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In this article, we will be taking a look at who are the greatest basketball players to have ever done it inside the basketball court.
There have been great NBA players in every generation dating back to 1964 and during this period, the world has witnessed different styles of play that have crossed over different eras.
Some of the greatest players have used their physicality to dominate the game, some have used their high IQ, and some have used their technicality.
In this article, I will be taking a look at who are the greatest basketball players to have ever done it inside the basketball court. Stick around to know if superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James make the cut.
10) Tim Duncan
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Born in April 25, 1976, Tim Duncan is an American and former professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed The Big Fundamental, he spent his entire 19 seasons with the club.
He is unarguably one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the San Antonio Spurs since he turned the Spurs into the best team in the world for quite some time. He brought home five NBA championships and he is a three-time NBA finals MVP.
With his great defensive nature and highly efficient attacking display, Duncan deserves to be amongst the greatest basketball players to ever do it.
His accolades
• 5× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005)
• 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2002, 2003)
• 15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011, 2013, 2015)
• NBA All-Star Game co-MVP (2000)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1998)
9) Wilt Chamberlain
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Born in August 21, 1936, the late Wilt Chamberlain was an American professional basketball player. He played at the centre position in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.
Averaging 50 points in a season and averaging more than 22 rebounds in his entire career are just a few of the mind-boggling stats that he possesses.
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He won two NBA Championships and four league MVP honours, his 100-point game and staggering numbers place him at number nine in our ranking. He was statistically the most dominant player the NBA has ever seen.
To this day, no one has come close in matters of scoring except the late Kobe Bryant who was still far from breaking Wilt’s records.
His accolades
• 2× NBA champion (1967, 1972)
• NBA Finals MVP (1972)
• 4× NBA Most Valuable Player (1960, 1966–1968)
• 13× NBA All-Star (1960–1969, 1971–1973)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1960)
• 7× NBA scoring champion (1960–1966)
8) Larry Bird
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Larry Bird, born in December 7, 1956 is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He is nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend" and is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time since he is the only player to be awarded Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
He started at small forward and power forward for the Celtics for his entire 13-year career. Bird excelled in all aspects of the game, particularly in shooting, but he was also strong defensively and in his passing game.
Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% on field goals, 40% on three-point shots, and 90% on free throws in a season. He did this twice in his career. Bird led a great dynasty for the Boston Celtics, winning three rings and three consecutive MVPs during his career.
He was a great fundamental ball player who could score with the best of them and defend anyone who came his way. He was a killer on the court and he'll forever be known as one of the greatest players of all time.
His accolades
• 1979–1980 Rookie of the Year
• 1979–1980 All-Rookie selection
• 12x All-Star selection
• 10x All-NBA selection
• 3x All-Defensive selection
• 3x League MVP
• 3x NBA Champion
• 2x NBA Finals MVP
• Hall of Famer
7) Bill Russel
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Bill Russel, born on February 12, 1934, was an American professional basketball player who was a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969.
Russel, who sadly passed away on July 31, 2022, was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.
During his playing days, Russell could flat-out dominate the games defensively. He is the greatest winner in all of sports.
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He is the player who’s recorded triple-doubles with points, rebounds, and blocks. Even if it was one of the earliest eras, Russell’s greatness cannot be denied.
His accolades
• 12x All-Star selection
• 11x All-NBA selection
• 1968–1969 All-Defensive selection
• 4x Total Rebound league leader
• 5x League MVP
• 11x NBA Champion
• Hall of Famer
6) Shaquille O'Neal
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Shaquille O’Neal was born on March 6, 1972, and he is a former professional basketball player who played for Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics in her 19-year career.
He is regarded as one of the most dominant players in the history of the NBA. He was also known as "Diesel" due to the fact that he was a hulk of a man.
One of the most historic moments in his career was when he famously played Michael Jordan one-on-one and crossed Jordan on his way to the basket.
Not only could Shaq score, but he could also rebound and defend with the very best. He remains to be one of the greatest to ever play the game.
His accolades
• 1992-1993 Rookie of the Year
• 1992-1993 All-Rookie selection
• 15x All-Star selection
• 14x All-NBA selection
• 3x All-Defensive selection
• 2x League Scoring leader
• 1999-2000 League MVP
• 4x NBA Champion
• 3x Finals MVP
• Hall of Famer
5) Kobe Bryant
Born in August 23, 1978, Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
No one has come close to Michael Jordan’s game except Bryant, the Black Mamba, himself. He earned his nickname for being as deadly on the court as the venomous black mamba.
Even after injuries throughout his career, Kobe never backed down and this would result in him scoring over 33,000 points throughout his NBA Career.
Despite his sudden demise that caught many by shock in January 2020, he still remains one of the most cold-blooded shooters of all time, making 17 game-winning shots in his career and another 7 game-tying shots that led to victories in overtime.
His accolades
• 1996-1997 All-Rookie selection
• 18x All-Star selection (2nd all-time)
• 15x All-NBA selection (tied for 1st all-time)
• 12x All-Defensive selection
• 2x Scoring Champion
• 2007-2008 Most Valuable Player
• 5x NBA Champion
• 2x NBA Finals MVP
4) Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr.
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Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. was born in August 14, 1959 and he is an American former professional basketball player. He is one of th greatest point guards in NBA history.
Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers were part of the greatest dynasty the Lakers have ever had and they became known as the "Showtime Lakers" due to their fast-paced, run and gun style of offense.
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During his reign, the Lakers were able to win five rings while appearing in the Finals nine times. Even though he won five championships during his career, he could have won even more if not for his health.
Magic was forced to retire abruptly in 1991 when he announced to the world that he had contracted HIV. In Magic's 13-year career, he went to nine finals and won five.
His accolades
• 1979–1980 All-Rookie selection
• 12x All-Star selection
• 10x All-NBA selection
• 4x Total Assist league leader
• 2x Total Steals league leader
• 3x League MVP
• 5x NBA Champion
• 3x Finals MVP
• Hall of Famer
3) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr on April 16, 1947, Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
At the age of 24, Abdul-Jabbar converted to Islam and took the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, meaning "noble one, servant of the Almighty."
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He was drafted first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969. He played in Milwaukee for six seasons before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kareem retired at the age of 42 and he held the record for most points scored, most rebounds, most blocks, most games played, and most wins.
More importantly than the game of basketball, Kareem was also an advocate who stood for what he believed in. He protested multiple times to stand up for what was right. In 1968, he boycotted the Olympics to protest the way African-Americans were treated in the United States.
When Muhammad Ali refused to fight in the Vietnam War, Kareem traveled to join other outspoken black athletes like Jim Brown to support his decision.
His accolades
• 1969-1970 Rookie of the Year
• 1969-1970 All-Rookie selection
• 19x All-Star selection
• 15x All-NBA selection
• 11x All-Defensive selection
• 1975-1976 Total Rebound league leader
• 2x Scoring league leader
• 4x Blocked Shot league leader
• 6x NBA Champion
• 2x Finals MVP
• 6x League MVP
• Hall of Famer
2) LeBron James
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Born on December 30, 1984, LeBron James is s an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
His nickname is "King James" and he is considered one of the greatest basketball players in history. Considered by many as the GOAT, James is still going strong in the NBA and it’s his 20th year in the league.
He has won four NBA championships (two with the Miami Heat, one each with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers), and has competed in 10 NBA Finals.
He is currently the only player in the NBA who could beat Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of scoring the most points in the history of the league.
His accolades
• 2003-2004 Rookie of the Year
• 2003-2004 All-Rookie selection
• 19x All-Star selection
• 19x All-NBA selection
• 6x All-Defensive selection
• 2007-2008 Scoring League Champion
• 2019-2020 Assist League Champion
• 4x League MVP
• 4x NBA Champion
• 4x Finals MVP
1) Michael Jordan
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Born February 17, 1963, MJ is considered the Greatest of All Time in the National Basketball Association. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan brought the game of basketball back to life when its ratings were at their lowest point.
He was marketed better than anyone, putting the Jordan brand on a pedestal that has yet to be reached. Jordan is synonymous with basketball. When people think of the sport, they typically think of Jordan.
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Jordan is the greatest scorer in the history of the game. He set a record for wins in a season with the Bulls in 1996 when he led the team to 72 victories and a championship, a feat that wasn't broken for 20 years. Jordan was offensively godlike and was also a great defender.
He completely owned the '90s, he created a shoe empire that made him a billionaire and he is absolutely one of the greatest to ever do it.
He has accomplished everything possible in the game and in 1988, he won the NBA MVP, the Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the scoring title.
His accolades
• 1984-1985 Rookie of the Year
• 1984-1985 All-Rookie selection
• 14x All-Star selection
• 11x All-NBA selection
• 9x All-Defensive selection
• 10x Scoring league leader
• 3x Steals league leader
• 1987-1988 Defensive Player of the Year
• 5x League MVP
• 6x NBA Champion
• 6x Finals MVP
• Hall of Famer
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