The fifth and final segment in our updated list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history is finally here with players 10 through one. Make sure you’re ready for it with Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV.
10. Shaquille O’Neal
The one and only “Superman” can be considered the most dominant player to ever play in the NBA with his ridiculous size as a center.
From his early years with the Orlando Magic to his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and his small stints with the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics, he was always the biggest player on the floor. Size was obviously a huge factor in his success as he averaged 10.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 23 points for his career.
No one could stop Shaq when he was down in the paint because that basically translated to 2 easy points, unless the team fouled him, then it was a coin flip decision because he averaged 52% from the charity stripe.
Despite his famous and unconventional free-throw approach, he still dominated the game as he led the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-2002 to three NBA Championships and the Miami Heat in 2006 to their first championship.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui53VtVBF3M
9. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan is the most underrated player to ever play the game because of his lack of intensity and mellow personality. Duncan led the San Antonio Spurs to four different NBA Championships in ’99, ’03, ’05, & ’07.
Even though he was not the most entertaining player off the court, he demonstrated his real skills on the court as he is an amazing double-double machine in points (20.6 ppg) and rebounds (11.4 rpg).
He won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in two consecutive seasons from ’02-’03 and is a 13-time NBA All-Star.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIiua3bCa8U
Next: Mr. NBA Logo & “The Big Dipper”
8. Jerry West
The NBA Logo is one of the best scorers in NBA history, as he has scored 25,192 points in his career, averaging 27 points per game. In addition to his ridiculous shooting, he was also an avid defender, earning the right to be selected in five separate seasons on the All-Defensive Team for the NBA.
On top of his offensive scoring and defensive stop, he dished 6,238 assists and grabbed 5,366 rebounds by the end of his career. He was selected to be an NBA All-Star 14-times and was selected to be part of the All-NBA Team 12 times.
Number 44 was retired in Staples Center along with Chamberlain, Baylor, Abdul-Jabaar, Johnson, Worthy, and Goodrich, but in early 2011 he was also recognized with a statue outside of the arena.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiMWfexkhGM
7. Wilt Chamberlain
Mr. Chamberlain was the most dominant player in the NBA as he demonstrated with the Philadelpha 76s and Los Angeles Lakers. For his career, he scored 31,419 points (30.1 ppg), leading the NBA 7 seasons, and grabbed 23,924 rebounds (22.9 rpg), leading the NBA in 11 seasons.
Wilt was also the most intimidating player on the defensive end as he stood over 7 feet tall. His size and athleticism led him to attain four separate NBA Most Valuable Player awards in 1960 and 1966 – 1968.
The most impressive demonstration of his power and dominance was when he scored 100 points in a single game on March 2, 1962 as he played with the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Z4en6i9MM
Next: Black Mamba & 3-Point Legend
6. Larry Bird
Larry Bird is the best three-point shooter to have ever played the game of basketball and single-handedly led the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships in ’81, ’84, & ’86. Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won the Most Valuable Player award in three consecutive seasons from ’84 – ’86.
To demonstrate how much of an impact Bird had on the Celtics, the record of the team was 29–53 in 1978-1979, but when Bird joined the team during the 1979-1980 season, their record jumped to 61-21.
Bird developed a rivalry against Magic Johnson during their college years, and it was only fitting that he ended up playing for the Boston Celtics and Magic playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_nfsq4pTpI
5. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was given the nickname the “Black Mamba” for a reason, and it is because he is one of the most deadly clutch shooters in the NBA. I cannot remember seeing a player grab the basketball with such confidence and score in the most high-pressure situations in multiple occasions.
Not only is he a deadly shooter, he is the most competitive and dedicated basketball player to play the game since the great Michael Jordan. He has racked up five championship titles during his career and is still looking for more as he is entering his 16th season.
As a 13-time All-Star selection, he will continue his basketball excellence even while his career is winding down.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajNC3W-Dlqk&feature=related
Next: NBA Greatest Scorer & 11-time Champion
4. Bill Russell
Championships. If the number of championships defines who the greatest NBA player of all-time is, then Bill Russell would clearly be named the number one player.
Russell reached the NBA Finals in 13 separate seasons and won 11 out of those 13 trips, essentially allowing each of his fingers and a toe to possess a championship ring. Unfortunately, the success of a player in basketball is defined much more than championships, but Russell was able to demonstrate his excellence in those other areas as well.
Russell was an 15-time NBA All-Star and 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player, which is obviously unheard of and will most likely never be reached in this era of basketball.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWFsL4Y8RVA
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar has scored more points than any other player in league history, won six NBA championships and a record six regular season MVP Awards.
In college at UCLA, he played on three championship teams, and his high school team won 71 consecutive games.
Kareem is the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and personal fouls. Let’s not forget about that smooth sky hook.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1yVfJs6OcI
Next: Magic Man & Air Jordan
2. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is the best point guard to have ever played the game of basketball with his ridiculously accurate and creative passes. He is considered by many as the most beloved Laker of all time with his friendly demeanor and wide smiles.
Magic was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won the MVP award three times during ’87, ’89, & ’90 seasons. Magic led the Lakers to nine Finals appearance in his career and five championship titles in ’80, ’82, ’85, ’87, ’88.
Unfortunately, Magic needed to prematurely end his career as the NBA world discovered that he tested positive for HIV before the 1991-1992 NBA season. Magic showed his strength and commitment to the game as he returned even after such a dramatic health issue.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KQfSmcThoQ
1. Michael Jordan
6-time NBA Champion
6-time NBA Finals MVP
5-time NBA MVP
10 NBA Scoring Titles
3-time Steals Leader
14 NBA All-Star Selections
3-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
11 All-NBA Selections
2 Olympic Gold Medals – 1984, 1992
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2009
Should I keep going? The list of basketball accolades is endless for Michael Jordan and there is no question that he will remain the top basketball player to have ever played the game.
He was a score-first player, but he knew how to seamlessly integrate each other aspect of the game on the offensive and defensive end. He made the game look so effortless but yet so mesmerizing with his dominant scoring.
Will we ever witness another Michael Jordan? Will anyone ever surpass his greatness? Most likely not.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8M2NgjvicA