The updated list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history continues with players 30 through 21. Make sure you’re up to date by checking out Part I and Part II
30. Willis Reed
Willis Reed is the most beloved NBA Hall of Fame basketball player to play for the New York Knicks organization.
Reed made a monumental impact on the Knicks during his tenure with them because he was able to lead the organization to two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973. These are the only NBA championships that the Knicks ever won, and it was solely do to the brilliant play by this seven-time NBA All-Star.
Reed is a very special NBA star as he was the first player ever to be named the Most Valuable Player in the NBA season, NBA All-Star game, and NBA Finals all in the same season (1969-1970).
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84v5cazK8lc
29. Walt Frazier
Frazier was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1968. He was an NBA All-Star seven times (and was named MVP of the 1975 NBA All-Star Game), was named to the All-NBA First Team four times, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-Defensive First Team seven times.
The Knicks captured the NBA championships in 1970 and 1973 as it was led by Frazier. After 10 years in New York, Frazier ended his career as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeUQdUK9ec&feature=related
Next: Hawks All-Star & “Practice? We’re talking about practice?”
28. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit’s number nine jersey hangs high in the Atlanta Hawks arena for his amazing contribution to the Hawks organization. In 1958, the Atlanta Hawks were previously located in Milwaukee and the team was led by the 11-time NBA All-Star and 10-time All-NBA power forward Pettit.
He was able to reach such milestones for his amazing size, and his ability to dominate the paint as demonstrated with career stats of 20,880 points, 12,849 rebounds, and 2,369 assists.
He was the first player in NBA history to reach the 20,000 point milestone as he led the NBA in scoring for two separate seasons in 1957 and 1959. Most importantly, he led the Hawks to their first and only NBA Championship in 1958.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM-etDsBLyQ
27. Allen Iverson
Winning the NBA scoring title during the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2004–05 seasons, Iverson was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, despite his small stature listed at 6 feet.
His regular season career scoring average of 26.7 points per game ranks sixth all-time, and his playoff career scoring average of 29.7 points per game is second only to Michael Jordan.
Iverson was also the NBA Most Valuable Player of the 2000–01 season and led his team to the 2001 NBA Finals the same season.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byfpiFW_myA
Next: The Admiral & UCLA Legend
26. David Robinson
David Robinson, or “The Admiral,” stood at 7’1 as he towered over most other players on the floor with the San Antonio Spurs.Robinson was an extremely intimidating center as he was selected to be on the NBA All-Defensive Team in eight separate seasons.
The Admiral dominated the glass as he recorded a total of 10,497 rebounds for his career and led his Spurs to two NBA Championships during his tenure with them.
In addition to being selected as an NBA All-Star in 10 seasons, he is also recognized as the all-time leader in blocks with a total of 2,954 blocked shots for the Spurs franchise.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIkTMOwJsto&feature=related
25. Bill Walton
Bill Walton was selected number one in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers for brilliant career in UCLA, leading the Bruins to two NCAA Championships and to a record 88-game winning streak during his career.
Walton was a very unique impact player during his career. He is one of the few NBA players to win the Most Valuable Player award (1978) and the Sixth Man of the Year award (1986).
Even though he was only selected to be an All-Star twice in his career, he was still able to contribute to win two NBA Championships on two separate teams.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhpG7-OHOeY
Next: Utah Phenom & Bull’s #2
24. John Stockton
Stockton was the best point guard to ever play with the Utah Jazz as he had a total of 15,806 assists for his career, which is the most assists by any player in NBA history.
Stockton also holds the NBA record for most 1,000+ assist seasons on seven different occasions and he also holds the NBA record for best assist average in a season as he averaged 14.5 assist in the 1990-1991 season.
He was also part of the U.S. Dream Team, as he helped lead the United States Olympic team to two consecutive gold medal awards in 1992 and 1996. Even though he never won an NBA Championship with Utah, he is still considered one of the best contributors to the franchise.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c34FunRSbzA
23. Scottie Pippen
Pippen was considered to be the Robin to the Bull’s Batman (I think we all know who Batman is) during their championship dynasty in the 1990’s. “Robin” helped contribute with “Batman” to six NBA Championship titles from 1991-1993 & 1996-1998.
Pippen demonstrated his amazing defensive skills throughout his entire career as he received 10 NBA All-Defensive honors and 8 NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.
As a cherry on top, #33 was retired by Chicago Bulls in his honor for his remarkable play as he scored 18,940 points, dished 6,135 assists, and grabbed 2,307 steals for his career.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tObgS6uUVjQ
Next: Unorthodox Free Throw Shooter & Pistons “Bad Boy”
22. Rick Barry
Rick Barry is a very unique player as he spent the first part of his professional basketball career with the ABA and then transitioned into the NBA. When he entered the NBA, he won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1966 and continued his excellent play throughout the rest of his career.
He was able to rack up 25,729 points (24.8 ppg), 6,863 rebounds (6.7 rpg), and 4,952 assists (4.9 apg) for his entire career, which translated to eight NBA All-Star appearances. He played most of his career with the Golden State Warriors and ended the last two years with the Houston Rockets, but he was honored solely by the Warriors by having his #24 retired.
This small forward was never surrounded by other super talent, but the Warriors were still able to achieve great success as Barry led them to their second championship in 1975.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeusOox8EjY&feature=related
21. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas will always be remembered as playing in the shadows of Magic Johnson, but he is actually one of the best point guards to ever play the game as he was able to rack up 9,061 assists (9.3 apg) for his career.
In addition Thomas’ offensive play, he was also great on the defensive end as he ranks ninth in the NBA with a total of 1,861 steals. Thomas was able to lead the Detroit Pistons to two NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990 by orchestrating the entire floor with his remarkable passes and drives to the basket.
He is the best player to ever wear a Pistons uniform as he is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, steals, games played and assists.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1euE0pj_JE&feature=related