James scored 38 points for a new NBA record of 38,390 points on a 130-133 loss against the Thunders, making Kareem #2 all-time scorer. You cant deny how dominant of an offensive force the Greek Freak is in the paint, how incredible of a defender hes worked to become, and how inspiring his journey from a skinny kid in Athens to NBA superstar is to millions of basketball fans. The beauty of Shaqs dominance is that youcould know after two dribbles that hewas about to hit you with a dropstep in the post, but you just werent going to stop it even if you knew it was coming. But Im still going to remind you that he never played in a Finals Game 7 in six appearances and won a Defensive Player of the Year award (88) along with his five MVPs, six Finals MVPs, and was named to theNBAs 75th anniversary team. I love Manu Ginobili as much as the next guy, but he does not deserve to be on this list. In 2016, Shaq was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordans jersey from his opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold as the most expensive memorabilia in history for $10.1 million in September 2022. Only 33 of the 75 75th Anniversary Team players are in this quiz, implying that 17 people in this quiz are not in the top 75 and 42 of the top 75 players are not in this quiz. 18 active and a whole bunch who just retired? Top 10 Best NBA Players Of All Time!! 1 on theirbest NBA players list, this is an easy one to write. ZO, The Shaq of point guards. For Jordans individual career, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and a Dream Team member in 2010. not then. About This Quiz. Barkley couldnt be stopped offensively either, beating out Jordan for the 93 MVP and taking his new team the Suns to the Finals where he lost to Jordans Bulls in six. Its the playoff excellence that helps elevate Duncan above the more physically and athletically gifted contemporary power forwards like Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett. ZO, When you talk about best PGs in NBA history, it would be impossible to not have Magic Johnson as No. Shouldnt that tell you something? I personally think its disrespectful to leave Kobe Bean Bryant out ofthe top five of any all time list. You can call him a snake, a cupcake, or whatever, but you cant deny the numbers hes consistently producedit earned him a spot on the NBA 75 team. Sure, his game has holes, and Bucks haters will say their run to the title wasnt the hardest. He was a swimmer and didnt start playing basketball until later as a teen. I forget Barkley on EVERY NBA quiz that I dothe one time i actually remember to try himhe's not on there. RIP Mamba. Abdul-Jabbar wasnt physically dominant the way Wilt or Shaquille ONeal was, but his fluidity was something special for someone of his gargantuan size. And while he will forever live in the shadow of MJ, real ones know Jordan doesnt ascend to Zeus status without Pippen doing all the dirty work and turning out to be the perfect complementary player. Second, Paul is ahead of Robertson in assists. No guard has ever dominated the league like he did, which helps his case when you see him on the top of everyones list. interesting that 75 total spots (top 15 in each category) are comprised of only 50 different players. That really shows you how hard it is to rank these guys. He is on track to become #1 all time. He was a two-time NBA MVP, appeared in 14 All-Star games,made firstteam All-NBA an insane 11 times, and is a member of the 75th anniversary team. It was either a bucket or a foul. Later, Magic went on to win 4 more NBA titles and 3 Finals MVPs in his career. The most avid NBA fans among you should take my. he's really not, though, and it's not even close. Similarly, to be in the conservation of the greatest is similar to being part of the exclusive club. But how much more credit do you give Bryant for winning more rings and drawing legit comparisons to Michael Jordan? He is absolutely as successful then as he is today. As a rookie, he went to a team that had finished with the 2nd-worst record in the NBA and led them to the best record in the NBA. NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens - The Athletic NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens The. A no-brainer Naismith Hall of Famer inductee in 1977, the only thing missing from his sterling rsum was a championship. Next on the list is the late Wilt Chamberlian. | Privacy Settings According to CNN, the auction house statement marks it as the most valuable Bryants memorabilia ever sold at an auction. I wasnt sure if he was paying attentionfinally I realize he understood everything I was saying. There has been a total of 4374 players that have played in the NBA, can you name the top 500? What's he called? The only guy to even come close to that was Chamberlain, and he also shows up on the above list. Makes me kind of happy that LeBron isn't in any of these! Right now he is 11th All-Time in scoring. | View Desktop Site. Crescent One more tiny nitpick: Chris Mullin retired in 2001. Rodman was a tenacious rebounder for sure. He is, without a doubt, thegreatest shooter of all timeafter becomingthe careerleader in made 3-pointers. Only eight players in NBA history have won three or more MVP awards and Malone doesnt get anywhere near the love that Larry Bird and Magic Johnsonthe other two players to win three MVPsreceive. he was a great player, and i agree he's top 100 all time. Only four players have reached 100 points over the past six seasons. Knock us all you want, but well rest easy knowing Antetokounmpo belongs here as a newly minted NBA immortal. In the 2005-06 season, he was the leagues leader with the highest points average with 35.4 PPG. Now hes the first unanimous MVP in league history (which is pretty stupid, but still) and has four rings to go with another MVP. Dominant. But it's not quizmaster's list. The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, were chosen in 1996 to honor the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). | View Desktop Site. We can talk about the way Kobe impacted the game and the culture of basketball but that shouldnt even be a measurement. O'Neal became an All-Star 15 times and earned the 1999-2000 MVP . Oscar Robertson is the only obvious one I missed. He earned just about every individual honor a superstar can earn, most especially six MVPs (one more than Russell and Jordan) and hes still the only player in league history to win an MVP despite his team not making the playoffs. Had a defensive player of the year existed in the 1960s, Russell would probably have won all of it in his 13 years as an NBA player. Because of Chamberlains domination, the league widened the lane, outlawed players rebounding missed free throws before the ball touched the rim, changed the definition of offensive goaltending, and forbade inbounds passes over the basket because it was an automatic alley-oop to Wilt every single time. Then I saw you rank Wilt Chamberlain above Shaq and Russell which is correct and I dont care what anybody texts here Also see Top 100 Baseball Players Quiz by Quizmaster Rate: Featured Quiz Last updated: December 14, 2021 You have not attempted this quiz yet. Threw in Bol for a laugh as time was running out for an undeserved point. Hope they make a new list. Or Charles Barkley. After joining the Lakers in free agency, Shaq formed one of the deadliest NBA duos with Kobe Bryant. Later, in 2006 and 2007, he won the scoring title. Thanks more power jetpunk!. It all started in a YMCA in Springfield, MA for Americans privileged enough to join the club, but basketball games soon began popping up all over the country. A guy this young isnt supposed to have so many accolades on his rsum, especially after he entered the league as such a project. Bird and Magic revitalized the NBA and the rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers. As a 2.05 m guard, he is ranked third all-time triple-double with 138. The same thing bothered me with counting Schmidt when we typed in Smith on baseball quizzes, but at least there, it's not *not* counting some other Schmidt. Sure, his game has holes, and Bucks haters will say their run to the title wasnt the hardest. Nor were they expected to rip down double-digit boards on a nightly basis. Tim Duncan over Kobe Bryant? The three-time MVP and 1983 Finals MVP was a 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, member of the NBAs 75th anniversary team, and a rebounding machine practically unrivaled during the 70s and 80s. That doesn't make the list good or bad inherently, I'm just saying to consider the source. AC, Yet another tough ranking. If he brings home another title in Brooklyn, he could be pushing top 10 by the end of his career. This is the new Ultimate NBA collection and is really hyped with the hot topic: Allstar players in the NBA. And, oh, yeah, lets not forget he was a member of the greatest team ever assembled: the 1992 Dream Team. When Timmy first got here, it was like mental telepathy. Duncan grew up in the US Virgin Islands. But the debate on a GOAT is a never-ending cycle. Here's another hint: he's from French Lick, IN. Charles Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA. If any one can erase the 2 3-peat of Jordan without losing in the finals, then its on.. until such time. he was one of the greatest Centers of all time. 3 during his career. Later, he captured 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, and 2 league MVPs in the Heat. The captain of the Showtime Lakersshould firmly be included on anyones NBA top 5 list. He also won league MVP for 3 consecutive years, which only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlian have managed to achieve. In his 20th NBA season, the Lakers star made history. Karl Malone Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Dirk Nowitzki Wilt Chamberlain Shaquille O'Neal Carmelo Anthony Moses Malone Elvin Hayes Hakeem Olajuwon Oscar Robertson Dominique Wilkins Tim Duncan Rebounds Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Elvin Hayes Moses Malone Tim Duncan Karl Malone Robert Parish Kevin Garnett Dwight Howard Surprising the best rebounder of all time isn't on here. The arena on Biscayne will always reside in Wade County. More quiz info >> Start Quiz Comments (6) After signing for the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar became a Showtime Lakers captain, leading the team to 5 titles in 14 seasons. Small update needed when you get a chance. Jordans brilliance set a standard for future-generation players in the league. Zeke not being on the Dream Team is the biggest snub ever, no exaggeration, but he rightfully earned a spot on the NBA75 team. Dirk brought about change that fundamentally altered the way the NBA is played. He and Larry Bird literally saved the league in the 80s and while they couldnt have been more different stylistically theres no argument whose influence on the game of basketball was greater. His signature post move, called the doorstep spin move, bullied players on the court. More quiz info >> Start Quiz Comments (13) Can you name the top NBA players of all-time according to an ESPN poll of experts from 2016? Who else is going to average 50.4 PPG for a season like Wilt did in the 1961-62 season? I only see one player listed on four of the five lists-- Olajuwon. I think Kawhi could end up in the Nos. Old heads might cringe at putting a 26-year-old, after only eight seasons, up here over a number of worthy legends, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time regular-season MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and just earned his first Finals MVP honors after authoring arguably the greatest performance in a close-out game weve ever seen. Hes a 7guard. That is the best 100 NBA performances quiz. Jordan is the name that comes to mind when basketball comes. Top 100 Greatest Nba Players Of All Time Quiz WaldoFinklestein October 22, 2022 0 This quiz includes the 100 greatest NBA players of the modern ERA as judged by a panel of experts for ESPN in 2016. No one besides Jordan can top him, and even that's close. In my book, thats the single greatest achievement in NBA history and will be hard to top. Later, in 2007 he captured his fourth NBA ring. i dont see curry thats how yuo know this list is cap, Not to be rude to all the Steph or Stephen Fans whatever Steph or Stephen is not really good hes only good because of the threes are making, please dont take this personally or to the Steph Curry fans. A member of the leagues 75thanniversary team, he long agoreached a different plane of basketballgreatness that only himself and Jordan occupy. 1 scorer in NBA history. I know it's not your decision Quizmaster but just my opinion, When you get Lanier, Cunningham, and Arizin, but forget Harden. Top 1,000 NBA Players (#501-1,000) -. LeBron James has called him the pound-for-pound best ever. Top 10 NBA Players At Each Position - All Time Quiz - By milesweber Popular Quizzes Today 1 Flag Border Maze 2 Find the US States - No Outlines Minefield 3 Find the Countries of Europe - No Outlines Minefield 4 Infinity Stones in Order Sports NBA QUIZ LAB SUBMISSION Random Sports or NBA Quiz Top 10 NBA Players At Each Position - All Time LeBron James Is A Four Times NBA Champion (Source: Instagram). He was one of the first players to take full advantage of newly formed 3-pointers. Please don't give Oscar Robertson when we type in "Robinson". Thats a fitting tribute to a record consecutive 18-time all-star starter and joint 4 times all-star MVP. Hes still in the top five in assists (he averaged 13.9 apg in 85) and still gets under MJs skin. AC, The. Did the people at ESPN who voted on the list ever watch a basketball game before the year 2000? It is now current. Keith Durant Duran Durant Kevin Durant Ant Durant 3/10 mavs.com This player is regular for Dallas Mavericks. His Airness Michael Jordan brought basketball back to life when its rating reached its lowest point. Mike has more rings but that's because the NBA is so much more competitive then it was 25 years ago. 1 overall pick in the 1958 NBA Draft, the Rookie of the Year in 1959, an 11-time All-Star, and an astounding 10-time First-Team All-NBA selection, Baylor of course resides on the NBAs 75th anniversary team as he more than lived up to the hype when he entered the league and left it averaging 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. Bill Russell With His 11 NBA Championship Rings (Source: Axiois). It was the third anniversary team in the league. I'm not hating on LeBron Because I like LeBron but kobe has had a better career by far. Four-time NBA scoring champion. His rivalry with Larry Bird took NBA to the height where it is now. Your wrong there Lebron James he's so overrated if he's top 3 why isn't Black Mamba. Magic started as a center and played all positions, registering 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. When the Complex Sports crew started to put together this list, we didnt waffle over whether LeBron deserved to be ranked higher than MJ. Or, if you insist on that, give us Alvin Robertson too. | Go To Top Theres absolutely nothing left for Steph to accomplish and thats why he ranks in our top 10 list. The younger generationsgetsto enjoy the Chuckster in ways older NBA fans never imagined. Top 10 Best NBA Players Of All Time!! Magic Johnson is a two-time Basketball Hall of Fame inductee for his individual career in 2002 and as a Dream Team member in 2010. He has better stats. He was just so damn good. Similarly, he is the only NBA player selected in the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams for 13 successive years (1997 to 2010). ONeal was physically and statistically unlike any center the NBA has seen. Career laurels: 11 NBA champion (1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969); 5 NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961-1963, 1965); 12 NBA All-Star (1958-1969); NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963); 3. In 2008 and 2009, Bryant led the Lakers to back to the back championship and was named Finals MVP both years. SLAM 500 Greatest NBA Players of All Time Bill Simmons Hall of Fame Pyramid ABA All-Time Team NBA & ABA All-Star Game All-Star Game Selections by Player All-NBA and All-NBA Team Selections by Player All-Defensive Team Selections by Player NBA Referee Awards Greg Willard Spirit Award NCAA Season Awards AP Player of the Year Award One of the most memorable games was replacing the injured Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the NBA finals during their rookie season. Jack Sikma is Good but the NBA produced SO MANY talented BIg Man and Power Forwards so I think he shoudn't really be in top 100 maybe top 30 centers but not top 100 players. 11-time NBA All-Star. Due to HIV, Magic prematurely retired at 32 in 1991. Kevin Love does not belong on this list. Hes top 10 in rebounds, blocks, win shares, and defensive win shares. Robinson was a guy who really did it all, and his numbersprove that. :). In fact, it was Magic that he moldedhis game after as a youngster, which led to KG being one of the most versatile big men the NBAhas ever seen. Maybe, just maybe LeBron James surpasses him in another four or five seasons, but its going take a herculean effort on The Kings part to supplant the greatest center ever whose longevity is practically unrivaled. There just aren't that many players to choose from. Only one thing the perfectly describes Shaquille ONealis dominant; with his 2.15 m height and 300 lb, his raw strength, speed, explosiveness, and skills dominated the opposition. If Bird wasnt Mr. DIY, its staggering to think what else he couldve done since he was never quite the same after that andhorribly hobbled his final few years in the league. Pleasee try guys. hahaha. 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