The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time…

It’s time for Britannica—well, specifically one editor at Britannica—to weigh in on the endless debate over who is the greatest player in [insert sport here]. Although we’re not primarily a sports website, this editor (hello!) has been obsessively following sports for nearly 30 years and debating them with friends for just as long. This list is, of course, highly subjective and should be taken with a grain of salt. Unless you agree with me, in which case, this might be the most significant thing I’ve ever written.

This list was first published in April 2014. Note that LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in February 2023.

(Read James Naismith’s 1929 Britannica essay about inventing basketball.)

**Kareem Abdul-Jabbar**
How can the NBA’s all-time leading scorer be only the 10th-best player ever? Indeed, while Kareem amassed an impressive 38,387 points, it’s hard to ignore that he spent a significant portion of his career with passes from Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, two of the greatest point guards ever. His career numbers were also bolstered by his lengthy tenure in the league (nearly 20 years). Despite this, he was a dominant force, perfecting the sky hook, one of the most beautiful shots in the game. Plus, he was memorable for his roles in *Airplane!* and *Game of Death*, which boosts his cool factor beyond anyone else on this list.

Read Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Britannica essay about the New York Rens.

**Tim Duncan**
Confession: despite being a lifelong supporter of Seattle sports teams, I had a brief admiration for the San Antonio Spurs teams of the late ’90s and early 2000s. Their slow-paced play might have bored many fans, but Tim Duncan’s bank shot was a thing of beauty. Known as “The Big Fundamental” by none other than Shaquille O’Neal, Duncan was one of the most technically sound players ever. Though his low-key playing style and reserved personality kept him from making as big a cultural impact as some other greats, his four championships, 14 All-Star appearances, and two NBA MVP awards speak volumes about his exceptional skill.

**Shaquille O’Neal**
Contrasting sharply with Duncan’s finesse, Shaquille O’Neal dominated with sheer physicality. Standing 7’1” and weighing 315 pounds, Shaq used his immense size to overpower opponents and finish with powerful dunks. He led the NBA in field-goal percentage 10 times, but wasn’t just about brute force—he displayed surprising grace and skill with his close-range shots. His free-throw shooting, however, was another story…

**Larry Bird**
Despite his humble small-college origins and the nickname “Hick from French Lick,” Larry Bird was one of the most competitive and sharp-tongued players in NBA history. Bird’s confidence was matched by his quick release, often letting defenders know his shots were going in right after he took them. With three championships and 12 All-Star appearances in his 13-year career, Bird, along with his rival Magic Johnson, helped catapult basketball into unprecedented national popularity in the 1980s.

**Bill Russell**
Bill Russell is the ultimate winner in NBA history, securing a championship in all but two of his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics. While the NBA had fewer teams back then, making championships more attainable for a single franchise, Russell’s impact was undeniable. He transformed the Celtics from a team that had never reached a championship series into the league’s most successful team. Russell was not only a defensive powerhouse but also redefined shot-blocking and averaged an astounding 22.5 rebounds per game over his career.

**Oscar Robertson**
While I never saw Oscar Robertson play, his statistics are so extraordinary that I wish I had a time machine to witness his greatness firsthand. During the 1961–62 season, “The Big O” averaged a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. Besides his on-court achievements, Robertson also played a crucial role in introducing true free agency to the NBA through a landmark antitrust suit.

**Wilt Chamberlain**
Although Wilt Chamberlain played in an era with smaller post players and less athletic competition, his dominance was unparalleled. He holds the top four all-time single-season scoring averages and famously scored 100 points in a single game, a record likely to remain unbroken. Chamberlain also led the league in rebounds per game (22.9) and played more minutes per game than anyone in history (45.8). Despite a shortened season in 1970 due to injury, he still led his team to the NBA Finals upon his return.

**Magic Johnson**
Magic Johnson’s exuberance and charm greatly contributed to the NBA’s rise in popularity during the 1980s. But he was much more than just a charismatic personality. His extraordinary passing skills defined the “Showtime” Lakers, leading them to five championships in his 13 years with the team. Standing 6’9”, Johnson set the record for assists per game (11.2) and played center in the 1980 NBA Finals’ decisive game as a rookie. Beyond basketball, he’s also been an advocate for HIV awareness and an entrepreneur focusing on revitalizing underserved communities.

**Michael Jordan**
It might seem controversial to suggest that Michael Jordan isn’t the greatest player of all time, but I believe he isn’t. He’s undeniably the most famous player ever and one of the most crucial. His competitive drive was legendary, earning him six championships, five MVP awards, and All-Star appearances every season he played. Jordan’s 30.1 points per game is the highest career scoring average in NBA history. However, he benefited from playing alongside another top-25 talent, Scottie Pippen, and was coached by the brilliant Phil Jackson. While he was phenomenal, the support he had is worth considering. And just for fun, did you know the 2013 Seattle Seahawks had the best defense in NFL history?

**LeBron James**
LeBron James, often criticized by some fans as an overrated choke artist, is actually the greatest player ever. His physical prowess is almost otherworldly; he’s bigger than many NFL players but moves with the agility of the best basketball guards. James not only met but surpassed the lofty expectations set for him as “The Chosen One” by Sports Illustrated as a teenager. He’s played against elite athletes in the modern era and has averaged 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. Unlike earlier players, he has faced the constant pressure of 21st-century media and has excelled under it. Despite initial criticisms for not winning early in his career, he led an underperforming Cleveland Cavaliers team to the 2007 NBA Finals at just 22 years old and has since won two titles with the Miami Heat. James continually evolves his game to address past criticisms, making him a strong candidate for the best player ever.