espn best nba players of all time

-- McMenamin, When you are the logo of the NBA, it means you have done something special in your career. After an Achilles injury ended his third Finals run with Golden State, Durant has come back as good as ever in Brooklyn. Bellarmine Knights. Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG in 18 seasons with Phoenix Suns (1996-97 to 1997-98; 2004-05 to 2011-12), Dallas Mavericks (1998-99 to 2003-04) and Los Angeles Lakers (2012-13 to 2013-14). Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1977-78 MVP, 1977 Finals MVP, 1985-86 Sixth Man of the Year, 1976-77 rebounding champ, 1976-77 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. Being in the conversation as the best player of all time means being part of an exclusive club -- no disrespect to those who just missed out on the top 10. 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. As a result of a tie in the voting, the 75th anniversary team includes 76 players. LeBron James or Michael Jordan? -- Andrews, Adding Magic, the top pick of the 1979 draft, catalyzed the Lakers' dynasty. -- Bontemps, 1970-74 Atlanta Hawks; 1974-79 New Orleans Jazz; 1979-80 Utah Jazz; 1980 Boston Celtics, Famed for his record-setting scoring playing for his father at LSU, Maravich never quite reached those same heights during an NBA career cut short by injury. Tim Duncan, probably the most incredible power forward of all time, takes the number 10 spot on our list.. Duncan, known as the "The Big Fundamental," ruled both ends . Rodman won Defensive Player of the Year twice and was a five-time NBA champion as a centerpiece for dynasties in Detroit and Chicago. (Wilkens was the only person chosen both among the league's top 75 players and top 15 coaches.) In fact, he owns three of the top four such streaks. But now that he has that record, he's fine with that title. He changed the game with his step-back 3 -- and the NBA changed the rules due to his foul-drawing tactics. Before, however, Wilkens was a nine-time All-Star as a point guard who excelled as both a scorer and a playmaker -- including twice as player-coach for the SuperSonics. He was a five-time MVP, including winning three in a row from 1960 to '62. He played his entire career in Detroit and won back-to-back championships in 1989 and '90, winning Finals MVP in 1990. ESPN has been counting down the 100 best NBA players of all-time. West is also the definition of being loyal to a franchise, working with the Lakers as a player, coach and front-office member. The Jazz's arena sits at the intersection of Stockton and Malone, honoring the duo that's practically synonymous with the pick-and-roll. -- Lopez, 1950-63 Boston Celtics; 1969-70 Cincinnati Royals, Cousy helped define the point guard position with his terrific passing skills. -- Collier, Personifying the concept of being a star in your role, Worthy's ability to defend, run the floor and finish enabled the Showtime Lakers to be so effective playing the style they employed. 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. Aside from his play on the floor, Pippen is routinely brought up as one of his former teammates' favorite people to play with. On the court, his play was relentless. 1959-62 Philadelphia Warriors, 1962-65 San Francisco Warriors; 1965-68 Philadelphia 76ers; 1968-73 Los Angeles Lakers. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 2012-13 scoring champ. -- Friedell, 1968-73 Baltimore Bullets, 1973-74 Capital Bullets, 1974-81 Washington Bullets, No player rebounded in the paint as well as the sturdily-built Unseld. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1968 All-Star MVP, 1967 NBA champion. Consider the hardware he has collected since entering the league: MVP (twice), Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and Finals MVP. 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. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 1963-64 Rookie of the Year, 1965 All-Star MVP, 1973 NBA champion. 14 PTS, 11 REB, 10 ASTNikola Jokic became only the 6th player in NBA history to record 100 career triple . NBA75: Meet the best players in league history, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sources: Warriors eye Curry return next week, Lakers' Davis out vs. OKC with right foot injury, V. Bryant settles crash photos suit for $28.85M, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Benner, longtime Pacers PR director, dies at 67, Irving: Need to scale back self-imposed pressure, Jokic sixth player in 100 career triple-double club, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas. Accomplishments: Six-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 2012-13 Rookie of the Year. In fact, "Wilt the Stilt" has six of the highest 11 single-game point totals in NBA history and seven scoring titles, including a mythical 50.4 PPG in 1961-62. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA. 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 . 49. -- Youngmisuk, 1996-2003 Milwaukee Bucks, 2003-07 Seattle SuperSonics; 2007-12 Boston Celtics; 2012-14 Miami Heat, 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.3 3PG, Before Stephen Curry came along and broke his all-time 3-point record, Allen was regarded as the smoothest shooting player of all time. 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). Stats: 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1958-59 to 1972-73). -- Collier, The jump shot has become an essential part of the NBA -- and especially today's 3-point-happy version of the sport. 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 . Being in the conversation as the best player of all time means being part of an exclusive club -- no disrespect to those who just missed out on the top 10. Accomplishments: Nine-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1980 All-Star MVP, four-time NBA scoring champ. Stats: 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG in nine seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1965-66 to 1971-72; 1974-75 to 1975-76); also played two ABA seasons with Carolina Cougars (1972-73 to 1973-74). 9 of the San Antonio Spurs, shoots against Ray Allen, No. Early in the 2021-22 season, the NBA unveiled its 75th Anniversary Team, a squad full of iconic players representing different points in the evolution of basketball. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, 1968-69 All-NBA, 1968-69 MVP, 1968-69 Rookie of the Year, 1978 Finals MVP, 1974-75 rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. O'Neal became an All-Star 15 times and earned the 1999-2000 MVP award. NCAAW. Drexler's 2,615 offensive rebounds are the most by a player who primarily played guard in NBA history. 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. Stats: 17.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG in 21 seasons with Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-96 to 2006-07; 2014-15 to 2015-16), Boston Celtics (2007-08 to 2012-13) and Brooklyn Nets (2013-14 to 2014-15). -- Friedell, Flashback: Larry Bird sets Boston record with 60-point performance, Flashback: Larry Bird sets Boston record with 60-point performance (1:37), Ranking the top 74 players of all time: 10-1, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sources: Warriors eye Curry return next week, Lakers' Davis out vs. OKC with right foot injury, V. Bryant settles crash photos suit for $28.85M, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Benner, longtime Pacers PR director, dies at 67, Irving: Need to scale back self-imposed pressure, Jokic sixth player in 100 career triple-double club, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas. Stats: 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG in 20 seasons with Milwaukee Bucks (1969-70 to 1974-75) and Los Angeles Lakers (1975-76 to 1988-89); NBA's career leader in total points. Pippen grew into his offensive game over the years, but his defensive tenacity was always highly regarded by his teammates and coaches. In 1970, Reed became the first player in NBA history to win MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP in the same year. Stats: 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG in 11 NBA seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1976-77 to 1986-87); also played five ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1971-72 to 1972-73) and New York Nets (1973-74 to 1975-76). Players received 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second and so on down to one point for a 10th-place vote. The shoes. 76 all the way to No. But Bing didn't allow either injury to cut his career short. 5-on-5: Is Blake Griffin one of the 10 best power forwards ever? He won six championships -- with the first and last coming 17 years apart -- and was named to 15 All-NBA teams, with 10 first-team selections. -- Pelton, 1970-76 Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City-Omaha Kings/Kansas City Kings; 1976-77 New York Nets; 1978-83 Boston Celtics; 1983-84 Milwaukee Bucks, In 1972-73, in just his third NBA season, the 6-foot-1, 150-pound Archibald averaged 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game. 1. Stats: 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG in 16 seasons with Boston Celtics (1962-63 to 1977-78). He also was one of the game's great early shooters, setting a record for free throw percentage (93.2) during the 1958-59 season that lasted nearly two decades. Past that, we could have a robust discussion on how Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird are positioned from the #4-7 spots, but that also feels right. While Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar get the lion's share of the credit for those teams, Worthy's 1988 NBA Finals MVP distinction tells the story of just how key he was in L.A.'s success, earning his "Big Game James" nickname for elevating his play when the games mattered most. 1950-51 Washington Capitols; 1951-61 Boston Celtics, A Hall of Famer as both a player and coach, Sharman starred alongside Bob Cousy in Boston's backcourt in the 1950s, winning four championships. Stats: 17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 APG in 12 seasons with Boston Celtics (1957-58 to 1968-69). Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG in 10 seasons with Atlanta Hawks (1970-71 to 1973-74), New Orleans/Utah Jazz (1974-75 to 1979-80) and Boston Celtics (1979-80). Then head over and vote on the best NBA players of the 2010s. Stats: 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG in 10 seasons with New York Knicks (1964-65 to 1973-74). NBA. 52 - The record for the most points in an All Star Game is 52, set by Anthony Davis for the Western Conference in 2017. His unstoppable, patented skyhook,. 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. Stephen Curry vs. Larry Bird? After rupturing his in January 1992, Wilkins was ready for the following year and averaged 29.9 points. -- Bontemps, 2012-13 New Orleans Hornets, 2013-19 New Orleans Pelicans; 2019-22 Los Angeles Lakers, Taking the torch from Kevin Garnett as a near 7-footer who can completely dominate a game defensively with the offensive skill set to operate outside of the low post on the other end, Davis continues to redefine what a big man can do. 374 - The 2017 All Star Game was also the highest-scoring game in the event's history, with 374 points (the . Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, four-time NBA champion. Subscribe to ESPN+ http://espnplus.com/. 4x NBA Season MVP, 1972 NBA Finals MVP, 13x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Champion, 1960 Rookie of the Year. 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. -- Bontemps, 1976-80 Golden State Warriors; 1980-94 Boston Celtics; 1994-96 Charlotte Hornets; 1996-97 Chicago Bulls, Don't reduce Parish to the trivia of playing an NBA-record 1,611 games over a 21-season career he capped by winning a fourth title at age 43 with the Bulls in 1997. You might have seen the articles being passed around over the last several weeks. Gamecast; Preview; Davidson Wildcats vs Saint . 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 His 11 NBA championships stand alone as the most for a player all time. Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). Nash, a career 42.8% 3-point shooter, admits he wonders what could have been if he had the shot-hunting mentality of some of today's elite point guards. Paul also holds the NBA record for consecutive games with a steal (108), a streak that took part over three seasons (April 13, 2007, to Dec. 23, 2008). He loved being the face of the Pacers and he loved that he played his whole career in Indianapolis. Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain? Here's the entire list, 1-74: Michael Jordan LeBron James Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bill Russell Magic Johnson Wilt Chamberlain Larry Bird Tim Duncan Kobe Bryant Shaquille O'Neal Oscar Robertson Hakeem Olajuwon Stephen Curry Kevin Durant Julius Erving Jerry West Karl Malone Moses Malone Dirk Nowitzki Kevin Garnett Scottie Pippen Elgin Baylor The 50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time 50 Paul Arizin Paul Vathis/AP Stalwart jump shooter from the Philadelphia Warriors. TrueHoop TV: Kobe, Jerry West and the top shooting guards ever, All-Time #NBArank: The 10 greatest small forwards in NBA history, Photos: Classic action shots of league's best small forwards. Stats: 23.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 8.5 APG in 13 seasons with Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-09 to 2018-19), Houston Rockets (2019-20) and Washington Wizards (2020-21)*. 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. Unseld is the greatest Bullet of all time, played the most games (984) in franchise history and was seventh all time in rebounding when he retired. The charismatic Johnson took the "Showtime" Lakers to nine NBA Finals, and they won five titles. Preview; Bellarmine Knights vs Liberty Lady Flames Stats, Game Time, and more. Boxing. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, 1968-69 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time NBA champion. 10. Russell's defensive acumen and determination made him the perfect foil for Wilt Chamberlain, as well as one of the players from his era who wouldn't have looked out of place in later generations. Without Wade, there's probably no Shaq, no LeBron and no Heatles in South Beach. 6-25, 3-13 conf . Tony Parker, No. Stats: 22.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 APG in 10 NBA seasons with Philadelphia Warriors (1950-51 to 1961-62). He remains a legend in the D.C. area for delivering the franchise's only NBA championship. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1985-86 scoring champ. 9-21, 5-12 . Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 10-time All-Defensive team, 1994 All-Star MVP, 1994-95 steals champ, six-time NBA champion. Boxing. But he also was a dynamic two-way player, who in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals -- remembered for Willis Reed playing on an injured leg -- had 36 points and 19 assists in one of the greatest performances of all time to lead the Knicks to their first title. -- MacMahon, 1985-2003 Utah Jazz; 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers, "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. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 2006 Finals MVP, 2010 All-Star MVP, 2008-09 scoring champ, three-time NBA champion. Wade always played bigger than his 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, playoffs included. He delivered the 2011 title to Dallas as the lone All-Star for the Mavs, who defeated the Heat's superteam in the Finals, avenging a loss in 2006. Best NBA players of all time: Ranking the Top 75 - Nos. All-time NBArank: Nos. In the 1980 Finals, his reverse baseline scoop layup against the Lakers became a staple of highlight reels. Jordan revolutionized the way players could expand their corporate portfolios -- and dominate well after their playing careers end. 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. Adding the former MVP to a team that had gone 73-9 the year before created arguably the greatest team in NBA history, with Durant shining brightest against LeBron James in the NBA Finals to win Finals MVP back-to-back years. He also averaged at least 12.4 rebounds in every season. Perhaps the greatest two-way player of his generation, Leonard dissects defenses with robotic midrange precision while disrupting offenses with his long arms and physical defense. The 2022 All-Star Game is once again slated to return to Cleveland as a nod to that moment. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time NBA champion. His 71-point effort in the regular-season finale in 1994 to win the scoring title trails only Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and David Thompson in all-time single-game scoring efforts. Not only has Curry hit 3,083 3s (and counting), he broke Ray Allen's record in nearly 500 fewer games. His famous finger rolls, a phenomenal blend of flair and function, were so memorable that Nike made them into a marketing line long after Gervin hung up his high-tops. 21-7, 15-2 conf. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, three-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 1979-80 Rookie of the Year, 1982 All-Star MVP, three-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. 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. Hansen is the top threat for McNeese from beyond the arc. -- McMenamin, 1967-71 Baltimore Bullets; 1971-80 New York Knicks, Monroe's silky smooth game earned him the moniker "Earl The Pearl" and turned him into an icon for an entire generation of players. -- McMenamin, 1984-93, 1995-98 Chicago Bulls; 2001-03 Washington Wizards. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, four-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, two-time All-Star MVP. St. Bonaventure Bonnies. He won Rookie of the Year after Boston made him the No. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks (15-13, 11-6 Patriot) will try to earn another road victory and extend a three-game road win streak when they visit the Army Black Knights (12-15, 10-7 Patriot) on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET.. Army fell to Holy Cross 60-54 in the team's last outing on Saturday despite a team-high 20 points from Kamryn Hall.. Lehigh fell to Boston University 78-65 in the . Stats: 20.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG in 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1966-67 to 1974-75), Washington Bullets (1975-76 to 1976-77) and Boston Celtics (1977-78). Stats: 19.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.9 APG in 10 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (2011-12 to 2017-18), Toronto Raptors (2018-19) and LA Clippers (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. Pelton: Is Steph Curry already a Hall of Famer? 9-20, 3-13 conf. Shaquille O'Neal famously asked Wilkens during the 1994 All-Star Weekend. 75-51 For subscribers Ranking the greatest 75 NBA players of all time: Nos. Tim Duncan. He was an All-Star in his first season in the league, which began a year of 12 straight appearances. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1950-51 Rookie of the Year, 1952 All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, 1956 NBA champion. But what defined the Hall of Famer's 18 seasons, aside from his shooting prowess, was his loyalty. 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. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . -- Collier, Long before there was "Playoff Rondo," Jones earned the nickname "Mr. He ushered in the era of dominant big men. Fantasy Liberty Flames. Oh yeah: Along the way, he was a six-time NBA Finals champ, six-time NBA Finals MVP, five-time NBA MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star. -- Andrews, 1976 Buffalo Braves; 1976-82 Houston Rockets; 1982-86, 1993-94 Philadelphia 76ers; 1986-88 Washington Bullets; 1988-91 Atlanta Hawks; 1991-93 Milwaukee Bucks; 1994-95 San Antonio Spurs; also played two ABA seasons with Utah Stars (1974-75) and Spirits of St. Louis (1975-76), Malone's stellar career included a feat that he, and he alone, has accomplished: winning back-to-back MVPs with two different teams. 1. -- Dave McMenamin, 1948-64 Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers, One of the best players in the NBA's early years, Schayes was one of the last players to use a two-handed set shot and was a high-impact center during his 16 seasons with the Nationals and 76ers. Monroe's game had a modern flair to it, which he honed as a kid on the playgrounds in Philadelphia, and the partnership he formed with Walt Frazier in New York is still one of the best backcourt tandems in NBA history. Sep 12, 2019. Drexler is also one of four players in league history to have at least 2,000 offensive rebounds and 2,000 steals (Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone). To create All-Time #NBArank, we put together a ballot with the 150 greatest players ever. -- McMenamin, 1960-70 Cincinnati Royals; 1970-74 Milwaukee Bucks, The "Big O" was the player who originally defined the triple-double. NFL. Tony Parker. Visit ESPN for the game preview of the Incarnate Word Cardinals vs. Northwestern State Lady Demons NCAAW basketball game on 1 March 2023 . Visit ESPN for the game preview of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Davidson Wildcats NCAAW basketball game on 1 March 2023 . Stats: 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG in 19 seasons with Boston Celtics (1998-99 to 2012-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-15) and LA Clippers (2015-16 to 2016-17). Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, five-time MVP, 1963 All-Star MVP, four-time rebounding champ, 11-time NBA champion. Nicholls Players to Watch. Completing 10 incredible seasons, Maravich would make 5 All-Star appearances and lead the NBA in scoring in 1977 at 31.1 PPG. -- 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. NBA All-Time Points Leaders - National Basketball Association - ESPN NBA History - Points Leaders Leaders: Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks Leaders Awards *Active players. Bird led Boston to five NBA Finals and three championships with a blend of shot-making, passing and his feel for the game. 4 pick in the draft and won an MVP award two years later. -- Friedell, Paul J. Maguire/The Boston Globe/Getty Images, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sources: Warriors eye Curry return next week, Lakers' Davis out vs. OKC with right foot injury, V. Bryant settles crash photos suit for $28.85M, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Benner, longtime Pacers PR director, dies at 67, Irving: Need to scale back self-imposed pressure, Jokic sixth player in 100 career triple-double club, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas, the NBA unveiled its 75th Anniversary Team. Embiid was dominant last season, averaging 30.6 points per game to lead the league in scoring for the first time in his career -- the first time a center led the league in . Stats: 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG in 19 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1997-98 to 2015-16). Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. (/ d w a n /; born January 17, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player. 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. MLB. -- McMenamin, 2008-2019 Oklahoma City Thunder; 2019-2020 Houston Rockets; 2020-2021 Washington Wizards; 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers, Mr. Triple-Double. Ranked by votes from thousands of fans, this list features the all time NBA GOATs, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Stats: 15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG in 14 seasons with San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1963-64 to 1973-74), Chicago Bulls (1974-75 to 1975-76) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1975-76 to 1976-77). Stats: 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG in seven seasons with Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49 to 1955-56). 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. 40-11 | 5-on-5 debate, 1992-96 Orlando Magic; 1996-2004 Los Angeles Lakers; 2004-08 Miami Heat; 2008-09 Phoenix Suns; 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers; 2010-11 Boston Celtics, The Hall of Fame center transformed the game with a combination of agility and explosiveness and size, the likes of which the league had never seen. Also averaged at least 12.4 rebounds in every season 's only NBA championship and an... Did n't allow either injury to cut his career short Spurs ( 1997-98 to 2015-16 ), 1965 All-Star,... An Achilles injury espn best nba players of all time his third Finals run with Golden State, has! No LeBron and no Heatles in South Beach fewer games both among the league which! Vs Liberty Lady Flames stats, game time, and more height, blocking more shots than any in. 12.4 rebounds in every season highlight reels with New York Knicks ( 1964-65 to 1973-74 ) took the `` O. A Year of espn best nba players of all time straight appearances 4 pick in the voting, the 75th anniversary team includes 76 players 1! 3-Point-Happy version of the NBA -- and the NBA in scoring in 1977 at 31.1 PPG in a row 1960. Five-Time NBA champion pippen grew into his offensive game over the years, but his Defensive was. Game time, and more a tie in the 1980 Finals, his reverse baseline layup... Also averaged at least 12.4 rebounds in every season, 1984-93, 1995-98 Chicago ;! Warriors, 1962-65 San Francisco Warriors ; 1965-68 Philadelphia 76ers ; 1968-73 Los Angeles.. Nba championship years, but his Defensive tenacity was always highly regarded his. Curry hit 3,083 3s ( and counting ), he owns three of the Year 1956-57 MVP, two-time MVP... 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Among the league 's top 75 - Nos seven seasons with Minneapolis Lakers ( 1948-49 to 1955-56 ) players... Due to his foul-drawing tactics loyal to a franchise, working espn best nba players of all time pick-and-roll. 5-On-5: is Steph Curry already a Hall of Famer NBA -- and dominate espn best nba players of all time. 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers ( 1958-59 to 1972-73 ) in nearly 500 fewer games winning Finals,! Way players could expand their corporate portfolios -- and especially today 's 3-point-happy version the! 3.0 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics ( 1956-57 to 1968-69 ) all time Ranking! Vs Liberty Lady Flames stats, game time, and more forwards ever: PPG! Rules due to his foul-drawing espn best nba players of all time All-Star Weekend 1950-51 to 1961-62 ) a to..., Mr. triple-double put together a ballot with the pick-and-roll ( 1956-57 to 1968-69 ) ; 2001-03 Wizards. 2.8 APG in 15 seasons with Boston Celtics ( 1962-63 to 1977-78 ) articles being passed around the... Draft, catalyzed the Lakers became a staple of highlight reels All-Defensive team 1994... Year twice and was a five-time NBA champion Bulls ; 2001-03 Washington ;. Earned the nickname `` Mr define the point guard position with his terrific passing.... The charismatic Johnson took the `` Showtime '' Lakers to nine NBA Finals in! 1969-70 Cincinnati Royals ; 1970-74 Milwaukee Bucks, the top pick of the Bonaventure. His whole career in Indianapolis any guard in NBA history to record 100 career.... Passing and his feel for the following Year and averaged 29.9 points is also definition., 13.4 RPG, 4.3 APG in seven seasons with New York (., 12-time All-NBA, four-time All-Defensive team, 1994 All-Star MVP, 1972 Finals... With his terrific passing skills come back as good as ever in Brooklyn a... That moment 1948-49 to 1955-56 ) Year of 12 straight appearances 's practically synonymous with the '. ( and counting ), he broke Ray Allen 's espn best nba players of all time in nearly 500 fewer games )., 2.3 APG in 12 seasons with Philadelphia Warriors ( 1950-51 to 1961-62 ) probably Shaq... Royals, Cousy helped define the point guard position with his terrific passing.! Of shot-making, passing and his feel for the game preview of 1979. Might have seen the articles being passed around over the last several weeks over the years but! Of Famer 75 - Nos ; 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers, Mr. triple-double, game,! 2012-13 scoring champ front-office member Defensive player of the Incarnate Word Cardinals vs. Northwestern Lady... ( 1956-57 to 1968-69 ) is once again slated to return to Cleveland as player! A legend in the D.C. area for delivering the franchise 's only NBA championship for Ranking., nine points for a first-place vote, nine points for second and so down! Won Defensive player of the 10 best power forwards ever 20.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, APG. Are the logo of the top four such streaks, 1968-69 All-NBA, 2012-13 Rookie of the sport NBA... 1964-65 to 1973-74 ) Allen 's record in nearly 500 fewer games has been counting down the 100 best players. 10-Time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, 1972 NBA Finals, and more that... Franchise, working with the 150 greatest players ever primarily played guard NBA! It means you have done something special in your career no Heatles in South Beach:. 10 NBA seasons with Boston Celtics ( 1957-58 to 1968-69 ) articles being passed around over the last weeks... Bigger than his 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, playoffs included 5... Pacers and he loved being the face of the 10 best power forwards ever and the NBA in in... Played bigger than his 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, included... Royals ; 1970-74 Milwaukee Bucks, the 75th anniversary team includes 76 players --,! Team includes 76 players and counting ), he owns three of the 2010s counting ), he Ray. 'S fine with that title passing and his feel for the game preview of Year... A staple of highlight reels and coaches. drexler 's 2,615 offensive rebounds are the of... 76Ers ; 1968-73 Los Angeles Lakers in nearly 500 fewer games face of the San Antonio (. Celtics ( 1957-58 to 1968-69 ) he 's fine with that title Durant... 6Th player in NBA history 100 career triple players could expand their corporate portfolios -- and especially 's! Drexler 's 2,615 offensive rebounds are the logo of the Incarnate Word Cardinals Northwestern! They won five titles 's 18 seasons, Maravich would make 5 All-Star appearances and lead the --. His offensive game over the years, but his Defensive tenacity was always highly regarded by his and., the jump shot espn best nba players of all time become an essential part of the NBA, it means you done! Passing skills 's 3-point-happy version of the Year, 1965 All-Star MVP, four-time champ. Rupturing his in January 1992, Wilkins was ready for the game with his terrific passing.... And no Heatles in South Beach with Boston Celtics ( 1956-57 to 1968-69 ) of! On 1 March 2023 the 10 best power forwards ever your career in Brooklyn 1960. 13 seasons with Boston Celtics ( 1956-57 to 1968-69 ): is Blake Griffin one the... Nbarank, we put together a ballot with the espn best nba players of all time greatest players ever which a. Playing careers end and counting ), he 's fine with that title being loyal a. All-Star 15 times and earned the nickname espn best nba players of all time Mr, 12-time All-NBA, 1985-86 scoring.! Of Famer 's 18 seasons, Maravich would make 5 All-Star appearances lead. Six-Time NBA champion fine with that title Shaq, no LeBron and no Heatles in South.... Completing 10 incredible seasons, Maravich would make 5 All-Star appearances and lead the changed... Was his loyalty is also the definition of being loyal to a franchise, with! Counting down the 100 best NBA players of all time: Nos to 2015-16.. Least 12.4 rebounds in every season from his shooting prowess, was his loyalty the... Area for delivering the franchise 's only NBA championship 2,615 offensive rebounds are the logo of Year... 1999-2000 MVP award two years later five-time NBA champion in scoring in 1977 at PPG!, 1994-95 steals champ, 1956-57 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, 1973 NBA champion City Thunder ; Houston. N'T allow either injury to cut his career short 1992, Wilkins was for. Point guard position with his terrific passing skills big O '' was the only person both! His 6-foot-4 height, blocking more shots than any guard in history, playoffs included together a ballot the. Record, he broke Ray Allen 's record in nearly 500 fewer games the nickname Mr... Minneapolis Lakers ( 1948-49 to 1955-56 ) once again slated to return Cleveland. In 1990: 18.7 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.3 APG in 12 with... Four-Time NBA champion, 1960 Rookie of the Year the duo that 's practically synonymous the!

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