Best NBA Players of All Time

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If you ask any basketball fan for their top 10 list of NBA basketball players, you will get a variety of different responses based on who you speak to.

One of the difficult things about coming up with a “best of all time” list is considering each player’s era. 

Top NBA Players of All Time

Here is my breakdown of the top 13 players in NBA history, factoring in the era they played in and their career statistics.

13. Hakeem Olajuwon

  • Career PPG: 21.8
  • Career Rebounds per game: 11.1

Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon (formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon) was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the floor. On offense, Hakeem shook his opponents with his guard-like footwork and dominated them with his unstoppable “Dream Shake.”

He was the ultimate rim protector on defense, averaging 3.1 blocks per game over an 18-year span. Throughout his career, Olajuwon was a two-time NBA Champion.

He was also a 12-time all-star and regular season MVP (in the 1993-94 season). Lastly, “The Dream” is a Hall of Famer and part of the NBA top 75.

12. Kevin Durant

  • Career PPG: 27.3
  • Career Rebounds PG: 8.4
  • Career Assists PG: 6.9

Since being drafted 2nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, KD has shown great versatility and pure ability to take command of a game. Listed at 6-foot, 10-inches KD can handle the ball like a point guard, get to his favorite spots on the floor, and shoot lights out with outstanding efficiency.

Throughout his NBA tenure, Kevin has the 4th highest career point per game average at 27.3. Another impressive fact about his game is that KD is shooting at nearly a 50/40/90 clip (50% field goals, 40% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line). So far, KD is a 13-time all-star, 2-time MVP, 2-Time NBA Champion, and part of the NBA top 75.

11. Oscar Robertson

  • Career PPG: 25.7
  • Career Rebounds PG: 7.5
  • Career Assists PG: 9.5 

The “Big O” was a 6-foot 5-inch point guard who dominated the NBA in the 60s and early 70s as “Mr. Triple Double.” Oscar was so impressive.

In his second year in the NBA, he was already taking the league by storm, averaging an impressive 30.8 points per game, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per contest.

In addition to being a Hall of Famer, Oscar is a 12-time all-star, one-time MVP, and one-time NBA Champion. Mr. Robertson was also named part of the NBA’s top 75.

10. Stephen Curry

Steph is the greatest shooter (3-point sniper) the NBA has ever seen. Since being drafted as the 7th overall pick in 2009, he has become such a force to be reckoned with that his style of play has changed the game entirely.

Throughout his career, he has been a 9-time all-star, 4-time NBA Champion, 2-time MVP, and the only person to be unanimously voted MVP of a regular season.

The “Baby-Faced Assassin” not only made the NBA top 75. But he has made more three-pointers than any player in NBA history, and as an active player, he sets a new record in that category every game.

9. Bill Russell

  • Career PPG: 15.1
  • Career Rebounds Per Game: 22.5 

At 6-foot 10-inches tall, Bill Russell dominated the NBA from the center position. His greatness was undeniable, and his effort was unmatched.

During his 13-year NBA career, Russell averaged more rebounds than points. Over his Hall of Fame career as a player, Bill showed superiority in the paint by averaging 15.1 points per game and pulling down an impressive 22.5 rebounds each contest.

The all-time great Celtic was a 12-time all-star, 11-time NBA Champion, 5-time MVP, and an NBA top 75 member. Mr. Russell became a 2-time Hall of Famer in 2021 as he received it a second time for his excellent coaching career.

8. Larry Bird

  • Career PPG: 24,2
  • Career Assists PG:6.3
  • Career Rebounds PG: 10.0

Larry Legend was one of the most complete players in NBA history. For his 13-year career, not only did he lead a dominant Celtics team, but he did so as the first player to have shooting percentages of over 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the foul line in a season.

He accomplished this in consecutive years. Bird was a 12-time all-star, three-time NBA Champion, and three-time MVP. Larry was part of the Dream Team from the NBA, representing the United States in Barcelona in 1992. Lastly, Bird was named a top 75 member.

7. Shaquille O’Neal

  • Career PPG: 23.7
  • Career Rebounds PG: 10.9

It is widely known that “Shaq” was a force to be reckoned with in the NBA at the center position. He could back you down and punish you under the basket.

O’Neal would dunk on his opponents with such force he would send them flying into the sea of cameramen sitting behind the basket. Throughout his 19-year Hall of Fame career, Shaq was a 15-time all-star, 4-time NBA Champion, and one-time MVP. He is also part of the NBA top 75.

6. Wilt Chamberlain

  • Career PPG: 30.1
  • Career Rebounds PG: 22,9

There is no mistake about it; Wilt dominated his era of basketball. At 7-foot-1-inches tall and weighing 275 pounds, he imposed his will on the competition as a man among boys.

Wilt, the Stilt’s most impressive stat line was in his third season in the league, playing for the Philadelphia Warriors (1961-62). That season, he averaged 50.4 points per game, while pulling down 25.7 rebounds. He even scored 100 points in a game that season, a record no one has come close to breaking.

Wilt is a Hall of Famer, part of the top 75, a 13-time all-star, 4-time MVP, and 2-time NBA Champion.

5. Ervin “Magic” Johnson

  • Career PPG: 19.5
  • Career Rebounds PG: 7.2
  • Career Assists PG: 11.2

“Magic” is one of the greatest floor generals the NBA has ever seen. He played like a maestro leading and coordinating the “Showtime” Los Angeles offense as an unconventional 6-foot 9-inch point guard.

He was the first player to reach the 10-thousand-assist milestone because of his excellent court vision. Throughout his 13-year Hall of Fame career, Magic was a 12-time all-star, 5-time NBA Champion, 3-time MVP, and part of the NBA top 75.

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  • Career PPG:24.6
  • Career Rebounds PG: 11.2

Formally known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is the greatest Center of all time. With an unstoppable “Sky Hook,” he scorched opponents in the league for 20 years.

Additionally, until recently, Kareem held the all-time scoring record in the NBA with 38,387 career points. Throughout his legendary Hall of Fame Career, Kareem was a 19-time all-star, 6-time Champion, and 6-time MVP, and was selected to the NBA top 75.

3. Kobe Bryant

  • Career PPG: 25
  • Career Rebounds PG: 5.2
  • Career Assists PG: 4.7

Drafted straight out of high school, the “Black Mamba” demonstrated a pursuit of excellence throughout his 20-year NBA career with the L.A. Lakers.

Ever since we saw him win the 1997 NBA Slam-Dunk Contest, we knew he approached the sport with swagger, confidence, and a determination to be the best.

He could impose his will on a game, even scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. In his final NBA game, Kobe rode off into the sunset by scoring 60.

Bryant finished his illustrious Hall of Fame career as an 18-time all-star, 5-time NBA Champion, and an NBA MVP. He went on to win an Oscar in 2018 and be selected to the NBA top 75 in 2021.

2. LeBron James

  • Career PPG: 29.5
  • Career Assists PG: 6.9
  • Career Rebounds PG: 8.4

“King James” has been able to live up to the hype he came into the NBA with back in 2003 while also exceeding all expectations.

The 20-year veteran is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history for regular season points and All-Star games.

Also, LeBron is 4th all-time in assists and in the top 10 in steals. So far, James is a 19-time all-star, 4-time NBA Champion (with 3 different teams), 4-time MVP, and top 75 player.

1. Michael Jordan

  • Career PPG: 30.1
  • Career Rebounds PG: 6.2
  • Career Assists PG: 5.3

The G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time), Michael “Air” Jordan, was a notch above all the other players on this list.

His killer instinct and determination to win at all costs made him an excellent basketball player and a type of superhero to fans around the globe.

When his team was down, he somehow “willed them to win.” In typical superhero fashion, he had us on the edge of our seats as he would make an unbelievable shot for the victory.

His superhuman play in the clutch was often celebrated by fans on both sides (home and away) while striking fear into his opponents.

MJ ended his 15-year Hall of Fame playing career, averaging the most career points of any player at 30.1. He was a 14-time all-star, 6-time NBA Champion, 5-time MVP, and a top 75 player.

Final Word

The NBA game changes so much every few years and who knows what the game will look like 5 or 10 years from now.

The Warriors changed the game over the past decade with the 3 ball, and despite many old-school basketball fans hating their style of play, I’m a firm believer that Steph Curry is one of the top 10 players of all time because of how he revolutionized the game.

If Lebron plays another few years, his entire body of work may catapult him to the top of the rankings. Be sure to check out our top dunkers of all time post as well if you liked this article!