We ranked players based on the eye test of their absolute peak play, not counting career totals or accolades. This approach valued two-way excellence and longevity over high stats and one-season hot streaks.
Elgin Baylor was a force to be reckoned with in the paint, establishing himself as an unstoppable scorer and rebounder at his position. He paved the way for the modern stretch-4.
1. Michael Jordan
In NBA history, Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the best players. He won six NBA championships and was named NBA Finals MVP five times. He also won the NBA scoring title four times.
He was a dominant force on the basketball court, and his leadership helped the Bulls become a dynasty. Jordan retired briefly in 1994, but returned to the Bulls and led them to three more championships from 1996 to 1998.
Jordan was a popular figure off the basketball court as well, appearing in numerous endorsements and making a big-budget movie called Space Jam with Looney Tunes characters like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. His high-flying style of play earned him the nickname “His Airness” among fans. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
2. Kobe Bryant
The Black Mamba was a scoring machine who led his team to five championships during his 20-year career. Kobe also won two Olympic gold medals with the US men’s basketball team.
He was the 13th player drafted in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, but was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe made an immediate impact as a rookie, winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest and earning an All-Rookie Team selection.
He would go on to be one of the most dominant players in NBA history, winning three consecutive championships with the Lakers from 2000 to 2002. Bryant was also a great defensive player and is the fourth-highest scorer in NBA history. He has won two finals MVP awards and is a nine-time 1st-team All-NBA selection. He is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
3. Tim Duncan
Known as “The Big Fundamental,” Duncan was one of the best rebounders, shot blockers and interior players in NBA history. The 13-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP was also considered a top passer and was able to dominate both ends of the floor for San Antonio’s dynasty.
Duncan grew up in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and began playing basketball after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island’s only Olympic-sized swimming pool. He led his St. Dunstan’s Episcopal high school team to four NCAA tournaments, winning the ACC Championship as a junior and earning All-American honors.
The stoic, no-nonsense power forward was rumored to enter the 1996 NBA draft early, but refused and instead stayed in college to graduate with honors. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998 and won his first NBA title in only his second season with the Spurs.
4. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most dominant players ever to step onto a basketball court. Standing 7 ft 1 in tall, he was almost unstoppable on the court. He scored more than 100 points in a game several times and grabbed 55 rebounds in a single game. He was also a 13-time NBA All-Star and a 7-time first-team All-NBA player.
A star at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Chamberlain was a highly-coveted college recruit. He went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters and the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors before winning two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. His skills were so far beyond those of his opponents that league rules were changed to harness his abilities. He was a hugely competitive player who feuded with Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics center. Several nicknames were given to Chamberlain, including “Goliath,” but his favorite was “The Big Dipper,” inspired by the way he would duck his head when passing through doorways.
5. Larry Bird
When Larry Bird arrived in the NBA in 1979 it was a watershed moment for basketball. He took the Celtics to three NBA championships and twelve All-Star selections during his thirteen year career with the team.
After a stellar high school career at Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana, Bird attended Indiana State for three seasons and became the Sycamores’ leading scorer. During his senior season, he helped the team reach the NCAA national championship game, a matchup against Magic Johnson that launched a fierce rivalry between the two superstars.
The 6'9" guard was a do-it-all player who put up great numbers. He was a master of the fundamentals. He is one of the few players to average a triple-double in a single season and is a three time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and a 12-time All-Star.
6. Dwight Howard
Howard dominated the league in his prime as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and a five-time NBA rebounding and blocks leader. His chiseled 6-foot-10 frame allowed him to protect the rim and cover rangy frontcourt players.
He was named to eight All-Star games and five All-Defensive teams, and earned first-team honors in each of his final seven seasons in the NBA. He also helped lead the Orlando Magic to the 2009 Eastern Conference finals where he averaged 25 points and 15.1 rebounds per game against a LeBron James-led Cavaliers team that finished with 66 wins.
He was not included on the NBA’s official 75th Anniversary Team, though he feels his exclusion had more to do with how he left the Magic than it did with his skill set. Howard could have had a longer career than Davis had, but he fell victim to injuries and off-court distractions that limited his production.
7. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players to ever step onto a basketball court. He averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks per game over his 20-year career.
O’Neal was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s best big men. He was known for his ability to bully opponents in the paint and dominate on the boards.
Despite never winning a championship in his 14-year NBA career, Larry Bird has made a name for himself as one of the greatest small forwards in history. His high flying dunks and wagging tongue earned him many nicknames, including “The Bird.” His skills on the court were unparalleled, but it is his off-court success that makes him an even better player. He has found success in acting, music and television as well as philanthropy with the Boys and Girls Club of America.
8. LeBron James
The NBA’s King James is working his way up the greatest players of all time rankings, and he could be number one by the end of his career. He is a five-time champion and has won the most playoff games in league history.
James was drafted out of high school by the Cavaliers and won the Rookie of the Year award in his first season. He also helped the team overcome a 3-1 finals deficit to win their first title in franchise history.
Known as “King James” in the NBA, he is a superstar on and off the court. He is a humanitarian and has worked with charities such as UNICEF and Feeding America. He is also an accomplished actor and even starred in Space Jam 2. James has also played on three Summer Olympic teams.
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant centers the NBA has ever seen. He is a Hall of Famer who has won four championships during his career. Shaq also has a ton of other accomplishments on and off the basketball court.
Moses Malone is often overlooked when talking about the best players of all time but he was a phenomenal player during his 19-year career. He won three NBA championships and was a two-time NBA Finals MVP. Malone was also a great rebounder and defensive player.
Larry Bird is a legend in the NBA and he was a tremendous shooter throughout his 13-year career. He won three NBA championships, three NBA MVP awards, and two NBA Finals MVP awards. Bird was a fantastic all-around player and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in history.
10. LeBron James
The NBA has been greatly impacted by LeBron James. He is one of the best players ever and he has won multiple championships. He is also known for his activism and he has done many great things for the NBA.
He has helped to bring the game into the modern era and he is leading the next generation of basketball players like Giannis Antetokounmpo.He serves as an excellent role model for young people and demonstrates how to succeed in life.
He is also a good example of how to balance work and family life. He has a good relationship with his wife and he is always there for them. He is also a good father and he loves to spend time with his kids. He is considered a true role model for everyone.
