NBA
NBA: The top 10 greatest players in history
The debate about the best players in history continues to be talked about in the NBA. Indeed, the league itself has sometimes compiled lists containing the 50 or 75 greatest basketball players on the occasion of its anniversaries. While some, like Stephen Curry, do not like this discussion, le10sport.com still offers you its top 10 all time.
Dozens of players have forever marked the history of the NBA. Whether by their record, their style of play, or even their domination, some are today among the 10 greatest players of all time, starting with one of the current symbols of the league, Stephen Curry.
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10-Stephen Curry
So yes, Stephen Curry doesn’t like the top 10 greatest players of all time debate, and the point guard thinks that “Everyone’s ranking is different, that’s the beauty of it”. However, his name quickly comes to mind when it comes to mentioning the monsters of basketball. The greatest shooter in history, number 30 has demonstrated his three-point skill for years, collecting shots more incredible than each other. However, while his trophy cabinet still had a void, it is now filled, as his Finals MVP title won against the Boston Celtics therefore comes to mingle with his 4 rings or his 2 crowns of best players of the regular season, including one obtained unanimously in 2016, a feat that he is the only one to have achieved.
9 – Wilt Chamberlain
Speaking of NBA monsters, here’s a handsome one. If he won “only” 2 rings, Wilt Chamberlain was still voted regular season MVP 4 times. But that’s not the most incredible aspect with the former kingpin. His 1961-1962 season will sum up the man we are talking about. During this campaign, The Stilt was averaging 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds in 45.8 minutes (while games only lasted 45 minutes, excluding overtime). Maddening statistics, for a player who has not left the field throughout the season. But one of his most legendary exploits dates back to March 2, 1962, when chamberlain scored 100 points against New York Knicks. If all of that fails to convince, then maybe his rivalry with the legendary Bill Russell may help to understand the immensity of the man.
8 – Shaquille O’Neal
A real monster on the NBA floors. With a size of 2m16 for more than 140kg, Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most physically dominated players. Unstoppable, the pivot has notably formed one of the greatest duos who have walked the floors with Kobe Bryant, and won 4 championship titles, including 3 where he was the best player in the finals. Although he has only won the regular season MVP title once, the Big Shaq impressed with his scoring or rebounding abilities.
7-Larry Bird
Achievement level, Larry Bird has a full resume. 3 times NBA champion, as many regular season MVPs as well as 2 Finals best player titles, the winger’s wardrobe is complete. Model of constancy, the mythical number 33 of Boston Celtics will only drop twice below the 20-point average in the season. Excellent rebounder despite his weak physical qualities, bird showed that he was a more than complete player, and that he could hit anywhere on the pitch.
6-Bill Russell
He is quite simply the most successful player in NBA history. With 11 champion trophies won in 13 seasons, the former center of the Boston Celtics will have more than crushed the competition. If he is not one of the greatest scorers, his defensive qualities will have made everyone agree, starting with his former teammate John Havlicekfor who “he revolutionized the pivot position”. For the former coach of Syracuse, Paul Seymourwho faced him many times, he “No one was bigger, stronger, faster, smarter or more competitive than Bill”. A great impression left by the man who gave his name to the title of MVP of the finals. Died on July 31, Bill Russell forever left an indelible mark in the history of his sport.
5-Tim Duncan
While the San Antonio Spurs hadn’t won anything yet, Tim Duncan made it a dynasty. The strong winger, accompanied by his legendary coach Gregg Popovich, has simply never missed the Playoffs in his 19-year career. During this long period, he won 5 NBA championship titles, 3 best player in the finals, and 2 regular season MVPs. ultra consistent, The Big Fundamental led the Spurs at the top, and everything has been much more complicated for them since the end of his career in 2016.
4-Magic Johnson
When rankings of the greatest players of all time come up, being the only one to have achieved something incredible can be a good argument. As such, Magic Johnson and his Finals MVP trophy from his rookie season look great. With his teammate Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the leader will have rolled over the NBA, and is doing with 5 titles. With an average of 11.19 assists per game, the native of Lansing dominated both individually and collectively, and cannot miss this ranking.
3 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
And now here is the greatest scorer in NBA history. Whether Kareem Abdul Jabbar and its 38,387 points can tremble before the arrival of LeBron James, the former pivot has not only built his legend on this. The New York native popularized the most fearsome shot of all time, the hook shot, or rolled arm. On the prize list side, his 6 NBA championship titles as well as regular season MVP have nothing to be ashamed of in the face of the two monsters mentioned earlier.
2 – LeBron James
Whether Michael Jordan seemed unbeatable after the end of his career, it was without counting on the arrival of LeBron James. On the prize list side, the Chosen One is not outdone with 4 championship titles, also being voted best player in the finals each time, or his 4 regular season MVP trophies. If he has never been a better defender unlike Michael Jordan, James could still tick a box that its competitor under GOAT could not fill, that of leading scorer in the history of the league. For this, he lacks 1325 points, and as much to say that King James can enroll them next season. Respected by his peers, he is even considered by some to be number 1, likeIsiah Thomas : “The best and most complete player I’ve seen in my life is LeBron James, on and off the court. (…) He is the GOAT, let it be clear! “.
1 – Michael Jordan
It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to detailing the winners of Michael Jordan. 6 NBA championship titles by being voted best player in the finals each time, 5 times regular season MVP, a DPOY title, top scorer in the league in 10 different seasons including 7 consecutive or even 4th best scorer in the history of the NBA. Here is an anthology of what has been accomplished His Airness, although it is still possible to talk about his exploits for a long time. Number 1 for the moment, it could however lose its crown in the future, since LeBron James still crowds the floors of the league.