NBA 1949 to 2011: Jordan, Jabbar, Wilt, LeBron and the New All-Time Greats
It is hard not to get caught up in the hype when you are a modern basketball fan; even for me, but here I do not get caught in the hype.
Why should I? I have been watching the NBA since 1989 and I intensely studied the legends of the past to a great degree, and in my expert opinion, the NBA indeed used to be better. The NBA had better shooters and more professional athletes. There is something to be said about going to college, even though it is hard to see as of 2011.
As each year passes, new NBA fans assign the new season as the best, but it just isn't. I truly, and deep down, know that the NBA was once better. That does not mean some current greats aren't on my no-hype all-time greatest players ever list.
Am I afraid to not pick someone that the hype of today wants me to? No way. I do not go by trendy opinions, I go by solid reason.
Here are the 51 greatest individual players in NBA history.
P.S.โI picked them going by who I would pick toย startย a team with no stars except one (top 50).
Just missed top 51: Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, Mark Aguirre, Adrian Dantleyย
No. 51: Gary Payton
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Payton mixed defense and offense like probably no little man ever. ย
No. 50: Willis Reed
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Theย undersizedย Reed was the backbone ofย earlyย Knick title wins versus some great competition.ย
No. 49: Steve Nash
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The little engine that could, and would always make his team better through marksmanship and a pass-first mentality.ย
No. 48: Scottie Pippen
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The sidekick of MJ transformed into one great all-around player, whose main weakness was actually shooting, but not dunking!
No. 47: Jerry Lucas
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This forgotten legend was a terror for opposing teams for a long time and so, so, SO underrated. Study his career.ย
No. 46: Dave Cowens
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The ultimate small center who hustled his way to status as one of the best to ever play. Attitude toward defense and seriousย concentration toย offense made him amazing.ย
No. 45: Billy Cunningham
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The kangaroo kid was more than just a high jumper, he was a dedicated team player who could literally do everything well, and it paid off big time, over and over.ย
No. 44: Pete Maravich
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Pistol Pete is one of the top three most naturally awesome basketball players ever. Along with MJ and Bird, he made every facet of the game look easy, well, except for his defensiveย lackadaisically. ย
No. 43: Spencer Haywood
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One of the baddest mama jammas to ever play the game, and a completely slept on all-time great who today's fans ignore. Study his career!
No. 42: Paul Westphal
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His dedication to scoring, defense, and his team will not be overlooked by me. Many current NBA fans disregard him or do not know him, which exposes their basketball IQ as severely limited and inept.ย
No. 41: James Worthy
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Big Game James executed from the field like almost no other player ever, and his shooting percentage is unmatched by today's NBA stars. Worthy is world class, and I wish more people would remember how amazing he was.ย
No. 40: Kevin McHale
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This guy could score down low like aย mastermind. His knowledge of the game was unbelievable and at 6'10", he abused much bigger men and little guys too. ย
No. 39: Allen Iverson
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His all-time status has fallen off tremendously in my opinion because he is not truly a team player, but he was an amazing little dude for sure.ย
No. 38: Bernard King
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King was anย unstoppableย scorer who was almost always the focal point of any game. He had a presence that screamed amazing player. New fans just don't knowโand it kinda pisses me off.ย
No. 37: Bob Cousy
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The "Houdini of the Hardwood" basically invented the point position, but not in a cheesy way. He was quick witted, fast, creative and slick, and would be awesome today.ย
No. 36: Paul Pierce
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This guy is so good, even though there are a lot of Celtics haters out there, I refuse to be caught in the current hype. Pierce can, and has, done it all, and is not done.ย
No. 35: Alex English
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Not one, no not one, NBA player in 2011 can shoot as perfectly and at such a high percentage as the guy who scored more total points than any other player in the 1980's. NBA fans, you're sleeping on the greats, and it's time you wake up.ย
No. 34: Dwyane Wade
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Dare I say he's just entering his prime? I do dare sayโhe is just entering his prime, which is scary. He will soon be moving up this list.ย
No. 33: Kevin Johnson
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KJ was an explosive scorer, awesome passer, a team player, and a small but effective defender and one of the most underrated and unrecognized players of all time.ย
No. 32: Patrick Ewing
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Ewing had a nice jumper, rebounded, blocked shots, dunked withย authority, and passed well too. This true seven footer is greater than Amar'e will ever be.ย
No. 31: Walt Bellamy
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Walt is overlooked, suffice to say, by fans of 2011 because they know not. They do not know who he is and I will make them study to know who they be dissing when they talk about the greats. Ugh, I just puked in my mouthย thinkingย about homers and haters. ย
No. 30: Nate Archibald
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"Tiny" was huge and still the only player to ever lead the NBA in scoring and assists in the same season. SICK!
No. 29: Kevin Garnett
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This well-rounded player has always been a beast.ย
No. 28: Clyde Drexler
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The NBA fan of 2011 conveniently dismisses Drexler's whole career to try and minimize Michael Jordan. You didn't see him play obviously, and anyone who says Drexler sucked is an idiot. You all just don't know.ย
No. 27: Elvin Hayes
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This man was unstoppable, and yet he stopped many from scoring. An elite scorer and defender who toils in the mire that is a new fans brainless mind.ย
No. 26: Bob McAdoo
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One of the greatest scorers and power forwards of all time who won scoring and NBA titles. Zzzzzz, snort NBA fans of 2011.ย
No. 25: Elgin Baylor
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One of the first dominant individual players of all time. Read up.ย
No. 24: Jerry West
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The logo. Enough said.ย
No. 23: Rick Barry
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When you talk about big fundamentals, you talk about Rick Barry. An effortless pro shot astonishingly and did everything else too.ย
No. 22: David Robinson
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Robinson is the prototypical center. He blocked, rebounded, scored, and won. Amazing playerโif you missed his careerโI feel sorry for you.ย
No. 21: Charles Barkley
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The round mound of rebound. Awesome player.ย
No. 20: George Gervin
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Cold as ice on the floor. No one can shoot this good anymore, and I mean no one. He made it look so easy too. He was actually a great defender too.ย
No.19: Karl Malone
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Malone scored more points total than anyone except Jabbar. He did so much for so long.ย
No. 18: LeBron James
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He will move past many by the time it's over. LeBron haters will always lose.ย
No. 17: John Stockton
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If only everyone would play like Stockton, theย basketballย world would be an amazing place.ย
No. 16: Kobe Bryant
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Can't argue with five titles, two scoring titles, and one NBA MVP. Usually over-glorified, but still an awesome player.ย
No. 15: Isiah Thomas
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Being so small, and yet so diverse, and committed and amazing, Isiah is pound for pound the most underrated player on most people's all-time lists. Sad.ย
No. 14: Julius Erving
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Don't believe the hype! Public Enemy No. 1. Get the reference? If notโDr. J is greater than you think. One title on the individual list means nothing to me. This guy did everything better than everyone...aside from the few players ahead of him.....
No. 13: Bob Pettit
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Beat the Celtics who had Russell in the Finals. Pettit was greater than you will ever know, and better than mostย everyoneย you do know!ย
No. 12: Moses Malone
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This guy was everything to every team he played for (except when he was really old). Having Mosesย automaticallyย made your team a contender. He controlled many, many, many games. ย
No. 11: Oscar Robertson
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Uh...triple double...tripleย double...triple double
No. 10: John Havlicek
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Always, always, always moving and doing any and everything to win eight out of eight TITLES!!!
No. 9: Tim Duncan
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We are witnessing one of the greatest 10 players of all time here in 2011, but we do not know it because of all the hype. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!!
No. 8: Shaquille O'Neal
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We are witnessing one of the top 10 players ever here in 2011, but we won't admit it. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!! Shaq's a three-time Finals MVPโhow soon we forget.ย
No. 7: Hakeem Olajuwon
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This guy was astonishing the night I saw him earn a quadruple double! If you think any player in today's NBA is greater than Olajuwon wasโyou know not what you speak of.ย
No. 6: Bill Russell
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Eleven rings and only one Finals team loss. Defense is the world for Russellโand we listened and learned not.ย
No. 5: Wilt Chamberlain
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Individually better than Russell because he played awesome D and awesome OโI mean really awesomeโI mean 100 POINTS!!! WOW!!!
No. 4: Larry Bird
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Better than Wilt because he was so natural, so perfect of a shooter from anywhere, such a great passer and rebounder, and an underrated defender. Larry Legend.ย
No. 3: Magic Johnson
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A one man team who didn't try to shoot the lights out, and he was a greater player for that very reason. Recognize!!!
No. 2: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Jabbar did everything, and was the perfect player....only medium level passing makes him No. 2.
No. 1: Michael Jordan
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No explanation needed. A picture speaks a thousand words.ย
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