- Michael Jordan
There are several arguments to be made for Michael Jordan not being in the top spot on this list, primarily that are centered around how great LeBron James is. However, Jordan’s dominance in the 1990s where from 1991-1998 he led the Bulls to win the title in every season where he was not retired for a portion if not all the season, has Jordan at #1. Jordan in terms of individual talent is perhaps not quite as gifted as a few other players such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Shaquille O’Neal. But in terms of raw work ethic and mental/emotional strength, Jordan was the best ever and was still amongst the elite NBA talents ever.
- LeBron James
There are several arguments to be made for having LeBron in the top spot over Jordan such as the following. LeBron was a greater overall talent than Jordan, LeBron won with three different teams instead of just one, LeBron has also played the game at a far better rate at an older age than Jordan did as he grew older. However, four titles compared to six titles is what it is and LeBron has many blemishes on his resume that Jordan did not have. Perhaps if LeBron at the tail end of his career can win another MVP or two and/or win another title or two, he can reach the top spot.
- Bill Russell
Bill Russell, having won 11 championships while being one of the two premier individual basketball talents of the 1960s, is in the #3 spot on this list. Many put Russell lower than this primarily because of the era he played in. But regardless of the era a player plays in, the level of dominance that Russell had still remains unparalleled. Russell has won league MVP five times, which is 2nd in league history to go along with the record 11 titles. The fact that he played in the 1960s where there was a lack of parity is why he remains at 3 and not higher.
- Magic Johnson
Johnson was the driving force of the Lakers dynasty, which won five titles in the 1980s. Johnson along with Larry Bird led to the NBA really gaining in popularity from what it was before their time. Johnson along with LeBron James are known for being the best passers of all time and having the best court vision in NBA history. Magic Johnson has won NBA MVP three times and NBA Finals MVP three times. Ranking up there with any player ever in terms of individual accomplishments and winning.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Abdul-Jabbar, previously known as Lew Alcindor in his first NBA stint with the Bucks, holds the record for the most league MVPs won in NBA history with six. Abdul-Jabbar also ranks up there with any player ever in terms of team accomplishments winning six NBA titles. Jordan won six titles with only one team, Russell won 11 where there was a lack of parity in the 1960s, Abdul Jabber won six with two different teams with there being parity. He is known for having the most unstoppable shot in the history of basketball, which was the sky hook. Although Magic Johnson was more-so the driving force of the Lakers dynasty in the 1980s, Kareem still won one Finals MVP with the Lakers in that time. Previously, as Lew Alcindor he led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title and won Finals MVP in doing so. One could make a strong objective argument that Abdul-Jabbar should be higher than this, but the first three players on this were the driving force of all their title teams whereas that was not always the case with Abdul-Jabbar. Player number four on this list was more-so the driving force for many of the titles Abdul-Jabbar won.
- Larry Bird
Known as the greatest small forward ever before the arrival of LeBron James, Bird along with Magic Johnson revolutionized the NBA in the 1980s. Bird has won league MVP three times, Finals MVP two times, while winning three NBA championships in his NBA career. Bird in terms of shooting the basketball as a taller player was the first of his kind to be an elite shooter at such a tall height. Paving the way for the Dirk Nowitzki’s and the Kevin Durant’s of the world. Bird was also an elite defender and a very underrated passer. He was the unequivocal driving force of three NBA titles in the 1980s for the Celtics.
- Tim Duncan
Duncan’s resume possessing two NBA MVP awards and three Finals MVP awards ranks up there with any player ever. He was the face of the San Antonio Spurs dynasty which won five NBA titles and ranks amongst the greatest sports dynasties ever.
- Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq was as unstoppable of a force in terms of scoring the basketball in NBA history. Shaq was almost a guaranteed bucket if you got him the ball in good position down low. The Lakers in the early 2000’s led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were amongst the greatest dynasties in NBA history winning three straight NBA titles. Many debate who was more important to their team’s success, Shaq or Kobe? But Shaquille O’Neal won Finals MVP on all three occasions for the Lakers in the Kobe/Shaq era. O’Neal also won an additional NBA title as he left his prime with the Miami Heat in 2006. O’Neal has only won league MVP honors once and perhaps if he accumulated that award more and took better care of himself as he aged, he would have ranked higher on this list.
- Stephen Curry
Curry revolutionized the NBA with the three-point shot and is one of the most popular and impactful players in NBA history as a result. The impact that Curry had on the NBA absolutely factors into his ranking on this list in addition to his individual prowess and team accomplishments. Curry has won league MVP honors twice including being the only player to ever win the award unanimously. Curry has also won Finals MVP on one occasion as well. With four NBA titles, two league MVPs, and a finals MVP, Curry in terms of individual accomplishments ranks up there with any player ever. His impact on the game to go alongside it has him in the top ten all time.
- Wilt Chamberlin
Chamberlin having won league MVP four times and still holding the record for the most points scored in a game by being the only player to ever reach the century mark in that regard, scoring 100, squeaks in the top ten all time. Chamberlin has won two NBA titles to go along with it as well. Chamberlin is the Dan Marino of the NBA where they leave much to be desired in terms of winning although Chamberlin still has won two titles. But just like Marino, no player in NBA history was that far removed from his peers in terms of an overall ceiling as a talent.
Honorable Mentions
-Kevin Durant
Durant is one of the most gifted players in NBA history and in terms of raw individual talent is up there with anyone on this list including Lebron James and Michael Jordan. Durant won two NBA titles with the Warriors but that was after Golden State had won a title without him and set the all-time regular season wins record without him. The Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry also won another NBA title after the departure of Durant as well. So, although Durant won two titles and two NBA Finals MVPs to go along with, many question if he was really a big difference maker in winning those two titles. With only one league MVP as well, he remains just outside the top ten.
-Kobe Bryant
Bryant having won five league titles, two NBA Finals MVPs, and a league MVP has a very strong argument to be in the top ten all time. However, his lack of an impact outside of how individually great he was kept him inches out of the top ten. An impact on the game such as the impact Curry had as a smaller player shooting threes, and like Magic/Bird had in popularizing the NBA. As many state that Kobe’s career and playing style was just a lesser version of Jordan’s.
