In America, basketball is king. And the NBA is the pinnacle of the sport. So, who are the top NBA players of all time? This list was compiled with the help of expert opinions and extensive research. It features players who have dominated the league for years, as well as those who had short but incredibly successful careers. So, without further ado, here are the top 20 NBA players of all time in America.
Hakeem Olajuwon
There is no question that Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest players in NBA history. The Hall of Famer was a two-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and a 12-time All-Star. Olajuwon is also the only player in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Most Valuable Player Award in the same season.
Olajuwon was an unstoppable force on both ends of the court. On offense, he was a gifted scorer and playmaker. He had a signature move known as the “Dream Shake” that left defenders baffled. On defense, Olajuwon was a shot-blocking machine. He led the league in blocks three times and is still second all-time in blocks per game (3.3).
It’s hard to find any negatives when discussing Olajuwon’s career. He was one of the most dominant players of his generation and is rightfully considered one of the greatest players ever.
Jerry West
Jerry West is considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He was a 14-time All-Star and a 10-time member of the All-NBA First Team. He won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972 and was named the Finals MVP. West was also a five-time All-Star Game MVP and a 12-time NBA All-Defensive Team member.
Karl Malone
Karl Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana. He was a highly sought-after high school basketball player and eventually chose to play for Louisiana Tech University. He played power forward for the Utah Jazz from 1985 to 2003. During his time with the Jazz, Malone became one of the greatest players in NBA history. He was a two-time NBA MVP, a 14-time NBA All-Star, and an 11-time member of the All-NBA first team. He was also named the 1997 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Malone is currently second on the all-time NBA scoring list behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
John Stockton
John Stockton is widely considered one of the greatest point guards of all time. His entire NBA career was played with the Utah Jazz, and is the league’s all-time leader in assists and steals.
Stockton was known for his remarkable court vision and intelligence, which allowed him to make plays that few other players could. His quickness and agility made him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and he was an excellent shooter from both inside and outside the arc.
While he may not have been the biggest or most athletic player, Stockton used his smarts and skill to become one of the best players in NBA history.
Patrick Ewing
A lot of people would say that Patrick Ewing was the best player in the NBA during his time. He was an eleven-time All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Ewing was also a member of the legendary 1992 Dream Team.
During his college days, Ewing led the Georgetown Hoyas to the NCAA Championship game three times. Unfortunately, they lost all three times. In 1984, he finally won a national title with Georgetown, defeating the Houston Cougars 84-75 in the championship game.
Ewing was drafted first overall by the New York Knicks in the 1985 NBA Draft. He quickly became the face of the franchise and helped lead the Knicks to several playoff appearances. In 1994 and 1999, he led them to the NBA Finals but they ultimately lost both times.
Despite never winning an NBA championship, Patrick Ewing is still considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
op 20 NBA Players
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1946, the NBA has grown to become one of the largest professional sports leagues in the world. Today, the NBA is comprised of 30 teams and is followed by millions of fans around the globe.
The NBA has seen many great players come and go over its history, but some have left a lasting impression on the game. Here are 20 of the greatest NBA players of all time:
1. Michael Jordan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. LeBron James
4. Magic Johnson
5. Bill Russell
6. Wilt Chamberlain
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
8. Shaquille O’Neal
Larry Bird 9. Tim Duncan 10. Dirk Nowitzki 11 Dwyane Wade 12 Charles Barkley 13 Hakeem Olajuwon 14 Karl Malone 15 Scottie Pippen 16 Oscar Robertson 17 Jerry West 18 Elgin Baylor 19 John Stockton 20 Steve Nash
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is one of the most iconic and successful NBA players of all time. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers for his entire 20-year career, winning five NBA championships. He was an 18-time All-Star and a four-time All-Star MVP. He also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team.
Bryant was known for his incredible work ethic and determination to be the best player on the court. He was one of the most lethal scorers in NBA history, and his competitive drive led him to become one of the greatest players of all time.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a dominant force in the NBA for many years, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan was also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and won numerous individual awards throughout his career. Even though he hasn’t played in the NBA since 2003, Jordan remains one of the most popular athletes in the world.
LeBron James
LeBron James is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, LeBron began playing organized basketball when he was just nine years old. By the time he was a freshman in high school, he was already 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 240 pounds. He quickly became one of the most dominant players in high school basketball, leading his team to three consecutive state championships.
After graduating from high school, LeBron chose to bypass college and instead entered the 2003 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick. LeBron went on to have an incredible rookie season, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and became just the third player in league history to be named an All-Star starter as a rookie.
LeBron has continued to build upon his legacy throughout his career. He has won four NBA MVP Awards (2004-05, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11), three NBA Finals MVP Awards (2012-13, 2013-14, 2016-17), and two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012). In 2018, he joined an elite group of players when he was named to the NBA All-Time First Team. LeBron currently ranks seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 34,241 points scored and is widely regarded as
Magic Johnson
A magic Johnson is a player who has the ability to make his teammates better and his opponents worse. He is a rare talent that can change the game with his playmaking and scoring abilities.
Johnson was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, averaging 19.5 points per game over his 16-year career. He was also a brilliant passer, averaging 11.2 assists per game. Johnson’s career average of 10.3 assists per game is the highest in NBA history.
Johnson was named NBA MVP three times (1987, 1989, 1990), and he was named Finals MVP three times (1980, 1982, 1987). He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams and 10 All-NBA teams.
Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing that he had tested positive for HIV. He made a comeback in 1996, playing 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for good.
In 2002, Johnson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Larry Bird
Larry Bird is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He played for the Boston Celtics for his entire 13-year career, winning three NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards. He was a 12-time All-Star and is regularly ranked among the greatest players in history.
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He was a 7-foot-1 center who could score, rebound and block shots. Chamberlain holds the NBA record for most points in a game (100), most rebounds in a game (55) and most blocks in a season (468). He also was a two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion.
Bill Russell
Bill Russell is widely considered to be one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He was a dominate force on the court, winning 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. Russell was named NBA MVP five times and was a 12-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1974.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA history. At 7-1, 325 pounds, he was a physical force on the court. He could score at will and was an excellent rebounder and shot blocker.
O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He quickly became one of the best players in the league, winning Rookie of the Year honors. In his second season, he helped lead the Magic to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Houston Rockets in four games.
O’Neal left Orlando for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. He teamed up with Kobe Bryant to form one of the most dominant duos in NBA history. Together, they won three straight NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. O’Neal was named Finals MVP all three years.
After nine seasons with the Lakers, O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004. He won his fourth NBA championship with Miami in 2006 and was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time. He retired from the NBA in 2011 as a five-time champion and one of the greatest players of all time.
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson is widely considered one of the best players in NBA history. A 12-time All-Star and 11-time member of the All-NBA team, Robertson was a prolific scorer and playmaker who is credited with revolutionizing the game of basketball. He averaged a triple-double for an entire season in 1961-62, becoming the only player in NBA history to ever do so.
Born in Charlotte, Tennessee, Robertson played his collegiate basketball at the University of Cincinnati. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960 and went on to spend 10 seasons with the franchise, leading them to an NBA Finals appearance in 1963. In 1970, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he won an NBA championship in 1971. He retired from basketball in 1974 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
Jerry West
Jerry West is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He was a 12-time All-Star, and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1969. West played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and is still their all-time leading scorer. He was also a member of the 1972 USA Olympic Basketball team, which won a gold medal.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most iconic players in NBA history. He’s a 6-time NBA champion, 6-time NBA MVP, and 19-time NBA All-Star. He’s also the league’s all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points.
Abdul-Jabbar was known for his unstoppable skyhook shot, which was nearly impossible to defend. He used his height and length to dominate opponents on both ends of the court. On defense, he was a master at using his long arms to block shots and disrupt opponents’ shots.
In addition to being one of the greatest players of all time, Abdul-Jabbar is also an accomplished author and activist. He’s written several books, including a memoir about his life in basketball. He’s also been an outspoken advocate for social justice issues.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is a German former professional basketball player who played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is one of the greatest shooting big men of all time and a surefire Hall of Famer.
Nowitzki was drafted ninth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998 and immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent his entire career. He quickly became the face of the franchise, leading the Mavs to 15 playoff appearances, including two trips to the NBA Finals. He was an 11-time All-Star and won the 2011 MVP award.
Nowitzki is the Mavericks’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, and games played. He’s also one of only six players in NBA history with over 30,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the court made him impossible to defend, and he will go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Karl Malone
Karl Malone was a power forward in the NBA from 1985 to 2004. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. Malone was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 14-time NBA All-Star. He played his entire career with the Utah Jazz and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana and grew up in rural Louisiana. He was one of nine children born to Shirley and Moses Malone. His father worked as a laborer and his mother as a maid. When Karl was just three years old, his father died of a heart attack. His mother married another man, but he also died when Karl was just thirteen years old. Malone began working odd jobs to help support his family after his fathers’ death.
Malone attended high school at Bernice High School in Bernice, Louisiana. He played basketball for the Bernice High School Bears and averaged 32 points per game during his senior year. After graduating from high school, Malone enrolled at University of Louisiana at Monroe on a basketball scholarship.
In his first season with the Warhawks, Malone averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds per game. He improved those numbers to 21 points and 10 rebounds per game in his second season and led the team to the NCAA tournament. As a junior, Malone averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game en route to being named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. He declared for the NBA draft
John Stockton
John Stockton is an American retired professional basketball player. He spent his entire 19-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, and holds the league records for most career assists and steals. A ten-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Stockton played college basketball for four years at Gonzaga University before being drafted by the Jazz in 1984. He had a highly successful rookie season and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He continued to be a top player throughout his career, regularly finishing as one of the league leaders in assists and steals while also being one of its best shooters from three-point range. In 1997–98, he teamed up with fellow All-Star Karl Malone to lead the Jazz to a then franchise record 64 wins en route to their second NBA Finals appearance.
Although he never won an NBA championship, Stockton’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest point guards is secure. His assist-to-turnover ratio is the best in NBA history, and he is regarded as one of the best pure shooters of all time. In addition to his individual accomplishments, he also helpedUtah win six division titles and two Western Conference championships. His number 12 was retired by the Jazz in 2005.
Steve Nash
There is no question that Steve Nash is one of the top NBA players of all time. The former point guard was a two-time MVP and an eight-time All-Star. He also won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Nash was a great shooter and an excellent playmaker. He is one of the most popular players in NBA history and remains active in the game as a coach and broadcaster.
Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is considered one of the greatest point guards of all time, winning two Olympic gold medals, and was a ten-time NBA All-Star.
Kidd was born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, California. He played college basketball for the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a two-time All-American. After being drafted second overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1994 NBA Draft, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
He won his first NBA championship as a member of the Mavericks in 2011. Kidd also played for the Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks before returning to Dallas in 2012. He announced his retirement from playing professional basketball in 2013.
Kidd was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
David
There is no denying that David is one of the top NBA players of all time in America. He has been a part of some of the most iconic moments in NBA history, and his impact on the game is still felt today.
David was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, and he immediately made an impact on the team. He won the NBA championship with the Lakers in 1980, and he was named the Finals MVP.
David continued to be a dominant force in the NBA, and he helped lead the Lakers to another championship in 1982. He was again named the Finals MVP, and he was also named the league MVP that year.
David’s career eventually came to an end with the Lakers in 1991, but his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history is secure. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and his number 8 jersey has been retired by the Lakers.