































© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
LeBron James
- LeBron James will go down in history as one of the greatest the sport has ever known (if not the actual greatest).
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Thanks to his unbelievable performance in the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo has firmly carved out his spot in sporting history. The young player had been making waves towards the end of the season, scoring 40 points in multiple games, but his exploits in the final were legendary. Antetokounmpo single-handedly carried the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. He scored 50 of their 105 points, as well as getting 14 rebounds, five blocks, and nailing his free throw. His performance was unparalleled and he was named the NBA Finals MVP.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
Elgin Baylor
- NBA Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers icon Elgin Baylor passed away on March 22, age 86, leaving an incredible legacy behind. The 11-time All-Star, known for his acrobatic athleticism, is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, setting a precedent throughout the 1960s that paved the way for players like Michael Jordan.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
Elgin Baylor
- Baylor helped the Los Angeles Lakers reach the NBA Finals eight times. He also played in 11 NBA All-Star Games.
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
Kobe Bryant
- The basketball legend tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26 of 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. The 18-time all-star was one of the most brilliant players in NBA history.
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
Shaquille O'Neal
- Shaq's dominance was second to none. That's why he's one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
© Getty Images
6 / 32 Fotos
Charles Barkley
- "The Round Mound of Rebound" is one of only four players in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.
© Getty Images
7 / 32 Fotos
Bill Russell
- Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. He's widely regarded as one of the best ever in his sport.
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
Bob Pettit
- Bob Pettit was the first player to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
© Getty Images
9 / 32 Fotos
Chris Paul
- "CP3" is arguably the best point guard of his generation.
© Getty Images
10 / 32 Fotos
Stephen Curry
- Curry has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice, and is quite possibly the best shooter in NBA history.
© Getty Images
11 / 32 Fotos
Russell Westbrook
- In the 2017-18 season, Westbrook became the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double twice in his career.
© Getty Images
12 / 32 Fotos
Reggie Miller
- Miller is one of the greatest shooters and scorers in the Indiana Pacers' history.
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
Kevin Durant
- One of the greatest players of his generation, Durant has an average of 27.0 points per game.
© Getty Images
14 / 32 Fotos
Dirk Nowitzki
- The German big man played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Finals.
© Getty Images
15 / 32 Fotos
John Stockton
- The point guard par excellence is in the top 10 for career steals per game.
© Getty Images
16 / 32 Fotos
Karl Malone
- "The Mailman" sits in third place in the NBA value over replacement player statistic, behind only Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
© Getty Images
17 / 32 Fotos
Kevin Garnett
- Also known as the "The Big Ticket," "The Kid," and "KG," Garnett made the All-Star team in just his second season.
© Getty Images
18 / 32 Fotos
Dwyane Wade
- Wade has recently retired, with an average of 22.0 points per game.
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
Scottie Pippen
- Pippen played a crucial role in the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championship wins in the '90s. He was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times!
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
Julius Erving
- "Dr. J" scored an average 22.0 points per game in 11 NBA seasons.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
Jerry West
- West is the only player to have ever won the Finals MVP award while playing for the losing team. This was in 1969.
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
David Robinson
- "The Admiral" went down in history as one of the best San Antonio Spurs players ever.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
Oscar Robertson
- With 181 triple doubles, "The Big O" is yet to have his record beaten.
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
Hakeem Olajuwon
- Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon had amazing footwork for such a big player.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
Wilt Chamberlain
- A dominant giant in his time, Chamberlain is still the NBA's best rebounder.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
Larry Bird
- Besides Bill Russell, "Larry Legend" is probably the Boston Celtics' most iconic player of all time.
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
Tim Duncan
- There's a reason why Shaquille O'Neal dubbed Tim Duncan as "The Big Fundamental." Duncan's skills were indeed outstanding!
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
Magic Johnson
- One of the NBA's best all-around players ever, the Lakers' point guard became an idol in the sport.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Another NBA living legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still holds the record for the highest number of points scored, with 38,387.
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
Michael Jordan
- MJ is often quoted as the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, and is a true living legend of the sport. Now, find out why 23 will always be his number.
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
LeBron James
- LeBron James will go down in history as one of the greatest the sport has ever known (if not the actual greatest).
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Thanks to his unbelievable performance in the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo has firmly carved out his spot in sporting history. The young player had been making waves towards the end of the season, scoring 40 points in multiple games, but his exploits in the final were legendary. Antetokounmpo single-handedly carried the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. He scored 50 of their 105 points, as well as getting 14 rebounds, five blocks, and nailing his free throw. His performance was unparalleled and he was named the NBA Finals MVP.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
Elgin Baylor
- NBA Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers icon Elgin Baylor passed away on March 22, age 86, leaving an incredible legacy behind. The 11-time All-Star, known for his acrobatic athleticism, is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, setting a precedent throughout the 1960s that paved the way for players like Michael Jordan.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
Elgin Baylor
- Baylor helped the Los Angeles Lakers reach the NBA Finals eight times. He also played in 11 NBA All-Star Games.
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
Kobe Bryant
- The basketball legend tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26 of 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. The 18-time all-star was one of the most brilliant players in NBA history.
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
Shaquille O'Neal
- Shaq's dominance was second to none. That's why he's one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
© Getty Images
6 / 32 Fotos
Charles Barkley
- "The Round Mound of Rebound" is one of only four players in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.
© Getty Images
7 / 32 Fotos
Bill Russell
- Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. He's widely regarded as one of the best ever in his sport.
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
Bob Pettit
- Bob Pettit was the first player to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
© Getty Images
9 / 32 Fotos
Chris Paul
- "CP3" is arguably the best point guard of his generation.
© Getty Images
10 / 32 Fotos
Stephen Curry
- Curry has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice, and is quite possibly the best shooter in NBA history.
© Getty Images
11 / 32 Fotos
Russell Westbrook
- In the 2017-18 season, Westbrook became the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double twice in his career.
© Getty Images
12 / 32 Fotos
Reggie Miller
- Miller is one of the greatest shooters and scorers in the Indiana Pacers' history.
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
Kevin Durant
- One of the greatest players of his generation, Durant has an average of 27.0 points per game.
© Getty Images
14 / 32 Fotos
Dirk Nowitzki
- The German big man played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Finals.
© Getty Images
15 / 32 Fotos
John Stockton
- The point guard par excellence is in the top 10 for career steals per game.
© Getty Images
16 / 32 Fotos
Karl Malone
- "The Mailman" sits in third place in the NBA value over replacement player statistic, behind only Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
© Getty Images
17 / 32 Fotos
Kevin Garnett
- Also known as the "The Big Ticket," "The Kid," and "KG," Garnett made the All-Star team in just his second season.
© Getty Images
18 / 32 Fotos
Dwyane Wade
- Wade has recently retired, with an average of 22.0 points per game.
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
Scottie Pippen
- Pippen played a crucial role in the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championship wins in the '90s. He was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times!
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
Julius Erving
- "Dr. J" scored an average 22.0 points per game in 11 NBA seasons.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
Jerry West
- West is the only player to have ever won the Finals MVP award while playing for the losing team. This was in 1969.
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
David Robinson
- "The Admiral" went down in history as one of the best San Antonio Spurs players ever.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
Oscar Robertson
- With 181 triple doubles, "The Big O" is yet to have his record beaten.
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
Hakeem Olajuwon
- Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon had amazing footwork for such a big player.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
Wilt Chamberlain
- A dominant giant in his time, Chamberlain is still the NBA's best rebounder.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
Larry Bird
- Besides Bill Russell, "Larry Legend" is probably the Boston Celtics' most iconic player of all time.
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
Tim Duncan
- There's a reason why Shaquille O'Neal dubbed Tim Duncan as "The Big Fundamental." Duncan's skills were indeed outstanding!
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
Magic Johnson
- One of the NBA's best all-around players ever, the Lakers' point guard became an idol in the sport.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Another NBA living legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still holds the record for the highest number of points scored, with 38,387.
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
Michael Jordan
- MJ is often quoted as the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, and is a true living legend of the sport. Now, find out why 23 will always be his number.
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
The greatest basketball players of all time
Take to the court for Play Basketball Day on December 2!
© <p>Getty Images</p>
With basketball invented in 1891 and the NBA founded in 1949, generations of basketball lovers have been fortunate enough to witness the talents of amazingly skilled players. But amongst all these flashy pros, who stands out? Which players can truly consider themselves the best of the best?
Click through the gallery to see who makes it onto the list of the greatest basketball players of all time.
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