Basketball is one of the most popular and most loved sports of all time. It is enjoyed by millions of fans around the world, and its top players are some of the most recognizable faces in the world. With so many great players, it can be difficult to choose the best of the best. These players have come from every corner of the globe and have left a mark on the game that will never be forgotten. That said, here are 10 of the greatest basketball players of all time.Here are the 10 greatest basketball players of all time.
10- Tim Duncan
Photo Credit: New Yorker
Tim Duncan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs, was a 15-time All-Star, and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player twice. Tim was also a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. He holds the record for most consecutive seasons with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Duncan also won two Olympic gold medals with the US men’s basketball team. He was selected first overall in the 1997 NBA draft and played his entire 19-year career with the Spurs. He retired in 2016, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
9- Shaquille O’Neal
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Shaquille O’Neal is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000-2002. He was named NBA Finals MVP in each title run, and was also named the NBA MVP in 2000. O’Neal was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. He was also a four-time All-NBA First Team selection, a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection, and a two-time All-NBA Third Team selection. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2000. And also holds the NBA records for most career points scored and most career rebounds. O’Neal won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
8- Bill Russell
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Bill Russell is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, was selected to 12 All-Star teams, and won five MVP awards. Bill was the first African-American head coach in the history of the NBA, and he was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. He also had a successful career in broadcasting, and was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. Russell was a master of defensive strategy, and his signature move was the blocked shot.
He also was an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, leading the league in both categories several times. He was also an excellent passer and had a knack for making the right play at the right time. His leadership on the court was unparalleled, and he was known for his ability to rally his teammates and get the most out of them. His ability to motivate and inspire his teammates was one of his greatest strengths, and it helped the Celtics to create a dynasty that is still remembered today.
7- Kobe Bryant
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Kobe Bryant was one of the best basketball players of all time. He won five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, one regular-season MVP award, and an 18-time All-Star. He also led the league in scoring twice and was named the NBA’s All-Star Game Most Valuable Player four times. Kobe scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history. He also set a record for scoring the most points in a single half of an NBA game, scoring 55 points in the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks. Kobe was also the first guard in NBA history to play 20 seasons. He retired in 2016 as the third-highest scorer in NBA history with 33,643 career points. Kobe Bryant was truly one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
6- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won six NBA championships, six MVP awards, was a 19-time All-Star, and is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Kareem revolutionized the center position, becoming a dominant force in the paint and a deadly outside shooter. He famously blocked shots with his “skyhook” shot, a move he perfected over the years. He was also a successful coach and an author, writing several books. Kareem was a leader both on and off the court, using his fame to speak out against injustice and inequality. He was a dedicated advocate for social justice and equality throughout his career. He was also a philanthropist, having established the Skyhook Foundation to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged youth. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most accomplished basketball players in history, making him one of the true greats.
5- Larry Bird
Larry Bird was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won three consecutive MVP awards from 1984 to 1986, was a 12-time NBA All-Star, and led the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships. Larry was also a two-time NBA Finals MVP and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He had an impressive shooting ability, and he was known for his perfect passing technique. His incredible court vision and leadership skills helped him to be one of the most successful players in the league. He was also an excellent defender, particularly in the post. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate plays and make the right decisions. His competitive drive and determination were unmatched, and he always put the team before himself. He was a true champion and an inspiration to millions of basketball fans around the world.
4- Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was the only player to ever score 100 points in a single game. And also had the highest single-season scoring average of all time, at 50.4 points per game. He was a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and a two-time NBA champion. He was the all-time leader in rebounds, with 23,924. Chamberlain was a two-time All-Star Game MVP, and a 10-time All-Star. He was the first player to record 4,000 points and 2,000 rebounds in a season. He also holds the record for most consecutive double-doubles with 227. Wilt was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978. His impact on the sport of basketball was immense, and his legacy lives on to this day.
3- Magic Johnson
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Magic Johnson was a legendary basketball player. He was the leader of the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers and won five championships with them. Johnson was a three-time MVP and was an All-Star twelve times. He played in nine NBA Finals and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. Magic also won a gold medal in the 1992 Olympics as part of the “Dream Team.” His career average of 11.2 assists per game is the highest ever for a guard. He was also known for his court vision, passing ability, and leadership. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time. Also was an excellent rebounder and averaged over 7.2 rebounds per game during his career. Magic Johnson revolutionized the game of basketball and is widely considered a pioneer of the modern game.
2- Lebron James
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Lebron James has won 4 MVP awards, 3 NBA championships, 3 Finals MVP awards and 2 Olympic gold medals. He was an All-Star selection in 15 consecutive seasons and holds the record for most points scored in a single NBA game. Lebron has also been named the NBA’s All-Time Assists Leader and is a 12-time All-NBA First Team selection. He has led the league in scoring in 10 seasons and won the scoring title in 5 of them.
He was also the youngest player ever to score 10,000 career points. Lebron James has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player three times and was named the NBA Finals MVP on two occasions. He has been an All-Star selection 12 times and has led the NBA in assists in eight seasons. He has also been named to the All-NBA First Team 11 times and the All-Defensive First Team five times. Lebron James is one of the most decorated and respected players in the history of the NBA.
1- Michael Jordan
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Michael Jordan is a legendary athlete, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a six-time NBA champion, five-time MVP, ten-time All-NBA first team, nine-time All-Defensive first team, fourteen-time NBA All-Star, and three-time NBA All-Star MVP award winner. Jordan set numerous records during his time in the NBA, including the record for highest career regular season scoring average with 30.12 points per game. He also holds the record for most MVP awards and the highest career playoff scoring average with 33.45 points per game. Jordan won an Olympic gold medal as part of the U.S. men’s basketball team in 1992. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Jordan’s impact on the game of basketball is unparalleled, and he is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.
