Michael Jordan? Wilt Chamberlain? Kobe Bryant? Shaquille O’Neal? Who’s the better NBA player? Perhaps you prefer Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson or even LeBron James .
When deciding on the Top NBA Players of All-time, we look at several factors. Some players, you see, are tough to compare. Chamberlain was so much bigger than his peers that his stats are stilted. There’s no disputing that Wilt’s numbers are staggering, though.
So, is it possible to rank the best NBA players, even across eras? We think so. Here’s our criteria:
- Longevity – To be considered one of the top NBA players of all-time, a player must have at least 12 years in the NBA. This time span shows that a true star could perform well when young and at least a couple of years into his thirties, when most players begin to decline. This eliminates some of today’s greats like, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, who both might make the list a few years down the road.
- All-around statistics – The best NBA players of all-time shine in virtually every statistical category. We consider points, rebounds, assists field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals and blocked shots.
- NBA titles – The greatest NBA players of all-time win NBA titles. Their surrounding cast is irrelevant, because truly great players bring out the best in their teammates. Plus, they have a refuse-to-lose mentality.
- Intangibles – Although intangibles bring in subjectivity, we like this category, because it adds flame to the debate. Intangibles include how unstoppable a player would be in any era and the player’s ability to take over a game on any night under even adverse circumstances.
With these three categories in mind, here are Suite101's Top 3 NBA Players of All-time.
1. Michael Jordan – Our greatest NBA player of all-time, Michael Jordan, is nearly perfect in all four of our criteria for ranking the greats. In 15 NBA seasons, Jordan led the NBA in many of our key statistical categories at one time or another. Jordan’s stats are uncanny:
- 30 points
- 6 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 2.3 steals
- 50% FG
- 84% FT
- 3-time NBA MVP
Jordan led his Chicago Bulls to 6 NBA titles, including many memorable performances when he was sick and when teams double- and triple-teamed him. Jordan could destroy defenses with the 3-point shot or he could leap over 7-foot defenders for crazy slam dunks. Michael Jordan could do anything he wanted on virtually any night. No other player can say this.
2. Oscar Robertson – If Oscar Robertson had been a little better shooter and won a few more titles, he would finish in a virtual tie with Michael Jordan on our Top 3 NBA Players of All-time list.
The Big O is the only player, other than LeBron James who is too young to qualify for our all-time NBA players list, to average better than 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game in a career. Of course, Robertson is most known for averaging a triple-double in one season and missing by one-tenth of a rebound per game in another season. Robertson’s career stats, though, are something to behold:
- 25.7 points
- 7.5 rebounds
- 9.5 assists
- 44% FG
- 84% FT
- 1-time NBA MVP
In terms of NBA titles, Oscar Robertson was far less prolific than Jordan, although Robertson did lead his team to one title. Considering intangibles, Robertson didn’t have MJ’s flamboyance, but Robertson’s size and agility made him nearly impossible to defend one-on-one.
3. Larry Bird – No all-time NBA players list would be complete with a player from the storied Boston Celtics. It may surprise people that it is Larry Bird who makes our list, instead of Bill Russell or Bob Cousy. Although we strongly considered both Russell and Cousy, these two greats just didn’t meet each of our criteria, and Larry Bird does. Consider Bird’s statistics:
- 24 points
- 10 rebounds
- 6 assists
- 50% FG
- 89% FT
- 1.7 steals
- 3-time NBA MVP
Bird played 13 NBA seasons and left at the top of his game. He led his Boston Celtics to three NBA titles. As far as intangibles go, Larry Bird had a few. Unlike many players his size (6-9, 230), Bird could post up even the best and biggest defenders, but he could also pop outside the 3-point arc and crush teams with his amazing shooting.
Although he shot just 38% from behind the arc, Bird was considered the best pure shooter of his time and one of the greatest shooters in history. Plus, Bird, like Michael Jordan, had more killer instinct than anyone. He was notorious for telling opponents he was going to beat them. Then, he did it, making Larry Bird one of the top 3 NBA players of all-time.
Players who missed our list. . .
- Wilt Chamberlain – Sure, Chamberlain’s stats are ridiculous (30 points and 24 rebounds). But Wilt averaged 31 shots per game in his first seven seasons and nearly 40 in his biggest years. He was an awful shooter, and we believe he’d be dominated in today’s game by bigger, stronger players.
- Shaquille O’Neal – A true NBA champion with outstanding career numbers. Shaq’s pathetic free throw shooting was a huge detriment. We’re also not certain he could win titles without great teammates like, Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade.
- Bob Cousy – The creator of the point guard position, Bob Cousy was Magic Johnson, before Magic was born. He was one of the great passers of all-time and a wizard with the basketball. Too bad Cousy was one of the worst shooters of his time.
Mark Barnes - Mark Barnes is a teacher, education consultant, published novelist and former sports columnist for the Warren Tribune in Ohio. With ...
