The true 100% legit top 10 NBA players of all time!

[west]

never tried to see Shaq's finals numbers....just too crazy

[inclinerator]

you might wanna correct that where shaq average 15 assist and stuff

[Gingereffic]

MICHAEL JORDAN
6 finals MVP's, 5 league MVP's, 10 scoring titles (6 while shooting over 50%), steals title, Defensive player of the year award, highest PPG in NBA history for the regular season (30.12) and playoffs (33.45). Averaged 31.5ppg and 51.5% shooting as a Chicago Bull against fierce defenses. Michael topped out at 37ppg in 1986-87, his best all around season looked like this: 32.5ppg - 8reb - 8ast - 2.9stl - .8blk on an amazing 54% shooting in 1988-89, Jordan had 5 seasons over 32 points per game. Jordan averaged 33.45ppg, 6.4reb, 5.7ast, on 49% shooting in the playoffs for his career. In the 1991 NBA Finals Jordan posted per game averages of 31.2 points on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. Jordan won his first NBA Finals MVP award by a unanimous decision, and he cried while holding the NBA Finals trophy. In the 1992 NBA Finals Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, 1.67 steals, .33 blocks while shooting 53% from the floor. In the 1993 NBA Finals Jordan averaged a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series, 8.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, .67 blocks, 1.67steals, and became the first player in NBA history to win three straight Finals MVP awards. Jordan scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points in 4 consecutive games, a record which has never been threatened. In the 1996 Finals Jordan averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.16 assists, 1.67 steals, .17 blocks per game in the 1996 NBA Finals vs Seattle. Jordan won the Finals MVP trophy. In the 1997 Finals Jordan averaged 32.3 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, .83 blocks, 1.17 steals per game in the 1997 NBA finals against the Utah Jazz. Jordan won the Finals MVP trophy. In the 1998 Finals Jordan averaged 33.5 points, 4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, .67 steals, .67 blocks per game in the 1998 NBA finals against the Utah Jazz. Jordan won the Finals MVP trophy. Jordan was 6 for 6 in NBA Finals appearances and 6 for 6 with Finals MVP awards.


KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR
6 MVP awards, won championships with both Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, member of 6 championship teams, 2 Finals MVP's, 2 time scoring champ, 19 time all-star, all time NBA leading scorer for total points, 34.8ppg career high in the 71-72 season (also averaged 4.6 assists and 16.6 rebounds that year), averaged 5 assists per game or more for 3 seasons, averaged 16 rebounds or more for 4 seasons, made 56% of his shots for his career, the sky hook was UNSTOPPABLE! Kareem averaged 32ppg, 17reb, 4ast, on 50% shooting in the playoffs in his prime.

WILT CHAMBERLAIN
7'1" 275lbs of pure beast, had a season averaging 24.3ppg, 23.8reb, 8.6ast in 1967-68, averaged over 20 rebounds per game for 11 seasons of his career, peaked out at 27.2 rebounds per game in 1960-61 while scoring 38.4ppg, averaged 50.4ppg on 50.6% shooting in the 1961-62 season, averaged 30.10 for his career on 54% shooting, made 72.7 of his shots in his final season in the NBA, his skill-set was amazing, featuring a fadeaway that was unstoppable along with his power moves in the post. he NBA did not record steals and blocks in that era. Wilt also won 7 scoring titles. Wilt averaged 35ppg, 25reb, 3ast, on 49% shooting in the playoffs in his prime.

MAGIC JOHNSON
6'9" 255lbs or pure all around greatness, won 3 finals MVP's, 5 time NBA champ, 3 time NBA MVP, Averaged 18.6ppg 9.5ast 9.6reb per game in 1981-82(closest to Oscar Robertson's season of averaging a triple double, topped out at 23.9ppg, Magic was not a pure scorer but he was a great team basketball player, Magic Johnson averaged 3.4stl per game in 1980-81, Magic's season high for assists per game was 13.1ast per in 1983-84, Magic made 52% of his shots for his career, finishing with 19.5ppg 11.2ast and 7.2reb perf game for his career. Magic averaged 19.5ppg, 7.7reb, 12.3ast on 50.6% shooting in the playoffs for his career.

LARRY BIRD
Larry Bird was the second greatest clutch player in NBA history next to Michael Jordan, 6'9" 220lbs of pure heart, what Larry lacked in athleticism he made up for it with pure hustle and determination, one of the most unorthodoxed scorers of all time Larry showed us all what it meant to grind out wins, Larry was able to up-stage some of the most athletic players in NBA history like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Dominique Wilkins and many many more. Many would argue that 1986-87 was Larry's best season, Larry averaged 28.1ppg 9.2reb and 7.6ast per game in 1986-87, Larry shot an amazing 37.6% from 3 point land for his career, made 49.6% of his shots, and Larry finished with 24.3ppg 10.0reb 6.3ast 1.7stl and .8blk per game for his entire career which is a staggering collection of team basketball production. Larry also won 2 finals MVP's, and 3 league MVP's. Larry averaged 23.8ppg, 10.3reb, 6.5ast on 47.2% shooting in the playoffs for his career.

BILL RUSSELL
Bill Russell was the greatest hustle player in NBA history, Bill Russell's scoring left a little to be desired and he wasn't a pure scorer, Bill Russell was a defensive legend and most likely the greatest defensive presence in NBA history. He was the "Wilt stopper". The NBA didn't provide steals and blocks stats back in Bill's career or his dominance on the defensive end of the court would show up in his production. Bill Russell averaged over 20 rebounds per game 10 times in his career, Bill Russell was a great passer out of double teams and he averaged over 5 assists per game twice in his career. Bill Russell was a 5 time league MVP, and a staggering 11 time NBA champion as the anchor of the legendary Celtics of the late 50's and 60's. Bill Russell finished with 15.1ppg 22.5reb 4.3ast on 44% shooting for his career. Russell averaged 20ppg, 26reb, 47%fg and 4ast per game in his prime during the playoffs.

HAKEEM OLAJUWON
Hakeem was arguably the most skilled center of all time in NBA history. His post moves, his ability to handle the rock and his athleticism are unmatched to this point by other NBA centers from any era. Hakeem racked up honor after honor in his NBA career. Hakeem was the NBA Finals MVP 2 times, Hakeem was the League MVP twice, he would have had more MVP's but he was over-shadowed by the great Michael Air Jordan. Hakeem was the only player in NBA history to win an NBA League MVP, Defensive player of the year and NBA finals MVP in the same year. Hakeem peaked out just shy of 28 points per game, his peak rebound production was 14 rebounds per game and he had 6 years over 3 assists per game, and 9 years over 3 blocks per game peaking out at 4.6 blocks per game in the 1989-90 season. Hakeem had 5 years over 2 steals per game as well, and he ended his career as a 51.2% shooter, 3.1blk, 1.7stl, 11.1reb, 21.8ppg. Hakeem raised his level of play in the playoffs and he ended his playoff career as a 52.8% shooter, with 11.2reb, 3.2ast 25.9ppg in the playoffs.


OSCAR ROBERTSON
Oscar Robertson is quite honestly the greatest all around player the game has seen. In Oscar Robertson's second year in the NBA he averaged 30.8ppg, 12.reb, 11.4ast, as he averaged a triple double for an entire season, not even the great Larry Bird or Magic Johnson could do that.Oscar won a league MVP in 1964 on 47.8% shooting. Oscar had a silky smooth jumper/fadeaway and his post game is revered as the best in the history of the sport, this side of Michael Jordan. Oscar Robertson had 4 seasons at or over 11 assists per game. Oscar also had 3 seasons over 10 rebounds per game. Oscar closed out his career averaging 25.7ppg, 9.5ast, 7.5reb, and he was a 48.5% shooter for his career. Oscar Robertson didn't play on the greatest teams so his playoff numbers are a little skewed, A lot of his playoff numbers were amassed at the end of his career. In his prime Oscar averaged nearly 30 points per game on 47% shooting with nearly 9 rebounds and 10 assists per game in the playoffs during his prime.

SHAQ O'NEAL
The most dominant center in NBA Finals history was Shaq O'Neal as a Laker. Shaq O'Neal has been the most physically imposing center in the history of the game this side of Wilt Chamberlain. By his second year in the league Shaq was averaging over 29 points per game and he peaked out at 29.7ppg. Shaq has 5 years over 3 assists per game and has 13 years over 10 assists per game, Shaq also has been a great shot blocker having 12 years over 2 blocks per game. Shaq so far in his career has averaged 24.9ppg, 11.3reb, 2.6ast, 2.4blk on an amazing 58.1% shooting. He's not a pure shooter but his ability to dominate in the post helped create high % shot attempts for Shaq. Shaq always rose his level of play in the playoffs when he was a Laker, Shaq averaed over 15 assists twice in the playoffs, and over 30 points per game 3 times in the playoffs, the decline at the end of Shaq's career have skewed his playoff production a bit giving him 25.2ppg, 12.1reb, and 2.8ast on 50.1% shooting in the playoffs for his career. Shaq's production in the NBA Finals as a Laker looked like this: vs Indiana Pacers 38ppg 16rpg 2apg 61%FG, vs Philadelphia Shaq 33ppg 15rpg 4apg 57%FG, vs New Jersey Nets Shaq 36ppg 12rpg 3apg 59%FG, vs Detroit 26ppg 10rpg 1apg 63%FG. Shaq also has 3 finals MVP and a league MVP in his trophy case.

TIM DUNCAN
Tim Duncan is known for his fundamental approach to the game of basketball. In a similar fashion to Kevin McHale from the 80's, Duncan has been able to dominate teams with his fundamental approach to the game of basketball. He's not physically imposing and he's not a great athlete but his ability to be a great thinker and executor of his fundamentals is what sets him apart from most NBA players in the history of the game. Tim Duncan's career numbers are staggering averaging 21.5ppg, 11.8reb, 3.2ast, 2.4blk on 50.8% shooting. Duncan peaked out at 25.5ppg, he has 5 seasons over 12reb per, and 10 seasons over 2blk per. Tim Duncan raises hes level of play in the playoffs averaging 23.4ppg, 12.7, 3.5ast on 50.1% shooting for his career in the playoffs so far. Duncan has 3 Finals MVP's and 2 league MVP's in his trophy case.

I would get rid of Duncan and include .. Just kidding, Duncan has the best resume but I would take a prime Drob or Ewing over him. Duncan unlike Ewing or Drob had a center of DRBOB's ability to play with. Of course Drob was not the same player anymore... Both Ewing and Drob played with alot less talent than Duncan has played with and had to go against Hakeem and MJ.... Duncan really has had it easy. He only had Shaq to go against and usually lost AGAINST him... Also I remember Shaq usually shutting down Duncan in late game playoffs.. ..Having said all this I would put MOSES in this spot.. I know I rambled about other players but I take MOSES...

[inclinerator]

this shaq o neal sounds pretty good having over 13 years of 10 assist or more and damn even average 15 twice in the playoffs
those numbers are even better than prime shaquille o neal

[BirdOverrated]

These should be the 10 , not in order:

Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan
Shaquille O'neal
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Kareem Abdull Jabbar
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon
Oscar Robertson
Lebron James

[Jordandunk23]

imo no on oscar robertson

[artest 93]

These should be the 10 , not in order:

Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan
Shaquille O'neal
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Kareem Abdull Jabbar
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon
Oscar Robertson
Lebron James

Ouch! No white people

[BirdOverrated]

Ouch! No white people

There are alot of great white players - Dirk Nowitski, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili. Unfortunately, those other 10 players just happen to be the best.

But anyone that has Bill Russell in their top 10, and Larry Bird in their top 5 clearly is not qualified to make judgments about the game.

[BirdOverrated]

Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Shaq should be on everyones top 10. The amount of disrespect those 4 guys get when it comes to all time rankings is unbelievable.

[ruslan]

These should be the 10 , not in order:

Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan
Shaquille O'neal
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Kareem Abdull Jabbar
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon
Oscar Robertson
Lebron James

Do this

[JustinJDW]

Pretty neat list. I would have put Shaq above Hakeem and Oscar, but everything else is pretty good. Nice list.

[Sir Charles]

Top 10 EFF and Top 10 PER (Play-Offs Included)

1-Michael Jordan
2-Wilt Chamberlain
3-Kareem Abdul Jabbar
4-Hakeem Olajuwon
5-Shaq (this year is his last year so he deserves his position here)
6-Larry Bird
7-Julius Erving
8-Magic Johnson
9-Charles Barkley
10-Karl Malone

Tim Duncan will so surpass Karl Malone but he needs to improove his EFF not everything sorrounds what he can do through his own impact he needs to do things that go beyond the CF position.

Tim Duncan is by far the smartest player in the league in the last decade or so.

[BirdOverrated]

Top 10 EFF and Top 10 PER (Play-Offs Included)

1-Michael Jordan
2-Wilt Chamberlain
3-Kareem Abdul Jabbar
4-Hakeem Olajuwon
5-Shaq (this year is his last year so he deserves his position here)
6-Larry Bird
7-Julius Erving
8-Magic Johnson
9-Charles Barkley
10-Karl Malone

Tim Duncan will so surpass Karl Malone but he needs to improove his EFF not everything sorrounds what he can do through his own impact he needs to do things that go beyond the CF position.

Tim Duncan is by far the smartest player in the league in the last decade or so.

Tim duncan is smart , yet he can't make FTs???

[Sir Charles]

There are alot of great white players - Dirk Nowitski, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili. Unfortunately, those other 10 players just happen to be the best.

But anyone that has Bill Russell in their top 10, and Larry Bird in their top 5 clearly is not qualified to make judgments about the game.

Bill Russell did not have that much of an Offensive Impact but if you talk about Defense and Rebound`s he was in the Top 1-2. Anyhow you keep underrating Larry Bird but check out Bird`s efficiency:
http://www.basketballreference.com/l...?stat=eff&lg=n

Career EFF Leaders

Player EFF Seasons

[COLOR="Orange"]1 Wilt Chamberlain 41.50 14[/COLOR]
[COLOR="darkgreen"]2 Bill Russell 31.71 13 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Green"]3 Oscar Robertson 31.61 14 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="SlateGray"]4 Bob Pettit 31.11 11 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="orange"]5 Kareem Abdul-jabbar 30.93 20[/COLOR]
[COLOR="DarkGreen"]6 Larry Bird 29.77 13 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Orange"]7 Elgin Baylor 29.74 14 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"]8 Michael Jordan 29.19 15 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Orange"]9 Magic Johnson 29.10 13[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"]10 Charles Barkley 28.16 16 [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"]*Strange that All of These Top 10 have Been Called the Best Player in the League at One Point or Another....[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Sienna"]11 Jerry Lucas 28.13 11 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Orange"]12 Shaquille O'neal 27.59 16 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="DarkRed"]13 Hakeem Olajuwon 27.17 18 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="DarkGreen"]14 Kevin Garnett 27.13 13[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Orange"]15 Jerry West 27.10 14 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="DarkSlateGray"]16 David Robinson 26.98 14 [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Navy"]17 Karl Malone 26.94 19[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Navy"]18 Tim Duncan 26.59 11[/COLOR]
[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]19 LeBron James 26.44 5 [/COLOR]
20 Walt Bellamy 26.29 14
21 Dave Cowens 26.23 11
22 Maurice Stokes 25.75 3
23 Bob Lanier 25.29 14
24 Bob McAdoo 24.47 14
25 Elton Brand 24.37 9
26 Dirk Nowitzki 24.25 10
27 Moses Malone 24.14 19
28 Willis Reed 24.06 10
29 Elvin Hayes 24.04 16
30 Rick Barry 23.98 10
31 Nate Thurmond 23.73 14
32 Chris Webber 23.72 15
33 Wes Unseld 23.70 13
34 Shawn Marion 23.52 9
35 Chris Paul 23.51 3
36 Billy Cunningham 23.51 9
37 Patrick Ewing 23.41 17
38 Julius Erving 23.35 11
39 Neil Johnston 23.23 8
40 Brad Daugherty 23.10 8
41 Artis Gilmore 22.99 12
42 Dwyane Wade 22.95 5
43 Amare Stoudemire 22.85 6
44 Walt Frazier 22.74 13
45 Gus Johnson 22.63 9
46 Adrian Dantley 22.60 15
47 Kobe Bryant 22.42 12
48 Clyde Drexler 22.42 15
49 Dwight Howard 22.26 4
50 Larry Nance 22.14 13
51 Bill Walton 22.13 10
52 Dolph Schayes 22.10 15
53 George Gervin 22.07 10
54 Dan Issel 21.91 9
55 Pau Gasol 21.91 7
56 Yao Ming 21.90 6
57 Jeff Ruland 21.71 8
58 George Mikan 21.58 7
59 Allen Iverson 21.56 12
60 Kevin Johnson 21.56 12
61 Clark Kellogg 21.55 5
62 Bailey Howell 21.53 12
63 Carlos Boozer 21.49 6
64 Paul Pierce 21.45 10
65 Marques Johnson 21.44 11
66 Chris Bosh 21.41 5
67 Dominique Wilkins 21.26 15
68 Paul Arizin 21.26 10
69 Connie Hawkins 21.25 7
70 Vince Carter 21.16 10
71 Tracy McGrady 21.10 11
72 Grant Hill 21.09 13
73 Pete Maravich 20.98 10
74 Jason Kidd 20.95 14
75 Spencer Haywood 20.84 12
76 Jack Sikma 20.83 14
77 John Stockton 20.80 19
78 John Havlicek 20.68 16
79 Kevin McHale 20.44 13
80 Alex English 20.40 15
81 George McGinnis 20.26 7
82 Isiah Thomas 20.22 13
83 Elmore Smith 20.20 8
84 Carmelo Anthony 20.16 5
85 Dave Debusschere 20.14 12
86 Bob Dandridge 20.03 13
87 Lamar Odom 19.94 9
88 Zelmo Beaty 19.92 8
89 Gilbert Arenas 19.91 7
90 Rudy Tomjanovich 19.77 11
91 Alonzo Mourning 19.77 15
92 Sidney Wicks 19.76 10
93 Bill Bridges 19.73 13
94 Happy Hairston 19.65 11
95 Dan Roundfield 19.60 11
96 Bernard King 19.60 14
97 Alex Groza 19.53 2
98 Scottie Pippen 19.50 17
99 Dave Bing 19.33 12
100 Nate Archibald 19.24 13

[mrpuente]

Well my order would look like this.

Jordan
Lew alcindor
Wilt
Magic
Bird
Russell
Duncan
Hakeem
Shaq Diesel
Oscar whats his face