NBA Power Rankings: Kobe Bryant and the 20 Most Dedicated Players in NBA History
It's what separates the good from the great in the NBA.
Dedication to the game and a strong work ethic are characteristics that are rare to find at any level of basketball, and the league is no different.
While not everyone can have the mentality that makes Kobe the Black Mamba, there is no doubt that these 20 ballers will be remembered most for their incredible love of the game.
20. Shaun Livingston
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This might seem like a bit of a hyperbole, but that's simply not the case.
Livingston suffered one of the most gruesome injuries ever sustained on a hardwood floor in an NBA game when he was with the Clippers. The point guard snapped his leg, resulting in complete dislocation.
Additionally, the ACL and PCL were completely torn. In other words, this is the type of injury "normal" people don't even come back from 100 percent.
Not Livingston, though. After a grueling rehabilitation process and extensive training, the former No. 4-overall selection is back on the court and playing without any limitations.
19. Earl Boykins
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At 5'5 and 135 lbs, it's not like Boykins was built for the NBA.
But don't tell that to him. Now in his 11th season in the NBA, the pound-for-pound strongest player in the league is continuing to defy the odds every time he steps onto the court.
Regularly draining jumpers over defenders who are often a full foot taller, Boykins has proven that he's got every right to be playing at the highest level.
And come on, who doesn't cheer for the little guy? For those of us who weren't quite tall enough to hack it in basketball, there's a sly smile that comes through every time Boykins swishes one home.
18. Alonzo Mourning
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Mourning was an athlete who defined perseverance.
Spending the majority of his career with the Miami Heat, the big man is very often overlooked as one of the most talented big men of the mid-to-late 90s. Mourning made a comeback to the big stage after undergoing a kidney transplant, and he went on to win an NBA title.
He battled kidney problems beginning in 2003 but still managed to play 15 years in the league, and he's the only player ever for the Miami Heat to have his number retired.
17. John Havlicek
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Havlicek was one of the most prolific players in NBA history despite standing just 6'5".
With eight championships, 13 All-Star selections, four appearances on the NBA first team, five appearances on the NBA defensive first team and his number retired by the Celtics, the numbers speak for themselves.
Drafted by both the Boston Celtics and the NFL's Cleveland Browns, Havlicek clearly worked hard to maintain a high aptitude in two sports.
16. Steve Nash
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Nash has displayed obvious talent and success at the NBA level, so it's amazing to think he wasn't a valued commodity whatsoever out of high school.
Using the University of Santa Clara as a springboard into the national spotlight, Nash is an absolute magician with the ball and he has been a perennial top talent at the position despite a lack of athleticism.
It's a good thing that the Canadian turned his determined work ethic from soccer to basketball, because he's an absolute pleasure to watch.
15. Tim Duncan
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There is no doubt in my mind that Duncan will go down as one of the most underrated players in the history of the league.
Nicknamed Mr. Fundamental for a reason, TD has been a model for instructional videos ever since he entered the NBA out of Wake Forest. He might rest down the stretch of the season to prepare for the playoffs, but make no mistake that Duncan gives it 110 percent throughout the duration of the season.
He's quietly compiled one of the best resumes of anyone to ever play his position, and with career averages of 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, it's hard to argue with his efficiency.
Even if it is off the glass.
14. Karl Malone
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Perhaps the most notable player ever to have a successful career and not win a championship, Malone poured his heart out for a Utah Jazz franchise that made him an icon during his playing days.
The Mailman delivered through his whole career (except on the occasional Sunday) and the only thing that he put more work into than his game was his impressive Harley collection.
Although he never secured that highly sought-after ring, the effort he put in on a daily basis went unquestioned by everyone, and there's not going to be many at his position that work as hard as he did.
13. John Stockton
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Stockton's Jazz made the postseason in every one of his 19 seasons at the helm. Even more impressive, the endorser for short shorts on men played in every single game in 17 of those seasons without taking a single game off.
Arguably the best passer in NBA history, the wizard of the roundball made complex passes look routine and seemed as if he had eyes in the back of his head.
While some might remember him as the hairiest white point guard in history, Stockton was much more than that. His determination and desire was on display every time he was on the hardwood.
12. Dirk Nowitzki
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Nowitzki doesn't excite a lot of people outside of Dallas and his homeland of Germany, but that's just because his incredible success and outstanding work ethic have become routine.
In what was one of the most lopsided trades in history, the Mavs absolutely stole Nowitzki from Milwaukee in exchange for Robert "Tractor" Traylor, who is effectively the polar opposite of Swish41 (Dirk's Twitter handle).
Perhaps the only player on this list who's routine rarely gets talked about, Nowitzki is the first one in the gym and last one out—an absolute necessity for anyone who wants to be a leader.
11. Dwyane Wade
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As little as three seasons ago, the world was ready to quit on Dwyane Wade and his knee.
Now? It's a far different story. Wade is revered for his passion, work ethic and dedication to the game of basketball that some wish would rub off on his "Heatles" buddies.
It takes a special kind of player to be invited to join Team Jordan, and in 2009 Wade teamed up with other elite athletes and became a member of the family.
You've got to have serious heart to be welcomed into that circle.
10. Jerry West
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The man is the silhouette of the NBA logo. Need I say more?
West poured his heart into every play. The second-overall pick of the Lakers in 1960 spent his entire career with the same team, which in and of itself is a symbol of his dedication.
A spectacular all-around guard who could really do it all, West would've been good even if he hadn't put the pedal to the medal with his work ethic.
But he did, and that's what greatness is all about.
9. Kevin Garnett
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Many knew about KG's dedication long before he stepped into the spotlight in Boston, but now the world is on notice.
Perhaps the most prolific sweat-producing human being on the planet, Garnett's bald head is regularly soaked long before tipoff. He treats practice like it's a game, and when he gets to the real deal he's fired up and prepared to roll.
A leader by example, Garnett's emphasis on winning and his team-first approach are strong indicators of his will to win, no matter what the personal sacrifice may be.
8. Hakeem Olajuwon
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Olajuwon didn't just develop those dreamy post moves overnight.
The anti-Allen Iverson, Olajuwon brought it on the court every single night. Playing for 18 seasons is not only a testament to his skills, but his hard work as well, and the latter is most likely the reason for his sustained success.
This man not only averaged a double-double for the duration of his career, but additionally boasted a 3.1 blocks per game average that modern day big men can only dream about.
7. Bill Russell
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Russell's greatness is lost on a generation of stat junkies and second-level statistic experts.
Eleven championships in a 13-year career, 12-time All-Star and five-time MVP award winner, Russell's dedication to the game is manifested in all of his glorious awards. Still making contributions to the league long since he's retired, Russell is a coach in the wings and he has continued to add value to the Boston Celtics to this day.
While some might think he just dominated on flat-out talent, Russell would've never been this good had he not worked at his craft to the point of near perfection.
6. Shaquille O'Neal
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Some of the younger fans might not immediately think of Shaq when talking about dedicated players, but he belongs firmly at the forefront of this list.
An incredible physical talent, O'Neal's prowess on the basketball court is thanks to much more than just his size. With a work ethic larger than life (not unlike himself) and a desire to be the best, Shaq spent countless hours refining his game from season to season in his perceived areas of weakness.
Although he still can't seem to conquer the free-throw line, there's no doubt that Shaq's desire to be the best big man of all-time is quite clear.
5. Larry Bird
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Bird was never a harbinger for athleticism, but he regularly ranks inside the top 10 when discussing the best players to ever grace the NBA.
Spending loads of time honing his craft, Bird was able to make magic flow from his blond mullet. A hard worker who wanted to leave his mark on the game, LB33 spent his entire career with the Celtics, which is a feat we don't see accomplished very often anymore.
One of the most prolific players in the history of the game, it's lucky that Bird was such a marvel on the hardwood so most of us can forget about his disastrous tenure in the front office.
4. Ray Allen
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What other player shows up to shoot around four hours before tip off?
He's blessed with a natural stroke that is as smooth as the other side of the pillow, but Allen continues to work on his shot every single day. Now the record holder for most three-pointers ever made, he attributes his prolonged success as a player to putting in the hard work it takes to become great.
They say greatness never takes a day off, and neither does Jesus Shuttlesworth.
3. Magic Johnson
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Magic was the best point guard to every play the game.
A 6'9", 255-pound marvel out of Michigan, Johnson was selected first overall by the Lakers and was the face of an era in Los Angeles. Dedicated to the game of basketball and his desire to ascertain greatness, Johnson spent all of his time in an attempt to become a more complete basketball player.
After retiring abruptly due to an HIV diagnosis, Johnson came back to play not once, but twice more before finally retiring in 1996.
2. Kobe Bryant
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The similarities between MJ and Kobe are eerie.
What other NBA player would stay on his opponent's hardwood for an hour-and-a-half after a crushing loss to practice jump shots? Nobody. Not only is Kobe the league's best player, he is also the NBA's hardest worker, and it should surprise no one that the two go hand in hand.
He's taken a lot of criticism since he first entered the league and he was labeled as a ball hog, but Kobe's dedication to the game has provided him with the ability to transcend the fallacies that surround him.
Bryant knows what it takes to be great, and it's obvious that he's not yet achieved everything that he's sought to do.
1. Michael Jordan
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Nobody will ever reach the summit of Mount Jordan.
The greatest player to ever grace the NBA, Jordan's legacy is worldwide. He's no longer just a name, but rather a symbol for greatness. His desire to be the best of all-time is unparalleled by any player from any generation.
At 48 years old, Jordan still outworks half of of the players on the team that he owns (Bobcats) and looks as if he could step out onto the hardwood and find instant success.
There's a reason that his name lives on long after he retired for the final time. He is the illustration of how to play the game the right way.
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