Best NBA Players of All Time - Top 10 Greatest Ever
by Surya | Updated Apr 04, 2023
Best NBA Players of All Time
The NBA (National Basketball Association) is a professional basketball league in North America. It consists of 30 teams, 29 from the United States and one from Canada. The NBA is widely considered to be the premier men's professional basketball league in the world and features many of the best players from around the globe. The league was founded in 1946 and has since grown to become one of the most popular and lucrative sports leagues in the world. The NBA season typically runs from October to June and includes regular season games, playoffs, and the NBA Finals.
The NBA is organized into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, with 15 teams in each conference. Within each conference, teams are divided into three divisions of five teams each. During the regular season, each team plays 82 games, with 41 at home and 41 away.
At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, which is a tournament-style competition. The playoffs consist of four rounds of best-of-seven series, with the winner of each series advancing to the next round. The last two teams remaining in the playoffs from each conference compete in the NBA Finals, which is also a best-of-seven series. The team that wins the NBA Finals has crowned the NBA champion for that season.
Top 10 NBA Players of All Time 2023
S.No
Name of the Player
Time Period
Michael Jordan
(1985-2003)
Lebron James
(2004-Present)
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
(1969-1989)
Magic Johnson
(1979-1996)
Kobe Bryant
(1996-2016)
Shaquille O'Neal
(1992-2011)
Larry Bird
(1979-1992)
Wilt Chamberlain
(1959-1973)
Tim Duncan
(1997-2016)
Bill Russel
(1956-1969)
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Top 10 Greatest NBA Players of All Time
Michael Jordan (1985-2003)
Michael Jordan is a retired professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He played in the NBA for 15 seasons, most notably with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. Jordan is known for his incredible scoring ability, athleticism, and clutch performances in high-pressure situations.
Lebron James (2004-Present)
Considered by many the best basketball player of all time, LeBron James continues to dominate the NBA with his impressive skills and leadership.'
Kareem Abdul Jabbar (1969-1989)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired NBA player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played in the NBA for 20 seasons and is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Known for his unstoppable skyhook shot, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships, six MVP awards, and was named to the All-Star team 19 times. He was also a prominent activist and author, using his platform to speak out against racism and inequality.
Magic Johnson (1979-1996)
Magic Johnson is a retired NBA player and current businessman and philanthropist who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons, bringing home five NBA titles and three MVP grants, winning five NBA championships and three MVP awards. Johnson was known for his incredible playmaking abilities and was one of the best passers in NBA history. He was also a prominent figure in the fight against HIV/AIDS and has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and research for many years.
Kobe Bryant (1996-2016)
Kobe Bryant was a legendary NBA player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons. He won five NBA championships and was named the league's MVP once. Bryant was known for his incredible scoring abilities and his competitive spirit, and he was widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020, leaving behind a legacy that transcends basketball.
Shaquille O'Neal (1992-2011)
Shaquille O'Neal is a retired NBA player who played for six different teams over his 19-year career. He won four NBA championships and was named the league's MVP once. O'Neal was known for his incredible size and strength, and he was one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He was also a successful businessman and has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors throughout his career.
Larry Bird (1979-1992)
Larry Bird is a retired NBA player who played for the Boston Celtics for 13 seasons. He won three NBA championships and was named the league's MVP three times. Bird was known for his incredible shooting abilities and his tenacious competitiveness on the court. He also had a successful coaching career after his playing days were over.
Wilt Chamberlain (1959-1973)
Wilt Chamberlain was a legendary NBA player who played for four different teams over his 14-year career. He won two NBA championships and was named the league's MVP four times. Chamberlain was known for his incredible size and athleticism, and he was one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He also set numerous records during his career, including scoring 100 points in a single game.
Tim Duncan (1997-2016)
Tim Duncan is a retired NBA player who played for the San Antonio Spurs for 19 seasons. He won five NBA championships and was named the league's MVP twice. Duncan was known for his consistent and steady play, and he was one of the best power forwards in NBA history. He was also known for his leadership and professionalism on and off the court.
Bill Russel (1956-1969)
Bill Russell is a retired NBA player who played for the Boston Celtics for 13 seasons. He won 11 NBA championships and was named the league's MVP five times. Russell was known for his incredible defensive abilities and his ability to dominate games without scoring a lot of points. He was also a prominent activist and advocate for civil rights during his career.
Who is the Best NBA Player?
The best NBA player is determined from their performance, skills, and impact on the court. The top three players are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic, with a tight battle for the number one spot. LeBron James has slipped out of the top 10 due to injuries and age, while other rising stars like Trae Young and Zion Williamson have moved up the rankings. The list provides insight into the top players to watch in the upcoming NBA season and highlights the ongoing evolution of the league.
The top 50 list includes a mix of positions, from guards to centers, and features players from different stages of their careers. Along with the rising stars, seasoned veterans like Chris Paul and Kevin Durant continue to perform at an elite level and maintain their spots on the list.
Who is the Best Overall NBA Player of All Time?
The question of who the best overall NBA player of all time is a highly debated topic and opinions vary widely depending on personal preference and criteria for evaluation. Some argue that Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, citing his six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and numerous scoring titles. Others make a case for LeBron James, who has won four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and is considered one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history. Other players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain are also often mentioned in discussions of the greatest NBA player of all time. Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to this question, and it is up to individual interpretation and perspective.
Best NBA Players of All Time - FAQs
01 Giannis Antetokounmpo is heughlighted to be the one.
The National Board of Accreditation
Basketball hero LeBron James has become the NBA's all-time top scorer.
Despite James being the all-time leading scorer, Jordan is a ten-time scoring champion. Jordan is also a much better player on defense, winning the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year and being named to the All-Defensive First Team ten times, while James has only been on the first team five times.
While Bryant's 27.4 points per game outguns James' 26.9, the latter has averaged more points a night (27.6) than Kobe (25.5) on his career.