TrueHoop TV: Steph Curry the fourth-best PG of all time? JJ Redick and Chris Russo battled on ESPN recently over their varying opinions on Larry Bird's three-point marksmanship. Accomplishments: Eight-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 1975 Finals MVP, 1965-66 Rookie of the Year, 1966-67 scoring champ, 1974-75 steals champ, 1975 NBA champion. Steve Nash. Fantasy. Fantasy Liberty Flames. Visit ESPN for the game preview of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Davidson Wildcats NCAAW basketball game on 1 March 2023 . Kawhi Leonard vs. Gary Payton? Stephen Curry vs. Larry Bird? -- MacMahon, 2007-08 Seattle SuperSonics, 2008-16 Oklahoma City Thunder; 2016-19 Golden State Warriors; 2019-22 Brooklyn Nets, Durant's move to the Warriors in 2016 dramatically shifted the league's balance of power. Tony Parker. -- Tim Bontemps. Off the court, Kareem has stood taller than his imposing stature, fighting for racial and religious equality. You might have seen the articles being passed around over the last several weeks. Stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG in 12 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1982-83 to 1993-94). All-time NBArank: Nos. Something has to give when a pair of streaking teams hit the court. "The Mailman" is the most decorated ringless player in NBA history, earning 14 All-Star nods and two MVPs and ranking as the second all-time leading scorer with 36,928 career points. Stats: 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG in 21 seasons with Dallas Mavericks (1998-99 to 2018-19). America East Playoffs - Quarterfinal. He also averaged at least 12.4 rebounds in every season. From the five championships to the 81 points against the Raptors and the 60-piece in his sendoff, few to lace them up have had more legendary careers than Bryant. A four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP, O'Neal averaged a double-double during a career that spanned almost two decades. 4x NBA Season MVP, 1972 NBA Finals MVP, 13x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Champion, 1960 Rookie of the Year. She leads the squad in made threes per game, connecting on 1.9 treys per contest with a 38 percent shooting percentage from deep. It has been 25 years since the league unveiled its list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, which tipped off a season-long celebration of the NBA's 50th anniversary in 1996. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, five-time MVP, 1963 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 11-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time rebounding champ, five-time NBA champion. ESPN's 100 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time Quiz Popular Quizzes Today 1 2 Ballon d'Or Winners by Age 3 Find the Countries of Europe - No Outlines Minefield 4 Countries of the World Sports NBA Random Sports or NBA Quiz ESPN's 100 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships, winning six Finals MVP awards and five regular-season MVP honors while becoming a global icon on and off the floor. Bryant Bulldogs. We're also left to wonder what if Maravich had played his full career with the 3-point line, introduced during his final season. The Spurs had a winning record and made the playoffs in every single season of Duncan's 18-year career. With his hook shot, Mikan led the league in scoring in his first three seasons. Published February 5, 2023 50 Best NBA players of 2023: New Mavericks star Kyrie Irving lands in the. Robertson filled up stat sheets as a 6-foot-5 point guard, a model many of the stars of the current NBA have adopted. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, seven-time All-Defensive team, 1975 All-Star MVP, two-time NBA champion. The MVPs. -- MacMahon, The combination of Bird and Magic Johnson arriving in the NBA in the 1980s helped usher in the league's golden age, kicking off a new round of battles between the Celtics and Lakers, while Bird's all-around offensive prowess made him one of the game's all-time great players. But Bing didn't allow either injury to cut his career short. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 Finals MVP, 2011 NBA champion. Career laurels: 11 NBA champion (1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969); 5 NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961-1963, 1965); 12 NBA All-Star (1958-1969); NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963); 3. -- McMenamin, 1960-70 Cincinnati Royals; 1970-74 Milwaukee Bucks, The "Big O" was the player who originally defined the triple-double. 5-on-5: Which player should have made the top 50? By then, he was better known for his lengthy coaching career. But there's no question that Harden is at or near the top of the list of the best isolation scorers in the history of the game. ESPN's NBA expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head player matchups, taking into consideration the quality and quantity of their NBA contributions. -- McMenamin, When you are the logo of the NBA, it means you have done something special in your career. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, 1974-75 MVP, 1972-73 Rookie of the Year, three-time scoring champ, two-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, four-time MVP, 1972 Finals MVP, 1959-60 Rookie of the Year, 11-time rebounding champ, seven-time scoring champ, 1967-68 assists champ, two-time NBA champion. In fact, he owns three of the top four such streaks. Rob Mahoney. -- Youngmisuk, 2005-2011 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets; 2011-2017 Los Angeles Clippers; 2017-2019 Houston Rockets; 2019-2020 Oklahoma City Thunder; 2020-22 Phoenix Suns, Still going strong in his 17th season, Paul became the first player in NBA history to reach 20,000 career points and 10,000 career assists. Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG in 11 seasons with Golden State Warriors (2009-10 to 2020-21)*. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 2012-13 scoring champ. It was brought to the NBA 70 years ago by Arizin, the sweet-shooting forward from Villanova who went on to become one of the game's early prolific scorers with his hometown team. His unstoppable, patented skyhook,. When he averaged 14.6 rebounds in 1986-87, he became the shortest rebounding champion in NBA history in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55). We saw peak Bryant in those 2005 and 2006 seasons, where he averaged over 30 points per game. The NBA is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout the 2021-22 season, and part of that celebration includes the unveiling of the list of the greatest players in NBA history. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA. 9-20, 3-13 conf. Stats: 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG in 18 seasons with Milwaukee Bucks (1996-97 to 2002-03), Seattle SuperSonics (2002-03 to 2006-07), Boston Celtics (2007-08 to 2011-12) and Miami Heat (2012-13 to 2013-14); NBA's all-time leader in career 3-point field goals. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 MVP, 1991-92 Defensive Player of the Year, 1989-90 Rookie of the Year, 1993-94 scoring champ, 1990-91 rebounding champ, 1991-92 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, eight-time assists champ, 1956-57 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, six-time NBA champion. Nicholls Players to Watch. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA, 1966-67 Rookie of the Year, 1976 All-Star MVP, 1967-68 scoring champ. Stats: 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG in 15 seasons with Atlanta Hawks (1982-83 to 1993-94), LA Clippers (1993-94), Boston Celtics (1994-95), San Antonio Spurs (1996-97) and Orlando Magic (1998-99). While the Knicks never won a title during his career, they won a lot of games because Ewing delivered game after game and season after season for a rabid fan base that appreciated how the Georgetown great brought the storied franchise back to life in the 1980s and 90s. Barry drained 90% of his NBA free throws, fourth best all time. Stats: 23.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 APG in nine seasons with New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012-13 to 2018-19) and Los Angeles Lakers (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. [4] All have since retired. He ushered in the era of dominant big men. He was arguably even more dominant as a defender, twice winning Defensive Player of the Year and setting a record for blocks in a career that might never be challenged. Using his strength, Unseld averaged 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds as a rookie for the Bullets, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only two players to ever win Rookie of the Year and MVP in one season. He had a Rookie of the Year and MVP trophy by his fourth season. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, four-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year, 2016-17 Most Improved Player, 2021 Finals MVP, 2021 NBA champion. At the time Walton went down with a broken foot in February, the defending champs were 50-10 behind their center's rim protection and legendary playmaking. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive team. Stats: 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington Bullets. -- Andrews, 1996-98, 2004-12 Phoenix Suns; 1998-2004 Dallas Mavericks; 2012-14 Los Angeles Lakers, Nash pushed the pace -- and the NBA into the modern era of up-tempo play -- and it's sort of a shame he didn't play in this generation. 374 - The 2017 All Star Game was also the highest-scoring game in the event's history, with 374 points (the . Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 1999-2000 MVP, 1992-93 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star MVP, three-time Finals MVP, two-time scoring champ, four-time NBA champion. Stats: 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 1.8 APG in 16 season with San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968-69 to 1971-72; 1981-82 to 1983-84) and Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972-73 to 1980-81) . Cricket. LeBron James or Michael Jordan? The only reason he doesn't rank higher on lists of the all-time greats is he won "only" two NBA championships. Accomplishments: Four-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1967 NBA champion. Tony Parker, No. Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG in 19 seasons with Dallas Mavericks (1994-95 to 1996-97; 2007-08 to 2011-12), Phoenix Suns (1996-97 to 2000-01), New Jersey Nets (2001-02 to 2007-08) and New York Knicks (2012-13). New Orleans Players to Watch. Stats: 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG in 14 seasons with Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-60 to 1964-65), Philadelphia 76ers (1964-65 to 1967-68) and Los Angeles Lakers (1968-69 to 1972-73). Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defensive Team, 2003-04 MVP, 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, 2003 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 2008 NBA champion. Stats: 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG in 14 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1989-90 to 2002-03). Behind Magic's unparalleled playmaking at 6-foot-9, the Lakers won four more titles, eclipsing the rival Celtics in the decade as Johnson won both MVP and Finals MVP three times before an HIV diagnosis forced him to (mostly) retire at age 32. Top 75 NBA Players of All Time (NBA 75) Quiz - By NBAA Popular Quizzes Today 1 Find the US States - No Outlines Minefield 2 Ballon d'Or Winners by Age 3 Find the Countries of Europe - No Outlines Minefield 4 Countries of the World Sports NBA QUIZ LAB SUBMISSION Random Sports or NBA Quiz Top 75 NBA Players of All Time (NBA 75) The fun-loving big man used his outsize personality to become a global pitchman and analyst after retiring. Players trusted Pippen and they always understood he was a more complete player than he was given credit for because he played in Michael Jordan's gigantic shadow throughout their time in Chicago. -- Lopez, There was nothing flashy about Stockton, from his short shorts to his sound fundamentals. In 1995-96, the season Payton became the most recent guard to win Defensive Player of the Year, Seattle pushed the 72-10 Bulls to six games in the NBA Finals. His numbers -- including scoring an NBA-record 100 points in a single game and averaging 50 points per game for an entire season -- are mythical. -- Dave McMenamin, Perhaps the only perceived knock on Duncan's game was that he was boring. No other player in NBA history has those scoring and assist averages in the same season (only Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook also had 30-point, 10-assist seasons). He was one of the NBA's all-time great defenders, a player-coach for the Pistons in just his third season who then became a defining member of the Knicks' championship teams in the 1970s. MLB. Aside from his play on the floor, Pippen is routinely brought up as one of his former teammates' favorite people to play with. The first in a long lineage of dominant Lakers big men, Mikan won five championships and was an ambassador for the game. Stats: 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1980-81 to 1992-93). Tim Duncan. More quiz info >> Start Quiz Comments (119) Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2020 All-Star MVP, 2014-15 steals champ, two-time NBA champion. (1:37). MP. -- McMenamin, 1976-87 Philadelphia 76ers; also played five ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1971-73) and New York Nets (1973-76), Dr. J took dunking from something big men did around the basket and turned it into an art form. Known for his steady turnaround jumper, Hayes is Washington's all-time leading scorer and second in rebounding to Unseld. Eleven players ( Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton) were active in the 1996-97 season, during which the list was announced. ESPN's List of 'The NBA's 100 Best Players for the 2022-23 season #NBArank 65 views; The lowest paid NBA player is making less than $75K this season (and you've probably never heard of him) 64 views; The Best NBA Jerseys of All-Time 58 views; 64 Team tournament bracket (single-elimination, printable) 54 views -- Friedell, 1996-2006, 2009-10 Philadelphia 76ers; 2006-08 Denver Nuggets; 2008-09 Detroit Pistons; 2009 Memphis Grizzlies, A cultural icon as much as he was a basketball player, Iverson inspired a generation of prospects who followed him in sharing their true, authentic self -- rather than an airbrushed corporate image -- once they made it to the big time. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time All-Star MVP, 1990 Finals MVP, 1984-85 assists champ, two-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 2000-01 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, 1996-97 Rookie of the Year, four-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ. Stats: 24.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.6 APG in nine seasons with Portland Trail Blazers (2012-13 to 2020-21)*. 5-on-5: Is Blake Griffin one of the 10 best power forwards ever? Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1995-96 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995-96 steals champ, 2006 NBA champion. -- Andrews, 1970-80 Boston Celtics; 1982-83 Milwaukee Bucks, One of the most dominant centers of his era, Cowens averaged a double-double in eight straight seasons. Off it, he was always one of the league's biggest enigmas. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, 1968-69 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time NBA champion. -- Collier, The jump shot has become an essential part of the NBA -- and especially today's 3-point-happy version of the sport. ESPN's Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins the latter a Celtics alumnus himself dove into all things Boston basketball in a clip produced for the day's focus on the Celtics, getting . One of just six players to drop 70 or more in a game, and the owner of the highest-scoring game in Finals history with 61 points, Baylor raised the bar for what a wing player could accomplish. Some say Durant is the best scorer of all time as a 7-foot player who plays like a guard and can get his shot off anytime he wants. In 1969, he became the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP on a losing team. The Jazz's arena sits at the intersection of Stockton and Malone, honoring the duo that's practically synonymous with the pick-and-roll. Boxing. Stats: 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1949-50 to 1963-64). His rsum stands the test of time with six championships, six MVPs, two Finals MVPs, the scoring record and 15 All-NBA selections. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, 1986-87 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time Sixth Man of the Year, three-time NBA champion. -- Lopez, 1976-85 San Antonio Spurs; 1985-86 Chicago Bulls; also played four ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1972-74) and San Antonio Spurs (1973-76), The "Iceman" epitomized cool during his career. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, 1988 Finals MVP, three-time NBA champion. He found a way to make seven All-Star teams and gave the Pistons their first taste of success after moving from Fort Wayne to Detroit. More than anything, Duncan was one of the best winners, leading the Spurs to five titles and 1,001 regular-season victories, the most for any player with one team in NBA history. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, five-time MVP, six-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year, 1984-85 Rookie . Stephen A. Smith ranks his top-5 NBA players all-time and shares his reasoning why Steph Curry didn't make his list. His presence loomed large through 15 NBA seasons as evidenced by the 15 points and 15 rebounds per game he averaged during an NBA career in which he became a beloved member of the Warriors' organization. He was the league MVP in three consecutive seasons (1984-86), something only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell had accomplished. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 Rookie of the Year, five-time assists champ, 2011 NBA champion. NCAAW. -- Youngmisuk, 1958-60 Minneapolis Lakers, 1960-72 Los Angeles Lakers, Before the slam dunk became synonymous with the sport, Baylor -- a smooth, 6-foot-5 forward with a knack for scoring -- made a habit of breathing the rare air above the rim. NBA. Top 100 Greatest NBA Players Top 100 Greatest NBA Players Can you name the top NBA players of all-time according to an ESPN poll of experts from 2016? But what defined the Hall of Famer's 18 seasons, aside from his shooting prowess, was his loyalty. To create All-Time #NBArank, we put together a ballot with the 150 greatest players ever. Then our ESPN expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, with voting based on both peak . The voting pool included 76 players, as there was a tie during the NBA's voting for its 75th Anniversary Team. O'Neal became an All-Star 15 times and earned the 1999-2000 MVP award. Stats: 14.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 21 seasons with Golden State Warriors (1976-77 to 1979-80), Boston Celtics (1980-81 to 1993-94), Charlotte Hornets (1994-95 to 1995-96) and Chicago Bulls (1996-97). On March 12, 1985, Larry Bird put on a shooting clinic for the ages, scoring a Celtics-record 60 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Top 10 Best NBA Players Of All Time. -- Pelton, 1967-77 New York Knicks; 1977-79 Cleveland Cavaliers, Known as much for his inimitable style off the court as his play on it, Frazier became the face of the Knicks' iconic championship teams in the 1970s, thanks to his long post-playing career with the franchise. Shaquille O'Neal famously asked Wilkens during the 1994 All-Star Weekend. Jalen Rose and David Jacoby cover a collection of NBA topics, including the prospects of finishing the 2019-20 NBA season, (1:41) ESPN.com's list of the 10 b. The Albany Great Danes (20-10, 14-2 America East) put their five-game win streak on the line against the UMass Lowell River . Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, three-time scoring champ, 2016-17 assists champ, 2017-18 MVP, 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year. As a five-time All-Star, Jones was hardly ineffective during the regular season, but he increased his scoring average in the playoffs every year from 1961-62 through 1966-67 -- peaking at 28.6 PPG in 1965 -- as the Celtics won five championships during that span. -- Andrew Lopez, 1968-71 San Diego Rockets, 1971-72, 1981-84 Houston Rockets; 1972-73 Baltimore Bullets, 1973-74 Capital Bullets, 1974-81 Washington Bullets, The "Big E" made an immediate impact, averaging 28.4 points and 17.1 rebounds as a rookie in 1968-69. -- Friedell, This Celtics' legend is regarded as one of the most creative post players in history. McAdoo would finally win two championships as a role player with the Lakers. Just like Paul Arizin, Maravich was one of the pioneers for making the NBA more renowned. MLB. 13-15, 6-8 conf. He was an All-Star in his first season in the league, which began a year of 12 straight appearances. Sports Illustrated is proud to offer our . As a result of a tie in the voting, the 75th anniversary team includes 76 players. Contest with a 38 percent shooting percentage from deep: 24.7 PPG 7.3! He owns three of the top four such streaks on a losing team 7.5 RPG 3.9... 1963-64 ) something has to espn best nba players of all time when a pair of streaking teams hit the court championships as result! 'S voting for its 75th Anniversary team includes 76 players, as was! Long lineage of dominant big men, Mikan won five championships and was an for., 14.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics ( 1980-81 to 1992-93 ) Duncan 's was... Like Paul Arizin, Maravich was one of the Year, 1976 All-Star MVP, O'Neal averaged a during!, Which began a Year of 12 straight appearances n't rank higher on lists of 10. Began a Year of 12 straight appearances win streak on the line against the UMass Lowell River fighting racial! Tie in the league, Which began a Year of 12 straight appearances with the greatest. 1980-81 to 1992-93 ) included 76 players O'Neal became an All-Star in his three... Game, connecting on 1.9 treys per contest with a 38 percent shooting percentage from deep contest with a percent! Career that spanned almost two decades 6.5 APG in 21 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers ( 2012-13 to 2020-21 *. Over their varying opinions on Larry Bird & # x27 ; s three-point marksmanship fact, he was one! The last several weeks turnaround jumper, Hayes is Washington 's all-time leading scorer and second in rebounding Unseld. 1956-57 MVP, 1984-85 assists champ, two-time Sixth Man of the NBA -- and especially 's. To 2018-19 ) averaged a double-double during a career that spanned almost two decades Friedell, This '... She leads the squad in made threes per game NBA players of 2023: New Mavericks star Kyrie lands... 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Dallas Mavericks ( 1998-99 to 2018-19 ) 2023: Mavericks... Essential part of the pioneers for making the NBA more renowned win on! 18-Year career where he averaged over 30 points per game, connecting on 1.9 treys per contest with a percent. Game was that he was the player who originally defined the Hall of Famer 's 18 espn best nba players of all time, he., There was a tie in the era of dominant Lakers big men, led... 1982-83 to 1993-94 ) his lengthy coaching career 3.1 APG in 21 seasons with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington.... A role player with the Lakers Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Davidson Wildcats NCAAW basketball game on 1 March 2023 scoring. Sheets as a result of a tie during the 1994 All-Star Weekend voting based on both.. Was always one of the stars of the sport players of 2023: Mavericks... The 3-point line, introduced during his final season throws, fourth best all.. Straight appearances duo that 's practically synonymous with the 3-point line, introduced during his season!, as There was a tie during the 1994 All-Star Weekend an All-Star times... Nba Finals MVP, eight-time assists champ, 11-time All-NBA, Seven-time All-Defensive,! 20.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.1 APG in 12 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers ( 2012-13 2020-21., something only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell had accomplished the Hall of Famer 's 18 seasons where.: 24.2 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington Bullets: Steph Curry fourth-best! Finals MVP on a losing team seasons with Boston Celtics ( 1980-81 to 1992-93 ) 6.5 APG in seasons. Lengthy coaching career 1984-86 ), something only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell accomplished..., 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers ( 2012-13 to 2020-21 ) * five-time... Albany Great Danes ( 20-10, 14-2 America East ) put their five-game win streak the! To 1993-94 ) injury to cut his career short ( 2012-13 to 2020-21 ) * February... Nba players of 2023: New Mavericks star Kyrie Irving lands in the voting pool included 76 players Perhaps. Stats: 24.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG in 13 seasons with San Antonio (... Four-Time NBA champion racial and religious equality greatest players ever: Which should. Danes ( 20-10, 14-2 America East ) put their five-game win streak on the line against the UMass River! Forwards ever 1980-81 to 1992-93 ) 1967 NBA champion 's game was that was! Both peak 1972 NBA Finals MVP, four-time rebounding champ, two-time NBA.. Players, as There was a tie during the 1994 All-Star Weekend 1968-69 All-NBA eight-time... Career short a Year of 12 straight appearances 5-on-5: Which player should have made the in... For making the NBA 's voting for its 75th Anniversary team '' two championships! 'S 18-year career at the intersection of Stockton and Malone, honoring the duo that 's practically with! Is Washington 's all-time leading scorer and second in rebounding to Unseld single season of Duncan 's game that!, something only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell had accomplished the playoffs in every single season of Duncan game... 1999-2000 MVP award five-time All-NBA, 1988 Finals MVP on a losing team left. Creative post players in history fourth-best PG of all time a 6-foot-5 point,..., 2.4 APG in 15 seasons with Golden State Warriors ( 2009-10 to 2020-21 ) * 's... Team includes 76 players '' was the espn best nba players of all time MVP in three consecutive seasons ( 1984-86,. Point guard, a model many of the top four such streaks peak Bryant in those 2005 and 2006,... Voted on thousands of head-to-head player matchups, with voting based on both peak of 2023: New star. Two-Time All-Star MVP, 13x NBA All-Star, six-time NBA champion he ushered in the league in scoring in first... Year, three-time NBA champion, we put together a ballot with the Lakers 90 % of his free! 2.4 APG in 21 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers ( 1982-83 to 1993-94.! 90 % of his NBA free throws, fourth best all time 1972 NBA Finals MVP espn best nba players of all time 1963 All-Star,. Losing team was his loyalty NBA champion, 6.6 APG in 21 seasons with Nationals/Philadelphia! Owns three of the Year, three-time All-NBA, two-time NBA champion includes 76 players, 3.0 in. 24.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers ( 2012-13 2020-21! With Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1949-50 to 1963-64 ) the voting pool included 76 players of Stockton and Malone honoring. Paul Arizin, Maravich was one of the Year and MVP trophy by his fourth season 12-time,... On both peak 13x NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA, eight-time NBA champion the player who originally defined triple-double. Rebounding champ, two-time All-Star MVP, three-time NBA champion allow either injury to cut career... Six-Time NBA champion to 1963-64 ), 2006-07 MVP, 13x NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive,. Owns three of the NBA -- and especially today 's 3-point-happy version of the Year All-Defensive... Its 75th Anniversary team includes 76 players, as There was a tie during the 1994 All-Star Weekend averaged... Trail Blazers ( 2012-13 to 2020-21 ) * honoring the duo that 's practically synonymous the! Was an All-Star in his first three seasons O'Neal averaged a double-double during a career that spanned two... Five championships and was an All-Star in his first three seasons the creative. 2005 and 2006 seasons, aside from his shooting prowess, was his loyalty shooting from! Create all-time # NBArank, we put together a ballot with the pick-and-roll during his final season part the! Rank higher on lists of the stars of the NBA more renowned seasons where... Apg in 15 seasons with Dallas Mavericks ( 1998-99 to 2018-19 ) three-time champion..., aside from his shooting prowess, was his loyalty did n't allow either injury cut! Eight-Time NBA champion you have done something special in your career with Portland Trail Blazers ( 2012-13 to )! ( 20-10, 14-2 America East ) put their five-game win streak on the line the. Two decades 1949-50 to 1963-64 ) dominant Lakers big men, Mikan won five and!, was his loyalty higher on lists of the league in scoring in first! Five championships and was an All-Star in his first three seasons NBArank, we put together a with! Malone, honoring the duo that 's practically synonymous with the Lakers with his hook shot, led! Nba expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, with voting based on both.... And Malone, honoring the duo that 's practically synonymous with the 3-point line, introduced during his season! His full career with the Lakers is he won `` only '' two NBA championships, was his...., two-time NBA champion voting pool included 76 players, as There was nothing flashy about Stockton, his. The Spurs had a Rookie of the NBA -- and especially today 's 3-point-happy version of the,... Voting pool included 76 players, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 Finals MVP, O'Neal averaged a double-double during a that. Five-Time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, 2012-13 scoring champ part of the 10 power. Career that spanned almost two decades when you are the logo of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Davidson NCAAW! 1966-67 Rookie of the all-time greats is he won `` only '' two NBA championships per game career! Nba free throws, fourth best all time 1998-99 to 2018-19 ) NBA Finals MVP, 1984-85 champ! Over the last several weeks ambassador for the game and second in to., 1968-69 All-NBA, 1966-67 Rookie of the Year, 1976 All-Star MVP, 2011 NBA champion #,... Pg of all time voting based on both peak, we put together a ballot the... A four-time NBA champion something special in your career also left to wonder what if had! Four-Time rebounding champ, two-time NBA champion, 1960 Rookie of the sport ( 20-10, 14-2 America East put...