Top NBA Players Of All-time: Suite101 ranks the best overall NBA players

Michael Jordan? Wilt Chamberlain? Kobe Bryant? Shaquille O’Neal? Who’s the better NBA player? Perhaps you prefer Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson or even LeBron James.

When deciding on the Top NBA Players of All-time, we look at several factors. Some players, you see, are tough to compare. Chamberlain was so much bigger than his peers that his stats are stilted. There’s no disputing that Wilt’s numbers are staggering, though.

So, is it possible to rank the best NBA players, even across eras? We think so. Here’s our criteria:

With these three categories in mind, here are Suite101's Top 3 NBA Players of All-time.

1. Michael Jordan – Our greatest NBA player of all-time, Michael Jordan, is nearly perfect in all four of our criteria for ranking the greats. In 15 NBA seasons, Jordan led the NBA in many of our key statistical categories at one time or another. Jordan’s stats are uncanny:

Jordan led his Chicago Bulls to 6 NBA titles, including many memorable performances when he was sick and when teams double- and triple-teamed him. Jordan could destroy defenses with the 3-point shot or he could leap over 7-foot defenders for crazy slam dunks. Michael Jordan could do anything he wanted on virtually any night. No other player can say this.

2. Oscar Robertson – If Oscar Robertson had been a little better shooter and won a few more titles, he would finish in a virtual tie with Michael Jordan on our Top 3 NBA Players of All-time list.

The Big O is the only player, other than LeBron James who is too young to qualify for our all-time NBA players list, to average better than 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game in a career. Of course, Robertson is most known for averaging a triple-double in one season and missing by one-tenth of a rebound per game in another season. Robertson’s career stats, though, are something to behold:

In terms of NBA titles, Oscar Robertson was far less prolific than Jordan, although Robertson did lead his team to one title. Considering intangibles, Robertson didn’t have MJ’s flamboyance, but Robertson’s size and agility made him nearly impossible to defend one-on-one.

3. Larry Bird – No all-time NBA players list would be complete with a player from the storied Boston Celtics. It may surprise people that it is Larry Bird who makes our list, instead of Bill Russell or Bob Cousy. Although we strongly considered both Russell and Cousy, these two greats just didn’t meet each of our criteria, and Larry Bird does. Consider Bird’s statistics:

Bird played 13 NBA seasons and left at the top of his game. He led his Boston Celtics to three NBA titles. As far as intangibles go, Larry Bird had a few. Unlike many players his size (6-9, 230), Bird could post up even the best and biggest defenders, but he could also pop outside the 3-point arc and crush teams with his amazing shooting.

Although he shot just 38% from behind the arc, Bird was considered the best pure shooter of his time and one of the greatest shooters in history. Plus, Bird, like Michael Jordan, had more killer instinct than anyone. He was notorious for telling opponents he was going to beat them. Then, he did it, making Larry Bird one of the top 3 NBA players of all-time.

Players who missed our list. . .

Jan 6, 2007 10:08 AM

Mark Barnes :

Who are the all-time best NBA players? Do you agree with Suite101? Who is left off of the list?

Jan 6, 2007 11:14 AM

Ryan Ward :

Magic Johnson! You can't leave Magic out of the picture, he was a five time NBA champ, three time NBA MVP and probably the best passer of all time! 19.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, and 7.2 rpg!

Jan 6, 2007 2:46 PM

Mark Barnes :

Hey Ryno, Magic is a great suggestion. Since we only ranked 3 of the all-time NBA players, though, it was tough to get him in.

I can't put Magic ahead of Bird. Magic probably should have been on the just missed list, though.

Thanks for chiming in.

Jan 29, 2007 7:27 AM

Candice E. Shaw :

WILT CHAMBERLAIN CAN'T MISS YOUR LIST AND IT BE CONSIDERED LEGIT.

Wilt revolutionized the center position, scored 100 points in a game and was totally dominant. Probably, the most dominant player to ever play in the NBA. He also was at the top of teh league in assists one year. He had no equal. The closest thing he had to an adversary was Bill Russell. Russell had more championships and played on more talented teams.

And there is no way Larry Bird ranks ahead of Magic Johnson. Magic had more titles. Magic beat Bird in college and the pros. Magic played five positions including the 42 he poured in at the center position as a rookie filling in for Kareem Abdul-Jabar [The NBA's all-time leading scorer and another guy you left off your list]

Feb 9, 2007 6:29 AM

eric barnes :

I agree about Wilt, although when he played he was a foot taller than everone else. 30 points and 23 rebounds a game for his career. That's mind blowing even if you're playing against a team of horse jockeys every night.

LeBron should be posting these numbers right now.

Feb 9, 2007 8:01 AM

Mark Barnes :

You're right about LeBron James. He should make this list in a few years, if coaches don't hold him back.

LeBron will be one of the greatest NBA players of all time.

Feb 9, 2007 8:04 AM

Mark Barnes :

Magic was the toughest decision for me. If our greatest NBA players of all-time list was longer, Magic Johnson would definitely be on it.

When you consider scoring, rebounding and the long-range shooting, though, I really can't put Magic ahead of Larry Bird.

Mar 2, 2007 7:43 AM

Mark Barnes :

If LeBron James or Dwayne Wade shot the ball 40 times per game, they'd average 50 or better, too.

All Wilt was was bigger than everyone else. If he played in today's NBA, he'd be no better than the third or fourth best center in the game.

Mar 28, 2007 2:34 PM

Phil Partington :

I'm sick of these sorts of rankings and I really should write an article about it (hmmmmm).

Not to take anything away from Wilt, but the guy was 7-2 and about 240lbs, which at the time was HUGE. Every so often he might have faced a guy who came close to 7-0. But, when he did, that player usually weighed from 200-220lbs. More often, he faced guys that were 6-7 to 6-9, including Bill Russell. People forget that Russell was only 6-9 215lbs! Moreover, Wilt had no left, which was OK because he dwarfed everybody.

Again, not to take anything away from Wilt, but comparing players outside their eras is pointless. It's all circumstantial. Wilt didn't have the same type of coaching and athletic training that athletes of today have and players weren't paid like they are today. If you pulled him out of his era and put him into ours, centers like Shaq and Olajuwon, etc..., would have embarrassed him...period.

Jul 5, 2007 4:08 AM

paul rabe :

Okay first off, to say that if LeBron or Wade shot the ball 40 times a game they would average 50 is ridiculous. Chamberlain shot 54% for his career one of the highest of all time, including the all time single season high at 72%. James and Wade don't even come close to him in fg percent.
Also, Chamberlain holds these individual records-
Season scoring average 50.4
Most points single season 4029
Scoring average rookie Season 37.6
Most games 50 or more points, one season 45
Most games 50 or more points, career 118
Most consecutive games 50 or more points 7
Most games 40 or more points, one season 63
Most games 40 or more points, career 271
Most consecutive games 40 or more points 14
Most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring 7 (tied Jordan)
Most points single game 100
Most points by a rookie single game 58
to name a few (there are pages more but im tired)

Oh by the way, if you want to talk about field goal attempts guess who is the all time leader in average field goal attempts. It's Jordan if you didn't already know.

Also, lets take into considerstion that he is the all time leader rebounder and probably blocker (they didnt record blocks when he was playing).

As far as not being able to compete against the athleticism of today, they changed the rules for free throws because he was able to doing a standing slam dunk from the free throw line. Tell me one player who could do that today.

"I still remember the time when one of our strongest men, Gene Conley, decided to fight Chamberlain for the ball. He grabbed it and hung on and Chamberlain just lifted him and ball right up towards the rim."

-- Bill Russell Go up For Glory, p.126.

I forget the exact quote but it was something like, "the NBA tried to make the game harder for me and easier for Jordan"

Sep 15, 2007 12:55 PM

Phil Partington :

Chamberlain was strong, but it's still silly to compare him in his era to that of players today. The game is different.
As far as the dunk from the foul line thing, he was allowed to do it (as I understand this) for foul shots. Then they changed the rules and he sucked as a free throw shooter from then on.
I've heard a lot of things...good and bad. Another take is that most of his rebounds came from intercepting teammate's shots, going over the back (remember everyone was 5-7 inches smaller and 50 plus pounds less...if Shaq could do that he's average a million boards too), blocking shots by slapping guys' arms before the rules changes. I'm not saying this is all true, but him being able to dunk from the foul line doesn't make him a God. He was a high jump champ before basketball remember.
The fact is, Chamberlain was going up against players who were 6-7 to about 6-10 and weighed roughly 200lbs. Plus, he had no left, or never used it, and the defense back then was less existent than it is today (have you watched old clips? guys look like road cones). The game has evolved.
Does that mean that he wasn't a beast? Of course not. If you took him out of his time and developed him in today's era, I'm sure he would have dominated. All I'm saying is that the game is different and comparing Chamberlain to Shaq or whomever is as pointless as comparing apples to oranges.

Jan 6, 2008 1:49 AM

Ryan Ward :

This is a debate that will go on forever with no real certainty on who was the greatest or exactly who belongs in the top three all-time, but I would have say besides MJ, number 2 and 3 got to go.

Without a doubt, the Big O was a phenomenal player (reborn in LeBron James), but if I remember correctly he only has one ring throughout his whole career. Larry Bird on the other was one of the greatest shooters all-time (even though it was one of the ugliest shooting forms all-time), but he doesn't belong in the top three (in my opinion) because Magic (his arch rival) was a better all around player and won more championships (5).

If I were to make this list I would definitely go with MJ at the top as he is here, the #2 spot would be filled by the best point guard all-time in the Magic man and finally at the #3 it would be a tie between a number of players like Bill Russell, Wilt the Stilt, Kobe Bryant and Kareem.

Kind of a Lakers bias, but that is just my opinion!

Just my opinion!

Mar 28, 2008 7:56 AM

Jerold Piiter :

Mark you said "If Oscar Robertson had been a little better shooter and won a few more titles, he would finish in a virtual tie with Michael Jordan on our Top 3 NBA Players of All-time list."
Well you got Oscar's FG% wrong when you listed it at 44% when it is at .485!! Oscar could never win a title in Cincinnati when they never had a center who could match up in any way with Bill Russell of the Celtics and could never get by them in the playoffs. For that matter he never had a Chamberlain, Walt Bellamy or a Nate Thurmond who were some of the dominant centers of the day. When Rick Barry hooked up with Nate Thurmond they went far as did Jerry West when he and Baylor finally played with Chamberlain.
As soon as Robertson he got traded to Milwaukee he finally got a center to feed in Jabbar... and they won the title in '70-'71. Now Jordan didn't go anywhere until Phil Jackson built a team around him. He also could get by the Celtics or Pistons before Jackson came aboard. For that matter Jordan couldn't pass as well as Oscar or Magic(in fact he never looked to pass until Jackson schooled him) and really didn't make the players around him better as did Oscar, Magic or Bird. Another thing is that Robertson was out on the court almost the whole game every game(look it up)...his FG% and FT% would've been even better if he ever got a rest!!
I know I seem to be running down Jordan but...the big publicity machine of the NBA didn't really get going until the 1980's and with Jordan I think it reached it's zenith. People didn't follow the NBA (no cable) like they do now and Oscar Robertson wasn't known outside basketball circles like Jordan. Anyway Jordan was great but I don't think he was better than Robertson, Bird or Magic.

Mar 28, 2008 9:04 AM

Jerold Piiter :

Mark you said "If Oscar Robertson had been a little better shooter and won a few more titles, he would finish in a virtual tie with Michael Jordan on our Top 3 NBA Players of All-time list."
Well you got Oscar's FG% wrong when you listed it at 44% when it is at .485!! Oscar could never win a title in Cincinnati when they never had a center who could match up in any way with Bill Russell of the Celtics and could never get by them in the playoffs. For that matter he never had a Chamberlain, Walt Bellamy or a Nate Thurmond who were some of the dominant centers of the day. When Rick Barry hooked up with Nate Thurmond they went far as did Jerry West when he and Baylor finally played with Chamberlain.
As soon as Robertson got traded to Milwaukee he finally got a center to feed in Jabbar... and they won the title in '70-'71. Now Jordan didn't go anywhere until Phil Jackson built a team around him. He also could get by the Celtics or Pistons before Jackson came aboard. For that matter Jordan couldn't pass as well as Oscar or Magic(in fact he never looked to pass until Jackson schooled him) and really didn't make the players around him better as did Oscar, Magic or Bird. Another thing is that Robertson was out on the court almost the whole game every game(look it up)...his FG% and FT% would've been even better if he ever got a rest!!
I know I seem to be running down Jordan but...the big publicity machine of the NBA didn't really get going until the 1980's and with Jordan I think it reached it's zenith. People didn't follow the NBA (no cable) like they do now and Oscar Robertson wasn't known outside basketball circles like Jordan. Anyway Jordan was great but I don't think he was better than Robertson, Bird or Magic.

Mar 28, 2008 1:09 PM

Jerold Piiter :

» vito2 - All-time NBA Players

Mark you said "If Oscar Robertson had been a little better shooter and won a few more titles, he would finish in a virtual tie with Michael Jordan on our Top 3 NBA Players of All-time list."
Well you got Oscar's FG% wrong when you listed it at 44% when it is at .485!! Oscar could never win a title in Cincinnati when they never had a center who could match up in any way with Bill Russell of the Celtics and could never get by them in the playoffs. For that matter he never had a Chamberlain, Walt Bellamy or a Nate Thurmond who were some of the dominant centers of the day. When Rick Barry hooked up with Nate Thurmond they went far as did Jerry West when he and Baylor finally played with Chamberlain.
As soon as Robertson got traded to Milwaukee he finally got a center to feed in Jabbar... and they won the title in '70-'71. Now Jordan didn't go anywhere until Phil Jackson built a team around him. He also could get by the Celtics or Pistons before Jackson came aboard. For that matter Jordan couldn't pass as well as Oscar or Magic(in fact he never looked to pass until Jackson schooled him) and really didn't make the players around him better as did Oscar, Magic or Bird. Another thing is that Robertson was out on the court almost the whole game every game(look it up)...his FG% and FT% would've been even better if he ever got a rest!!
I know I seem to be running down Jordan but...the big publicity machine of the NBA didn't really get going until the 1980's and with Jordan I think it reached it's zenith. People didn't follow the NBA (no cable) like they do now and Oscar Robertson wasn't known outside basketball circles like Jordan. Anyway Jordan was great but I don't think he was better than Robertson, Bird or Magic.
-- posted by vito2

Apr 1, 2008 8:16 AM

Phil Partington :

First, great points. Second, I'm not sure I think Jordan wasn't better than Magic and Bird, but that isn't what I'm trying to argue anyway. What I will say is that I think comparing players outside of their era is kind of pointless, because the game changes so much over that amount of time. It isn't comparing apples to apples. The easiest example would be to try to compare Shaq with Wilt. Obviously, no one has been nearly as dominant statistically as Wilt was in his time. Does that mean he could dominate the same way now? Doubtful...especially if you consider that most centers he played against were in the 6-7 to 6-10 range and barely weighed 200lbs (if that). He was 7-2 240lbs. People will then say that by that reasoning Yao should do better than he does, but a 7-6 300lbs center going up against 7-footers who weigh in the neighborhood of 250lbs - 275lbs on a nightly basis is not the same as a 7-2 240-pounder going up against Dolph Schayes or other 6-8 sized players. Hell, Bill Russell was only 6-9 and about 215lbs!

My point here in this overly long explanation is that I don't believe in comparing apples to oranges. The Big O was amazing and so were Magic, Bird and MJ. Comparing the last three is tough, too, b/c they peaked at different times. I still say Jordan was the greatest and it has more to do with his resolve than it does his passing ability. Obviously Jordan before Phil Jackson is the one folks remember. Though, he was still a damn good player pre-Phil Jackson. He didn't pass as well like you said, but he still scored in the mid 30 ppg range while shooting at or above 50% most of the time. That tells me he scored his points WITHIN the offense and didn't force the ball as much as people think. That, or, he was just incredible at making acrobatic shots. I think it's a little of both.

At any rate, we could compare til we choke, but I tend to leave players from different eras out of it, because it's really hard to measure stats outside of their context era.

Apr 1, 2008 8:19 AM

Phil Partington :

I always hate the whole "he doesn't have a ring" or "only has one ring" argument when determining which player is better. I don't think you can use an argument that measures a team's accomplishments and apply it as the sole argument for whether one player is better than another. Championships have as much to do with circumstances than anything else, and all I'd have to do to discredit your argument would be to suggest that had the Big O had a dominant team like Bird or Magic, he might've had more than a few rings, too.

Dec 1, 2008 1:09 PM

Guest :

I'm shocked that your criteria list does not include defense. Certainly, with defense as a criteria, let there be no doubt that MJ would still be #1 on any list. And, don't get me wrong, Oscar Robertson is my favorite NBA player of all time. He was simply awesome...a clinic on the offensive end. But, in my personal criteria, with defense included, Bill Russell would be #2 and the Big O #3. I mean Russell won 11 championships in his 13 years as a player! If that doesn't speak for defense, I don't know what does. Steals and blocked shots were not counted in Russell's days as a player. But, if you had to come up with a number for both, I'm guessing he would have averaged at least 7-8 blocks and 4-5 steals a game. He was unbelievable, and maybe the best leader on the floor ever. Bird was good, but I think he would even have to admit that Russell was better, statistically, and intangibly.

Dec 1, 2008 1:27 PM

Guest :

Kerry Jessen:

I'm shocked that your criteria list does not include defense. Certainly, with defense as a criteria, let there be no doubt that MJ would still be #1 on any list. And, don't get me wrong, Oscar Robertson is my favorite NBA player of all time. He was simply awesome...a clinic on the offensive end. But, in my personal criteria, with defense included, Bill Russell would be #2 and the Big O #3. I mean Russell won 11 championships in his 13 years as a player! If that doesn't speak for defense, I don't know what does. Steals and blocked shots were not counted in Russell's days as a player. But, if you had to come up with a number for both, I'm guessing he would have averaged at least 7-8 blocks and 4-5 steals a game. He was unbelievable, and maybe the best leader on the floor ever. Bird was good, but I think he would even have to admit that Russell was better, statistically, and intangibly.

Dec 3, 2008 6:47 AM

Guest :

"Tiny" was the best ever..... even though he wasnt in the NBA.

Dec 8, 2008 9:40 AM

Guest :

Larry Bird Deserves spot number 3 he is better than johnson he even beat him to rookie of the year

Dec 14, 2008 4:22 PM

Guest :

Magic has 5 NBA Champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)3 NBA MVP (1987, 1989, 1990) 12 All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)3 NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)9 All-NBA First Team Selection (1983–1991)2 NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)

Dec 14, 2008 4:22 PM

Guest :

Dec 17, 2008 3:10 PM

Guest :

where is kobe bryant he is the best ever forget cousby shaq and bird
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Dec 17, 2008 3:13 PM

Guest :

Dec 18, 2008 2:29 PM

Guest :

Larry bird is waaaaaayyyyy better than michael jordan, he was the most dominant player, sure jordan averaged 30.1 points per game, but larry bird didn't shoot every time he got the ball!!!!! And magic johnson is better than oscar roberston

Dec 22, 2008 12:17 PM

Guest :

Larry Should be #1. There is no doubt about it. He shot 50% with out the 100 % slam dunk that Micheal threw down like five times a game. Bird was much better in three point shooting. Jordan only won 6 titles because he did not face any challenging teams in the Finals. Bird played against a strong Laker team with Kareem and Magic. Bird also carried his team to 10 division titles. Micheal played two careers in the NBA and only led his team to six division titles. Larry Bird is the greatest player in NBA History.

Dec 23, 2008 10:23 AM

Guest :

i think lebron is up there with the top 50. People say that tim duncan is so good but without a team he would not even be that good.

Dec 27, 2008 12:09 PM

Guest :

EVEN THOUGH SHAQ HAS A HORRIBLE FREETHROW PERCENTAGE HE SHOULD BE ON THE TOP 5 LIST OF ALL TIME BASED ON THE CRITERIA , HE IS THE MOST DOMINATE PLAYER OF ALL TIME . BESIDES MICHAEL JORDAN I THINK HE IS THE ONLY PLAYER CAPABLE TO DOMINATE IN THIS ERA AND IN THE PAST .HANDS DOWN THE STRONGEST PLAYER EVER , THE PLAYER RESPONSIBLE FOR CHANGING THE WAY FOULS ARE CALLED. SIDE NOTE LEBRON JAMES SHOULD NOT BE IN THE CONVERSATION OF BEST EVER .

Dec 27, 2008 4:35 PM

Mark Barnes :

LeBron is definitely in the conversation. In fact, now he's in the top 5. With his size and uncanny athletic ability, LeBron is more unstoppable than any player ever. He will likely go down as the best ever, when all is said and done.

Jan 14, 2009 10:51 PM

Guest :

michael jordan is what jesus is to society now, in a hundred years kids wouldnt even know wether if he lived, or if he was a myth with the devistating numbers and legendary career he had. as for the man trying ta make light in mj's shadow in second place,no not kobe, , or bird but the magic man!!!

Jan 24, 2009 8:34 AM

Guest :

Kerry Jessen:

Any of you too young to know anything about the Big O. Here's "a stat on his stats" that has never been pointed out. OVER THE COURSE of his first FIVE SEASONS he AVERAGED TRIPLE DOUBLES! Check the official NBA stats. Here they are, read 'em and weep. He's unparalleled on offense!
PPG RPG APG
1960-61 30.5 10.1 9.7
1961-62 30.8 12.5 11.4
1962-63 28.3 10.4 9.5
1963-64 31.4 9.9 11.0
1964-65 30.4 9.0 11.5

Jan 24, 2009 8:35 AM

Guest :

Jan 26, 2009 8:17 AM

Guest :

Sorry but although Lebron might be in the conversation he certainly does not belong on a list of best ever. The guy is ridiculously talented and right now he is one of the top players, although I think at the moment Kobe is better but if Lebron keeps developing like he has been it wont be long before he becomes the best at the present but he would still have ways to go to become one of the best. He would need to maintain his level of play for many years. What all the greats have done is maintained a high level of play even after their peak, as they become old they've adjusted their game in a way they can still be dominant when their athleltic ability starts to diminish, the question is can Lebron do that? and for that matter can Kobe do that although Kobe has already built a hall of fame career but lets not forget he entered the NBA out of highschool so hes been in the leagu several years and he is in fact an accomplish veteran but he is still somewhat young, lets see how he plays in say 3-4 years and then get back to me.

Jan 26, 2009 8:18 AM

Guest :

Jan 28, 2009 5:15 PM

Guest :

Larry Bird was definetly not ahead of Michael Jordan in the sense of greatness. Yes i'll admit he is the greatest small foward of all-time, and one of the greatest shooters of all time, he's either first or second when it comes to the best Celtic ever, but Michael Jordan is basketball. Before I was like, what's the big deal with Mike? He's alright, a Kobe back in the day, until I saw a video of one of his games. His ROOKIE season, against the knicks, who weren't half bad with one of the league's best scorers on their side in Bernard King, and Jordan just lit them up, I mean he was playing like it was the playoffs and they needed a win, there was no Pippen or Rodman, just Jordan against the knicks, and he was playing as good as Kobe or LEbron ever played. Jordan was basketball, he was the NBA, he was the dream and still is. The 90's Bulls dynsties where the only ones in history that didn't feature a dominant center.

Jan 31, 2009 6:37 PM

Guest :

What the??? Bill Russell isn't even on the "Players who missed our list"??? wow... ridiculous. 11 championships with like (dont hold me to these exact stats) 25 RPG and around 15 PPG over his entire career. plus nobody can forget 11 championships. he should have been on the missed list AT LEAST.

Feb 3, 2009 8:24 PM

Guest :

i think top ten are, (in no specific order): mj, wilt, kareem, oscar, magic, bird, russell, shaq, duncan, and pettit. kobe and lebron may be up there in the future

Feb 9, 2009 7:53 AM

Guest :

1. Wilt
2. Magic
3. Jordaan
4. Bird
5. Bryant

Feb 10, 2009 10:37 AM

Guest :

You don't even include Magic as a Player who missed the list. Ridiculous! First of all comparing stats from the 50's and 60's to those from the 80's is apples to oranges. Magic could play any position at an all star level won 5 championships, 3 regular season MVP's, 3 Finals MVP's and had to retire early at the top of his game after winning his last MVP so he would most likely have added even more to his resume. Here are his career stats:

19.5 Pts.
11.2 Assists
7.2 Rebounds
.520 FG%
.848 FT%
1.9 Steals
3-Time NBA MVP
3-Time Finals MVP

Come on Cousy was never Magic Johnson. Robertson was Magic before Magic, but he played at a time where a guy like Wilt could average 25 boards and 50 points in a season. Magic didn't score as much, but look at the team he was on. Any doubt Magic couldn't have led the league in scoring if he wanted to with his penetration and outside shot. He was a freak at 6-9 with dribbling and passing skills never seen at that size. The guy was a winner and in the end bested Larry Bird as the best player from the Golden 80's.

Feb 19, 2009 8:21 PM

Guest :

I agree with his list, Jordan could score 30 a game easily in the 80s-90s. That was the best Defensive era in the NBA, and yet he put up those numbers. There was no illegal D, no restricted zone for taking a charge, and finally, hand checking was legal. If Jordan played nowadays I can see him scoring 40 a game easily.

Mar 1, 2009 8:01 PM

Guest :

You can't just leave kobe,Magic,and Abdul-Jabbar. man if this web site wants good reviews you would make the adjustments.

Mar 26, 2009 10:30 PM

Guest :

I can't argue to much with the list on this site here is my list

1 MJ all the way
him and wilt are the only ones to lead the league in scoring 7 times in a row but MJ did it 3 more times in a row for a total of 10 scoring championships in 15 years. That will never be done again. 30.1 ppg tied with Wilt for all time but Mike had better defense on him. By the way Phil Jackson didn't take over as coach til 89-90 in 88-89 MJ had 32.5 ppg, 8 apg, 8 rpg, and 2.89 spg. (apg #10 that year) he averaged 5.4 apg for 5 years before PJ was coach. 6 nba championships, 5 mvp's, 6 finals mvp's, 10-time all-NBA first team, Defensive Player of the Year (1988), Nine-time All-Defensive First Team, Rookie of the Year (1985), 14-time All-Star, 3 time All-Star MVP.
He made his team better and led them to 6 championships and to the best nba record in history (72-10) if he hadn't left for 2 years they would have won 8 straight championships. I had to try to set the record
straight about who should really be number 1.

NUMBER 2 is Magic Johnson 19.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, and 7.2 rpg and 5 nba championships. He did it his whole career and only got better as the years went on. Big O was impressive but he could only do it for 5 seasons.

NUMBER 3 that is a tough one but I would have to say LARRY BIRD
24.3 ppg, 10 rpg, and 6.3 apg with 3 nba championships and like MIKE AND MAGIC he did it his whole career.

not many players were able to do that well every year and my top 3 were also great defenders and team leaders. When it was all on the line in a season game or championship game they were finishers.

I think Kobe is a great player but I don't see him surpassing any of my top 3 he cant win anything without SHAQ and he is not a good enough team leader to make his team better. He crys and wines til he gets his way the only way he will win another championship is with a lot of help but my top 3 didn't need that. Lebron on the other hand might make it in there if he keeps it up and continues to improve. I think Dwyane Wade also has that potiental. And watch out for Dwight Howard that kid is a beast.

All-time Fantasy team

starters
PG Magic Johnson
SG MJ
SF Larry Bird
PF Lebron James
C Shaq

bench
PG Oscar Robertson
SG Dwyane Wade
SF Juluis Erving
PF Charles Barkley
C Dwight Howard

reserves
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Wilt Chamberlain

Jun 17, 2009 10:59 AM

Guest :

You don't know about basketball your picks are not reality all accept Jordan he earned his place to be on top but you can't say Magic is better than Bird how old are you. You must've missed the interviews Bird said Magic was the greatest player he ever seen when he won the finals and bird was good but he wasn't great he has no records Magic has the highest assist average ever what can you say about bird Lebron stats are better then his Hell Paul pierce stats are better then birds so rethink your top players again.

Jun 17, 2009 1:01 PM

Mark Barnes :

To the guest who says Bird has no stats and wonders how old I am, I have to wonder if you have ever read a basketball statistics page. Bird's numbers outweigh Magic's in most categories, except assists. Don't get me wrong, Magic was a super player. If the game is on the line, though, and you need one guy to get you a basket or a rebound, I'll take Bird over Magic every time.

Aug 9, 2009 2:54 PM

Guest :

How are you people going to honestly say that guys like Tim Duncan or Shaq only have rings because they had great team/teamates. Is Kareem any less valuable because he had the likes of Magic and Worthy on his team? Or vice versa, is Magic any less valuable for having Kareem or Worthy as teammates?

That's just one example, but it goes back to something you were probably taught playing basketball when you were 7 years old, you can't win championships by yourself. Basketball is a team sport. Look at guys like Lebron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Big O, etc. We're talking about 3 guys (Lebron will end up) that are legends, with so limited titles between them. You just can't win a title by yourself, and for you fool out there that are going to say Jordan did it is foolish. Scottie Pippen is one of the most underated players ever and he showed it by shining during Jordan's retirement year. And when someone says Kobe did it this past season, you won't say that 10 years down the line when a few on that team are in the HOF.

So again, you can't say that these guys had great teamates because every team that has won an NBA title have had good teammates. I dare someone to name me one that has only one contributing player.

Aug 17, 2009 12:05 PM

Guest :

If the objective was to name Larry Bird the best small forward to date, then fine. But this list has ZERO CREDIBILITY to place Larry Bird over Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. Here's measurably why all four rank higher than the apparent sentimental choice named Larry Bird. If the Finals MVP award existed when they played, Russell had the most by far and Chamberlain earned 2. Although not full-proof, arguably the best summary measure of individual performance ranking is the career Player Efficiency Rating (PER), which anyone can see at Basketball-Reference.com. But note, Chamberlain's and Russell's career PER don't include their astounding numbers of blocks and steals which weren't counted then. In other words, their PER would have been even higher by today's counting methodology:

Larry Bird 3 MVPs, 2 Finals MVPs,3 championships, 23.5 PER
Magic Johnson 3 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs, 5 championships, 24.1 PER
Chamberlain 4 MVPs, 2 Finals MVPs, 2 championships, 26.1 PER
Bill Russell 5 MVPs, 9-10 Finals MVPs, 11 championships, 18.9 PER
Jabbar 6 MVPs, 2 Finals MVPs, 6 championships, 24.6 PER (and he played until 41)

Thomas Dorsey