NBA Power Rankings: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and the Top 50 NBA Players
There have been many players to step onto the hardwood and compete in the league known as the NBA. Legends from all across the world have come to give the world a sight of what they can do when they have an objective in mind and a ball in their hands. From as early as the 1950's, basketball has been put on stage as one of the most brilliant displays of pure human talent with some of the greatest athletes to ever walk the Earth.
Thousands of players have played the game of professional organized basketball and we are only able to compile a list of the top 50 to have played the game. Each player has their own specialty as either a deadly three-point shooter, or a rebounding magnet, or even a player who is best at leading offenses or defenses. All of these players have had defining moments in their careers that have earned them the talk of being the best in the game.
From nearly every NBA team, a legend has emerged and put an impression on the face of the league forever. With players scoring upwards of 100 points one year, or a player leading a team to winning 72 out of 82 games and making it look easy coming through the league, it has been considerably difficult attempting to find out how these players could have been ranked because of their accolades.
The NBA has recently entered its 60th year of being a legitimate sporting league and still has players who find themselves worthy of being regarded as the best of all time. With young stars emerging and giving the retired veterans a run for their money, we can only sit and watch as this new generation of NBA stars give us new reasons to watch the game.
50. Reggie Miller
1 of 50
Accolades:
5 time All-Star
3 time All-NBA third team
1994 FIBA World Champion
1996 Gold Medal Winner
Ranked second in career three-pointers made with 2,560
Reggie Miller never had the most impressive of stats and never even made an All-NBA First or Second team, yet he could still easily be regarded as one of the top 50 players of all time for good reason. His three-point shot late in games is regarded as some of the most dangerous shots in NBA history. Teams like the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls know all too well about the late-game theatrics of Miller when he's 25 feet or further from the basket.
Career Averages: 18 ppg, two three-pointers per game on 40 percent, 3 rpg, and 3 apg.
49. Elvin Hayes
2 of 50
Accolades:
1978 NBA Champion
12 time All-Star
1969 Scoring Champion
Three time All-NBA first team
Three time All-NBA second team
Two time All-NBA defensive second team
Jersey retired by Washington Wizards
One of the best big men of his time, Elvin Hayes, for a time, was one of the NBA's best scorers and rebounders. He led the league in points per game at 28 points, while also nabbing 17 rebounds per contest in his rookie year.
He would go on to average over 20 points per game nine times out of an impressive 16-year career. He would also lead the league in rebounding, averaging as much as 18. Hayes would lead the Washington Bullets to one of their two titles in franchise history in the 1977-'78 season.
Career Averages: 21 ppg, 13 rpg, 2 bpg, and 2 apg.
48. Earl Monroe
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Accolades:
1973 NBA Champion
Four time All-Star
1968 Rookie of the Year
One time All-NBA first team
Jersey retired by Washington Wizards and New York Knicks
An interesting fact about Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe is that even before he joined the NBA, he was a dominant force. He averaged 42 points per game in his senior year at Winston-Salem State University. When he came into the NBA, he immediately made his impression felt by winning Rookie of the Year and then making the All-NBA First team in his sophomore year. He capped off a memorable career by helping the New York Knicks secure one of their two titles in franchise history in the 1973 season.
Career Averages: 19 ppg, 4 apg, and 3 rpg.
47. Walt Bellamy
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Accolades:
1962 Rookie of the Year
Four time All-Star
1960 Gold Medal Winner
In the days before the NBA became the national spectacle it is today, there was a time when it was just getting off the ground with players who wouldn't even crack a roster today. Walt Bellamy was not one of those players—in fact, he could make any roster in the league today. Regarded as one of the first centers to revolutionize the position, 'Bells' averaged 32 points and 19 rebounds to win the Rookie of the Year award where he also led the league in field goal percentage.
Unfortunately, Bellamy never won a championship. Instead, he just had one of the most illustrious careers despite being overshadowed by two other impressive centers who had already taken over the league.
Career Averages: 20 ppg, 14 rpg, and 2 apg.
46. Scottie Pippen
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Accolades:
Six time Champion (1991,1992,1993,1996,1997,1998)
Seven time All-Star
One All-Star game MVP
Three time All-NBA First Team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Third team
Eight time All-NBA Defensive First team
Two time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Jersey retired by Chicago Bulls
Scottie Pippen had quite the impressive run as a member of the NBA. He won the majority of his awards with the Chicago Bulls when he, and a player to be named later, were massacring every other team in the league and making it look easy in the process. He averaged over 20 points only four times in his career, but it was everything else that Pippen did that enabled him to win six championships and dominate an entire decade's worth of basketball.
Career Averages: 16 ppg, 6 rpg, and 5 apg.
45. Dwyane Wade
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Accolades:
2006 NBA Champion
2006 NBA Finals MVP
Seven time All-Star
2009 Scoring Champion
Two time All-NBA First Team
Two time All-NBA Second Team
One time All-NBA Third team
Three time All-NBA Defensive Second team
2010 All-Star game MVP
By the end of his career, he could easily be a top 15 or even top 10 candidate when judging by the amount of accolades he'll have by then. Even by now, Dwyane Wade has done more than enough to earn himself a spot amongst some of the greatest names to ever play the game of basketball. His most memorable moment being in the 2006 NBA Finals when he led his Miami Heat from a 2-0 deficit to an eventual 4-2 win, while he averaged over 35 points per game in the series.
Career Averages: 25 ppg, 6 apg, and 5 rpg.
44. Bill Walton
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Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1977 and 1986)
1978 NBA MVP
Two time All-Star
1977 NBA Finals MVP
One time All-NBA First team
One time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Defensive First team
1986 Sixth Man of the Year
If not for the myriad of injuries, Bill Walton could have easily been regarded as one of the best centers to play in the NBA. Instead, he played 10 injury-plagued seasons and played in 65 or more games in only three of those seasons. When healthy though, he was an elite center and posted up 19 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists per game in the year he won MVP. He led the Portland Trail Blazers to their first championship in 1977 and would play a defining role off the bench in the Boston Celtics' 1986 title.
Career Averages: 13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, and 2 bpg.
43. James Worthy
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Accolades:
Three time NBA Champion (1985, 1987, 1988)
1988 NBA Finals MVP
Seven time All-Star
Two time All-NBA Third team
Jersey retired by Los Angeles Lakers
One of the best role players to ever play in the NBA, and one of the defining reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers were so successful in the 1980's, 'Big Game' James Worthy had quite the illustrious career in his 12 years with the Lakers. He would average over 20 points only three times, but he was still one of the most reliable players you could have on your team. He would even win one Finals MVP in one of the Lakers' championship when he averaged 21 points and six assists in that year's post season, leading Los Angeles to their second consecutive championship.
Career Averages: 18 ppg, 5 rpg, and 3 apg.
42. Alex English
9 of 50
Accolades:
Eight time All-Star
1983 Scoring Champion
Three time All-NBA Second team
Jersey retired by Denver Nuggets
One of the most prolific scorers to play the game, Alex English made a Hall of Fame worthy career out of scoring a lot of points. He only won one scoring championship when he averaged 28 points per game in the 1983 season, but he averaged as much as 30 in the 1985-'86 season before posting up nearly 29 points per game the year right after. He was also making nearly all of these points from within the three-point arc, making the feat of scoring upwards of 30 points per game just as impressive.
Career Averages: 22 ppg, 6 rpg, and 4 apg.
41. Tiny Archibald
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Accolades:
1981 NBA Champion
Six time All-Star
Three time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
1981 All-Star game MVP
Jersey retired by Sacramento Kings
Before there was Allen Iverson, there was an even smaller scorer in Tiny Archibald. He stood at 6'1" and weighed as much as 150 pounds, yet scoring came at ease for Archibald who would score as much as 34 points per game while dishing out 11 assists while averaging 46 minutes worth of playing time in the 1972-'73 season. For those who don't remember, there are 48 minutes in a regulation game.
He wouldn't average as much as 26 points per game the rest of his career, but he would help the Boston Celtics secure the 1981 championship.
40. Gary Payton
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Accolades:
2006 NBA Champion
1996 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Nine time All-Star
Two time All-NBA First team
Five time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Third team
Nine time All-NBA Defensive First team
Have you noticed that nearly every recent Defensive Player of the Year is either a power forward or center? It's a lot easier for them to win it since they can make the highlight blocks and usually play the best defense because of their size. In case you didn't know already, Gary Payton is a point guard and doesn't play anything near the center position. Winning the 1996 DPOY was one of the defining moments of his career before he went ring-chasing in Miami, securing the championship that had eluded him for so long.
Career Averages: 16 ppg, 7 apg, 4 rpg, and 2 spg.
39. Willis Reed
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Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1970 and 1973)
1970 NBA MVP
Seven time All-Star
1970 All-Star game MVP
Two time NBA Finals MVP
1965 Rookie of the Year
One time All-NBA First team
Four time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Defensive First team
Jersey retired by New York Knicks
Anyone who is at least a fairweather fan of the NBA knows of the exploits of Willis Reed and how his career can be measured in one defining moment during the 1970 NBA Finals. He suffered a critical injury in game six and was ruled out for a defining game seven. He surprised everyone though, when he walked out during shoot-around in full uniform. He scored the first two baskets for the Knicks, his only points of the game, and inspired New York to go on to win game seven and their first championship.
Career Averages: 19 ppg, 13 rpg, and 2 apg.
38. George Mikan
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Accolades:
Five time NBA Champion (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954)
1953 All-Star game MVP
Four time All-Star
Six time All-NBA First team
He was the face of the NBA before there even was a NBA. The Minneapolis Lakers only had George Mikan for seven seasons, but they certainly got the best out of him. He would lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons and would also go on to lead the league in rebounding for two consecutive seasons. While doing all this, he would lead his Lakers to back-to-back championships for two years before winning three consecutive championships the year after they failed to win it.
Career Averages: 23 ppg, 13 rpg, and 3 apg.
37. LeBron James
14 of 50
Accolades:
Two time NBA MVP (2009 and 2010)
2004 Rookie of the Year
Seven time All-Star
2008 Scoring Champion
Four time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Defensive First team
Two time All-Star game MVP (2006 and 2008)
Much like the case of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James could also find himself much higher on this list by the end of his career. Even with no championships under his belt, James has already had a career that most veterans could only dream of. He's already won two consecutive MVP's, and is contending for his third in a row this season. He is also currently in the running to win his first title with Wade in his first year outside of Cleveland. Many critics will look at his departure of Cleveland as the easy way out of winning a title, but James would have only had to deal with the continuous struggles of carrying a team for years to come if he had stayed.
Career Averages: 28 ppg, 7 rpg, and 7 apg.
36. Robert Parish
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Accolades:
Four time NBA Champion (1981, 1984, 1986, and 1987)
Nine time All-Star
One time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Third team
Jersey retired by Boston Celtics
Call it the first big three, because the Boston Celtics front court throughout the 1980's was the closest thing next to unstoppable as we'll ever see in the NBA. One of those members is Robert Parish, who built a career on being the defensive cornerstone of the three-headed monster in Boston. He played a defining role in the Celtics' four championships and their overall dominance during that era. He has been forever immortalized in the rafter's of the Garden where his 00 jersey still hangs today.
Career averages: 15 ppg, 9 rpg, and 1 apg.
35. David Robinson
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Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1999 and 2003)
1995 NBA MVP
1992 Defensive Player of the Year
Ten time All-Star
Four time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Four time All-NBA Third team
Four time All-NBA Defensive First team
Four time All-NBA Defensive Second team
1990 Rookie of the Year
One of the most underrated centers to play the game of organized basketball, David Robinson turned the San Antonio Spurs into the powerhouse franchise they are today. He led the team to their first two championships when he won it 1999 and 2003. As an individual player, Robinson posted some of the gawdiest stats ever conceived in the NBA. He won the 1995 MVP when he averaged 28 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks per game, but would average as much as 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks in his best years.
Career Averages: 21 ppg, 11 rpg, and 3 bpg.
34. Dolph Schayes
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Accolades:
1955 NBA Champion
12 time All-Star
Six time All-NBA First team
Six time All-NBA Second team
1949 BAA Rookie of the Year
Another one of the pioneers of organized basketball, the Syracuse Nationals' Dolph Schayes was one of the best players in the early years of this brand new sport. Schayes would lead the Nationals to their only championship in their short time as a franchise and would be recognized as one of the most dominant players to play the game in the early years. Schayes was also a very impressive free throw shooter for a player his size and averaged 85 percent from the charity stripe for his career.
Career Averages: 19 ppg, 12 rpg, and 3 apg.
33. Kevin Garnett
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Accolades:
2008 NBA Champion
2004 NBA MVP
2008 Defensive Player of the Year
14 time All-Star
Four time All-NBA First team
Three time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Third team
Eight time All-NBA Defensive First team
Two time All-NBA Defensive Second team
2003 All-Star game MVP
Mostly recognized for his mouth nowadays, Kevin Garnett was, and could still be regarded as, one of the top players in the game. He earned himself an MVP award in the 2004 season when he averaged 24 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists per game while leading a less than stellar Minnesota Timberwolves deep into the post season.
Garnett would earn himself a big ticket out of Minnesota to Boston where he would go win the championship that had eluded him for so long as a member of the Timberwolves. Even today, with his age deteriorating, Garnett still plays a vital role on the Celtics and their latest championship run.
Career Averages: 20 ppg, 11 rpg, and 4 apg.
32. Rick Barry
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Accolades:
1975 NBA Champion
Eight time NBA All-Star and four ABA All-Star
1975 NBA Finals MVP
Five time All-NBA First team and Four time All-ABA First team
One time All-NBA Second team
1966 Rookie of the Year
1967 All-Star game MVP
Noted mostly for his unique free throw shooting form, Rick Barry was actually one of the most prolific scorers in the game as a member of the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors. In only his second year in the league, Barry led the league in scoring at 36 per game and would go on to average 34 the next year. Barry would average over 30 points per game two more times in his career while also shooting over 90 percent from the line for seven years.
Career averages: 25 ppg, 7 rpg, and 5 apg.
31. Kevin McHale
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Accolades:
Three time NBA Champion (1981, 1984, and 1986)
Seven time All-Star
Two time Sixth Man of the Year (1984 and 1985)
One time All-NBA First team
Three time All-NBA Defensive First team
Three time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Jersey retired by Boston Celtics
Another member of that volatile front court in Boston during the 1980's, Kevin McHale played just as large a role as anyone else on that team when they decided to run an entire decade's worth of basketball. McHale helped lead the Celtics to four championships in seven years, while building his career off of impressive defense, post play, rebounding, and shot-blocking.
Career averages: 18 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg, and 2 bpg.
30. Wes Unseld
21 of 50
Accolades:
1978 NBA Champion
1969 NBA MVP
1978 NBA Finals MVP
Five time All-Star
One time All-NBA First team
1969 Rookie of the Year
Jersey retired by Washington Bullets
He wasn't the best scorer, but it was his rebounding and ability to get plays started, that earns himself a spot on this list. He would average double-digits in rebounding for all but one of his 13 years in the league and would record as many as 18 rebounds per game, twice in his career.
He is known extensively for his court-long outlet passes that would give his team the immediate advantage over opposing defenses that don't have enough time to stop it. He's also the only player in league history to win the NBA MVP award in his rookie year when he averaged 14 points and 18 rebounds.
Career averages: 11 ppg, 14 rpg, and 4 apg.
29. Pete Maravich
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Accolades:
Five time All-Star
Two time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Jersey retired by New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz
Possibly the most prolific college player to ever play at that level, averaging over 40 points per game in four consecutive years, 'Pistol' Pete Maravich wasn't that bad of an NBA player either. Maravich was noted mostly for his ability to create plays where there weren't supposed to be any plays to be created—thanks in part to his high basketball IQ and his second to none passing ability. Maravich only played ten seasons in the league and would average as much as 31 points per game before an early retirement at the age of 32.
Career averages: 24 ppg, 5 apg, and 4 rpg.
28. Dominique Wilkins
23 of 50
Accolades:
Nine time All-Star
1986 Scoring Champion
One time All-NBA First team
Four time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Third team
They didn't call him the 'Human Highlight Reel' for no reason. Dominique Wilkins put basketball in Atlanta on the map, thanks in part to his highlight-worthy dunks that are still dropping jaws today. He also wasn't that bad of a scorer either, averaging as many as 30 points per game, three times in his career, with a scoring title to show for it as well.
Wilkins never saw too much playoff success, even when he went ring-chasing, but he will always be remembered for his scoring and his ability to electrify a crowd at any given time.
Career averages: 25 ppg, 7 rpg, and 3 apg.
27. George Gervin
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Accolades:
Nine time NBA All-Star and three time ABA All-Star
1980 All-Star game MVP
Four time Scoring Champion (1978,1979, 1980, and 1982)
Five time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team and two time All-ABA Second team
Jersey retired by San Antonio Spurs
When you have a nickname as cool as 'Iceman,' you better be able to back it up by being one of the smoothest players to ever play in the NBA. Sure enough, George Gervin did back it up, thanks to his ability to score at any given moment. He won an absurd four scoring titles in his lengthy career with the San Antonio Spurs, and would score as much as 33 points per game in one of those years. Thanks to his size, speed, and length, Gervin usually always had an offensive advantage over most defenders.
Career averages: 25 ppg, 5 rpg, and 3 apg.
26. Clyde Drexler
25 of 50
Accolades:
1995 NBA Champion
Ten time All-Star
One time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Third team
The late 1980's and early 1990's were some of the most exciting years to watch basketball. Not only did you have Dominique Wilkins lighting up the Atlanta crowd on any given night, the Portland Trail Blazers faithful had the benefit of watching their own high flyer in Clyde Drexler, light up the arena. Drexler was the team's leader for over a decade, being the primary scorer and one of the best rebounders as well.
He would eventually secure a title with the Houston Rockets in 1995 at the twilight of his career, playing a large part on a team where he was already recognized as over the hill.
Career averages: 20 ppg, 6 rpg, and 6 apg.
25. Walt Frazier
26 of 50
Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1970 and 1973)
Seven time All-Star
Four time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Seven time All-NBA Defensive First team
1975 All-Star game MVP
Jersey retired by New York Knicks
Now known as probably the best dressed player in the modern world, Walt 'Clyde' Frazier was also quite the flashy player as a member of the New York Knicks in the 1970's. Frazier and Willis Reed would form one of the most dangerous duos in the league, leading their Knicks team to the franchise's only two championships, with Frazier doing just about everything on the court. His most impressive stat line came in the 1969-'70 season when he averaged 20 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.
Career averages: 19 ppg, 6 apg, and 6 rpg.
24. Bernard King
27 of 50
Accolades:
Four time All-Star
Two time All-NBA First team
One time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Third team
One time scoring champion
Bernard King played for six teams over his 14-year career, and made his impact felt on all but two of them. He averaged over 20 points in all but three of those years and even averaged as much as 33 points per game during his 1984-'85 season with the New York Knicks, earning himself his first and only scoring champion. The accolades he received do not exactly reflect just how good of a player King was, considering he was just as good a scorer as anyone else who played during his time in the NBA.
Career averages: 23 ppg, 6 rpg, and 3 rpg.
23. Isiah Thomas
28 of 50
Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1989 and 1990)
1990 NBA Finals MVP
12 time All-Star
Two time All-Star game MVP (1984 and 1986)
Three time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
If this were a popularity contest, Isiah Thomas might find himself in the 50 least favorite players of all time. However, this is a list judging a player's career and the impact they left on the NBA. Thomas did that, and then some, by being one of the best point guards of his time and in NBA history. He led his Detroit Pistons to two consecutive championships, earning an NBA Finals MVP for one of them, and also did the near impossible by keeping the duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen at bay for a few years.
Career averages: 19 ppg, 9 apg, 4 rpg, and 2 spg.
22. Charles Barkley
29 of 50
Accolades:
1993 NBA MVP
11 time All-Star
Five time All-NBA First team
Five time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Third team
1991 All-Star game MVP
1992 and 1996 Gold Medal Winner
It's tough for anyone in the NBA to average 12 rebounds over a lengthy career. It makes it even more difficult when you're listed as 6'6" and reportedly 6'4". Yet, rebounding came so easily for Charles Barkley—thanks in part to his wide frame and high basketball IQ around the rim. Barkley averaged under 10 rebounds only once in his career during his rookie season, where he still posted up totals of 14 points and nine rebounds per contest.
The only fault of his career would be the lack of jewelry on his hand. He led the Phoenix Suns to an NBA Finals in 1993, but he was met by the Chicago Bulls who beat him in six games.
Career averages: 22 ppg, 12 rpg, and 4 apg.
21. Bob Cousy
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Accolades:
Six time NBA Champion (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963)
1957 NBA MVP
Two time All-Star game MVP (1954 and 1957)
13 time All-Star
Ten time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Jersey retired by the Boston Celtics
Every aspiring point guard who wants to achieve NBA level should thank Bob Cousy for making it possible that there is such a position. Cousy was one of the first true point guards in the game while also leading his Boston Celtics to six championships over seven years. He led the league in assists for eight consecutive seasons and formed the modern day inside-outside duo with Bill Russell as his formidable counterpart. He was also one of the first entertaining players to watch, due to the passes he would make that would even give Steve Nash some new ideas.
Career averages: 18 ppg, 7 ppg, and 5 rpg.
20. Julius Erving
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Accolades:
One time NBA Champion (1983) and two time ABA Champion (1974 and 1976)
1981 NBA MVP and three time ABA MVP (1974, 1975, and 1976)
11 time NBA All-Star and five time ABA All-Star
Two time NBA All-Star game MVP (1977 and 1983)
Five time All-NBA First team and four time All-ABA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team and one time All-ABA second team
Jersey retired by New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers
Julius Erving dominated not one, but two leagues in 16 years worth of playing basketball. He absolutely ran the defunct ABA by winning three MVP awards and leading his New York Nets to two titles before deciding to take his talents to the budding NBA, where the Philadelphia 76ers waited with open arms.
Erving would immediately become one of the most entertaining players to watch, with his dunking being the main attraction. Aside from dunking, Erving would lead his Sixers to an NBA championship while also taking home an MVP award.
Career averages: 24 ppg, 8 rpg, and 4 apg.
19. Patrick Ewing
32 of 50
Accolades:
11 time All-Star
One time All-NBA First team
Six time All-NBA Second team
Three time All-NBA Defensive First team
1986 Rookie of the Year
Compared to today's standards, there appeared to be a surplus of elite centers. The New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing was one of those elite centers, and was the last player to make the franchise relevant until Amare Stoudemire joined the team this off season.
Ewing was one of the best post players in the league for his time, and was a prolific scorer, rebounder, and defender. If not for Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, and Hakeem Olajuwon standing in his way, Ewing would have the hardware to make himself a top ten worthy player. Alas, all he has are his very impressive stats to back up a very impressive career.
Career averages: 21 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg, and 2 apg.
18. Sam Jones
33 of 50
Accolades:
Ten time NBA Champion (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969)
Five time All-Star
Three time All-NBA Second team
Jersey retired by Boston Celtics
I bet you can immediately get any table at any restaurant when you show up with the hardware that Sam Jones most likely proudly wears on his hands. Sam Jones is one of only two players in NBA history to have a double-digit amount of championships, and he did it in only 12 years. Along with Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, Jones played a huge role as the team's shooting guard, averaging as many as 26 points per game and earning his spot on five All-Star teams.
Career averages: 18 ppg, 5 rpg, and 3 apg.
17. John Stockton
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Accolades:
Ten time All-Star
Two time All-NBA First team
Six time All-NBA Second team
Three time All-NBA Third team
Five time All-NBA Defensive First team
1993 All-Star game MVP
1992 and 1996 Gold Medal Winner
NBA Overall Assist leader
Give him a championship and he's probably the best point guard of all time. You could call a lot of people the best of all time if not for Michael Jordan hogging all the glory to himself. John Stockton was one of the unlucky few to be an elite player of the 1990's, and would help his Utah Jazz advance to two consecutive NBA finals with the same results.
As an individual, Stockton was nothing less than stellar—leading the league in assists per game for nine consecutive seasons and hitting double-digits in assists for ten.
Career averages: 13 ppg, 11 apg, 3 rpg, and 2 spg.
16. Moses Malone
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Accolades:
1983 NBA Champion
1983 NBA Finals MVP
13 time All-Star
Three time NBA MVP (1979, 1982 and 1983)
Four time All-NBA First team
Four time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Defensive First team
One time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Do you need an absurd basketball stat to get you through the day? Try this one out: Moses Malone averaged seven offensive rebounds a game for two consecutive seasons. He would average as much as 18 rebounds per game in the 1978-'79 season and would even hit 31 points and 15 rebounds for an entire year's worth of basketball.
Malone was one of the most productive players in NBA history and doesn't always garner the respect he deserves.
Career averages: 20 ppg, 12 rpg, and 1 rpg.
15. Kobe Bryant
36 of 50
Accolades:
Five time NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010)
Two time NBA Finals MVP (2009 and 2010)
2008 NBA MVP
13 time All-Star
Two time scoring champion (2006 and 2007)
Eight time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Third team
Eight time All-NBA Defensive First team
Two time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Four time All-Star game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011)
2008 Gold Medal Winner
He certainly hasn't been the most popular player in the league. Popularity aside, Kobe Bryant is still revered as one of the best in the game, despite being 32-years-old. He's still one of the best scorers today and is probably the most dangerous players when the game is on the line with the ball in his hands. He had led the Los Angeles Lakers to two consecutive championships and is on the move for a third one this upcoming May.
Career averages: 25 ppg, 5 rpg, and 5 apg.
14. Tim Duncan
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Accolades:
Four time NBA Champion (1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007)
Three time NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, and 2005)
Two time NBA MVP (2002 and 2003)
1998 Rookie of the Year
13 time All-Star
Nine time All-NBA First team
Three time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Third team
Eight time All-NBA Defensive First team
Five time All-NBA Defensive Second team
2000 All-Star game MVP
Tim Duncan isn't the player you will see on any top tens. Soundly, he has had one of the most illustrious careers of any power forward in NBA history. You could easily rank Duncan among the likes of Karl Malone or Moses Malone, considering he led four San Antonio Spurs' teams to NBA titles while earning himself three Finals' MVP's, two NBA's, and a trip to 13 All-Star games. Even at 34, Duncan is earning his way onto All-Star teams. He's even currently leading the Spurs to one of their best records in franchise history.
Career averages: 21 ppg, 11, rpg, 3 apg, and 2 bpg.
13. Elgin Baylor
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Accolades:
11 time All-Star
10 time All-NBA First team
1959 Rookie of the Year
1959 All-Star game MVP
What Patrick Ewing and Reggie Miller were to the Chicago Bulls, Elgin Baylor was to the Boston Celtics. Baylor may not have won any championships over 14 years worth of NBA time, but he has had quite the resume to still earn himself a spot as high on this list.
Baylor averaged as many as 38 points per game in only his fourth year in the league, and averaged as many as 20 rebounds in only his third year as a member of the newly formed organization. He was one of the best overall players of his time, being one of the best scorers and rebounders of his time.
Career averages: 27 ppg, 14 rpg, and 4 apg.
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
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Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1994 and 1995)
Two time Finals MVP (1994 and 1995)
1994 NBA MVP
12 time All-Star
Two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Six time All-NBA First team
Three time All-NBA Second team
Three time All-NBA Third team
Five time All-NBA Defensive First team
Four time All-NBA Defensive Second team
1996 Gold Medal Winner
He didn't play the game of basketball until he was 15-years-old but, by age 22, Hakeem Olajuwon was in the NBA. Not only did he begin playing after only a few years worth of playing the game, he was really good at it too. He averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds per game in a time where some of the best centers were in their prime.
He was a force in the NBA and is still touted as one of the best centers to play the game. He led the Houston Rockets to two consecutive titles and won an MVP one of those years, to top it off.
Career averages: 22 ppg, 11 ppg, 3 bpg, and 3 apg.
11. Karl Malone
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Accolades:
Two time NBA MVP (1997 and 1999)
13 time All-Star
11 time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Third team
Three time All-NBA Defensive First team
One time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Two time All-Star game MVP (1989 and 1993)
Two time Gold Medal winner (1992 and 1996)
Remembered by some as one of the best players to compete in the game to not have a championship, Karl Malone joined John Stockton in the 1990's on the Jazz, to fall victim to Michael Jordan and the Bulls for two consecutive years. Nevertheless, Karl is regarded as one of the best power forwards to ever play, with the stats to back it up. He has made 13 All-Star games and has averaged as many as 30 points and 12 rebounds early in his career. He has also earned himself two MVP's in the process.
Career averages: 25 ppg, 10 rpg, and 4 apg.
10. Jerry West
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Accolades:
1972 NBA Champion
1969 NBA Finals MVP
14 time All-Star
10 time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Four time All-NBA Defensive First team
One time All-NBA Defensive Second team
1972 All-Star game MVP
1960 Gold Medal winner
When you have your image forever immortalized as the emblem to an entire league, you deserve to crack the top ten. Jerry West has the stats and the game to back it up. He has made a career out of being one of the best scoring and passing guards in his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. He led the team to a number of Finals, but was tormented by the Boston Celtics in the deciding series for years. He reached his break-through two years before he retired in 1972, when his Lakers beat the New York Knicks.
Career averages: 27 ppg, 7 apg, and 6 rpg.
9. Shaquille O'Neal
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Accolades:
Four time NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, and 2006)
Three time NBA Finals MVP (2000, 2001, and 2002)
2000 NBA MVP
1993 Rookie of the Year
15 time All-Star
Two time scoring champion (1995 and 2000)
Eight time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Four time All-NBA Third team
Three time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Three time All-Star game MVP (2000, 2004, and 2009)
1996 Gold Medal winner
Shaquille O'Neal might just be recognized as a ring-chaser now that he has jumped from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. But before that, he was the one who players came to as veterans who wanted to win a title. His size allows him to be the most dominant force to ever play the game of basketball. At 7'1" and a little over 300 pounds, O'Neal has controlled the paint for nearly 15 years and won four NBA titles and an MVP in the process.
Career averages: 24 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, and 2 bpg.
8. John Havlicek
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Accolades:
Eight time NBA Champion (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976)
1974 NBA Finals MVP
13 time All-Star
Four time All-NBA First team
Seven time All-NBA Second team
Five time All-NBA Defensive First team
Three time All-NBA Defensive Second team
Jersey retired by Boston Celtics
If you think a team like the Miami Heat have star power, the Boston Celtics of the 1960's had it all at nearly every position. Alongside Cousy, Jones, and Russell, John Havlicek was one of the best shooting guards of his generation. During his time with the Celtics, he would lead the team to eight championships and would even lead the team long after Cousy and Russell retired.
Career averages: 21 ppg, 6 rpg, and 5 apg.
7. Oscar Robertson
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Accolades:
1971 NBA Champion
1964 NBA MVP
12 time All-Star
Nine time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
1961 Rookie of the Year
Three time All-Star game MVP (1961, 1964, and 1969)
Jersey retired by Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings
Averaging a triple-double has obviously been a hard feat to achieve, since it has only been officially done for one season. Oscar Robertson was the only player to have completed the feat of averaging a triple double for an entire NBA season, when he averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in his second year in the league. He did this in his second season in the league and didn't even the MVP award. He would at least win the award a few years later when he came up .1 rebounds short of averaging a triple double.
Career averages: 26 ppg, 10 apg, and 8 rpg.
6. Larry Bird
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Accolades:
Three time NBA Champion (1981, 1984, and 1986)
Three time NBA MVP (1984, 1985, and 1986)
12 time All-Star
Two time NBA Finals MVP (1984 and 1986)
Nine time All-NBA First team
One time All-NBA Second team
Three time All-NBA Defensive Second team
1980 Rookie of the Year
1982 All-Star game MVP
1992 Gold Medal Winner
Jersey retired by the Boston Celtics
He doesn't look like your average basketball player. Yet, Larry Bird is regarded by some as one of the best players to play the game—thanks to his feathery touch when taking a jump shot. Bird made the front court of himself, McHale, and Parish one of most volatile trios to play the game. They led the Boston Celtics to three champions during the 1980's, with Bird leading the team most of the way. He would average as many as 30 points per game on 50 percent shooting.
Career averages: 24 ppg, 10 rpg, and 6 apg.
5. Bill Russell
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Accolades:
11 time NBA Champion (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969)
Five time NBA MVP (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1965)
12 time All-Star
Three time All-NBA First team
Eight time All-NBA Second team
One time All-NBA Defensive First team
1963 All-Star game MVP
1956 Gold Medal Winner
How important is it to have a big man who can absolutely dominate the paint? It can apparently get your franchise 11 titles in the span of 13 years, including eight consecutive years of taking the trophy to Boston. Russell was one of the only players during that time to be able to contain Wilt Chamberlain, allowing the Celtics to advance to the NBA Finals nearly every year in the 1960's. Russell averaged as many as 25 rebounds per game and would average 22 for the entirety of his career.
Career averages: 15 ppg, 23 rpg, and 4 apg.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Accolades:
Six time NBA Champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988)
Six time NBA MVP (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1980)
19 time All-Star
Two time NBA Finals MVP (1971 and 1985)
Ten time All-NBA First team
Five time All-NBA Second team
Five time All-NBA Defensive First team
Six time All-NBA Defensive Second team
1970 Rookie of the Year
Jersey retired by Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks
He averaged 29 points per game during his rookie season and didn't average less than that for the following three seasons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged a career high 35 points per game in only his third year in the league, and wouldn't hit less than 20 points per game for the next 14 seasons. It explains why he is the number one scorer in league history and why he led two teams to championships. He also won six MVP's and has an NBA history leading 19 All-Star games.
Career averages: 25 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 rpg, and 3 bpg.
3. Magic Johnson
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Accolades:
Five time NBA Champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988)
Three time NBA MVP (1987, 1989 and 1990)
12 time All-Star
Three time NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, and 1987)
Nine time All-NBA First team
One time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-Star game MVP (1990 and 1992)
1992 Gold Medal Winner
Jersey retired by Los Angeles Lakers
Your team has obviously had an illustrious history when you have two players crack the top five of a top 50 players in league history. The Los Angeles Lakers are regarded as one of the top franchises in the league, thanks to their ability to find players who can lead a team. Magic Johnson was one of those players and he led the team to five NBA championships over the course of the 1980's, while earning three NBA MVP's over that time as well.
Career averages: 19 ppg, 11 apg, and 7 rpg.
2. Wilt Chamberlain
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Accolades:
Two time NBA Champion (1967 and 1972)
Four time NBA MVP (1960, 1966, 1967, and 1968)
1972 NBA Finals MVP
Seven time All-NBA First team
Two time All-NBA Second team
Two time All-NBA Defensive First team
1960 All-Star game MVP
13 time All-Star
Seven time scoring champion (1960-1966)
1960 Rookie of the Year
If there were a list that judged a player on his stats alone, Wilt Chamberlain would be number one for the rest of time with no competition. No player has ever come within 12 points of the 50 points per game he averaged in the 1961-'62. No player has been able to come within three rebounds of the 27 he averaged in the 1960-'61 season. He was a statistical oddity over the course of his career and finished with some of the largest numbers no other player will ever reach.
Career averages: 30 ppg, 22 rpg, and 4 apg.
1. Michael Jordan
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Accolades:
Six time NBA champion (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998)
Six time NBA Finals MVP (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998)
Five time NBA MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998)
14 time All-Star
1988 Defensive Player of the Year
Ten time All-NBA First team
One time All-NBA Second team
Nine time All-NBA Defensive First team
1985 Rookie of the Year
Three time All-Star game MVP (1988, 1996, and 1998)
Two time Gold Medal winner (1984 and 1992)
Jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat (for some reason)
When you look at which player has made the biggest impact over the entirety of the league, Michael Jordan is it. He revolutionized the game in to what it is today, and has been the face of the league even when he isn't playing any longer.
Analysts attempt to compare players of yesterday and today with him all the time, because they realize the notoriety he has as being the best to ever play the game in its 60 year history.
Career averages: 30 ppg, 6 rpg, and 5 apg.
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