# The ten greatest-ever basketball players **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** basketball-nba\ **Created:** [July 28, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687 "2022-07-28T03:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/1 "2022-07-28T03:29:33Z")
Who are your (up to) ten greatest-ever basketball players? No qualifications, other than greatest-ever, and I know the game was different in the different eras. Just go with it, can you do that? Simply put, who are your ten greatest-ever basketball players? Go! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/2 "2022-07-28T03:32:10Z")
I’ll start by offering up Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaq and Larry Bird. I assume we all will have Michael Jordan on our lists. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/3 "2022-07-28T04:04:35Z")
[George Mikan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan). He changed the sport of basketball to the very physical sport for big men it is today. > [@](#): > > Mikan had an extremely successful playing career, winning seven NBL, BAA, and [NBA championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_champions) in nine seasons, an [NBA All-Star Game MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game_MVP) trophy, and three [scoring titles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_annual_scoring_leaders). He was a member of the first four [NBA All-Star games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game), and the first six All-BAA and [All-NBA Teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-NBA_Teams). Mikan was so dominant that he prompted several significant rule changes in the NBA, including the introduction of the [goaltending rule](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goaltending), the widening of the foul lane—known as the “Mikan Rule”—and the creation of the [shot clock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_clock). > > Mikan is lauded as the pioneer of the modern age of basketball. He was the original center, who scored 11,764 points, an average of 22.6 per game, retired as the all-time leading scorer and averaged 13.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 520 NBL, BAA and NBA games. As a testament to his fierce playing style, he also led the league three times in personal fouls.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan#cite_note-hoophall-3)[[12]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan#cite_note-hickoksports-12) He won seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, and three scoring titles, and was a member of the first four NBA All-Star games and the first six All-BAA and [All-NBA Teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-NBA_Team). As well as being declared the greatest player of the first half of the century by The Associated Press, Mikan was on the [Helms Athletic Foundation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helms_Athletic_Foundation) all-time All-American team, chosen in a 1952 poll, made the 25th and 35th NBA Anniversary Teams of 1970 and 1980 and was elected one of the [NBA 50 Greatest Players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_50_Greatest_Players) in 1996.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan#cite_note-nbacomsummary-1)[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan#cite_note-hoophall-3)[[12]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan#cite_note-hickoksports-12) Mikan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in its inaugural 1959 class, the first NBA player inducted into the Hall. Mikan’s impact on the game is also reflected in the [Mikan Drill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikan_Drill), today a staple exercise of “big men” in basketball. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/4 "2022-07-28T12:33:44Z")
Often overlooked are Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/5 "2022-07-28T13:53:15Z")
I’ll go with these: Michael LeBron Kareem Magic Larry Kobe Wilt Steph Shaq Tim Duncan ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/6 "2022-07-28T18:59:45Z")
George Mikan Bill Russell Elgin Baylor Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain Oscar Robertson Jerry West Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Stephen Curry ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/7 "2022-07-28T19:18:18Z")
Without looking at any others’ posts: Jordan Wilt LBJ Russell Dr. J\* Kareem Hayes Pippen Baylor Kidd (\*I know, his stats aren’t the greatest, but flava counts for something, right?) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/8 "2022-07-28T19:22:30Z")
Okay, now I’ve looked at others’ lists. For the curious: > **[Elvin Hayes | American basketball player](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elvin-Hayes)** > > Elvin Hayes, in full Elvin Ernest Hayes, (born Nov. 17, 1945, Rayville, La., U.S.), American basketball player who was one of the most prolific scorers and rebounders in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After averaging 35... ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/9 "2022-07-28T21:08:25Z")
Michael Jordan Lebron James Kobe Bryant Larry Bird Magic Johnson Kareem Abdul-Jabar Wilt Chamberlain I have no idea besides those names. I’m not very much up to date on NBA. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/10 "2022-07-28T21:14:00Z")
Anyone can fill most of their list with the [“Showtime” Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showtime_(basketball)). ---
**Author:** ![Kimble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimble/32/19185_2.png) [@Kimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimble)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/11 "2022-07-29T17:34:48Z")
I feel comfortable going to 8. In descending order of [MVP shares](https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/nba_mvp_shares.html): LeBron Michael Kareem Larry Magic Bill Tim Wilt ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/12 "2022-07-29T18:11:01Z")
MJ LBJ Russell Kareem Magic Bird Steph Curry Wilt Tim Duncan Kobe ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/13 "2022-07-29T18:28:03Z")
I think it’s more correct to say that George Mikan dominated the sport when it _was_ a very physical sport for big men, and then the rules were changed to make it a sport people might actually like to watch. In Mikan’s day, basically every play was “lob it to your big guy near the basket, then he will be violently assaulted and get to shoot free throws”. (the concept of a “flagrant foul” being another idea that hadn’t come up yet). Leonard Koppett said of Mikan “He couldn’t jump very high, but he didn’t have to. He couldn’t run, but he didn’t have to”. Some other stats: during his nine year career, Mikan broke ten bones and required a total of 160 stitches. Bill Simmons sums him up by mentioning that he played the 1951 Eastern Conference Finals on a broken leg; “Mikan excelled during an era when centers could score 20 a game in the playoffs while hopping around with a plate taped to their broken leg.” It’s a weird case. On the one hand, he was clearly the best player in the NBA for several years, so how could he not be mentioned in a discussion like this? On the other hand, I feel confident in saying he couldn’t make an NBA roster today. It’s hard to compare players across different eras; I feel like when you go back before the shot clock era, it’s like you’re comparing players from two entirely different sports. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/14 "2022-07-29T18:40:09Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > It’s a weird case. On the one hand, he was clearly the best player in the NBA for several years, so how could he not be mentioned in a discussion like this? On the other hand, I feel confident in saying he couldn’t make an NBA roster today. It’s hard to compare players across different eras; I feel like when you go back before the shot clock era, it’s like you’re comparing players from two entirely different sports. I think it is reasonable to exclude players that could not compete today or perhaps in the past 30 years or so. But I also see that it is tempting to include people from the past. Let’s talk tennis. Rod Laver was considered the greatest of all time for a long time. But even if he was born at the time to play today, would he even be a top 100 player? I’d have to list him, but would also understand if people excluded him since such superior players have emerged. Same with Mikan and so forth. People have surpassed them. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/15 "2022-07-29T18:42:41Z")
I don’t know much about tennis, but AFAIK the rules haven’t changed significantly in a very long time, so it would be much easier to make an apples-to-apples comparison across eras. If at some time in the past the net was six feet tall, it would be very difficult to compare players who played before and after that change was made. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/16 "2022-07-29T19:04:27Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I think it’s more correct to say that George Mikan dominated the sport when it _was_ a very physical sport for big men, and then the rules were changed to make it a sport people might actually like to watch. He began playing before I was born so I lack much first hand knowledge but it seems that he was considered a pioneer in making it a big man’s sport instead of little guys running bounce pass drills. And that is what made the NBA the sport people wanted to watch. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > On the other hand, I feel confident in saying he couldn’t make an NBA roster today. It’s hard to compare players across different eras; I feel like when you go back before the shot clock era, it’s like you’re comparing players from two entirely different sports. You could make that kind of exclusion if you like, but would the reciprocal apply? Would all those modern players make the grade back then in a rougher sport without the rule changes Mikan inspired? And how many of your so called top 10 were named the best player of the 2nd half century? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/17 "2022-07-29T20:15:42Z")
George Mikan Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell Larry Bird Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Magic Johnson Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Tim Duncan Steph Curry Honorable mentions: Karl Malone Oscar Robertson ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/18 "2022-07-29T20:24:33Z")
Re: George Mikan > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > It’s a weird case. On the one hand, he was clearly the best player in the NBA for several years, so how could he not be mentioned in a discussion like this? On the other hand, I feel confident in saying he couldn’t make an NBA roster today… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FiH9ed48e2U/maxresdefault.jpg "George Mikan Scouting Video (First Dominating HOF NBA center)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiH9ed48e2U) Mikan seems very agile and athletic in these clips, to say nothing of strong. He might not be able to compete with taller centers today, but he would probably be playing power forward and I see no reason to believe he would not excel at that position. His ambidextrous hook shots would make him especially challenging to guard in the post. His impact on the game not only included changes to the rules (e.g., goaltending, shot clock, widening of the lane), but also - as a co-founder of the ABA - the 3-point shot. I don’t think anyone contributed more to the modern game than he did. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/19 "2022-07-29T21:14:52Z")
1. Michael Jordan 2. Bill Russell 3. Lebron James 4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5. Wilt Chamberlain 6. Magic Johnson 7. Shaquille O’Neal 8. Oscar Robertson 9. Tim Duncan 10. Stephen Curry I found this really, really hard to come up with. I feel like point guards are underrepresented here but, weirdly, many of the players that statistics SAY are the greatest point guards of all time - Stockton, Chris Paul, Steve Nash - never won a title, and I count that as being important. Objectively I realize Curry is likely on this list a little early, but here’s the thing: 1. Curry is easily the greatest player on a great, great team, 2. Curry isn’t yet done so I’ll assume here he has a few more great years left, and 3. I am given him some credit for being such a transformative player. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687/20 "2022-07-29T21:15:54Z")
I know we have a tendency to overlook players before the age of TV, but I can’t believe no one has mentioned [Bob Cousy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Cousy), the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty in the 1950s, who virtually invented the position of point guard; and [Bob Petit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Pettit), the first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points. Petit often gets overlooked because he played for the Hawks in Milwaukee and St. Louis, but Cousy was a **Celtic** , fercryinoutloud! Fun fact: Along with Mikan and Russell, Cousy and Petit make up the only four players to be named to the NBA 25th, 35th, 50th, and 75th anniversary all-time all-star teams. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-greatest-ever-basketball-players/968687.md?page=2)