#10. Kobe Bryant
Resume
NBA MVP: 1x (’08)
NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’09, ’10)
NBA All-1st Team: 11x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ‘13)
NBA All-2nd Team: 2x (’00, ’01)
NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’99, ’05)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 9x (’00, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 3x (’01, ’02, ‘12)
NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team: 1x (’97)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 4x (’02, ’07, ’09, ‘11)
NBA All-Star: 17x (’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ‘15)
NBA Points Leader: 4x (’03, ’06, ’07, ’08)
NBA Top 10 Points: 12x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ‘13)
NBA Top 10 Steals: 3x (’03, ’06, ‘08)
NBA Top 10 PER: 11x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ‘13)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 8x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ‘13)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 7x (’00, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’08, ’09)
NBA Career Points: 3rd
NBA Career Assists: 29th
NBA Career Steals: 14th
NBA Career Win Shares: 15th
Best Player on Two Champions: ’09 Lakers, ’10 Lakers
2nd Best Player on Three Champions: ’00 Lakers, ’01 Lakers, ’02 Lakers
Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’04 Lakers, ’08 Lakers
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 8th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 10th
I probably don’t have to argue that Kobe Bryant is a top 10 player in basketball history, but I probably do I have to defend my stance that he’s not in the top 5. So while it isn’t my intention to write a negative Kobe Bryant piece…there’s a chance it’ll come off that way.
First, let’s go over the arguments of why Bryant is in the top 10 and why he should receive some recognition for even being ranked higher.
First, he has five rings. Many will say that he was at least even with Shaq for those first three rings (which isn’t true, although it’s arguable for 2002). Of course the five rings (and two other Finals appearances) is great, but it can’t be forgotten that Bryant wasn’t even All-NBA 1st team for two of them.
The 81 point game. It’s obviously quite impressive. He arguably could have done this twice too with his 62 point game no one remembers against Dallas (a much tougher opponent than the terrible Raptors team he scored the 81 against) where he only played 32 minutes, sitting out the entire 4th. Of course, when you were allowed to shoot as much as Kobe could in 2006 (2 assists in the 81 point game, 0 in the 62 point game) an explosion like that was definitely on the table.
He took Smush Parker to the playoffs! Yes, the ’06 and ’07 Lakers were pretty awful and Kobe getting them to the playoffs is a hell of an achievement. We’ll get to that.
Ok, so why isn’t Kobe higher than 10?
He arguably was never the best player in the league for one. He wasn’t even the correct choice for MVP when he won it in 2008 (Chris Paul was). You can argue that he correctly was never the MVP of the league (although, I think I’d give it to him in 2006). Every other player on this list, with perhaps the exception of one, clearly was the best player in the league at one point. Amazingly, for a big time scorer, Bryant was never super efficient, failing to crack 47% shooting for a season even once in his career. His advanced metrics are slightly disappointing.
Secondly, Kobe Bryant was given everything to succeed. He began his career with arguably the greatest low post presence in NBA history. After that he got Phil Jackson as his Head Coach. After pissing off both Shaq and Jackson (read Jackson’s book “The Last Season”. It’s shocking Kobe and Phil got back together after that), he went through a tough season and got Jackson back. When he couldn’t get out of Round 1, he was gifted not only a budding Andrew Bynum, but Pau Gasol for basically free. Has another other big name superstar received so much help in his career? It should be pointed out that without elite help, Kobe could never get past Round 1. He had a chance to in 2006 against the Suns up 3-1. The Lakers lost 4-3.
Twice early on when everyone thought Kobe and Shaq were equals, Kobe had a chance to lead the Lakers but failed. The first time was in the 2002 season, where Kobe led Laker teams were 5-8 while Shaq was out. The 2nd time was the 2004-2005 season. Despite hand checking being outlawed and the league moving to a perimeter based game, Kobe suffered without Shaq and Jackson, and failed to enter the group of players that guaranteed you a playoff berth when healthy and in their peak.
Lastly, Kobe Bryant’s “clutchness” is slightly overblown. He actually didn’t have a great shooting percentage late in 4th quarters and absolutely bombed and was saved in the biggest game of his career (Game 7 vs. the Celtics in 2010, Bryant shot 6 for 24, but the Lakers came back with Kobe on the bench). I would probably say he was very good, but not great, when it mattered.
Kobe will historically never be treated fairly. Everyone wanted him to be the next Michael Jordan and while he clearly never was that…he still was great overall and his accomplishments can’t be denied.
#9. Hakeem Olajuwon
Resume
NBA MVP: 1x (’94)
NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’94, ‘95)
NBA All-1st Team: 6x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’93, ’94, ‘97)
NBA All-2nd Team: 3x (’86, ’90, ‘96)
NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’95, ‘99)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2x (’93, ’94)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 5x (’87, ’88, ’90, ’93, ‘94)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 4x (’85, ’91, ’96, ‘97)
NBA All-Rookie 1st Team: 1x (’85)
NBA All-Star: 12x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97)
NBA Rebounds Leader: 2x (’89, ‘90)
NBA Blocks Leader: 2x (’90, ’93)
NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 5x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91)
NBA Top 10 Points: 8x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ‘97)
NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 10x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94)
NBA Top 10 Steals: 2x (’89, ’90)
NBA Top 10 Blocks: 14x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘99)
NBA Top 10 PER: 13x (’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘99)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’93, ‘94)
NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 13x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 5x (’86, ’87, ’89, ’93, ‘94)
NBA Career Points: 10th
NBA Career Blocks: 1st
NBA Career Steals: 8th
NBA Career Rebounds: 13th
NBA Career Win Shares: 15th
NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 4th
NBA Career Win Shares: 18th
NBA Career WS/48: 44th
Best Player on Two Champions: ’94 Rockets, ’95 Rockets
Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’86 Rockets
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 11th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 13th
Hakeem Olajuwon gets the nod over Kobe for one big reason: there’s a two year stretch where without a shadow of a doubt Hakeem was the best player in the league. After having a huge 1993 and bringing the Rockets back to relevancy, Hakeem followed up with a great 1994 and filled the void left by the retirement of Michael Jordan. Hakeem had a 27-13-4-4 season, leading the Rockets to 58 wins despite not having a real 2nd guy (Kenny Smith? Otis Thorpe?). The Rockets ripped through the playoffs, only going the distance against Charles Barkley’s Suns in seven games. In the Finals against a superior Knicks team, Olajuwon owned Patrick Ewing and the Rockets came back down 3-2. Hakeem in Game 6? A 30-10-4. In Game 7? A 25-10-7-3. While the Rockets struggled record wise in 1995, Hakeem again led them throughout the playoffs. After getting through Malone’s Jazz and Barkley’s Suns, Hakeem went against 1995 MVP David Robinson and showed him who the real MVP was. Go on youtube and see for yourself, the video is titled Hakeem dominates Robinson. Hakeem would go on to average a 33-12-6 in the Finals against Shaquille O’Neal, and Shaq has gone on record about just how great Hakeem was.
If that doesn’t convince you, Hakeem was always great anyway. He came into the league and immediately led the Rockets to the playoffs. In his 2nd year he was good enough to lead the Rockets to the Finals with Ralph Sampson and came within two games of upsetting the 1986 Celtics. The Rockets around him imploded basically making Hakeem an earlier version of Kevin Garnett, leading bad teams to the playoffs every year. The best example of Hakeem’s no help? In the 1988 Playoffs, Hakeem averaged 38-17-2-3 including a 41-26 game, yet the Rockets still lost in four. Maybe that shouldn’t have surprised anyone since the season before in Game 6 against Seattle he put up a 49-25 in a losing effort.
Hakeem is the greatest defensive center of the modern era. He beat all of his rivals (Ewing, Robinson and Shaq) in big moments in a two year span and left no question about who the best player in the NBA was when Jordan was gone. And speaking of Jordan, well, one city that doesn’t seem to care that they drafted someone else ahead of Jordan is Houston. That’s how great Hakeem is.
#8. Shaquille O’Neal
Resume
NBA MVP: 1x (’00)
NBA Finals MVP: 3x (’00, ’01, ‘02)
NBA All-1st Team: 8x (’98, ’00, 01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ‘06)
NBA All-2nd Team: 1x (‘95)
NBA All-3rd Team: 4x (’94, ’96, ’97, ‘09)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 3x (’00, ’01, ‘03)
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’93)
NBA Rookie All-1st Team: 1x (’93)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 3x (’00, ’04, ’09)
NBA All-Star: 15x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ‘09)
NBA Points Leader: 3x (’95, ’99, ’00)
NBA FG% Leader: 10x (’94, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’09)
NBA PER Leader: 5x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’00, ’01)
NBA WS/48 Leader: 2x (’00, ’02)
NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 1x (‘00)
NBA Top 10 Points: 9x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ‘03)
NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 8x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’03, ‘05)
NBA Top 10 Blocks: 8x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’00, ’01, ’03, ’04, ‘05)
NBA Top 10 PER: 14x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ‘06)
NBA Top 6 Win Shares: 7x (’94, ’95, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03)
NBA Top 6 WS/48: 8x (’94, ’95, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05)
NBA Career Points: 7th
NBA Career Blocks: 8th
NBA Career Rebounds: 14th
NBA Career Win Shares: 15th
NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 4th
NBA Career Win Shares: 11th
NBA Career WS/48: 15th
Best Player on Three Champions: ’00 Lakers, ’01 Lakers, ’02 Lakers
2nd Best Player on One Champion: ’06 Heat
Best Player on One Runner-up: ’95 Magic
2nd Best Player on One Runner-up: ’04 Lakers
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 12th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 4th
Shaquille O’Neal could have been #1 on this list. There are two trains of thought of why he never reached those heights. The first is that he never really took basketball as seriously as he could have except for 2000. For a while I agreed with this, reading stories about Shaq not being in shape and several players over the years complaining about that. But once I read Shaq’s book and he wrote about how his body needed to recover more than others due to the pounding he took, I changed the course on my opinion about Shaq’s effort. His body was unique and in a lot of ways its incredible he didn’t break down like Yao or others that were bigger than the standard (well he did at the end). So I tend to agree with the 2nd course, that if Shaq went all out his body would have fallen apart, and he maximized the strengths his body gave him.
And maximized he did. Shaq dominated the NBA for most of his career and especially in the early 2000s. He was taken for granted, with fans complaining he was only good because of his power and not talent (which was ridiculous). Didn’t matter to Shaq. Once Phil Jackson came into play Shaq was able to channel his focus and energy and basically kicked the NBA’s ass; absolutely dominating in 2000. He probably should have been the 2001 MVP as well (and 2005) and destroyed Dikembe Mutombo in the 2001 Finals.
The Lakers would eventually choose Kobe over Shaq, and Shaq made them pay by winning a title in 2006 (and possibly would have in 2005 had Wade not went down in the Conference Finals). Shaq still had some solid years left at the end of his career too, playing decently in 2009 and becoming a great role player in 2011.
While Tim Duncan held the “best player alive” title for perhaps one season in 1999 post-MJ, Shaq owned it through 2002. During those early 2000s years no could go toe to toe with Shaq. Not Mutombo, not Duncan, not anyone.
#7. Larry Bird
Resume
NBA MVP: 3x (’84, ’85, ‘86)
NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’84, ‘86)
NBA All-1st Team: 9x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)
NBA All-2nd Team: 1x (‘90)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 3x (’82, ’83, ‘84)
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’80)
NBA Rookie All-1st Team: 1x (’80)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (‘82)
NBA All-Star: 12x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’90, ’91, ‘92)
NBA FT% Leader: 4x (’84, ’86, ’87, ’90)
NBA PER Leader: 2x (’85, ‘86)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’85, ‘86)
NBA WS/48 Leader: 2x (’85, ‘86)
NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 4x (’80, ’81, ’84, ’86)
NBA Top 10 Points: 6x (’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)
NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 7x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ‘85)
NBA Top 10 Steals: 3x (’81, ’84, ‘86)
NBA Top 10 PER: 7x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 9x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)
NBA Top 6 WS/48: 7x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)
NBA Career Points: 31st
NBA Career Rebounds: 50th
NBA Career Win Shares: 23rd
NBA Career WS/48: 20th
Best Player on Three Champions: ’81 Celtics, ’84 Celtics, ’86 Celtics
Best Player on Two Runner-ups: ’85 Celtics, ’87 Celtics
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 5th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 9th
The moment Larry Legend stepped onto the court he was the best player in the NBA. Boston, during a rare slump, had missed the playoffs two straight seasons and came off a 29-53 year. Bird showed up, and here are your win totals for his first nine seasons: 61, 62, 63, 56, 62, 63, 67, 59 and 57. With Magic, he’s credited with saving the NBA. And how did he do it? Be being great. By being a winner and creating and being a big reason each and every NBA season was compelling. He had a competitive streak that only guys like Jordan and Russell matched. For the stat counters he’s arguably the reason Fantasy Basketball was created (PTS+AST+REB, the Larry Bird League).
We also loved how Bird played. At times he would run around to the opposing team’s bench just to hit a three pointer in their face. He once asked an opposing crowd to get louder when shooting a free throw. He walked into the inaugural three point contest and asked “who’s coming in second?” then of course, won the contest. He led teams that ripped through the two best young players in the league in Jordan and Olajuwon. If it weren’t for Magic and the Lakers, the Celtics might have just won four straight titles.
As for dominance, look at his 1985 season: 28.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 52-43-88%s. And it wasn’t like the other seasons were much worse. Even after his back betrayed him, he had a great 1990 and put up solid efforts in 1991 and 1992.
He’s 7th only because of that. If Bird had started earlier or had been able to extend his career, perhaps he could be in the Top 5, but the six players ahead of him were just so dominant at certain points I just can’t put Bird ahead.
#6. LeBron James
Resume
NBA MVP: 4x (’09, ’10, ’12, ‘13)
NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’12, ‘13)
NBA All-1st Team: 9x (’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)
NBA All-2nd Team: 2x (’05, ‘07)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 5x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 1x (’14)
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’04)
NBA Rookie All-1st Team: 1x (’04)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2x (’06, ‘08)
NBA All-Star: 11x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ‘15)
NBA PER Leader: 6x (’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 5x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)
NBA WS/48 Leader: 5x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)
NBA Top 10 Points: 12x (’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14)
NBA Top 10 Assists: 7x (’05, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’13, ‘14)
NBA Top 10 Steals: 5x (’05, ’08, ’09, ’11, ‘12)
NBA Top 10 PER: 11x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)
NBA Top 4 Win Shares: 10x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘14)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘14)
NBA Career Points: 17th
NBA Career Assists: 22nd
NBA Career Steals: 30th
NBA Career Win Shares: 10th
NBA Career WS/48: 6th
Best Player on Two Champions: ’12 Heat, ’13 Heat
Best Player on Four Runner-ups: ’07 Cavs, ’11 Heat, ’14 Heat, ’15 Cavs
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 20th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 31st
Like Wilt, LeBron gets criticized for the times he falls short way more than he should be, and his successes aren’t given enough credit. Let’s look at those criticisms and tear (most of) them apart.
He’s 2-4 in the NBA Finals.
Only one of these losses go against LeBron, which is the 2011 Finals where he failed to assert himself in a very winnable series. Other than that, you can’t really blame him. He ripped apart the ’07 Pistons and that Cavs team (absolutely awful without LeBron) stood no chance against the ’07 Spurs. In 2014 the Heat weren’t as strong as the year before as they battled injures (especially to Dwyane Wade) and Kwahi Leonard stepped up and became a superstar. Remember, people thought the 2013 Spurs were the best team in NBA history to not win the NBA title. In 2015 the Warriors from top to bottom were so much better than the Cavs it might have been the biggest mismatch in NBA history once Kyrie Irving went down. LeBron still got it to six games. Has anyone gotten to the Finals with less talent than LeBron on his team?
He’s not clutch.
Yeah, he is. Once again everyone like to point out the failures (like him missing the potential game winning shot in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals) and totally ignore the successes (the 48 Special against Detroit in 2007, the shot vs. Orlando in 2009 and the shot against Chicago in 2015). He has a high FG% late in games, much higher than someone like Kobe.
He gave up on Cleveland.
This was admittedly pretty bad. The 2010 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals was quite embarrassing for LeBron, and we still don’t know what was going on there. But it’s not as if other great players didn’t let their teams down late either. The only ones who escape this really are Jordan, Russell, Duncan and Bird.
The East has been weak throughout LeBron’s career.
It was in Jordan’s too. And it wasn’t like they were all bad teams. Those early Wizards teams had talent (Gilbert, Butler and Jamison), Detroit had won a NBA title and nearly won a 2nd one, and Chicago was no slouch in 2011 or 2015. Plus he averaged a triple double against the 60 win Hawks last year.
So let’s look at the positives.
He has some of the most clutch games ever.
He has the highest Game 7 scoring average in NBA history. His Game 5 against Detroit in the Conference Finals (the 48 special) gave him no ceiling whatsoever as a player (48-9-7, scored 25 of the last 26 Cleveland points). In perhaps the most important game of his career (up to that point), down 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals to Boston with no titles yet to his name, in Boston, he went for a 45-15 on 19/26 shooting, ending Boston’s last shot at a title. He clinched the title with a 26-13. He followed that up in the 2013 NBA Finals, once again down 3-2, with two spectacular games: a 32-10-11 and a 37-12 in the clincher. And in losing, he averaged a 36-13-9 in the 2015 NBA Finals (admittedly did shoot poorly).
He has some of the best Advanced Metrics ever.
In the modern era, he has the best WS/48 season ever (better than Jordan) and four of the top 11 overall. He’s already 10th on the career win shares list. He had a staggering .399 WS/48 in the ’09 playoffs.
He was undoubtedly the best player in the NBA for six straight years.
Sorry Kobe fans, but give LeBron Pau Gasol in ’09 or ’10 and he’s winning the title too. ’11 Derrick Rose won the MVP and got owned by LeBron in the Conference Finals. ’12 and ’13 are obvious. ’14 Durant might have won the MVP, but it was unclear how effective he was without Westbrook.
LeBron still has a shot at the top 3 (even #1, unlikely as that is). I expect Cleveland to be in the Finals again in ’16 too.
#5. Tim Duncan
Resume
NBA MVP: 2x (’02, ‘03)
NBA Finals MVP: 3x (’99, ’03, ‘05)
NBA All-1st Team: 10x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07, ‘13)
NBA All-2nd Team: 3x (’06, ’08, ‘09)
NBA All-3rd Team: 1x (’15)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 8x (’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’07, ‘08)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 7x (’98, ’04, ’06, ’09, ’10, ’13, ‘15)
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’98)
NBA Rookie All-1st Team: 1x (’98)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (‘00)
NBA All-Star: 15x (’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘15)
NBA Rebounds Leader: 1x (’02)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’02, ’03)
NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 4x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’13)
NBA Offensive Win Shares Leader: 1x (’02)
NBA Defensive Win Shares Leader: 5x (’98, ’99, ’01, ’06, ’07)
NBA Top 10 Points: 4x (’98, ’99, ’02, ’03)
NBA Top 8 Rebounds: 12x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10)
NBA Top 10 Blocks: 15x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’11, ’13, ’14, ‘15)
NBA Top 10 PER: 13x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘13)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 9x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03 ,’04, ’07, ‘10)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 13x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘15)
NBA Career Points: 14th
NBA Career Rebounds: 7th
NBA Career Blocks: 5th
NBA Career Win Shares: 6th
NBA Career WS/48: 13th
Career Defensive Rating: 2nd
Best Player on Five Champions: ’99 Spurs, ’03 Spurs, ’05 Spurs, ’07 Spurs, ’14 Spurs
Best Player on One Runner-up: ’13 Spurs
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 7th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 8th
Without a doubt the most consistent superstar ever. I don’t think I have to defend Duncan’s high ranking, but I probably have to defend putting him above Kobe Bryant. The fact of the matter is Duncan got two advantages in his career, and one didn’t really pan out until 2005ish. He was lucky to end up in a great system with Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili very good 2nd and 3rd options (but not great). Unlike Kobe, Duncan came into the league and was immediately great (NBA All-1st Team his Rookie Year!), and in year 2 he became the face of the Spurs over David Robinson. He temporarily grabbed the “Best Player Alive” Championship in only his 2nd year, winning the 1999 Championship and holding off Shaq. Even in Shaq’s three year era of dominance, Duncan (rightfully) took a MVP and took back the Best Player Alive title. His dominant 2003 season is one of the best ever in regards to carrying a team. He wins MVP, gets San Antonio by the Lakers with little help (roster that year, a 19 year old Parker, Stephen Jackson, Bruce Bowen, a washed up Robinson and Manu, who was still a low minute bench guy).
Still, he spanked the Lakers in the 2nd Round (games of 28-7-8, 28-11, 36-9, 27-14 and 37-16 in the clincher in LA no less). With the Spurs falling apart around him, he carried them in the 2003 NBA Finals with one of the best Finals performances ever (the Spurs had used Speedy Claxton at some points because Parker wasn’t playing well…Speedy Claxton!) Here’s Duncan’s 2003 NBA Finals: A 32-20-6-7Blk in Game 1, a 21-16-7 in Game 3, a 23-17-7Blk in Game 4, a 29-17 in Game 5 and a 21-20-10-8blk in the clincher (that’s right, a near quadruple double no one talks about today for some reason).
He hit a clutch shot right before Fisher’s miracle .4 seconds shot that no one remembers because of Fisher. He won the ’05 title, dealing with Ben and Rasheed Wallace in the Finals. In 2007 with the league changing to favor offense, Duncan’s defense shut down any teams that had a slasher (like LeBron in the ’07 Finals). Continually was one of the best players in the league through 2015, saving himself for the playoffs and taking less money to let the Spurs build their roster (he averaged a 15-10 with 58% shooting in the ’14 Finals win). Even in a loss, he played great in his last playoff series as well, averaging a 18-11 in the Round 1 exit last year against the Clippers (who had DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin in the middle). That included a 27-11 in the Game 7 loss. In Duncan’s entire run in the NBA, he never played for a team that won less than 50 games (’99 lockout season they won 37, but the winning % was higher than a 50 win season).
Today Duncan’s taken a smaller role than ever, but I wouldn’t rule him out for having a big playoffs. It may be Leonard’s team now, but I think everyone knows who the top guy is in the Spurs locker room.
#4. Magic Johnson
Resume
NBA MVP: 3x (’87, ’89, ‘90)
NBA Finals MVP: 3x (’80, ’82, ’87)
NBA All-1st Team: 9x (’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)
NBA All-2nd Team: 1x (‘82)
NBA Rookie All-1st Team: 1x (’80)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2x (’90, ‘92)
NBA All-Star: 12x (’80, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ‘92)
NBA Assists Leader: 3x (’83, ’86, ‘87)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 1x (‘87)
NBA Top 10 Points: 1x (‘87)
NBA Top 10 Assists: 11x (’80, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)
NBA Top 10 Steals: 4x (’80, ’82, ’83, ‘84)
NBA Top 10 PER: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)
NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 8x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’89, ’90, ’91)
NBA Career Assists: 5th
NBA Career Steals: 19th
NBA Career Win Shares: 20th
NBA Career WS/48: 8th
Career Defensive Rating: 3rd
Best Player on Two Champions: ’87 Lakers, ’88 Lakers
2nd Best Player on Three Champions: ’80 Lakers, ’82 Lakers, ’85 Lakers
Best Player on Two Runner-ups: ’89 Lakers, ’91 Lakers
2nd Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’83 Lakers, ’84 Lakers
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 4th
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 6th
Took the “Best Player Alive” title from Bird in 1987, only to kind of co-hold it with Jordan for the next few years until he retired. He gets the edge on Bird because he was able to peak when Bird unfortunately fell apart.
Magic was also great right away. While he didn’t make All-NBA teams right away, his performance in the 1980 Finals made him a legend as a rookie. With Kareem being out, Magic played center and had a 42-15-7. Then, we almost lost him, as Magic almost became one of those young guys given way too much too soon. Of course, LA thought it was a good idea for Magic to share point guard duties with Norm Nixon for some reason. Magic rebounded in ’82 with a near season average of a triple double. Magic would peak after Nixon was traded, but still in the 1984 Finals he had one of the most unclutch performances by a top guy in NBA history (threw ball away on a potential game winning play in Game 2, missed two clutch free throws in Game 4 and had two late turnovers to cost LA in Game 7). Still, Magic helped win the ’85 title, then took over for an aging Kareem as the alpha dog on the Lakers. After Hakeem and Sampson roughed up Kareem in 1986, Magic became the best player in the league, leading the Lakers to four more Finals appearances in the next five years, despite Kareem falling apart and retiring. In that five year span: Two Rings, Two MVPs, Four Finals appearances. We also have no idea if LA could have come back in ’89 as Magic got injured in the series.
It should be noted that when Magic joined the Lakers, LA had the following win totals: 60, 54, 57, 58, 54, 62, 62, 65, 62, 57, 63 and 58. He made the Finals nine times in 13 seasons (not counting what comeback in ’96). He took over for Kareem naturally and extended the Laker Dynasty which wouldn’t really return until Shaq and Kobe showed up. And who knows what happens in ’92 if he doesn’t get HIV.
#3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Resume
NBA MVP: 6x (’71, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’77, ‘80)
NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’71, ‘85)
NBA All-1st Team: 10x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’77, ’80, ’81, ’84, ‘86)
NBA All-2nd Team: 4x (’70, ’78, ’79, ‘83)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 5x (’74, ’75, ’79, ’80, ’81)
NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 6x (’70, ’71, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’84)
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’70)
NBA Rookie All-1st Team: 1x (’70)
NBA All-Star: 19x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ‘89)
NBA Points Leader: 3x (’70, ’71, ‘72)
NBA Rebounds Leader: 2x (’76, ’77)
NBA Blocks Leader: 4x (’76, ’77, ’79, ’80)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 9x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81)
NBA WS/48 Leader: 9x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80)
NBA PER Leader: 9x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’81)
NBA Top 10 Points: 13x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ‘86)
NBA Top 10 Blocks: 12x (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ‘85)
NBA Top 10 PER: 17x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83,’84, ’85, ‘86)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 16x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’85, ‘86)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 16x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’85, ‘86)
NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 5x (’78, ’80, ’81, ’83, ‘85)
NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 6x (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80)
NBA Career Points: 1st
NBA Career Assists: 40th
NBA Career Blocks: 3rd
NBA Career Win Shares: 1st
NBA Career WS/48: 7th
NBA Career Offensive Rating: 37th
NBA Career Defensive Rating: 24th
Best Player on Four Champions: ’71 Bucks, ’80 Lakers, ’82 Lakers, ’85 Lakers
3rd Best Player on Two Champions: ’87 Lakers, ’88 Lakers
Best Player on two Runner-Ups: ’74 Bucks, ’84 Lakers
3rd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’89 Lakers
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 3rd
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 7th
Kareem’s resume basically speaks for itself. He had an unstoppable (literally) shot with his Sky Hook and that shot became the surest two points in NBA history. He won in the early 70s all the way throughout the late 80s. His longevity is remarkable and is only matched by Duncan in terms of playing at a high level.
Bill Simmons also showed that when considering eras, opponents and minutes played, Kareem’s early 70s stats may have been on par or even better than Wilt’s in the 60s. He helped Oscar win a title and bridged the gap to helping Magic win titles.
Again, not much to say. Best statistical center ever, overall winner, he even won tons of awards too (six MVPs, and probably shoulda won a seventh!)
#2. Bill Russell
Resume
NBA MVP: 5x (’58, ’61, ’62, ’63, ‘65)
NBA All-1st Team: 3x (’59, ’63, ‘65)
NBA All-2nd Team: 8x (’58, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’64, ’66, ’67, ‘68)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 1x (‘69)
NBA All-Star: 12x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ‘69)
NBA Rebounds Leader: 4x (’58, ’59, ’64, ‘65)
NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 11x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ‘69)
NBA Top 10 Assists: 4x (’63, ’64, ’65, ‘67)
NBA Top 10 PER: 8x (’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’62, ’64, ’65, ’67)
NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 11x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’69)
NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ‘67)
NBA Top 3 Defensive Win Shares: 13x (’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69)
NBA Career Rebounds: 2nd
NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 1st
NBA Career Win Shares: 17th
NBA Career WS/48: 24th
Best Player on Eleven Champions: ’57 Celtics, ’59 Celtics, ’60 Celtics, ’61 Celtics, ’62 Celtics, ’63 Celtics, ’64 Celtics, ’65 Celtics, ’66 Celtics, ’68 Celtics, ’69 Celtics
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 2nd
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 3rd
Russell single handedly modernized basketball the first time, laying waste to the career of 50s centers like Walt Bellamy. He was the most destructive force in the NBA throughout his entire career (even though it should have been Wilt). His peers respected him so much that the voted him for five MVP awards (even during the year Wilt averaged a 50-27). Russell always stepped it up in the playoffs as well, usually limiting Chamberlain when playing against him, and setting some records himself (24.9 playoff RPG, 40 rebounds in a game, 32 in a half). Russell, a lot like Duncan right now, only brought it when he needed to. If Wilt wanted to score 60 or whatever points one night and the game was virtually over, Russell would let him.
Every player from that era (other than, again, Wilt) reveres Russell, and today the Finals MVP trophy is named after him. And as we proved with earlier sections, Russell didn’t always have the most stacked team either. (It should be pointed out he coached the last two titles too).
#1. Michael Jordan
Resume
NBA MVP: 5x (’88, ’91, ’92, ’96, ’98)
NBA Finals MVP: 6x (’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)
NBA All-1st Team: 10x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ‘98)
NBA All-2nd Team: 1x (‘85)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1x (’88)
NBA All-Defensive 1st Team: 9x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ‘98)
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’85)
NBA All-Rookie 1st Team: 1x (’85)
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 3x (’88, ’96, ’98)
NBA All-Star: 14x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’02, ‘03)
NBA Points Leader: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)
NBA Steals Leader: 3x (’88, ’90, ’93)
NBA Win Shares Leader: 9x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97)
NBA Offensive Win Share Leader: 8x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97)
NBA WS/48 Leader: 8x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ‘97)
NBA PER Leader: 7x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93)
NBA Top 4 Steals: 9x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96)
NBA Top 10 Assists: 1x (’88)
NBA Top 4 PER: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)
NBA Top 2 Win Shares: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)
NBA Top 3 WS/48: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)
NBA Top 6 Defensive Win Shares: 8x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’98)
NBA Career Points: 4th
NBA Career PPG: 1st
NBA Career Assists: 42nd
NBA Career Steals: 3rd
NBA Career Win Shares: 4th
NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 19th
NBA Career Win Shares: 17th
NBA Career WS/48: 1st
Best Player on Six Champions: ’91 Bulls, ’92 Bulls, ’93 Bulls, ’96 Bulls, ’97 Bulls, ’98 Bulls
Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 1st
Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 1st
I assume I don’t really need to argue this. Let’s just close up the top 100 list with some Jordan facts/stories.
Jordan holds the record for playoff PPG as well at 33.4.
Pistons Coach Chuck Daly basically said he was so good it was an embarrassment to the league, and it was insane how hard it was to gear his entire team to stop one man.
Not only was he the best offensive player in NBA history, he was one of the best defensive players as well, even winning Defensive Player of the Year!
His destruction of the Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler in Game 1 of the 1992 Finals stands tall as the greatest “FU” performance in NBA history.
Averaged a 41-9-6 in the 1993 Finals.
Basically won Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals by himself. (scored 45 of Chicago’s 87 points, Pippen was injured and played limited minutes, layup, steal of Karl Malone, famous game winner ending sequence).
Just to list some of his famous playoff game winners: The Shot vs. Cleveland, The Shot II against Cleveland in ’93, the ’97 Finals Shot against Utah, and of course, the famous Game 6 winner in ’98 against Utah.
There are countless other great game winners out there for Jordan. For example, looking up the “Shot II” I found a video of Jordan beating Cleveland when playing for Washington with a game winner called “The Shot III”.
Scored 63 against the ’86 Celtics in the playoffs. With all the crazy high scoring numbers from Wilt etc., this actually stands as the highest total ever.
Look, MJ’s the best ever. I wouldn’t be writing anything new here. Maybe LeBron has a 1% shot of getting here, but I don’t like his chances.