Top 10 Best NBA Players of All Time
When you're talking about the best NBA players of all time, you're stepping into a conversation that goes far beyond just numbers and stats. Sure, championships, MVP awards, and career points are all huge factors, but greatness in basketball is about so much more. It's about the impact these players had on the game, how they influenced the teams they played for, and how they changed the way basketball is played today.Some of the best players of all time weren't just dominant on the court - they were pioneers. They might have redefined their position, brought a new level of athleticism or skill, or become leaders in a way that inspired entire generations of fans and future players. Think of how some players took their team to new heights, delivering iconic performances that basketball fans still talk about years, or even decades, later. For some, it's their ability to come through in the clutch when the stakes are highest. For others, it's a career-long consistency, where they didn't just have flashes of brilliance, but sustained excellence over many years.
There's also the undeniable influence these players had off the court. Many of the greatest NBA players left their mark on popular culture, standing up for social causes, becoming global ambassadors for the sport, or just being larger-than-life figures that people followed, no matter which team they played for. So when you're ranking the best NBA players of all time, you've got to think about a lot of factors - talent, legacy, influence, and how they were able to elevate everyone around them.
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played the majority of his career with the Chicago Bulls, winning six NBA championships and five MVP awards. Jordan was known for his scoring ability, defensive prowess, and clutch performances. Won 6 championships, would have won more if he hadn't retired for brief moments during his career. He also had 6 Finals appearances and never lost, which proves he could go off when it mattered most.
He won 5 MVPs and would have won more except the NBA was tired of him having all that success. He was on some stacked teams, but they were only stacked because Jordan made all his teammates good. He is the greatest player at being clutch, he is the greatest scorer of all time, he is a top 10 dunker of all time, and he is the 4th best defender of all time.
No, LeBron is not even a top 10 defender. The only thing Jordan really lacked was 3-point shooting, but he didn't really need to shoot 3s because he could just splash mid-range jumpers about 70% of the time. Michael Jordan is the GOAT.
Magic Johnson was a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won five NBA championships. He is known for revolutionizing the position with his size and playmaking abilities, earning three MVP awards and multiple Finals MVP honors. Johnson was a key figure in the "Showtime" era of the Lakers in the 1980s. All I have to say is if Magic had played longer than 9 seasons, he could have been the GOAT. At the pace he was going, he could have been the all-time assist leader, all-time steals leader, one of the all-time scoring leaders, and he could have been on top of every major and most minor statistic.
The same case with other greats like Bird, Pettit, and Maravich. But of course, he had other issues. Still, he is a top 10 player of all time.
Magic was an incredible competitor who elevated the games of his teammates. Basketball is a team game, despite ESPN's obsession with offensive statistics, dunks, and 3-point shots.
Magic could play every position, even playing center in the 1980 Finals. I am a long-time Celtic fan, but I have to place Magic as the second-best player to have ever played.
LeBron James has been a dominant force in the NBA since his debut in 2003. Over his career, he has won four NBA championships and four MVP awards while playing for multiple teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. James is known for his versatility, basketball IQ, and leadership on the court. LeBron is superior to anyone. The man is a beast and can excel from anywhere on the court. He's achieved things at a young age that no one else has. He has made basketball his own and is rewriting history! He possesses everything you could want in a basketball player: talent, brains, humbleness, sportsmanship, hunger, confidence, and he's a great team player.
Those who don't appreciate his talent are too ignorant to realize that he obviously deserves all he's achieved and has worked hard for his accomplishments. He deserves more credit than what he receives. He's an amazing person and basketball player. #G.O.A.T
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with a career spanning 20 seasons. He won six NBA championships and six MVP awards, primarily with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Abdul-Jabbar's signature skyhook shot made him one of the most unstoppable offensive players in league history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably the greatest NBA player of all time. He was drafted to the Milwaukee Bucks, a 27-win team, and in only his second season, he won the MVP, and the Bucks won 66 games and the NBA Finals.
He's a six-time MVP, six-time NBA Champion, the all-time leader in points, the all-time leader in All-Star appearances, one of the greatest passing big men, one of the greatest interior defenders, and the master of the sky hook.
Stats alone have him as an all-time great. Then you add in his championship pedigree and putting a team on his back in his early years. He's the definition of a GOAT.
Larry Bird was a versatile forward for the Boston Celtics, leading the team to three NBA championships. He won three consecutive MVP awards and was known for his shooting, basketball IQ, and competitive spirit. Bird is often regarded as one of the best shooters and clutch performers in NBA history. Larry Bird is very underrated. He won three championships, but his competition, especially in the finals, was tough. Sure, you could say Larry had McHale and Parish, but do you really think those two guys are better than James Worthy and Kareem? I don't think so.
Bird was one of the NBA's first marksmen and has three 3-point shootout wins to show for it. Bird was so confident in his ability, which made him one of the greatest trash talkers. What sets him apart from the rest is that he actually kept his word.
Also, Bird had so many injuries during his 13-year career and yet played through them. He may also be the clutchest player, along with MJ. Bird is one of the few athletes who successfully had a great coaching career. He won Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year and led the Pacers to their only finals appearance against Jordan. So, yeah.
Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five NBA championships and earned two Finals MVP awards, along with 18 All-Star selections. Bryant was known for his scoring ability, competitive drive, and work ethic. Kobe Bryant was one of those players who showed a really interesting game. It was not just about the number of points scored, rebounds, and assists. He displayed incredible skill in the game. Kobe made very difficult, well-thought-out, and non-standard shots.
He was good in all aspects on the basketball court, unlike those who can score only open three-pointers, or stand under the ring waiting for a pass, or take other easy shots. He was the team leader, and he truly deserved this title. He always gave 100% and more, and was the locomotive of his team.
Wilt Chamberlain was a dominant center known for his scoring and rebounding abilities. He holds numerous NBA records, including scoring 100 points in a single game, and won two NBA championships. Chamberlain led the league in scoring multiple times and is regarded as one of the most physically dominant players ever. People say Jordan's the best, but I'm leaning towards this guy. People continuously try to discredit his achievements by talking about how they were in the '50s. It doesn't matter if it was in the '50s and '60s. He still would have had to put the ball in the basket 50 times to score 100, he would have had to put the ball in the basket 25.2 times every game to average 50.4, and he would have had to have played every second of every game, including overtime, to average whatever the ridiculous stat is that he got with his minutes.
People love to talk about Jordan's free-throw line dunk, but what they don't know is that instead of shooting free throws, Wilt would just jump and dunk the ball from the free-throw line. That's why the rule exists. Wilt was also very strong, being able to deadlift about 500 pounds if my memory serves me correctly.
Nobody is as athletic as Wilt either. People from his era estimate that he had about a 48"-58" vertical. This guy was an absolute freak of nature.
Bill Russell was a legendary center for the Boston Celtics, leading the team to 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. He was known for his exceptional defense, rebounding, and leadership on the court. Russell's impact on the game extends beyond his individual achievements, as he revolutionized the defensive aspects of basketball. In the era of ESPN, where there exists an obsession with offense, dunks, and 3-point shots, fans under 40 don't appreciate Bill Russell. In addition to Russell's 11 rings, he also won two NCAA championships at the unheralded University of San Francisco. Russell was a fabulous athlete with an unmatched intensity for the game. He understood that basketball is a team game and he made his teammates better players.
Bill Russell was the best basketball player ever to put on a uniform.
Why is he at number 8? We all know he's in the Mount Rushmore of NBA players, ranked 4th best of all time, behind Kareem, LeBron, and MJ. Also, why is Magic Johnson number two? Put him at 7 or something.
Bill Russell has 11 NBA championships and 5 league MVPs. He's also 2nd in rebounding all-time and 1st all-time in rebounding in the playoffs. He was also the first person to block shots. And he led the Celtics to the greatest run in sports history, with 8 consecutive league titles.
Shaquille O'Neal was a dominant center who played for multiple NBA teams, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. He won four NBA championships and three Finals MVP awards during his career. O'Neal was known for his size, strength, and ability to overpower opponents in the paint. Shaquille O'Neal's ability to dunk was extraordinary. It's rare to see anyone dunk with such force that it seems like they could break the backboard. Although NBA backboards are designed to withstand a lot, Shaq's dunks were seriously powerful.
He may have been a bit slow, and his shooting wasn't the best, but he remains a great basketball player.
Shaquille O'Neal, also known as The Diesel, Big Aristotle, or Shaq Fu, was one of the greatest. His prime years were during his time with Orlando and Los Angeles.
Had he stayed with the Lakers, we might be talking about several championships in the 2000s.
Tim Duncan is considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. He spent his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs, winning five NBA championships and two MVP awards. Duncan was known for his consistency, fundamental skills, and defensive prowess throughout his career. Tim Duncan was one of the most loyal players in the NBA. He stayed with his team throughout his career, never making a rash decision to join other all-stars like some players.
Although he wasn't a regular on SportsCenter's top 10, he consistently did the fundamental things that helped his team win. Every year Duncan played, the Spurs were a playoff team.
As a Lakers fan, I would have taken him as my centerpiece over Kobe or LeBron any day. He didn't need superstars around him. He made everyone around him look like superstars.
Four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP. The greatest power forward of all time is an amazing player in the game of basketball.
I like the way he plays the game.
The Newcomers
Nikola Jokic is a center known for his exceptional passing and playmaking skills. He has won two NBA MVP awards and led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship in 2023. Jokic's unique combination of size, vision, and scoring ability makes him one of the most dynamic big men in the league.
Zion Lateef Williamson is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association.
Hakeem Olajuwon was a dominant center for the Houston Rockets, leading the team to two NBA championships. He is known for his exceptional footwork, shot-blocking ability, and his famous "Dream Shake" move. Olajuwon won two Finals MVP awards and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Hakeem Olajuwon was a force to be reckoned with, dominating players like Shaq, Ewing, and Robinson. He may not have had overpowering strength in the low block, but his footwork was akin to a ballet dancer's, combined with a silky smooth jumper.
No one seemed to have an answer for him.
Hakeem the Dream is so good. He made it to the US team. I think he is better than Shaq, so he should be top 8!
Hakeem is an absolute baller. He is an all-around player and a genuinely nice guy.
Oscar Robertson, also known as "The Big O," is regarded as one of the most complete players in NBA history. He was the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season and won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. Robertson was known for his versatility, playmaking, and scoring ability. Very underrated! Should be in the top 10. Much better than Kobe, who has missed the most field goals of all time. The Big O averaged a triple-double for three straight seasons.
Kids today will never know about the Big O. It is a shame that there weren't enough video cameras back then. They could've captured highlight after highlight.
Big O is far too underrated! It's unfortunate that he had to go against Bill Russell and the Celtics in his prime.
Imagine if he knew what a triple-double was during his career!
Julius Erving, also known as "Dr. J," was a high-flying forward who helped popularize the modern style of play. He won an NBA championship with the Philadelphia 76ers and was known for his aerial artistry and graceful finishes at the rim. Erving's contributions to the game also include several MVP awards in both the ABA and NBA. Dr. J inspired Michael Jordan to be an amazing dunker and the best of all time. His moves were unlike anyone else. He was one of the best dunkers ever.
Without Dr. J, most of those above him on this list wouldn't be known. Doc saved the game, if you ask me.
He did everything MJ did before he did it, from the dunk at the foul line to the no-looker and reverse layups. Dr. J should be way higher than this!
Kevin Durant is an elite scorer and versatile forward who has played for several NBA teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets. He has won two NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards. Durant is known for his shooting ability, size, and skill set that allows him to score from anywhere on the court. Listed at 6'9, but we all know damn well he's over 7'0. Loyalty aside, he can get to the cup, hit 3's at an above-average rate, and has his mid-range game down to a science.
He is the best offensive player the game has ever seen. He should be at least top 10. At the end of his career, I hope we put aside his awful move to Golden State and just realize that this guy is a legend.
Kevin Durant is arguably the greatest scorer in history, second only to Michael Jordan. He's one of the most skilled players of all time, versatile and surprisingly underrated defensively.
With his impressive stats, he's undoubtedly a top ten player. When it comes to sheer basketball talent, KD might even be in the top 5, or perhaps the top 3.
Allen Iverson was a prolific scoring guard who played the majority of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. He won the MVP award in 2001 and led the 76ers to the NBA Finals that same year. Iverson is remembered for his speed, ball-handling, and competitive toughness despite his smaller stature. Allen Iverson is, pound for pound, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, players of all time. He played with unmatched heart and passion every night of his NBA career. The Answer was lightning quick and extremely fast, could finish at the rim amazingly well, and could make incredible passes even though it's not his forte.
He and LeBron are the only ones who took a weak team to the finals. With better teammates, there's no doubt in my mind that he could've won a few rings during his career. With a career average of 26.7 points per game, he dominated the late '90s and early '00s.
Jerry West was a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and is often referred to as "The Logo" due to his silhouette being used in the NBA logo. He led the Lakers to an NBA championship in 1972 and was a 14-time All-Star. West was known for his scoring ability and clutch performances, especially in the playoffs. Jerry West would outperform most of the players mentioned here. He wasn't just a great shooter but also an exceptional defender.
Unmatched in clutch situations, he set the standard for every guard that followed him.
He should be higher than Curry. I mean, he is on the NBA logo!
I have no words to say. The Logo at number 33? Are you serious?
Alex Caruso is a guard known for his defensive intensity and high basketball IQ. He played a key role in helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship. Caruso is recognized for his energy, hustle, and ability to make impactful plays off the bench.
John Stockton is considered one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, spending his entire career with the Utah Jazz. He is the all-time NBA leader in assists and steals. Stockton was known for his exceptional court vision, basketball IQ, and his long-standing partnership with Karl Malone. The man defined his position and is the all-time leader in assists and steals. What more do you want out of your point guard? Controversial top 10 for me, but no less than top 20.
All-time NBA career assists and steals leader.
John is underrated. I mean, he leads the NBA in assists and steals. Go John Stockton!
Dirk Nowitzki was a power forward for the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent his entire NBA career. He led the Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011 and earned Finals MVP honors. Known for his unique fadeaway jump shot and three-point shooting, Nowitzki is widely regarded as one of the best European players in NBA history. Fantastic all-around player who doesn't get nearly enough recognition for his accomplishments.
How do you put a guy like Kwame Brown over a legend like Dirk?! What?!
Really OP point guard. No wonder Dallas won in 2011.
Charles Barkley was a powerful forward who played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. Known for his rebounding and scoring ability, Barkley won the NBA MVP award in 1993. Despite not winning an NBA championship, he was an 11-time All-Star and a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team." Placing Draymond Green above Sir Charles Barkley on this list seems misguided. It's surprising how voters can overlook Barkley's achievements.
He's a close second to Duncan for the best power forward of all time, with Karl Malone just behind him. In my opinion, Dirk Nowitzki ranks about sixth among the greatest power forwards.
The Round Mound of Rebound. Sir Charles was the Incredible Bulk. At 6'6, he dominated other power forwards who stand at about 6'9.
Dwyane Wade played the majority of his career with the Miami Heat, where he won three NBA championships. He was known for his slashing ability, shot-blocking as a guard, and leadership on the court. Wade earned Finals MVP honors in 2006 and became one of the best shooting guards of his generation. Dwyane Wade is just an all-around incredible player. I really enjoy watching old games from the Heat dynasty where I see Dwyane can do anything.
Top twenty for sure.
How is Chris Bosh higher than Dwyane!? I mean, I like Chris Bosh, but Dwyane Wade was way more legendary.
He turned Miami into a mega team with 3 championships and one Finals MVP.
Isiah Thomas was a Hall of Fame point guard who played his entire career with the Detroit Pistons. He led the team to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, earning Finals MVP honors in 1990. Known for his leadership, ball-handling, and scoring, Thomas was a key figure in the Pistons' "Bad Boys" era. One of the toughest individuals to ever step out onto the court! He is one of the reasons Michael Jordan couldn't get to the NBA Finals until the '90s, considering his Detroit Pistons handled him so well.
Chris Paul is one of the premier point guards in NBA history, known for his leadership, passing ability, and defensive tenacity. Over his career, he has played for several teams, including the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns. Paul is a multi-time All-Star and has consistently ranked among the league leaders in assists and steals. Chris Paul is the best player. He will cross, shoot, or do a cool layup on anybody.
Best point guard ever.
Kawhi Leonard is known for his defensive skills and versatility on both ends of the court. He has won two NBA championships, one with the San Antonio Spurs and another with the Toronto Raptors, earning Finals MVP honors both times. Leonard is also a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a multiple-time All-Star.
Draymond Green is a versatile forward known for his defense, playmaking, and leadership on the court. He has won multiple NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors and is a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Green's ability to guard multiple positions and his basketball IQ have been crucial to the Warriors' success. He is awesome, and all you haters need to shut up because he doesn't care about the haters.