20 Points to the Best List/Analysis of top 5 players in NBA HISTORY

[Goat Milk]

I want a list of 5 in order, with an explanation of why that player was selected.

Also I want 3 "honorable mentions" after the top 5.

If Wilt Chamberlain is in your top 3 you will not win.

[ttwarrior1]

ill pass since your biased

[Goat Milk]

ill pass since your biased

i've been giving you free points for years. silence.

[lakerboy]

Goat u aren't one to approve others opinions. Do you work for nba archives?


Seriously man. Btw james is not top 5 .goodnight.

[Goat Milk]

Goat u aren't one to approve others opinions. Do you work for nba archives?


Seriously man. Btw james is not top 5 .goodnight.

obviously he's not

[rm18]

I know I will lose so no write up but

1. Hakeem
2. Shaq
3. Jordan
4. Bird
5. Lebron

honorable mention:

Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Kobe Bryant

[frogsrangers]

1. Michael Jordan - No explanation needed, the gold standard of what a top tier player is
2. Kareem Abdul Jabar - Best finisher in NBA history, and dominant in the paint. Tough to guard and commanded double and triple teams every night
3. Wilt Chamberlain - Dominant in his day, redefined the center position as more than just a tall body in the paint, showed that nothing is more devastating than an athletic center
4. Hakeem Olajuwon - Overshadowed because of the team he played for, still won 2 titles and was the most athletic big man to ever play the game. What people overlook is how athletic he was - he often led his team in steals for the night as well as being a dominant center
5. Karl Malone - Again, another player overshadowed because he played for a small market team and never won a title, but this man was all about business and was never selfish or attention whoring. He just played, and played well. No one was more consistent

Honorable Mentions in no particular order

Tim Duncan - Jack of all trades, literally. Doesn't excel in one area, but is above average in every area and is the most successful 1/2 hybrid in NBA history

John Stockton - Definition of a team player. He made his entire team better. Would Greg Ostertag or Jeff Hornacek ever be household names without this guy? Doubt it

Bill Russell - I really think had this guy been in the league 20-30 years later he would be up there as the best of all time. Probably a bit before his time though before NBA gained traction in popularity and the competition had not caught up yet

Oscar Robertson - He could post up or play a guard. Versatile player all around and could do whatever the coach needed him to do that night

[Ghenghis Kahn]

c'mon man, no bird or magic? give me a break...

[CanuckG]

1) Michael Jordan
2) Magic Johnson
3) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4) Larry Bird
5) Bill Russell

HM: Shaq, Kobe, Robertson

[lakerboy]

Russell most overrated player ever. Please his stats are garbage.

[frogsrangers]

Russell most overrated player ever. Please his stats are garbage.

He played in a different era, you can't compare numbers now to then

[frogsrangers]

c'mon man, no bird or magic? give me a break...

They were great players on good teams. I don't think either are Top 5.

I look at players at all angles, not based on how many titles they won.

I firmly believe that my top 5 if on the Celtics or Lakers of the 80s would have put up the same or better numbers

Hakeem would have wiped the floor with Bird

[CanuckG]

Russell most overrated player ever. Please his stats are garbage.

[seaborneq]

Magic Johnson-played center as a rookie and won the finals after winning the NCAA championship a year earlier. That won't be duplicated

Big O-averaged a triple double for an entire season. Enough said

Micheal jordon-highest ever scoring avg, all time great defensive player, the new mr clutch.

Kareem Abdul jabbar-a winner at every stop, all time leading scorer. MVP's and championships galore. Above all else, possessed the most unstoppable shot in nba history-the sky hook

Bill russell-more rings than fingers. Finals MVP is named after him, made defense and rebounding a big part of winning championships.

Honorable mention. Wilt, lebron James, and Elgin Baylor.

[lakerboy]

russell had15 ppg and was a 44% shooter and a 56% ft shooter. he was a rebounder

[CanuckG]

russell had15 ppg and was a 44% shooter and a 56% ft shooter. he was a rebounder

best defender out there

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1171774&f=64

read that thread those guys give a bit more insight

[lakerboy]

best defender out there

so that makes him the greatest? guy lives off his 11 titles.

[CanuckG]

so that makes him the greatest? guy lives off his 11 titles.

main reason he won so many was because of him

After going down 0-3, Robertson said, “What are you going to do about Russell? He’s everywhere. He blocks everything. He’s got everybody bothered. You can’t play your game against him”; “Boston may be 3-0 against Cincinnati in this series, but Russell is the man who beat us. I voted for Bill as the NBA’s most-valuable player during the regular season and I’d do it again.”

[BigDeem5]

1) Jordan
2) Oscar Robertson
3) Hakeem Olaujawon
4) Shaquille O'Neal
5) Magic J

Honorable mention:
Larry Bird, Bill Russell, LeBron James (already)

[frogsrangers]

Surprised no one is mentioning Karl Malone

If we are talking about players on their own merit, not champions, he has to be up there

Name a player who was more consistent than he was

And don't give me the "he was only good because of John Stockton" bull either

[Jeffie]

Surprised no one is mentioning Karl Malone

If we are talking about players on their own merit, not champions, he has to be up there

Name a player who was more consistent than he was

And don't give me the "he was only good because of John Stockton" bull either

no one is mentioning him because theres so many players that were better then him.

[rm18]

Malone not even in the top 10 4/5's in history

[lakerboy]

no one is mentioning him because theres so many players that were better then him.

too bad you never saw malone play.he was dominant.

[frogsrangers]

no one is mentioning him because theres so many players that were better then him.

Seriously?

The guy was the Cal Ripken of the NBA, was never hurt and never missed any games

Came to play every day

2nd all time in the NBA in scoring and first in rebounds

Played hard on both ends of the floor, not just offense

Was good at free throws

Was a solid athlete who was quick and physical at the same time and had a smooth touch

If he played on a team like the Knicks in a big market instead of Salt Lake City he would be regarded as a Top 5 player

[frogsrangers]

Malone not even in the top 10 4/5's in history

Big market bias on display

Again if he played for the Knicks or Lakers everyone would say he was greatest of all time or near it

[rm18]

Wilt, Hakeem, Shaq, Robinson, Duncan, Kareem, Garnett, Barkley, Mchale, Howard all better than Malone and probably a couple more

[InTheRed]

1) Oscar Robertson - Triple Double Machine.
2) Jordan - The Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky of Basketball. Had the ability to do anything at any given time.
3) Lebron - Already has a career that legends worked twice as long to get. Only the 2nd man to win 3 MVPs, 1 Championship, 1 Finals MVP, 1 Gold Medal (Jordan). Was beloved in Cleveland, and instantly became the most hated man in sports with one signing. Then embraced it. All why dominating the league.
4) Magic - Was the star among stars in the Showtime era. From his first season to the last he was the best in the league.
5) Bird - Was the suburban Magic. From his first season to the last, he was the 2nd best in the league.


Honorable Mention
Kobe, Russell, Kareem

I think honestly, 2 & 3 will flip when its all said and done.

[rm18]

1) Oscar Robertson - Triple Double Machine.
2) Jordan - The Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky of Basketball. Had the ability to do anything at any given time.
3) Lebron - Already has a career that legends worked twice as long to get. Only the 2nd man to win 3 MVPs, 1 Championship, 1 Finals MVP, 1 Gold Medal (Jordan). Was beloved in Cleveland, and instantly became the most hated man in sports with one signing. Then embraced it. All why dominating the league.
4) Magic - Was the star among stars in the Showtime era. From his first season to the last he was the best in the league.
5) Bird - Was the suburban Magic. From his first season to the last, he was the 2nd best in the league.


Honorable Mention
Kobe, Russell, Kareem

I think honestly, 2 & 3 will flip when its all said and done.

Bird won 3 straight MVP's he was the best player in basketball hands down just like Lebron is now

[Inkwell77]

You are a moron if you don't think Wilt is one of the top 5 players in nba history. His efficiency numbers are off the charts. The 2 highest season long efficiency numbers (62-63 and 61-62) belong to him, he also was the most efficient player during 8 of his seasons.

Top 5:
-Mike
-Wilt
-Dr J
-Kareem
-Larry Bird

Honorable Mention, just a tiny step down:
-Lebron
He has been the most efficient player in the league the past 5 seasons. He has dominated the game like no other player since Jordan. He will be a top 5 player of all time when he retires.
-Shaq
Unreal Career


Next Step:
Tim Duncan, KG, Magic, David Robinson, Barkley, Moses Malone, Karl Malone, Hakeem, Dirk, Bill Russell, Kobe
I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch

[FindTheLock]

1. Jordan. Hands down the best player to ever play the game of basketball.

2. Kareem. No one could stop his hook shot. Probably the most balanced post player with the fewest weaknesses of all time.

3. Bird. made 50 percent of the shots he took inside the ark and he made close to 40 percent from behind the arc, he could grab rebounds and dish the ball off to team mates, all while shooting close to 90 percent from the FT line. Not the most athletic, but his fundamentals were second to no one.

4. Hakeem Olajuwon. He terrorized opposing teams with his defensive prowess and was very good at everything but shooting the 3. He had more to offer in terms of skill that made up for his lack of dominance compared to the likes of shaq.

5. Oscar Robertson. A revolutionary player who changed the game and the way it is played. He was a triple double machine, and in a team game like basketball that is one of the most important stats.

I don't want any points. I am just bored and wanted to share my opinion.

[greenhippo]

1> Michael Jordan: You can look at his scoring titles (10) or his highest season scoring average all-time (30.12) and his MVPs (5) but that only takes into account one aspect of the greatest basketball player ever. Three times he lead the league in steals, he was nominated to the All Defensive first team a record tying 9 times. Add to that his Defensive player of the year award in 1988 and his 10 first team all NBA and his list of accolades dwarfs anyone in comparison. A 3 time All-Star MVP, he showed that even against the best players in the world he was still head and shoulders above the rest.

2> Larry Bird: A player in today's game that averages Bird's career stats of 24/6/10 is considered an elite talent, Lebron James type numbers, if you will. Now imagine averaging that over the course of 13 years. A 3 time MVP and 3 time NBA Champion, Bird spearheaded the Celtics of the 80s in their yearly rivalry with Magic Johnson and Lakers. A model of consistency you could argue his worst season (19/8.5/7) would be in line with starting All-stars of today. Bird has taken his basketball talents and become the only person to win an NBA title, Coach of the Year and executive of the year. If you want to learn and understand the game of basketball, no man will teach as well as Mr Bird.

3> Hakeem Olajuwon: By my estimation the top center in the history of the game. You don't hear mention of Olajuwon's domination like you would Chamberlain or Oneal, but there is an 8-9 year stretch where The Dream was THE big man amongst the greatest generation of big men. He twice lead the league in rebounds and 3 times in blocked shots, during the 90-91 seasons he averaged 4.6 and 3.9 blocks per game respectively. Imagine a player now who averaged over 4 blocks a game, it seems unfathomable. DHoward who seems the be the consensus top center of today has a career high season average of 2.9 bpg, Olajuwon has that beat in 9 different seasons. 2 time Defensive player of the year, MVP, 6 All NBA first team and 9 time first or second team All Defensive. I will go on the line as saying if the Rockets of 1995 met with MJ's Bulls (Jordan did play and lost to the Magic) it would have been Jordan's biggest defeat of his career and the Rockets would have won the series in no less than 5 games.

4> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Follow the best center of all time with second best. Kareem's accolades will outshadow Olajuwon's but given timing of careers and level of opponents, gave the nudge to The Dream. A 6 time MVP and 6 time NBA Champion, Abdul-Jabbar rewrote the record books, 19 times he was selected to the All-star game, most players are lucky to be good for half that many years. 15 times selected to the first or second team All-NBA, 11 times to the first or second All-Defensive team, the guy could do anything and everything. As good as Kareem was on the defensive end, he equaled it on the offensive side, a stark contrast to a player like Russell who exceeded on one end but lacked on the other. The all-time scoring leader, Kareem shot 56% for his career and twice lead the league in scoring with a personal best 34.8 ppg early in his career.

5> Oscar Roberston: This place was for The Big O or Magic, went with my gut on this last choice. Career averages of 25.7/7.5/9.5, the guy was a walking triple double. When we get Sports Center coverage over Rondo or James getting a triple double during the regular season we need to be reminded that Roberston averaged one over the course of an entire season and has an unbreakable record of 181. Not only that but look closely, in his rookie year he put up 30/10/9.7 and his 4th year 31/9.9/11 he essentially averaged a triple double over the course of his first FIVE years. Over the course of his 14 years he was an All-star 12 times, 11 time first or second team All-NBA and league MVP. His career wasn't aided with stat pounding like those who play 17-20 years, he is 10th all time in scoring playing less games than anyone in the top 15 besides West.


Honorable mentions coming in just a minute.

[Goat Milk]

You are a moron if you don't think Wilt is one of the top 5 players in nba history. His efficiency numbers are off the charts. The 2 highest season long efficiency numbers (62-63 and 61-62) belong to him, he also was the most efficient player during 8 of his seasons.

Top 5:
-Mike
-Wilt
-Dr J
-Kareem
-Larry Bird

Honorable Mention, just a tiny step down:
-Lebron
He has been the most efficient player in the league the past 5 seasons. He has dominated the game like no other player since Jordan. He will be a top 5 player of all time when he retires.
-Shaq
Unreal Career


Next Step:
Tim Duncan, KG, Magic, David Robinson, Barkley, Moses Malone, Karl Malone, Hakeem, Dirk, Bill Russell, Kobe
I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch

Wilt played in an era where the defenders (5 on 5) were much worse, athletes subpar aside from the stars. The game was extremely fast, which led to more possessions which means you can take more shots, get more rebounds, etc.

It's much more difficult to score today. Wilt would certainly be an all-star today, but I don't know if he'd be better than Shaq.

[jsmithj88]

Seriously?

The guy was the Cal Ripken of the NBA, was never hurt and never missed any games

Came to play every day

2nd all time in the NBA in scoring and first in rebounds

Played hard on both ends of the floor, not just offense

Was good at free throws

Was a solid athlete who was quick and physical at the same time and had a smooth touch

If he played on a team like the Knicks in a big market instead of Salt Lake City he would be regarded as a Top 5 player

he never won a title, thats why no1 mentions him

[Goat Milk]

too bad you never saw malone play.he was dominant.

Malone fukked up in the last minutes of both games in both series's that utah lost. he folded up shop.


I'm dissapointed with these lists to be honest. Did you all even watch Russell and Wilt play or just going by numbers. They were both great but not better than the Big O and not better than Bryant. People don't realize Bryant's numbers and accolades. Most nba all 1st teams ever. 5 rings in modern day basketball. 81 points in modern day ball. Shatters Wilt's 100. Not even close. Outscore the Dallas Mavs 62 61 by yourself after 3 quarters! How is that guy not top 5?

[blankoblanco]

Seriously?

The guy was the Cal Ripken of the NBA, was never hurt and never missed any games

Came to play every day

2nd all time in the NBA in scoring and first in rebounds

Played hard on both ends of the floor, not just offense

Was good at free throws

Was a solid athlete who was quick and physical at the same time and had a smooth touch

If he played on a team like the Knicks in a big market instead of Salt Lake City he would be regarded as a Top 5 player

your comparison seems to go against the whole point you're trying to make. i mean, cal ripken is not remotely close to top 5 or 10 baseball player ever. he was a guy known for longevity and dependability, which is great, but not GOAT great. btw malone is way better bball player than ripken was a baseball player, but malone is still not top 10 either