SLAM: The 500 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time (complete list)

[L.Kizzle]

Since some folks were asking for the list, here you go. SLAM doesn't have it online so here it is.


1. Michael Jordan
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Bill Russell
4. Shaquille O'Neal
5. Oscar Robertson
6. Magic Johnson
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
8. Tim Duncan
9. Larry Bird
10. Kobe Bryant
11. Jerry West
12. Elgin Baylor
13. Hakeem Olajuwon
14. Bob Petit
15. Moses Malone
16. Julius Erving
17. John Havlicek
18. Karl Malone
19. Isaiah Thomas
20. Charles Barkley
21. Rick Barry
22. John Stockton
23. Elvin Hayes
24. Bob Cousy
25. David Robinson
26. Kevin McHale
27. Scottie Pippen
28. Jason Kidd
29. George Mikan
30. Kevin Garnett
31. LeBron James
32. Willis Reed
33. Wes Unseld
34. Nate Thurmond
35. Dolph Schayes
36. Walt Frazier
37. Patrick Ewing
38. Jerry Lucas
39. Gary Payton
40. Allen Iverson
41. Billy Cunningham
42. Clyde Drexler
43. Dominique Wilkins
44. Dave Cowens
45. George Gervin
46. Bob McAdoo
47. Earl Monroe
48. Dennis Rodman
49. Dwyane Wade
50. Steve Nash
51. Walt Bellamy
52. Tiny Archibald
53. Dennis Johnson
54. Reggie Miller
55. Dirk Nowitzki
56. Connie Hawkins
57. Dave Bing
58. James Worthy
59. Hal Greer
60. Pete Maravich
61. Jack Twyman
62. Bob Lanier
63. David Thompson
64. Joe Fulks
65. Sam Jones
66. Gus Johnson
67. Robert Parish
68. Tommy Heinsohn
69. Bernard King
70. Bill Sharman
71. Paul Arizin
72. Lenny Wilkens
73. Alonzo Mourning
74. Bill Walton
75. Neil Johnston
76. Dave DeBusschere
77. Paul Pierce
78. Joe Dumars
79. Ray Allen
80. Chris Webber
81. Ed Macauley
82. Alex English
83. Adrian Dantley
84. Artis Gilmore
85. Cliff Hagan
86. Dwight Howard
87. Tim Hardaway
88. Chris Mullin
89. Mitch Richmond
90. Sidney Moncrief
91. Bobby Dandridge
92. Bob Love
93. Jim Pollard
94. Spencer Haywood
95. Dikembe Mutombo
96. Pau Gasol
97. Tracy Mac
98. Grant Hill
99. Vince Carter
100. Buck Williams

[L.Kizzle]

101. Slater Martin
102. Kevin Johnson
103. Brad Daugherty
104. Walter Davis
105. Carmelo Anthony
106. Dan Issel
107. Chris Paul
108. George McGinnis
109. Jamaal Wilkes
110. Chet Walker
111. George Yardley
112. Kevin Porter
113. Rich Guerin
114. Norm Van Lier
115. Willie Naulls
116. Zelmo Beaty
117. Marques Johnson
118. Jo Jo White
119. Jack Sikma
120. Tom Chambers
121. Dick McGuire
122. Maurice Cheeks
123. Ben Wallace
124. Chauncey Billups
125. Bailey Howell
126. Lou Hudson
127. Rudy Tomjanovich
128. Deron Williams
129. Guy Rodgers
130. Penny Hardaway
131. Phil Chenier
132. Charlie Scott
133. Bob Davies
134. Harry Gallatin
135. Maurice Lucas
136. Larry Foust
137. Michael Cooper
138. Paul Silas
139. Tony Parker
140. Ron Artest
141. Paul Westphal
142. Phil Smith
143. Manu Ginobili
144. Amar'e Stoudemire
145. Vern Mikkelsen
146. Rudy LaRusso
147. Johnny "Red" Kerr
148. Terry Cummings
149. Gus Williams
150. Shawn Kemp
151. Horace Grant
152. Shawn Marion
153. Gene Shue
154. Yao Ming
155. Mark Price
156. Rasheed Wallace
157. Calvin Murphy
158. Bobby Wanzer
159. Bobby Jones
160. Mark Jackson
161. Otis Birdsong
162. Johnny Green
163. John Drew
164. Tom Gola
165. Larry Nance
166. Randy Smith
167. Terry Porter
168. Rolando Blackman
169. Andy Phillip
170. Clyde Lovellette
171. Chris Bosh
172. Bill Bradley
173. Larry Johnson
174. Jermaine O'Neal
175. Andrew Toney
176. Reggie Theus
177. Elton Brand
178. KC Jones
179. Jerry Sloan
180. Jamal Mashburn
181. Bob Rule
182. Derrick Coleman
183. Gilbert Arenas
184. Joe Johnson
185. Joe Caldwell
186. Norm Nixon
187. Mark Aguirre
188. Micheal Ray Richardson
189. Archie Clark
190. Jimmy Walker
191. Doug Collins
192. Kiki Vandeweghe
193. Larry Kenon
194. Alvin Robertson
195. Sam Cassell
196. World B. Free
197. Stephon Marbury
198. Fat Lever
199. Baron Davis
200. Bill Bridges

201. Lamar Odom
202. Kelly Tripucka
203. Wayne Embry
204. Mookie Blaylock
205. Alvan Adams
206. Carlos Boozer
207. Don Ohl
208. Marcus Camby
209. Rod Strickland
210. Carl Braun
211. Jeff Malone
212. Danny Manning
213. Charles Oakley
214. Sidney Wicks
215. John Williamson
216. Arnie Risen
217. Cedric Maxwell
218. Darrell Griffith
219. Ray Scott
220. Cazzie Russell
221. Dale Ellis
222. Reggie Lewis
223. Rip Hamilton
224. Michael Redd
225. Peja Stojakovic
226. Latrell Sprewell
227. Derek Harper
228. Steve Francis
229. Mickey Johnson
230. Jason Richardson
231. Purvis Short
232. Orlando Woolridge
233. Austin Carr
234. Max Zaslofsky
235. Bill Laimbeer
236. Antawn Jamison
237. Clark Kellogg
238. Antoine Walker
239. Jim McMillain
240. Len "Truck" Robinson
241. Jeff Ruland
242. AC Green
243. Walter Dukes
244. Zydrunas Ilgauskas
245. Quinn Buckner
246. Glenn Robinson
247. Bruce Bowen
248. Detlef Schrempf
249. Terry Dischinger
250. Toni Kukoc
251. Mike Bibby
252. Ralph Sampson
253. Frank Ramsey
254. Anthony Mason
255. Andre Miller
256. Happy Hairston
257. Shareef Abdur-Rahim
258. Doug Christie
259. Geoff Petrie
260. Rony Seikaly
261. David West
262. Eddie Jones
263. Dan Majerle
264. John Lucas
265. Jeff Hornacek
266. Dan Roundfield
267. Caldwell Jones
268. Brian Winters
269. Otis Thorpe
270. Jack Marin
271. Terrell Brandon
272. Clifford Robinson [90s Blazers version]
273. Zach Randolph
274. Scott Wedman
275. "Bullet" Bob Boozer
276. Rik Smits
277. Vlade Divac
278. Sleepy Floyd
279. Doc Rivers
280. Larry Costello
281. Xavier McDaniel
282. "Fast" Eddie Johnson
283. Eddie Johnson
284. Bill Cartwright
285. Cliff Robinson
286. Kenny Sears
287. Michael Finley
288. Phil Ford
289. Jeff Mullins
290. Mel Hutchins
291. Tom Gugliotta
292. Nick Van Exel
293. Lucius Allen
294. Mike Mitchell
295. Jerry Stackhouse
296. Don Chaney
297. Damon Stoudamire
298. Glen Rice
299. Kenyon Martin
300. Calvin Natt

[L.Kizzle]

301. Swen Nater
302. Rashard Lewis
303. Satch Sanders
304. Sam Lacey
305. "Downtown" Fred Brown
306. Elmore Smith
307. Joe Barry Carroll
308. Sam Perkins
309. Dick Barnett
310. Sean Elliott
311. Dick Van Arsdale
312. Tom Van Arsdale
313. Slick Watts
314. Tom Meschery
315. Theo Ratliff
316. Kenny Anderson
317. Wayman Tisdale
318. Ray Williams
319. Lionel Hollins
320. Danny Ainge
321. Kenny Smith
322. Fred Carter
323. Gerald Wallace
324. Caron Butler
325. Allan Houston
326. Byron Scott
327. Ron Harper
328. Luke Jackson
329. Lionel Simmons
330. Greg Ballard
331. Arvydas Sabonis
332. Danny Granger
333. Andre Iguodala
334. Michael Adams
335. Billy Knight
336. Ben Gordon
337. Jay Vincent
338. Kevin Willis
339. Jim Chones
340. Vinnie Johnson
341. Roy Tarpley
342. Vin Baker
343. Darryl Dawkins
344. Jim Jackson
345. Nick Anderson
346. Jameer Nelson
347. Al Jefferson
348. Rodney McCray
349. Paul Pressey
350. Muggsy Bogues
351. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
352. Campy Russell
353. Monta Ellis
354. Nate "Sweetwater" Clifton
355. Robert Horry
356. Steve Smith
357. Tayshaun Prince
358. Sherman Douglas
359. Walt Hazzard
360. Chuck Person
361. Armon Gilliam
362. John Johnson
363. Jalen Rose
364. Scott Skiles
365. Flynn Robinson
366. Ricky Sobers
367. Mike Bantom
368. Ricky Pierce
369. John Shumate
370. Derek Fisher
371. John Starks
372. Antonio McDyess
373. Stephen Jackson
374. Larry Drew
375. Juwan Howard
376. Richard Jefferson
377. Vern Fleming
378. Steve Stipanovich
379. Mark Eaton
380. Jason Terry
381. Johnny Dawkins
382. Hersey Hawkins
383. Mychal Thompson
384. Mike Newlin
385. Ray Felix
386. Kevin Loughery
387. Dick Garmaker
388. Lloyd Neal
389. Lonnie Shelton
390. Larry "Mr. Mean" Smith
391. Pooh Richardson
392. Nate McMillian
393. Corey Maggette
394. Junior Bridgeman
395. ML Carr
396. Woody Sauldsberry
397. Steve Johnson
398. Jim Washington
399. Vernon Maxwell
400. Michael Cage

401. Quentin Richardson
402. Kermit Washington
403. Derrick McKey
404. Keith Van Horn
405. Cedric Ceballos
406. Michael Brooks
407. Dale Davis
408. Antonio Davis
409. Christian Laettner
410. Ken Norman
411. Thurl Bailey
412. Mike Woodson
413. Al Harrington
414. Andrew Bogut
415. Kenny Carr
416. Don Kojis
417. Ron Behagen
418. Luol Deng
419. Brian Grant
420. James Edwards
421. Tyrone Hill
422. Jerome Kersey
423. John "Hot Rod" Williams
424. Ernie DiGregorio
425. Johnny Davis
426. Arlen Bockhorn
427. Don Nelson
428. Troy Murphy
429. Al Attles
430. Curtis Rowe
431. Mike Miller
432. Eddie Miles
433. Roy Hinson
434. Herm Gilliam
435. Adrian Smith
436. Rex Chapman
437. Andrei Kirilenko
438. David Greenwood
439. BJ Armstrong
440. Jamal Crawford
441. Quintin Dailey
442. Jim Paxson
443. Spud Webb
444. Shane Battier
445. Albert King
446. Gerald Wilkins
447. Sam Bowie
448. Charles Smith
449. Josh Howard
450. Dell Curry
451. Zaid Abdul-Aziz
452. Emeka Okafor
453. Kelvin Ransey
454. Hedo Turkoglu
455. Kevin Martin
456. Eric Money
457. Jason Williams
458. David Lee
459. Kerry Kittles
460. Kendall Gill
461. Devin Harris
462. Wally Szczerbiak
463. Grant Long
464. Billy Owens
465. LaPhonso Ellis
466. Jay Humphries
467. Tree Rollins
468. Don Buse
469. Wali Jones
470. Larry Hughes
471. Marvin Webster
472. John McGlocklin
473. Clem Haskins
474. Gar Heard
475. Terry Catledge
476. Phil Hubbard
477. Bob Kauffman
478. Loy Vaught
479. Dana Barros
480. Mitch Kupchak
481. Elden Campbell
482. Robert Reid
483. Clyde Lee
484. John Long
485. Clifford Ray
486. Manute Bol
487. Joe Graboski
488. Avery Johnson
489. Gene Banks
490. Sarunas Marciulionis
491. Reggie Williams
492. Antoine "Big Dog" Carr
493. Joe Smith
494. PJ Brown
495. Drew Gooden
496. Kevin Duckworth
497. Chris Kaman
498. Cuttino Mobley
499. David Wesley
500. Pervis Ellison


Off course the biggest omission is Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich which SLAM already stated on their website.


• Leading off, it was brought to our attention that we inexplicably left former Lakers (and Suns and Jazz) guard Gail Goodrich off the list. Goodrich, a two-time All-American and one of the greatest players in UCLA history, was a five-time NBA All-Star and scored over 19,000 points. His number, 25, was eventually retired by the Lakers. Goodrich deserves to not only be on our list, but to be way up high on the list. And he will be, either when we post the full list online, or in the next printing or any reissue we do of this magazine. But for now, there’s nothing we can say except Goodrich somehow slipped through. We screwed up. We apologize for the error.

A couple of others I'm surprised didn't crack the 500 list (seriously) is Jayson Williams, maybe it had to do with his case.

[magnax1]

What the hell is Glen Rice doing behind Doc Rivers? Why the hell did they even rank them that long?

[Stuckey]

ron artest rated hella high

[Gifted Mind]

This is the only list I can recall that has Oscar over Kareem. I would like to here their reasoning.

Lots of other huge question marks.

[jlauber]

Don Kojis at #416...

who would ever have thunk it.

[L.Kizzle]

Don Kojis at #416...

who would ever have thunk it.
Should he be higher or lower?

[Walduś]

reggie miller and nash>> dirk

:roll:

[jlauber]

Should he be higher or lower?

I was being facetious...I wouldn't have a clue where to rank him. My main point being...who would take the time to rank the top-500? After the 100 mark it becomes a blur to me. Hell, after the top-20...

[SALFORD-RED]

I was being facetious...I wouldn't have a clue where to rank him. My main point being...who would take the time to rank the top-500? After the 100 mark it becomes a blur to me. Hell, after the top-20...

I bought the magazine. Main reason for doing a 500 is probably at least you get to read about some obscure players from eras before your birth that give you a little more BBall knowledge outside of the mainstream top 50.

To be honest the top 50 thing has been done to death.

[T-bomb 25]

That list is F^ucked up on a multiple of levels,who ever did it should be banned from basketball forever they need a chip in their ear like dogs to keep them away from basketball courts and forums...:rant :wtf: :no: :(

[SavageMode]

Jason Kidd in the top 30 GOAT.... and over Dwade, and Paul Pierce....yeah this list got its flaws. And J-rich pretty down low.

[L.Kizzle]

I bought the magazine. Main reason for doing a 500 is probably at least you get to read about some obscure players from eras before your birth that give you a little more BBall knowledge outside of the mainstream top 50.

To be honest the top 50 thing has been done to death.
Yeah, I didn't really care about the ranking (besides the GLEN RICE deal), but I did learn about some players who I never even knew existed.

[Patrick Chewing]

Ewing seems rather low to me.

[Collie]

I refuse to accept Shaq as the 4th best player of all time.

[jlauber]

I don't really care if someone wants to make a top-500 list, but I can't imagine anyone losing any sleep, or going to therapy, if someone feels the 423rd player should be ranked ahead of the 416th.

[JM720]

5. Oscar Robertson

http://i55.tinypic.com/2l9tn5y.gif

[Gifted Mind]

I don't really care if someone wants to make a top-500 list, but I can't imagine anyone losing any sleep, or going to therapy, if someone feels the 423rd player should be ranked ahead of the 416th.

Maybe a numerical model was used after a certain point making the computer do the work for you. If I were to attempt to make a Top 500 that is certainly how I would do it.

[SALFORD-RED]

I refuse to accept Shaq as the 4th best player of all time.


I have a hunch that the further removed we get from the 3peat era Shaq and the more his career is evaluated across the entire body of his work Shaq will move down the listings.

I don't think that his legacy will age that well, but could be wrong.

[SALFORD-RED]

Yeah, I didn't really care about the ranking (besides the GLEN RICE deal), but I did learn about some players who I never even knew existed.

Yes I think its a very good little reference guide.

[jlauber]

Maybe a numerical model was used after a certain point making the computer do the work for you. If I were to attempt to make a Top 500 that is certainly how I would do it.

After around 100, or so,...I would just draw names out of a hat.

[Batz]

5. Oscar Robertson

http://i55.tinypic.com/2l9tn5y.gif
:roll: :roll:

[Halcyon]

this list is too big, Derrick Rose isnt even on it

[L.Kizzle]

After around 100, or so,...I would just draw names out of a hat.
I think it's still interesting up until about the middle of the list. The early 100's it's still some great players getting love like Marques Johnson, Jack Sikma and Charlie Scott. And even closer to the 200's like Fat Lever. But once you start seeing guys like Pooh Richardson and Gerald Wilkins in the mid 400 range than, it get's out of hand.

[PHILA]

328. Luke Jackson:pimp:

[winwin]

31. LeBron James

49. Dwyane Wade

a joke

[jlauber]

I think it's still interesting up until about the middle of the list. The early 100's it's still some great players getting love like Marques Johnson, Jack Sikma and Charlie Scott. And even closer to the 200's like Fat Lever. But once you start seeing guys like Pooh Richardson and Gerald Wilkins in the mid 400 range than, it get's out of hand.

I know...I was being semi-facetious again. But still, it seems like a near impossible task to rank 500 players from different eras.

It would be interesting to see if they actually had a formula, or what criteria they could have used in their ranking, though. I would like to know how they determined Oscar over Kareem.

[winwin]

I refuse to accept Shaq as the 4th best player of all time.
+1

[bdreason]

Kareem at 7?!?

Hakeem at 13?!?



:roll:

[Scholar]

What a strange list...

Kobe should be over Tim Duncan; Larry Bird should be toward the top 5; Steve Nash is rated too low imo; Shaq @ #4? I love the big guy, but no, sorry.
I saw this magazine earlier today, and I almost bought it, but when I considered it for a little while longer, I realized that I don't care about an opinionated list of 500 f0ckin' players. Top 100? I'd take my time to read that. 500? Hell no.

[MayCeltics]

Kareem at 7?!?

Hakeem at 13?!?



:roll:

:roll:

[necya]

thanks for posting the list.

first, ranking the 500 best players of the nba is a stupid thing but at least, they could have make something plausible. this is an horrible attempt.

SLAM is great for my toilet.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Dirk is definitely too low.

And what exactly are Frazier, Schayes, Unseld, Reed, Kidd, McHale, Hayes and Stockton doing ahead of Ewing?

Hakeem outside of the top 10 is laughable and Kareem as low as 7th is horrible, I really don't see how Kareem isn't top 3(I have him and MJ basically tied for 1/2).

Also :oldlol: at Oscar at 5.

[OmniStrife]

Nash at 50 :pimp:

[I'm Seriously]

Nash at 50 :pimp:

He should be a lot higher than that.

And Dirk is ranked way to low.

Overall the list is pretty fail.

[bdreason]

I'de love to hear the argument for Shaq and Oscar over Kareem. :oldlol:


Ewing at 37 is terribad.

[Nero Tulip]

International players way too low, as one could expect. Nowitzki at 55 is plain retarded.

Just a stupid list, the idea of making this list was stupid enough but they didn't even do it well at all.

[INDI]

withoiut reading one post in this thread, I would like to bet 500 million dollars that there has been a debate/will be a debate about kobe's positioning in this thread. I will now read the posts and post my findings.

[INDI]

What a strange list...

Kobe should be over Tim Duncan; Larry Bird should be toward the top 5; Steve Nash is rated too low imo; Shaq @ #4? I love the big guy, but no, sorry.
I saw this magazine earlier today, and I almost bought it, but when I considered it for a little while longer, I realized that I don't care about an opinionated list of 500 f0ckin' players. Top 100? I'd take my time to read that. 500? Hell no.

Whoa i'll be honest i thought for sure there would be a lot more chatter than just this one response when it came to Kobe the great, about a alltime greats thread. I stand corrected and if this is the end of the thread then I will be making my post dated check out to INSIDEHOOPS in the morning

[Tha Catalyst]

Marion, Francis and Big Z are all way too high.

[stickfigure87]

Ewing too low; O.R. too high.

and there is no way Shaq is above KAJ. None. Sorry, Big Fella.

There are plenty of other errors as well that should discredit this list.

[Rake2204]

Wow, so Glen Rice really was ranked below Tom Gugliotta. Innnteresting.

In other news, I respect SLAM's attempt. Like another poster said, Top 50's and 100's has been done over and over again.

[G.O.A.T]

Dirk is definitely too low.

And what exactly are Frazier, Schayes, Unseld, Reed, Kidd, McHale, Hayes and Stockton doing ahead of Ewing?

I have all of those players except Kidd ahead of him. Frazier and Reed are obvious. Ask any Knick fan who saw them and they will agree that they are more important than Ewing. Unseld won an MVP and a title, that makes that easy, Hayes and Stockton have better all-time numbers and more all-NBA and all-defensive nods. Dolph Schayes was the best player on a title team and a 12-time all-NBA pick, it would be a crime to have Ewing above him.



Hakeem outside of the top 10 is laughable and Kareem as low as 7th is horrible, I really don't see how Kareem isn't top 3(I have him and MJ basically tied for 1/2).


Both Kareem and Hakeem are much more highly regarded online than they are in the circles of 30 somethings that I talk Hoops with. My friend Tim was an editor for Athlon Sports (You've seen their season preview issues and fantasy guides I'm sure) They ranked Kareem at #7 in 1997, Hakeem came in at #16 then.

It's not really laughable when you consider that a lot of fans see Kareem as having wasted an entire decade of his career. Had you lived through the 70's and watch Kareem draw away from the fans, media and teammates like the cold prick he is, you might better understand why he is ranked this low.

I have him in my top five, because to me his resume is as good as it gets save Michael and Russell, but I can see where SLAM and Athlon were coming from.

[Reggie43]

Zydrunas Ilgauskas who was a poor mans rik smits is actually higher than Rik Smits :hammerhead:

[twintowers]

reggie miller and nash>> dirk

:roll:

Prime Nash > vs prime Dirk =any given day

[westsideozzie]

No Manu or Tony Parker? WTF?

[ShaqAttack3234]

I have all of those players except Kidd ahead of him. Frazier and Reed are obvious. Ask any Knick fan who saw them and they will agree that they are more important than Ewing. Unseld won an MVP and a title, that makes that easy, Hayes and Stockton have better all-time numbers and more all-NBA and all-defensive nods. Dolph Schayes was the best player on a title team and a 12-time all-NBA pick, it would be a crime to have Ewing above him.

Well, I disagree, from the footage I've seen of Reed(as well as his numbers), I don't seem him being the player Ewing was.

Individually, Patrick was a much better scorer, a better rebounder and I have yet to hear that Reed was the shot blocker or defensive force that Ewing was. Ewing didn't have teams with the talent that Reed's did when he won, same goes for Frazier.

I saw Stockton play for years, and he wasn't anywhere near the force Ewing was. Stockton had more talent around him than Ewing(especially since he wasn't the best player on his team), yet he didn't win a title either. Ewing came closer than Stockton did and with the exception of '96, Ewing finished higher in MVP voting than Stockton every season from '89-'97. Pretty fair comparison, IMO because their primes were pretty much during the same exact time, same with their peaks.

And as far as all-defensive teams, well, I think it's obvious that Stockton didn't have anywhere near Ewing's impact. Ewing was a dominant shot blocker who anchored one of the greatest defensive teams of all time.

Ewing was a legitimate franchise player, I never viewed Stockton as being that good.

As far as Unseld? Well, that one is really puzzling to me. Unseld was the better passer and I'd give him the edge as a rebounder as well. But the advantage Ewing has as a scorer and defensive player was far greater. Ewing was a guy who could double or triple Unseld's scoring output, draw double teams and anchor a defense.

As far as Hayes, well, your post about Hayes that mentioned him calling the scoring title the most important title as well as all of the losing seasons during his best individual years make it impossible for me to rank him over


Both Kareem and Hakeem are much more highly regarded online than they are in the circles of 30 somethings that I talk Hoops with. My friend Tim was an editor for Athlon Sports (You've seen their season preview issues and fantasy guides I'm sure) They ranked Kareem at #7 in 1997, Hakeem came in at #16 then.

It's not really laughable when you consider that a lot of fans see Kareem as having wasted an entire decade of his career. Had you lived through the 70's and watch Kareem draw away from the fans, media and teammates like the cold prick he is, you might better understand why he is ranked this low.

I have him in my top five, because to me his resume is as good as it gets save Michael and Russell, but I can see where SLAM and Athlon were coming from.

Yeah, I'm just saying that how Kareem acted towards the media shouldn't be a factor when you consider how good he was for so long and what he accomplished on a basketball court.

I find Hakeem to be very underrated. I think that his peak from '93-'95 is pretty comparable to anyone who has played basketball and how many players had so few seasons where their play declined in the playoffs?

[Gifted Mind]

Of all the players on this list, the most underrated is Dirk Nowitzki. Having him below players like Reggie Miller and under 50 is just absurd.

[nolebball]

I don't really care if someone wants to make a top-500 list, but I can't imagine anyone losing any sleep, or going to therapy, if someone feels the 423rd player should be ranked ahead of the 416th.

Are you saying that you might lose some sleep or go to therapy if it were higher rankings? Like 9th and 13th?

[A.R.T]

oscar at 5 :roll: embarrassing

[O BaByShaQ]

any top# list is always questionable/arguable, but some of the players and rankings just dont mesh for me. Lovin Shaq at 4 tho.

[ShaqAttack3234]

I have a hunch that the further removed we get from the 3peat era Shaq and the more his career is evaluated across the entire body of his work Shaq will move down the listings.

I don't think that his legacy will age that well, but could be wrong.

I disagree, I think he'll be looked at better as time goes on. A lot of people have the image of old Shaq in their mind, the 39 year old version in his 19th season who misses a lot of games and only plays half of the game when he does play. After he retires, I think that image will fade, just like the image of Hakeem Olajuwon in a Raptors uniform and Ewing in Sonics and Magic jerseys have faded.

When they look back at his career, they'll see 3 consecutive championships and finals MVPs, some of the most dominant seasons, playoff runs and finals series in NBA history and a long career

[necya]

I have him in my top five, because to me his resume is as good as it gets save Michael and Russell, but I can see where SLAM and Athlon were coming from.


??? i have a problem with the "because his resume is as good as..."

the list of the greatest players of all time is very different of a list of the best career of all time.

all time achievement overrate players like being a 2 time DPOY like Howard and being the half of a defender of David Robinson who has only one DPOY award.

i find it absurd that omeone who get another title could move on this list. kobe could win 2 more rings, he would never be as good as Michael Jordan, it's absurd like those pseudo sports journalists.

Stockton would have a lot more all nba first team apparition if Magic wasn't there. does it change his level of play? of course not.

[gts]

:facepalm @ #433

it's a joke i don't even know who #433 is because i didn't scan that far down

[For_Three]

Kobe at 10? Hulk Hogan where are you???

[For_Three]

Monta Ellis at 353!!!! Psh get out of here!

[caliman]

Shaq at #4 ahad of Magic, Kareem, Duncan, Bird and Kobe?:roll: :oldlol:

I think the list Bill Simmons put together is much better.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Shaq at #4 ahad of Magic, Kareem, Duncan, Bird and Kobe?:roll: :oldlol:

I think the list Bill Simmons put together is much better.

Shaq has an argument over every one of those players except Kareem.

[L.Kizzle]

Looking at the list, (just the early parts) I'm surprised Connie Hawkins (56), Jack Twyman (61) and David Thompson (63) are listed so high. I've never seen them this high on any list. Jack is ranked higher than a few other sgs from his era (Sharman and Arzin) that are always considered better than him. I always pictured Twyman along with the other swings of that era like Richie Guerin and Cliff Hagan. Unless there is something I don't know about Twyman.


The same can be said about Bob Dandridge and Bob Love at 91 and 92. Another Bob, Bobby Jones has an argument as a better player or at least ranked close to them. He's 159.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Looking at the list, (just the early parts) I'm surprised Connie Hawkins (56), Jack Twyman (61) and David Thompson (63) are listed so high. I've never seen them this high on any list. Jack is ranked higher than a few other sgs from his era (Sharman and Arzin) that are always considered better than him. I always pictured Twyman along with the other swings of that era like Richie Guerin and Cliff Hagan. Unless there is something I don't know about Twyman.


The same can be said about Bob Dandridge and Bob Love at 91 and 92. Another Bob, Bobby Jones has an argument as a better player or at least ranked close to them. He's 159.

Pretty bad list in general. Maravich gets overrated yet again, he's ahead of many players who were better players and had better careers than him.

[L.Kizzle]

Pretty bad list in general. Maravich gets overrated yet again, he's ahead of many players who were better players and had better careers than him.
The biggest is Walt Bellamy. Hey, at least he's not as high as he was in SLAMs top 75. Dude was ranked at 34.

[monkeypox]

Kareem is way too low.

[FindingTim]

this list is biased against 3-point specialists (see Glen Rice and Allan Houston)
was this list computer generated?

[midatlantic09]

Jason Kidd is ranked WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too high.

[AJ2k8]

My man Derek Fisher in at 370:bowdown:

[L.Kizzle]

My man Derek Fisher in at 370:bowdown:
Should not be above John Starks.

[AJ2k8]

Should not be above John Starks.
Don't even think it's worth critiquing the list to be honest, would love to see their criteria for the list ordering because on first glance it has some amazing flaws.

Edit: Have they got anything that explains this list or how they've ordered it?

[Scientist]

Luke Walton @ 242 ?!?!?! WTF

Hah made you check

[L.Kizzle]

Don't even think it's worth critiquing the list to be honest, would love to see their criteria for the list ordering because on first glance it has some amazing flaws.

Edit: Have they got anything that explains this list or how they've ordered it?
First, players had to have 5 seasons under there belt. A whole bunch of SLAM writers, this list actually goes back to the SLAM top 50 from like a little over a year ago. They ranked it like any other list they said titles, All-NBA teams, All-Stars, stats, awards, ect. The list was cut down from 650.

[griffmoney1784]

:facepalm

btw for everyone wondering. this list was made right before the 2009 playoffs

at the time i would agree that kobe was boarderline top 10

but my god.... it seems every single other player is ranked wrong

[UwishUhadWall]

Well at least they didn't try to get cute and put someone other than Jordan at #1.

[griffmoney1784]

Well at least they didn't try to get cute and put someone other than Jordan at #1.


how would that be cute.

kareem has just as much claim to top spot for career achivements

wilt has more of a case for individual statistical dominance

russell has more of a case for leading teams to championships

magic has a better case for making others better

kobe has a better case for being the most perfected skill wise


jordan isnt that far ahead of those guys

[mananmater]

You ask how would that be cute, lol let me tell you something youngster, first of all there is no list of general greatest players that can be accurately put together, secondly, it should be according the respective positions they were registered in, how can something come out of your mouth as saying kobes skill are more perfect than jordan's, come on kiddo where the hell did that come from???

[jlauber]

how would that be cute.

kareem has just as much claim to top spot for career achivements

wilt has more of a case for individual statistical dominance

russell has more of a case for leading teams to championships

magic has a better case for making others better

kobe has a better case for being the most perfected skill wise


jordan isnt that far ahead of those guys

As often as I disagree with griffmoney, he has a solid point here. MJ has a case as the GOAT, BUT, he does not have a LOCK on it.

[L.Kizzle]

IS Horace Grant too high or too low?

[pauk]

1. Michael Jordan
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Bill Russell
4. Shaquille O'Neal
5. Oscar Robertson
6. Magic Johnson
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
8. Tim Duncan
9. Larry Bird
10. Hakeem Olajuwon
11. Jerry West
12. Kobe Bryant
13. Elgin Baylor
14. Bob Petit
15. Moses Malone
16. Julius Erving
17. John Havlicek
18. Karl Malone
19. Charles Barkley
20. Lebron James

FIXED!

[L.Kizzle]

Since some folks were asking for the list, here you go. SLAM doesn't have it online so here it is.


95. Dikembe Mutombo
96. Pau Gasol
97. Tracy McGrady
98. Grant Hill
99. Vince Carter
100. Buck Williams
:lol

[Human Error]

The list is flawed in so many ways. Have no idea where to start...

[L.Kizzle]

The list is flawed in so many ways. Have no idea where to start...
Where is it flawed at??

[d.bball.guy]

Jason Kidd in the top 30 GOAT.... and over Dwade, and Paul Pierce....yeah this list got its flaws. And J-rich pretty down low.
This. Top 10 already got some flaws, not related to Kobe.

[d.bball.guy]

FIXED!
Oh! I see what you did there!:lol

[Nash]

Thats a stupid list, Lebron at 31? He's much better and a much more dominant player than many of those players infront of him. Stop valuing rings to highly, there is so many different factors that play in when getting a ring.

[Hondo]

awful list written by hobos, graffiti artists and wannabe thugs

[rodman91]

Shaq at 4 :lol

Kareem at 7 :lol

Iverson at 40 :lol

Dirk at 55 :lol

what the...

[L.Kizzle]

Thats a stupid list, Lebron at 31? He's much better and a much more dominant player than many of those players infront of him. Stop valuing rings to highly, there is so many different factors that play in when getting a ring.
I'm pretty sure his 7 seasons played is the reason he's not over guys who've played 15 years and such.

[Sakkreth]

331. Arvydas Sabonis
:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[iDunk]

Nash ahead of Nowitzki? :roll:

[Psileas]

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

They are only ranking their NBA careers, so I don't think he should be a lot higher...

[G.O.A.T]

At least they got the top two right.

Also I am always a fan of seeing Kareem ranked around #6 or #7, I have him a little higher, but no player is more overrated by those who never saw him.

[jlauber]

At least they got the top two right.

Also I am always a fan of seeing Kareem ranked around #6 or #7, I have him a little higher, but no player is more overrated by those who never saw him.

You mean the top-3 don't you....this is their list...


1. Michael Jordan
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Bill Russell


As for Kareem...I have him at #5, but I agree somewhat with what you said. I think a motivated Kareem was as great as anyone whoever played. And the same could probably be said for Shaq, too. But other than a few seasons, I don't think either played to the best of their abilities.

Kareem's career was considered even more of a disappointment than Wilt's...until Magic arrived. And that is why I have Magic ahead of Kareem. Magic MADE the Lakers a GREAT team. And they were STILL an outstanding team even after Kareem retired (hell, they went 63-19 the very next year...which was their second best record of the entire decade.) BUT, after Magic retired, the Lakers were no more than an ordinary team...or about what they were before he joined them.

[L.Kizzle]

What changes now?

Of course, this was before Dirk even won his first title.

[CavaliersFTW]

I actually really like this list

[JohnnyWall]

What changes now?

Of course, this was before Dirk even won his first title.

and before his subsequent sweep out of the 1st round.

[Myth]

Tim Hardaway, Mullin, and Richmond all right next to each other suggests to me that the creator of that list was already getting tired and started listing players by who simply comes to mind next.

[L.Kizzle]

Tim Hardaway, Mullin, and Richmond all right next to each other suggests to me that the creator of that list was already getting tired and started listing players by who simply comes to mind next.
Actually, are they really that far apart when you think about it?

[Jotaro Durant]

where durant :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[DJ Leon Smith]

how would that be cute.

kareem has just as much claim to top spot for career achivements

wilt has more of a case for individual statistical dominance

russell has more of a case for leading teams to championships

magic has a better case for making others better

kobe has a better case for being the most perfected skill wise


jordan isnt that far ahead of those guys

kobe has a better case for being the most perfected skill wise

wat.

[L.Kizzle]

where durant :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm
There was a 5 season criteria for the list. He was tops for the non-eligible players (Rose #2.)

[Deuce Bigalow]

2. Wilt Chamberlain

5. Oscar Robertson
:facepalm

[Chapallaz]

Danny Manning is waaaay too low. Just like Kevin Willis. Tisdale ditto. Odom is not a better player than Rod Strickland either. Just saying.

[L.Kizzle]

The season is over, any changes need to be made? I basically took all the active players a grouped them up (the first 200 at least.)




9. Larry Bird
10. Kobe Bryant
11. Jerry West



28. Jason Kidd
29. George Mikan
30. Kevin Garnett
31. LeBron James



49. Dwyane Wade
50. Steve Nash
51. Walt Bellamy
52. Tiny Archibald
53. Dennis Johnson
54. Reggie Miller
55. Dirk Nowitzki



77. Paul Pierce
78. Joe Dumars
79. Ray Allen



85. Cliff Hagan
86. Dwight Howard
87. Tim Hardaway




96. Pau Gasol
97. Tracy McGrady
98. Grant Hill
99. Vince Carter



105. Carmelo Anthony
106. Dan Issel
107. Chris Paul



123. Ben Wallace
124. Chauncey Billups



127. Rudy Tomjanovich
128. Deron Williams
129. Guy Rodgers



138. Paul Silas
139. Tony Parker
140. Ron Artest
141. Paul Westphal
142. Phil Smith
143. Manu Ginobili
144. Amar'e Stoudemire



151. Horace Grant
152. Shawn Marion
153. Gene Shue



171. Chris Bosh
172. Bill Bradley
173. Larry Johnson
174. Jermaine O'Neal
175. Andrew Toney
176. Reggie Theus
177. Elton Brand



183. Gilbert Arenas
184. Joe Johnson



199. Baron Davis
200. Bill Bridges
201. Lamar Odom



374. Larry Drew
375. Juwan Howard
376. Richard Jefferson



443. Spud Webb
444. Shane Battier
445. Albert King

[jlauber]

The season is over, any changes need to be made? I basically took all the active players a grouped them up (the first 200 at least.)

Dirk at #55?

[L.Kizzle]

Dirk at #55?
List is from spring 2011 before Dallas won the title.

[d.bball.guy]

So Dirk went from 55 now at top 20-25 and Lebron from 31 to at least top 15.

[Rake2204]

I'd say Juwan moved from 375 up inside 60.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

So Shaq is greater than 6 time MVP, 6 time NBA champ, all-time scoring leader, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

:biggums:

Magic is also too low.

[L.Kizzle]

So Dirk went from 55 now at top 20-25 and Lebron from 31 to at least top 15.
You have Dirk higher than KG?

[irondarts]

:pimp:
I couldn't believe Luke F'n Jackson was on this list, until I realized there was another Luke Jackson from the 60's. :oldlol: :oldlol:

[L.Kizzle]

BUMP for trending topic. Active players in BOLD.
This list was created in early 2011 before the All-Star game that season.

What changes would you make?


7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
8. Tim Duncan
9. Larry Bird
10. Kobe Bryant
11. Jerry West


27. Scottie Pippen
28. Jason Kidd
29. George Mikan
30. Kevin Garnett
31. LeBron James
32. Willis Reed


48. Dennis Rodman
49. Dwyane Wade
50. Steve Nash
51. Walt Bellamy


54. Reggie Miller
55. Dirk Nowitzki
56. Connie Hawkins


76. Dave DeBusschere
77. Paul Pierce
78. Joe Dumars
79. Ray Allen
80. Chris Webber


85. Cliff Hagan
86. Dwight Howard
87. Tim Hardaway


95. Dikembe Mutombo
96. Pau Gasol
97. Tracy McGrady
98. Grant Hill
99. Vince Carter
100. Buck Williams


104. Walter Davis
105. Carmelo Anthony
106. Dan Issel
107. Chris Paul
108. George McGinnis


123. Ben Wallace
124. Chauncey Billups
125. Bailey Howell


127. Rudy Tomjanovich
128. Deron Williams
129. Guy Rodgers


138. Paul Silas
139. Tony Parker
140. Ron Artest
141. Paul Westphal
142. Phil Smith
143. Manu Ginobili
144. Amar'e Stoudemire
145. Vern Mikkelsen


151. Horace Grant
152. Shawn Marion
153. Gene Shue


155. Mark Price
156. Rasheed Wallace
157. Calvin Murphy


170. Clyde Lovellette
171. Chris Bosh
172. Bill Bradley
173. Larry Johnson
174. Jermaine O'Neal
175. Andrew Toney
176. Reggie Theus
177. Elton Brand
178. KC Jones


183. Gilbert Arenas
184. Joe Johnson
185. Joe Caldwell


198. Fat Lever
199. Baron Davis
200. Bill Bridges

[Rondo]

First change would be the inclusion of Kevin Durant.

[2013 Lakers]

Bird is too low. Below Duncan? LeBron, Wade and Dirk should be bumped up. Dwight should be bumped down. 86 is still too high.

[L.Kizzle]

332. Danny Granger
333. Andre Iguodala
334. Michael Adams
So, where does Andre Iguodala go from here?

[Spurs5Rings2014]

No Manu or Tony Parker? WTF?

Won 5 titles with not even another top 500 player on his team. Everyone else had tons more help. GOAT gonna GOAT.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[HOoopCityJones]

Duncan and Kobe are too low.

# 5 and 8 respectively.

[Spurs5Rings2014]

Duncan and Kobe are too low.

# 5 and 8 respectively.

:applause:

[ErhnamDjinn]

Wtf is carlos boozer and odom in the list and even if they should be in it would they even be in the 200 range wtf. I love kidd but should he really be that high?

[Cold soul]

Duncan and Kobe are too low.

# 5 and 8 respectively.

Agreed both deserve to be ranked higher and are two best players of their era.

[plowking]

Lebron at 31 all these years ago. Still there now.

[Mr Feeny]

Duncan and Kobe are too low.

# 5 and 8 respectively.

Agreed on Duncan. 5 Titles, 3 FMVPS (second most all time) and 2 MVPS
He's remarkable.
I'd have Kobe at 11 personally. Lebron and Hakeem are higher imo and in Lebron's case he's still climbing. Who knows just how far he'll end up.

[HOoopCityJones]

Agreed on Duncan. 5 Titles, 3 FMVPS (second most all time) and 2 MVPS
He's remarkable.
I'd have Kobe at 11 personally. Lebron and Hakeem are higher imo and in Lebron's case he's still climbing. Who knows just how far he'll end up.

:facepalm

[Mr Feeny]

:facepalm

:banana:

[L.Kizzle]

Lebron at 31 all these years ago. Still there now.
He's at 28 now.

[riseagainst]

new updated list:

1. MJ
2. KAJ
3. Lebron

[feyki]

That list shows SLam Workers' IQ .

[d.bball.guy]

Interesting how lots of these players climb way high up. Lebron possibly in the top 10, Dirk making a big jump, Iggy with his FMVP, KD, Bosh, Curry, etc.