5 or 10 player. Kobe is considered probably the second or third clutchest player ever and he displayed his ability to take over a game in the championship round of the olympics leading the USA squad to gold. So Kobe's definitely above Shaq.
I'd have West at 11. West never won a MVP and when he won finals MVP, he won it on the losing team. Then you look at the teams and players. The talent level today is much greater. There are almost triple the number of teams today than there were in West's era making his nine trips to the finals much less impressive. Because there were fewer teams and fewer players, dominating the ALL NBA Teams was much easier then than it is today. Kobe has to beat out guys like Wade, Carter, AI, McGrady, etc for All NBA Honors. Each of these players is significantly better than most of the guys West had to go up against at his position in the 60s.
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Rodge Correa 9 months ago
Yeah... I agree with the names but not the list. Jordan is first, Karl Malone should be higher. Shaquille should be ahead of Kobe and probably in the top 7. And, or course, Jordan should be first.
U sure you're not a Lakers fan? haha
Take care man...keep up the great work!
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Ron Glover 9 months ago
Glad to see four 76ers made the list
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John Lorge 9 months ago
Why do people hate on Shaq in these lists??? He is one of the 10 greatest, and is the most dominant player of all time.
Wilt was dominant for his time, but the way weight training has progressed, imagine what SHAQ would have done in the 70s.
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
I don't think people hate Shaq on all time lists John. They just mention that while he was dominant, he was very lazy and he always had problems with each team he has played for.
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Ari Horing 9 months ago
What do you mena by problems. When he won 3 titles out of 4 finals experience I don't think his problems mattered. When he took a magic franchise to their first finals appearance, he didn't have problems. When he took the Heat to their first title, he didn't have problems. If anything the probllems came after he had already left the teams.
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Rob Wilford 9 months ago
You are an Idiot!!!
Michael Jordan is easily number 1. so Kareem and Johnson who for 5 of their 6 championships also played with James Worthy and had a very deep bench with players like Bryan Scott and Bob mcadoo, are better than Jordan. They each played with two legit hall of famers. Jordan only had Pippen.
Shaq at 12. Your crazy, Shaq in his prime is the second best player ever.
There is a reason he is the all time winningest player in regular season history.
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Dave Morrison 9 months ago
I respect everyone's opinion. I think it is a great article and I agree with every player on there, it is just the placement of a few, but that the biggest thing wrong with it is, Micheal Jordan is the best player of all time. I know Marcel, you are a huge Laker fan, and I do believe Magic and Kareem are great players. I would except as Kareem as number 2 and Magic at 3. MJ is number one, always will be, unless Kobe passes him and wins more championships which could happen. I'm sorry MJ is number one, even Magic would agree. I do not know how anyone could think otherwise. 6 Championships, the shoes, beating Magic and Kareem in the finals. Just my opinion.
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Jorge Franceschi 8 months ago
Kareem wasn't in the 1991 Finals. He retired a few years earlier. Please do not confuse Kareem with Vlade Divac!
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
Rob, I can tell you have a small if any basketball knowledge. MJ dominated the 90's - the weakest era in the history of the league with another player who was selected as one of the 50 greatest of all time. Magic made the finals 9 times in 12 seasons in the hardest era in history (80's) and Kareem was dominant for over 20 years. He also scored the most points, has the most MVP's and made the finals 10 times in his career.
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Jorge Franceschi 8 months ago
If the 80s was the hardest era, then the 90s was, without a shadow of a doubt, the second-hardest era. Look at this list of championship threats:
1. Jordan and his Bulls
2. Olajuwon and his Rockets
3. Malone, Stockton and their Jazz
4. Kemp, Payton and their Soncis
5. Ewing and his Knicks
6. Robinson and his Spurs
7. Drexler and his Blazers
8. Barkley and his Suns
9. O'Neal, Hardaway and their Magic
10. Miller and his Pacers
Without Jordan, each of those teams (perhaps minus the Spurs and Pacers) wins at least one championship, and Hakeem did it twice.
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
Dave, when Jordan beat the Lakers in the Finals for his first ring, Kareem had already retired and Magic had really no one else with him as Worthy wasn't the same and in the middle was Divac instead of Kareem. On on the other hand, Jordan had a solid supporting cast who was hungry to win as they had never won before. Also, Pippen was huge in the series as he defended Magic pretty well.
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Robert Seagal 9 months ago
Michael Jordan was the greatest player of all time. There is maybe one player you could make a case for; and thats Bill Russell. This isn't to take anything away from Magic, Kareem, the Stilt, or The big O.. but no player has ever been able to stop so many other great players from getting a ring. I mean, if Jordan hadn't retired twice, and for instance played from 84 till 2002, you could probably assume Hakeem and David Robinson would have never had rings. I mean.. Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Miller, Mourning.. I mean how many great teams did the Bulls kill... he was the best leader, best defender, and best offensive player in the world.. at the same time. No one has ever dominated in the modern generation like he did.. and his talent isn't limited to his era. He could probably do the exact same thing in today's NBA.. which isn't something you can say for players like Chamberlain.. who's numbers were blown out of proportion due to the "bigs" of his generation.. and certain rules which helped a guy do what he did back then. Jordan in his prime on any playoff team today would be a 34ppg all league defender who would probably be an NBA champion... he accomplished a lot.
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James Church 9 months ago
good list shaq maybe a little higher and everyone knows mj was the best and greatest... he basically was basketball and is basketball, he was the icon around the world, but then magic is 2nd and kareem
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
Jordan was not the greatest of all time. Kareem is without a doubt better than him as he had more MVP awards, same amount of rings, more Finals appearances and more points. Kareem also dominated for a much longer time and was no question the greatest college player of all time. Magic was better because he is the greatest team player of all time who led his team to the Finals 9 times in 12 seasons, winning five of them. He also had the greatest performance ever in game 6 against the 76ers in the 1980 Finals as a rookie playing every position on the floor.
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Ari Horing 9 months ago
Think about this way. your saying the two best players of all time played with each other for a decade and had James worthy on their team but yet they only won 5 rings together.
Imagine if you put Jordan and Shaq on the same team and added Worthy.
They would never lose!!!
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Steven Jarjees 9 months ago
First of all, Worthy was on 3 of the 5 lakers championships in the 80s (Drafted in 1983). Second, when Magic was drafted by the Lakers in 1979, Kareem had already been in the league for 10 years and for the majority of the 80's he wasnt the same player that he was in the 70s in his prime. The 80s was by far the most competitive era in the history of the game. Besides the Lakers, there were the dominant Celtics, Pistons, Sixers, and Bucks that were great in the 80s
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Ari Horing 9 months ago
dude regarthless if worthy was there for 3/5, Shaq and Jordan= never losing.
So you just said that kareem in his prime only won two championships. That's not helping your case.
Jordan in his prime without the supposed best player ever in Magic won 6 championship in 8 years and was gone for 1 and a three quarters of a year during that in which he obviously didn't win.
He then retired as the best player in basketball and might have lost out on another ring or two.
That is just illogical to me to think that they are the two best players of all time.
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Robert Seagal 9 months ago
Bingo- look man, the idea of trying to go for Magic, or Kareem, or Wilt, or anyone other than Jordan for #1 is... cute. Its just not logical. It can create a lot of buzz, but it shows a fundamental flaw in your ability to assess basketball greatness. There are just some things you don't dispute. Jordan being the best basketball player of all time..well.. in the NBA is one of them.
Allow me to say that there are indeed 5 players who could have a strong case for the title(ultimately Jordan still was better but these 5 guys have a good case)
1. Bill Russell - the rings don't lie.. Jordan's still better but he makes it close
2. Hakeem... might have been the most skilled big man the NBA has ever seen..
3. Arvydas Sabonis- the best big man in the world ever? Probably.. sadly the USSR never let him come over when he was young.. the NBA missed out on the only guy who could have probably beaten that Bulls team, because the idea of Longly, Cartwright, or anyone on earth trying to guard him in his twenties is comical. He was the best passing big man, who also was a great defender, rebounder, shooter, post player... he was huge.. just sad the NBA never got to see it. Easily the best International player by a landslide.
4. Larry bird
5. Tim Duncan ... but he has to win maybe 2-3 more championships to make the race close.
And.. one last point
.. KG is a better player than Dr. J, Karl Malone, and ..zeke? ... oh God
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Shan 9 months ago
nice but controversial move putting Magic at number 1....I think he is top two...with MJ at number one...
Where is Karl Malone??
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Steven Goldman 9 months ago
Jordan is #1
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Mark Brown 9 months ago
Personally, I have a problem with Tim Duncan ahead of Shaq. Shaq is one of the most dominant players to lace 'em up, 7th of all time in my opinion. Duncan is maybe 15 or a little higher. Remeber, Shaq's Lakers beat Duncan's Spurs when both players were in their primes.
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Jorge Franceschi 8 months ago
Shaq's Lakers defeated Duncan's Spurs three times ('01, '02, '04) ('99. Duncan's Spurs defeated Shaq's Lakers two times ('99,- '03), including the bookending of the Lakers' 3-peat. They both have four rings. Duncan has two regular season MVP awards to Shaq's one. They both have three Finals MVP awards. However, much like I said regarding Duncan's greatness over Kobe, the Spurs under Duncan have been a model of consistency who have made it to at least the second round in each of Duncan's 11 years. Duncan is 4-0 in the NBA Finals. Shaq is 4-2. Shaq's teams are all across the board, as in his first year, the Magic only won 42 games. In Duncan's rookie year, the Spurs won 56.
They are both right there, but when it comes down to it, you have to take Duncan because of his consistency and the fact that he was the better teammate who has sacrificed when his team warranted it to win. Can't say the same for Shaq, who thinks he "makes them when it counts" and shows up to camp out of shape and mails it in the regular season after winning three championships.
Also consider this: On the two teams Shaq has won championships, they have traded him. The Spurs, the ONLY team Duncan has ever played for and will ever play for, would never in a million years trade him even if they got LeBron, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kobe and Chris Bosh in return...
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Mark Brown 8 months ago
Shaq won his head to head match ups with Duncan. The regular season MVP could have easily been Shaq's at least 2 or 3 other seasons. The Spurs under Duncan have been consistent, yes, but David Robinson played a big role in that. Nowadays, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli have just as much importance to the Spurs' success as Duncan does. Shaq's rookie year he had no one; Penny was drafted a year later. Duncan had Robinson. Shaq has sacrificed as well, he just has a big ego. San Antonio would absolutely trade Duncan for one of those players now, as he is no longer as effective as he once was. Duncan was and is a great player, but not as good as Shaquille O'Neal. Very few players have been as dominating as O'Neal once was.
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Marcel Mansour 9 months ago
LaLala, remember that Shaq had Kobe while Duncan had an older David Robinson for those playoff series you are talking about. Duncan is better than Shaq as he hasn't had a Kobe or Wade as his sidekick.
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Mark Brown 9 months ago
David Robinson was still pretty good, though; he was the one who guarded Shaq, Duncan didn't have to. And Kobe was somewhat neutralized by Bruce Bowen.
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EL DUBB 8 months ago
PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?WHERE IS SCOTTIE PIPPEN?
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Marcel Mansour 8 months ago
El, Pippen was seriously considered, but he just missed the list. If I had extended the list to the 30 greatest players, he would have definitely made it.
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EL DUBB 8 months ago
For a player to be considered all-time they have to have one a NBA championship. How can list Shag and Kobe as top 25 players but just list Jordan by himself without S. Pippen. You also list John Stockton who was destryoed in both finals apperances by S. Pippen defensively. How can you list C. Barkley, John Stockton and Karl Malone all of them lost to S. Pippen and Jordan. There is a big difference between a good player and a great player the difference is winning the big game when it's all said and done. KG does not deserve to be on the list either. Players who played on losing teams the majority of their careers are overrated and not proven winners when it counted. Issiah Thomas or D. Rodman derserve to be on this list. Rodamn was one of only 3 players in the nba who could dominate a game without even scoring. Just do the NBA gods and myself a favor and take off barkley, malone and stock and replace them with pippen. Seriouly.
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Marcel Mansour 8 months ago
EL, I understand your argument for Pippen. He was literally the last cut as I thought Stockton deserved it over him because he has the most assists and steals of all time. Barkley was one of the best all around players ever and definitely deserves to be on the list and Malone won 2 MVP awards and is second all time in career points so there is no doubt he deserves to be on the list.
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Bruce Grossberg 7 months ago
I'm laughing so hard here my stomach hurts!!!!
Magic and Kareem both ahead of Jordan?
I can't take it.
Almost as bad is having Isiah Thomas ahead of Baylor and Erving. Do you know ANYTHING about the history of the NBA?
Where the F--K is Bob Cousy?
Cousy was the first great point gurad. He revolutionized the game and won an MVP at a time when the game was entirely geared towards big men.
David Robinson was great, but no way he ranks above Erving and Baylor.
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Brent Martin 6 months ago
WHAT ARE YOU NUTS?
no arguement jordan was and is the best player ever.Russell is so # 2-11 tittles!and and you have him at 7!Wilt is number 3-before Jordan came the arguement was Russell or Wilt # 4 is Magic #5 is Bird #6 is The Big O #7 is Kareem his numbers are inflated because of 20+ yrs playing. #8 is West #9 is Kobe #10 is Shaq and #11 is Dr j.
and Pippen is not 1 of the best players ever Jordan is the one who made him look good.
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Johann Plaridel 5 months ago
no one could ever do what michael jordan did! not even majic or kobe as well as lebron james! from all factors to consider no one can get closer to the greatest player of all time! there is no question about it! so you people trying to say MICHAEL JORDAN shouldn't be the greatest player of all time think again co'z you know what guy'z you are the most fuckin damn of all! Just imagine watching NBA without MJ its so boring! MICHAEL JORDAN THE BEST EVER! AND THE BEST WILL EVER BE!!!!!!!!!_jplaridel
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jolo lolol 5 months ago
MJ not #1....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH are you retarded?
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jolo lolol 5 months ago
no seriously...are you?
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Mike P 5 months ago
Get Rick Barry on this list...... replace Barkley, Stockton or McHale, among others...
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Marcel Mansour 4 months ago
Mike, Rick Barry was great, but he just missed the list. Stockton deserves to make it as he is one of the 3-4 greatest point guards ever and the leader in total assists and steals. McHale was a great power forward at both ends of the floor on one of the greatest teams ever. And Barkley was an amazing all around player who could score, was as good as any rebounder ever and a solid passer and defender.
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Mike P 4 months ago
Marcel, the players you have are all outstanding. The amount of centers that you have (9) limit the other four positions (an average of 4 per position). Most lists have Bird, Baylor, Barry & Erving as the top 4. Hondo was more of a swingman than a small forward. What you have to remember about Barry was the manner in which they beat the Bullets in '75 (4-0, one of the greatest upsets in sports history). That year he let the league in steals (that just doesn't happen) was 2nd in scoring, 6th in assists and let the league in free throw percentage (and finished 4th in the MVP voting -- a joke, he should have been MVP). Other players (& fans) hated him because of his on court persona, and he never got his just dessert. At any rate, that's my 2 cents.
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Jason Ellenbogen 4 months ago
Although he was my favorite player growing up I don't agree with Kareem that high. I do agree with Magic as #1 though. He wasn't as acrobatic as Jordan and didn't score as much, but he could play any position at an elite level and did more to make his team better. All in all if I was starting a team with any player in history I would pick Magic first. My top 10 would be: Magic, Jordan, Bird, Chamberlain, Robertson, Russell, Shaq (if he could shoot even 75% free throws he would possibly have been the most dominant of all time...big weakness though at 50%), Hakim, Duncan, Cousy. Feel really strong about my top 3 a little less so on the top 5 and by the bottom of the top 10 it would probably be different every time if you asked me 10 times.
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massimo valz gris 4 months ago
The list was doing just great when out of the blue disaster stroke: MJ at #3 should be legally punishable.
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Tyler Williams 4 months ago
good list. MJ's clutchness wasn't mentioned I don't think. If he had retired after the last Jazz series like he should have what would his last shot have been? Just look at Malone's face as Jordan releases, he doesn't even get ready to rebound, he knows its going in, and his dream has once again been thwarted by the best ever. Swish.
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kaleb klink 4 months ago
i like the list but the top 5 should go
5. Larry "the Legend" Bird
4. Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain
3. Earvin "Magic" Johnson
2. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1. Michael "his Airness" Jordan
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Jamaal King 4 months ago
I dont agree wit dis list the 80s was not the greatest era in basketball its da 90s, MJ is da greatest, last time i checked miked beat Magic in da finals for his 1st ring this list= CHECKMATE
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ben robinson 3 months ago
"There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us."
-- Magic Johnson
end of argument
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Danny Doocker about 1 month ago
The first thing I do when I look at lists like this, is I look at number 1. If it's not Michael Jordan this list is not legit. I don't care what names are on there, you have to have MJ at number 1. Oh and the next thing I look at is Shaq. If he is not in the top 5 this list is definetely not legit. The last thing is the placement of Oscar Roberston again in the top five. Looks like you failed the test...
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Matt Hylton 24 days ago
If Michael Jordan is not at the top of this list you are crazy. I don't care how many finals Kareem and Magic played in, but they only won six and five. Jordan managed to win six straight while completely dominating the league (3 straight, 2 years off, 3 straight). Kareem did manage to put up some dominating numbers, but also played for twenty years. In my opinion Magic is the second best basketball player to ever play, but you just don't put these guys above Jordan no matter what era they played in. As far as I'm concerned guys like Jerry West playing in today's game would be considerably less effective than when they actually played. That's why I think we have to base these lists on what they players were able to accomplish when they were playing and not worry about how strong there competition was. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball players ever to play the game. If Kobe can add a another two rings to tie Jordan maybe we can talk, but even then Kobe is not as dominating as Jordan. Do not mention the name LeBron until he wins his first Championship.
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Marcel Mansour 17 days ago
Matt, thanks for ur comment. Even though I disagree with you, I respect ur opinion. Overall, I just believe that Magic was the best because he was the best player on the greatest team ever in the league's best era and Kareem is the most accomplished player ever as he has the most MVPs, points and is in the top three in rebounds and blocks. Matt, my question to you is that if Kobe wins two more titles and two more finals MVP awards, would you say he is better than Jordan???
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S.W. Bell 7 days ago
I think you made the point that Jordan was and is the best. He didn't have the team that Magic had. He only had Pippen, and some other role players. If you put Jordan with the caliber of players that Magic had, I couldn't even imagine. You remove just Kareem from the Lakers and what do you have, a loss to Jordan and the Bulls in the '90-'91 NBA Finals in 5 games. I think that speaks for itself.
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