Ranking the best basketball players of all time is no easy task. The list needs to include legendary old school players along with the present class of greatness. It goes without saying that the players on this list come from different generations that had different technologies and rules while they reigned supreme. It’s essentially a matter of opinions and perspective at the end of the day. With our list, we attempted to compile the superstars that featured a decent mix of every aspect of the game, both on and off the court. Let’s take a look at the best NBA players of all time.
Michael Jordan
It should come as no surprise that Michael Jordan is at the top of our list. His wagging tongue, high-flying dunks, aggressive nature, and winning mindset makes him a legend in the world of basketball. During the 1988 season, Jordan managed to win the scoring title, Defensive player of the year, and NBA MVP. He is more than an icon in basketball, he is a legend in the world of sports.
LeBron James
LeBron James constantly builds a case to become the Greatest of All Time and he can easily cement a place in the Top 3 basketball players on any list. His three MVP finals and 4 regular seasons indicate how valuable he can be to any team, making him one of the best players in the NBA at the moment.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem boast with a total of 6 NBA Championships. He was also the inventor of the devastating and famous sky hook shot. He managed to score the most points in the history of the NBA and was the most regular season MVP, with a total of 6. During the 1970’s, he was the best NBA player at the time and thanks to his longevity and decorated career, no one can match him in the currently league.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is undoubtedly the flashiest player in the history of the sport. The best point guard of all time managed to dazzle fans across the globe with his vibrant playing style when he played for the Showtime Lakers. Magic Johnson was the leader of the Dream Team and his passing ability remains unmatched.
Bill Russell
With a total of 11 NBA titles from only 13 seasons, no one can argue the greatness of Bill Russell. He was the inventor of defensive sequences and ensured that the defense was just as important in an attack league. He is considered the best defensive player in the history of the sport and boasts with a total of 5 MVP awards.
Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain makes out list due to the fact that he averaged 50 points in a regular season and averaged over 22 rebounds throughout his entire career. Claiming 4 MVP honors and 2 NBA Championships, his 100-point game and other sensational numbers definitely gives him a place on our list. He was considered the most dominant player the sport has ever seen, statistically.