5 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time + Fan Rankings

“The G.O.A.T.” Michael Jordan took the NBA by storm, expanding his brand globally in a way that transcended basketball. His ability to finish above the rim, sink big-time buckets, and clamp up defensively resulted in a perfect six-for-six Finals record, in conjunction with being named the Finals MVP the most times in history (6x).

A handful of MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and nine All-Defensive team appearances rightfully grant him notoriety over the rest of the league’s legends. To top it all off, he resides top-five in all-time points and steals, solidifying his case as the best two-way and overall player to ever take the court.

“King James” has reigned over the NBA since Cleveland drafted the Ohio native in 2003. His physicality is that of no other, standing 6-foot-9, weighing 250 pounds, with ball-handling skills similar to a guard. James undoubtedly is the most well-rounded and versatile player ever, while eight consecutive Finals appearances between two different teams tell the story of his relentless pursuit of greatness.

LeBron is also in an exclusive club of his own as the only player to record over 25,000 points, 8,000 assists, and 8,000 rebounds. Furthermore, his trophy case is nearing capacity comprised of four MVPs, Finals trophies, and Finals MVPs each. However, the most impressive feat of James’ career is his upper hand on father time, continuing to be in MVP form in his upper 30’s, something no other player has ever done.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably the greatest big man to play in the NBA’s 75-year existence. His ability to score over the top of defenders was unparalleled given his patented skyhook which baffled opponents as he secured six NBA titles. A testament to his scoring remains his grasp on the most points ever scored in league history.

Additionally, his dominance is reflected in other areas given his knack for swatting shots and snatching boards, ranking top three in all-time blocks and rebounds. Also worthy of note was his never-before-seen longevity, an All-Star in 19 of 20 seasons, alongside 11 All-Defensive team selections and six MVPs, the most in NBA history.

Wilt Chamberlain was truly a man amongst boys as he cemented his name in the record book for eternity. He holds 72 NBA records, including some that will never be broken. From grabbing 55 rebounds in a single game, to scoring 100 points in a single game, to averaging 50.4 points over the course of an entire season, “Wilt the Stilt” created a legacy from that of which legends are made.

Wilt, the statistical phenom he was, sits atop the list of most rebounds recorded and seventh for most points, retiring with 30.1 PPG and 22.9 RPG. If it wasn’t for the four-time MVP’s inability to take down historically great teams during his six Finals appearances (only winning two), Chamberlain would have a much better case for being the GOAT.

The late, great Kobe Bryant’s mental edge over his opponents was plenty frightening with an un-guardable post-fadeaway and pesky defense, garnering him 12 All-Defensive Team selections. Drafted as a sprite 17-year-old, the two-way terror approached each game with his killer “mamba mentality”, elected to the All-Star game 18 times, capturing two scoring titles, and averaging 25 PPG for his career.

As if scoring 81 points in a single game and collecting five rings wasn’t enough, Bryant put on a show in his farewell game, tallying a whopping 60 points—the most by any player in their final game just to serve as an all-time final memory.

The late, great Kobe Bryant’s mental edge over his opponents was plenty frightening with an un-guardable post-fadeaway and pesky defense, garnering him 12 All-Defensive Team selections. Drafted as a sprite 17-year-old, the two-way terror approached each game with his killer “mamba mentality”, elected to the All-Star game 18 times, capturing two scoring titles, and averaging 25 PPG for his career.

As if scoring 81 points in a single game and collecting five rings wasn’t enough, Bryant put on a show in his farewell game, tallying a whopping 60 points—the most by any player in their final game just to serve as an all-time final memory.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably the greatest big man to play in the NBA’s 75-year existence. His ability to score over the top of defenders was unparalleled given his patented skyhook which baffled opponents as he secured six NBA titles. A testament to his scoring remains his grasp on the most points ever scored in league history.

Additionally, his dominance is reflected in other areas given his knack for swatting shots and snatching boards, ranking top three in all-time blocks and rebounds. Also worthy of note was his never-before-seen longevity, an All-Star in 19 of 20 seasons, alongside 11 All-Defensive team selections and six MVPs, the most in NBA history.

Wilt Chamberlain was truly a man amongst boys as he cemented his name in the record book for eternity. He holds 72 NBA records, including some that will never be broken. From grabbing 55 rebounds in a single game, to scoring 100 points in a single game, to averaging 50.4 points over the course of an entire season, “Wilt the Stilt” created a legacy from that of which legends are made.

Wilt, the statistical phenom he was, sits atop the list of most rebounds recorded and seventh for most points, retiring with 30.1 PPG and 22.9 RPG. If it wasn’t for the four-time MVP’s inability to take down historically great teams during his six Finals appearances (only winning two), Chamberlain would have a much better case for being the GOAT.

“King James” has reigned over the NBA since Cleveland drafted the Ohio native in 2003. His physicality is that of no other, standing 6-foot-9, weighing 250 pounds, with ball-handling skills similar to a guard. James undoubtedly is the most well-rounded and versatile player ever, while eight consecutive Finals appearances between two different teams tell the story of his relentless pursuit of greatness.

LeBron is also in an exclusive club of his own as the only player to record over 25,000 points, 8,000 assists, and 8,000 rebounds. Furthermore, his trophy case is nearing capacity comprised of four MVPs, Finals trophies, and Finals MVPs each. However, the most impressive feat of James’ career is his upper hand on father time, continuing to be in MVP form in his upper 30’s, something no other player has ever done.

“The G.O.A.T.” Michael Jordan took the NBA by storm, expanding his brand globally in a way that transcended basketball. His ability to finish above the rim, sink big-time buckets, and clamp up defensively resulted in a perfect six-for-six Finals record, in conjunction with being named the Finals MVP the most times in history (6x).

A handful of MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and nine All-Defensive team appearances rightfully grant him notoriety over the rest of the league’s legends. To top it all off, he resides top-five in all-time points and steals, solidifying his case as the best two-way and overall player to ever take the court.