Basketball is a sport of resilience, skills, stamina and strong will, and throughout history, basketball players have shown their toughness on the court. NBA (National Basketball Association) is the highest level where you can play Basketball. That being said, there is a debate that is almost as old as the sport itself: who are the top 10 NBA players of all time? Answering this is not easy. The NBA is a very old organisation, and thousands of players have played in it. With varying degrees of competition and talent levels, it is very difficult to compare two players from different eras. With every new era, the sport changes a lot, and it becomes really hard for people to compare players from different eras.
Here Are The Top 10 NBA Players Of All Time
As we mentioned above, saying who is the best NBA player of all time with absolute certainty is almost impossible. So, this list comprises the consensus top 10 NBA players of all time, ranked in no particular order.
10- Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal or Shaq, is amongst the top 10 NBA Players of all time. Shaq was a freak of nature during his time in the NBA. He was 7ft 1 inches tall and weighed around 147 Kg, making him one of the biggest NBA players of all time. So, there is no doubt that Shaq is one of the most legendary NBA players of all time.
9- Kobe Bryant
If you ask any basketball player who is their favourite NBA player, there is a chance that they might say, well, it’s Kobe Bryant. He was the embodiment of the sport and its competitive spirit. Kobe was known for his hardcore training sessions and aggressive gameplay. He had a state of mind which is often referred to as the ‘Mamba Mentality’. His gameplay was a pleasure to watch, and he is definitely one of the top 10 NBA players of all time.
8- Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan might be the least-known NBA player on the list, but make no mistake, he was one of the top 10 NBA players of all time. His accolades speak for themselves, he has won 5 championships in his career which cemented his name in NBA history books.
7- Larry Bird
Larry Bird might be the best shooter the NBA has ever seen. For the majority of his career, he played for the Boston Celtics and amassed some insane records there. His never-give-up attitude was also a big part of who he was and how he played. So, there is no doubt that he is among the top 10 NBA players of all time.
6- Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt is one of the pioneers of the game. Moreover, during his career, he created some of the most mind-blowing stats you’ll ever see in the NBA. He averaged 50 points a game and 22 rebounds. If you don’t know much about Basketball, then you’ll never know how crazy these stats are. He truly is one of the top 10 NBA players of all time.
5- Bill Russel
Another pioneer of the sport, Bill Russel, was a force to be reckoned with. He also has some crazy stats to brag about. Out of the 13 seasons he played in the NBA, he won 11 titles, which is the highest championship-winning percentage ever. With these accolades, nobody can deny that he is among the top 10 NBA players of all time.
4- Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is one of the flashiest and top 10 NBA players of all time. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers and was known for his flamboyant playing style. He is widely regarded as the greatest point guard in the history of the sport.
3- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
One of the most famous basketball players of all time, Kareem, was known for his innovative skills on the court. He held the record for the most points scored in NBA history until he was dethroned by Lebron James recently. His outstanding records make him one of the top 10 NBA players of all time.
2- Lebron James
The youngest player on this list is Lebron, also known as King James. He is undoubtedly one of the top 10 NBA players of all time. You don’t see players with the same mentality as James, and he is as tough as they come. The most impressive thing about him is- some of his best performances came in his 15th season in the league, which is unheard of.
1- Michael Jordan
At the beginning of this list, we told you that this list is not ranked in any particular order and that we can’t compare players from different eras. This is true but another thing that is true is – MJ is the best NBA player of all time. He is the one who took the sport to the next level, and if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have seen players like Kobe, James, Shaq, Steph and many more. He is a true pioneer of the sport and one of the top 10 NBA players of all time.
FAQs
What is the full form of the NBA?
NBA stands for National Basketball Association
How can I go to the NBA?
Getting into the NBA takes years of practice, experience and recognition on the world stage.
Who has scored the most points in the history of the NBA?
Lebron has the most points in NBA history. His total points tally is 38,450 points
Who has the most NBA rings?
Bill Russel has the most NBA championship rings in the history of the league at a whopping 11