Today I reveal the three greatest NBA players of all time.
Some superstars only managed honourable mentions, while the likes of Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant couldn’t crack the top three.
So who’s in the top three, and who’s the greatest of all?
3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
There have been four players in the centre position on this list. All hail the king of them all.
Kareem was the definition of an NBA Centre. He had the silky skills of Hakeem Olajuwon, the length of Wilt Chamberlain, the post dominance of Shaquille O’Neal, and the strong defensive prominence of Bill Russell.
After a very successful NCAA career, in which he won three NCAA Championships, along with three most outstanding NCAA Player of the Tournament awards, Jabbar went on to to the NBA.
To date, Kareem has the most MVP Awards of any player. He was lucky to play with some great point guards, then he teamed up Magic Johnson to create the ‘ShowTime’ Laker era.
He boasts an incredible six NBA MVP Awards, six NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, five All-NBA Defensive first Team selections, and a record nineteen All-Star appearances. He is also the all-time leading NBA point-scorer, a record that seems unreachable.
He was well known for his unguardable ‘Skyhook’ shot, a shot many players still seek his advice on to learn.
There is a strong argument he is the best ever, but for this list the mighty Kareem sits third.
2. Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson
Earvin Johnson was the biggest and best point guard to ever play the game. Magic stood at an imposing 6 feet 9 inches – incredibly big for a point guard.
What set Magic apart from his opponents were his silky ball-handling skills, and his ball distributing prowess on the run.
Magic and Kareem headlined a dominant era for the Lakers. Magic could seemingly see any player on a fast break, and would hit you directly on the chest or with a sweet bounce pass.
He used his long body to also dominate and post up smaller opponents, developing a skyhook of his own, which he made famous in Kareem’s absence.
His greatest asset though was his ability to share with his teammates. He would lean to setting up teammates first, but also attack when it was necessary.
He holds an incredible five NBA Championship rings, three NBA Finals MVP awards, three NBA MVP awards and is a twelve-time All-Star.
There is an argument he could be number one, but knowing Magic’s humble demeanour, he would give it up for the player above him on this list.
1. Michael Jordan
MJ. Air Jordan. The Greatest. What else needs to be said about the best player in the NBA history?
If you think about the NBA or basketball in general, you think Michael Jordan. If you can beat a team of oversized aliens with Bugs Bunny as your most capable teammate, you must be the greatest of all time!
The ultimate competitor, and the ultimate professional, Michael Jordan’s accolades exceed every player. Arguably the greatest on-ball defender ever, he’s one of the best clutch performers of all time, and could take you inside and outside, and still bury right in your grill.
And of course he had great air-time, which made it look like he was floating.
He has done it all. Six time NBA Champion (out of six chances), six Finals MVP Awards, five NBA MVP, fourteen All-Star appearances, three All-Star Game MVPs, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Olympic gold medallist and a dunk champion.
Michael oozed confidence and skill, and dominated most opponents.
Known for his incredibly huge hands, Michael could palm a ball, which his coaches stated was an “unfair” advantage, as he could beat off the dribble, or ball-fake back to another planet.
He possessed a silky jump shot (possibly not the greatest), attacked the rim as strong as any three-guard, and would always take up a challenge.
It is easy to say Michael Jordan is the greatest player in the NBA history.
This list will always be up for debate, and I’m sure I’ve missed some formidable players, but my opinion has not been swayed by favouritism, or Kobe Bryant have been number one.
Let the debate begin!
Johnno
Guest
For all that Magic is a better leader, and you continually ignore the hand checking era as if it's not relevant to more offence scoring today.
Mushi
Guest
My only issue with the ignore Johnny approach is that any new fan of the game might actually take his thoughts on board and become instantly less knowledgable
Mushi
Guest
Johnno the expert troll he only reason I reply is I'm sick of you trying single handily to make Australia less knowledge about basketball. The roar mods don't care because their hit rate goes up but hey. I mean the forum stuck in the 80s the lakers broke, Chicago plying better without Jordan and now this vomit? I also never said that magic was simply a product of his era whereas that is your assertion about Lebron. Lebron has a lead over magic in all the subjective stuff (MVP award share, player of the week and month) so more often during his era Lebron has been regarded the best in the league/conference more consistently than magic was. And objectively the advanced stats have a bigger gap Lebron (with a massive advantage over magic (who never really led the league in that aspect having the win share lead in one season and typically rating gird to 5th in per) so if neither the objective or subjective stuff give you a single flotilla of hope to carry your argument what are you using? Magic was the better passer and point guard. That's where it ends. As an all around contribution vs the era of his peers all the evidence points to Lebron over magic
Johnno
Guest
I know Pat, I do good man.
Pat Malone
Guest
Agree completely along with many others, still you are wasting your time, johnno knows best
Johnno
Guest
Where were all the other Majic's in the 80's, 6'9 point guards still none now. On your knees Mushi, Magic has it over Lebron he was a leader most all round basketball player ever.
Mushi
Guest
Utter bs you constant rants about hand checking being like the Great Depression for offences shows complete ignorance of modern nba defence. Also if it is so easy then where are all the other lebrons. And finally do we think a guy with a massive size advantage would be worse Also magic was not more dominant than lebron you need a special definition of dominant like one from another language. PER compares against league average massive advantage lebron, player of the week awards lebron MVP awards and award shares lebron.
Johnno
Guest
Swampy Lebron never played in the hand checking era, he played in an era where no hand-checking. Some say Lebron had to play in a tougher more skilled and more athletic era than Magic, and more professional era, not totally sure about that. Back in Magic's day they played real basketball in the 80's, basketball fundamentals, not today where it's athletes no basketball. And Lebron has had the benefits of the gym, let's not forget that. If todays players are faster and more skilled and fitter, you have to compare how dominant they were in there era, and Magic was more dominant than Lebron. On your knees Lebron.
Swampy
Guest
No chance you're a laker fan wil? No way magic is the second best player ever. In time you'll realise Lebron James is the second best player ever. I dislike the guy but he is an unbelievable player.
Johnno
Guest
Larry Bird has claims to be best ever. Magic had a higher field goal percentage, than Jordan he wasn't that bad a jumper. Larry Bird wasn't exactly the most athletic guy.Larry Bird until end of 1988 after he did his back was an awesome player.
Stan McCan
Guest
Can't go past Wilt the Stilt
Milz
Guest
Yep and magic was also an average defender with a terrible jumpshot