Part IV of the updated list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history looks at players 20-11, and lists some of the best players to ever play in the league. Make sure you’re up to date by checking out Part I, Part II and Part III of the list.
20. Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy, or “The Cooz” was instrumental for the Boston Celtics during the 1950’s as he helped orchestrate the offense as they won six championships during his tenure with the organization. Cousy created the dynasty for the Celtics with his ridiculous passes and amazing ball-handling skills, which eventually totaled 6,955 assist (7.5 apg) for his career.
Through his stellar play, he was selected to be an NBA All-Star for 13 seasons and selected to the All-NBA First Team for 10 seasons. All Celtics fans admire the “Houdini of the Hardwood” for his contribution to the organization, and the number 14 is retired and hung in the rafters of the Boston Garden.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZcxYUCQOZI
19. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett spent most of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1995 to 2007 as he was the superstar for the team, but then he was able to unleash his full potential when he joined the Boston Celtics in 2007.
He has been selected as an NBA All-Star 14-times in his career for his remarkable basketball skills as a double-double machine in points and rebounds. He has averaged 19.6 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game for his career, but he is mostly recognized for his amazing presence on the defensive end of the floor.
Garnett has been selected on the All Defensive Team for the NBA 11-times and was also the rebounding champion for the entire league for four consecutive seasons from 2004-2007.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYTAZWKJpYw
Next: King James & Dr. J
18. LeBron James
LeBron James single-handedly revived his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers franchise with his legendary basketball skills. More than anything, his ridiculous athleticism and size as a point-forward is what separates him from any other basketball player who has ever played the game.
To demonstrate his impact on a team, consider this: he improved the Cavaliers record by 18 games in his rookie season by averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game for the season. Also, when he left the Cavaliers in 2010 for the Miami Heat, the Cavaliers went from the NBA’s best record at 61-21 in 2009 to the Eastern conference-worst at 19-63.
He will most likely contend for more championships during his tenure with the Miami Heat and their freakish super-team, but it is mostly because of his remarkable impact on a franchise. He has been selected as an NBA All-Star seven consecutive times and won the Most Valuable Player award twice in 2009 and 2010.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIB__VknWFc
17. Julius Erving
Julius Erving, or more fittingly “Dr. J”, is mostly remembered for his amazing dunks, as he himself incorporated his signature “slam” dunk into the game of basketball.
He spent the first few years in the American Basketball Association before joining the NBA with the Philadelphia and making an impact on the league. Not only was he able to win two championships in the ABA, but he was also able to win a championship in the NBA in 1983 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the 1983 Finals, he was able to demonstrate his unique athleticism with his “baseline move” in which his arm extended behind the backboard and reach the rim. In addition the his championship, he was also selected as an NBA All-Star 11-times and as the Most Valuable Player in 1981.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGzFXALUrbQ
Next: TNT Analyst & The Mailman
16. Charles Barkley
Alright knuckleheads, before Charles Barkley was an announcer for NBA on TNT, he was one of the most athletic rebounders in the game of basketball as he grabbed a total of 12,546 rebounds in his career (11.7 rpg).
In addition to his remarkable rebounding skills, he was also an avid shooter as he scored a total of 23,757 points (22.1 ppg) for his career. Even though he never won an NBA championship with any of the three teams that he played for, he did demonstrate his superior basketball skills as he was selected 11-times as an NBA All-Star.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v9XE7BijJA
15. Karl Malone
Malone is regarded as one of the best power forwards in the history of the NBA. He collected two regular-season MVP awards, eleven NBA First Team nominations and was also selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team three times.
Malone led the NBA in free throws made a league-record seven times. Over 1,476 NBA games (fourth all-time), and 1,471 starts (most all-time, never coming off the bench after his rookie season), Malone scored 36,928 points (25.0 per game), second-best all-time, on .516 shooting.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WFXAmBBK8w
Next: Hondo & Laker Superstar
14. John Havlicek
John Havlicek is the third most decorated NBA player winning a total of eight championships with the Boston Celtics. As a small forward for the Celtics he was able to rack up amazing numbers on the stat sheets for his entire career, which totaled to 26,395 points (20.8 ppg), 8,007 rebounds (6.3 rpg), and 6,114 assists (4.8 apg).
He was selected to be an NBA All-Star in 13 seasons and selected to be on the NBA All-Defensive Team for eight seasons for his stellar play . Havlicek is considered to be one of the best defensive players to ever play the game and it showed through the championships he helped the Celtics win. Havlicek was able to get some help from Bill Russell and Sam Jones during his tenure with the Celtics, and they all increased each others’ skills.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C0S-_bQdEc
13. Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor is the best small forward in Lakers franchise history as he scored 23,149 points (27.4 ppg), grabbed 11,463 rebounds (13.5 rpg), and dished 3,650 assists (4.6 apg) for his career. Even though he never won an NBA championship in his career, he was able to help lead the Lakers to the Finals on eight different occasions from 1958 – 1971.
Baylor was a superb small forward throughout his entire career as he was an 11x All-Star and 10x All-NBA First Team. Baylor was honored by the Lakers organization by having his number 22 retired above the stands in the Staples Center.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE23mU3qFuE
Next: Co-Founder of Phi Slama Jama & The Big O
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon has the distinct recognition of earning a quadruple-double with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 29, 1990. There have only been 3 other players in NBA history to record this legendary statistic in a single game. This performance exemplified his capabilities as a remarkable athlete on the floor.
He was able to score 26,946 points, grab 13,747 rebounds, and swat 3,830 balls in his career. Yes, you read that correctly: 3,830 blocks. He holds the NBA record for most blocks by any player in any position, and his record is 541 more than the next person in line.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWUIZqoNr4Q&feature=related
11. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was a triple-double machine as he averaged a triple-double in points (30.3), rebounds (10.4), and assists (10.6) from 1961-1965 as a shooting guard and point guard.
Robertson was a 12-time NBA All-Star and scored 26,710 points (25.7 ppg), grabbed 7,804 rebounds (7.5 rpg), and dished 9,887 assists (9.5 apg). Robertson was able to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA Championship in 1971 and won the Most Valuable Player award in 1964.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3RYStydczE