NBA fans have debated this question for decades, and the arguments never seem to end. Every generation produces incredible talent that pushes the boundaries of what seems possible on the court. Some players dominate through sheer athleticism, while others rely on basketball intelligence that borders on genius. Championship rings tell one story, but individual brilliance often writes another chapter entirely.
The greatest players combine multiple elements like scoring prowess, defensive tenacity, leadership qualities, and that intangible clutch factor. They elevate teammates around them and perform their best when the stakes are highest. Here’s our countdown of the 10 greatest NBA players who have graced the hardwood.
10. Bill Russell
Over a 13-season career with the Boston Celtics, Russell won 11 NBA championships—the most by any player—and earned five MVP awards. A 12-time All-Star, Russell accumulated 21,620 rebounds, ranking second all-time, and averaged 22.5 rebounds per game. His contributions were pivotal in establishing the Celtics’ dynasty in the 1950s and 1960s.
9. Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain’s 14-season career featured two NBA championships and four MVP awards. He set numerous records, including scoring 100 points in a single game and averaging 50.4 points per game in the 1961–62 season. Chamberlain led the league in rebounding 11 times, totaling 23,924 rebounds—the most in NBA history.
8. Kobe Bryant
Bryant’s 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers yielded five NBA championships and the 2008 MVP award. He amassed 33,643 points, ranking fourth on the all-time scoring list, and was an 18-time All-Star. Bryant averaged 24.99 points per game. His 81-point game in 2006 stands as the second-highest single-game point total in history.
7. Shaquille O’Neal
Over a 19-season career, O’Neal secured four NBA championships and three Finals MVP awards. He scored 28,596 points and grabbed 13,099 rebounds, averaging 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. A 15-time All-Star, O’Neal’s dominance in the paint made him one of the most formidable centers in history.
6. Tim Duncan
Spending his entire 19-season career with the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan led the team to five NBA championships and earned two MVP awards. He was a 15-time All-Star and received 15 All-Defensive Team selections, the most in history. Duncan amassed 26,496 points, 15,091 rebounds, and 3,020 blocks.
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Point Guards in History
5. Larry Bird
Bird’s 13-season tenure with the Boston Celtics resulted in three NBA championships and three consecutive MVP awards (1984–1986). He was a 12-time All-Star and averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Bird achieved a 49.6% field goal percentage and a 37.6% three-point percentage.
4. Magic Johnson
Over a 13-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson secured five NBA championships and three MVP awards. He accumulated 10,141 assists, averaging 11.2 assists per game, the highest in history. A 12-time All-Star, Johnson’s versatility allowed him to play all five positions.
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 NBA Power Forwards of All Time
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Abdul-Jabbar’s career spanned 20 seasons, during which he amassed 38,387 points, a record that stood for decades. He earned six championships and six MVP awards, the most by any player. A 19-time All-Star, he also collected 17,440 rebounds and 3,189 blocks, ranking third all-time in rebounds and third in blocks.
Cap!
19x All-Star, 6x MVP, 6x NBA Champ, 2x Finals MVP, 2x Scoring Champ, all-time leading scorer and 75th Anniversary Team member… Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! #NBA75
Watch more Kareem moments here: https://t.co/j7yriw4djX pic.twitter.com/PO3wAy66td
— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2022
2. LeBron James
LeBron James became the first player to surpass 50,000 total points, combining regular-season and playoff performances. Over his 22-year career, he has secured four NBA championships and four MVP awards. James has been selected to the All-NBA Team 20 times and is a 20-time All-Star. He averages 27.05 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game in his career.
Who is the greatest NBA player of all time?
Over a 15-season NBA career, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six championships (1991–1993, 1996–1998) and earned five MVP awards. He was a 14-time All-Star and secured ten scoring titles, with a career average of 30.12 points per game, the highest in history. He earned nine All-Defensive First Team selections and was honored with the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988.
