*Working NBA list so it’s subject to change. Let me know what you think, but debate your moms. #YDKH
The 50 Greatest Players that were unveiled for the Golden Anniversary Season won 107 NBA titles, 49 Most Valuable Player Awards, 17 Rookie of the Year Awards, 447 All-Star game nods, 36 scoring titles, almost 1 million points scored and nearly half a million rebounds. Nuts. This list spanned all the way back to 1946; 50 years exactly.
That year ushered in the beginning of the Jordan-inspired era of athletes. The Kobe Bryants and Allen Iversons of the world were bred of that same ferocious DNA heir Jordan had. And ’96 draft class is arguably the greatest of all-time, but ’97 and ’98 fostered other pillars of the future as well. Guys like Chauncey Billups, Tim Duncan, T-Mac, Dirk and Vince Carter. After MJ retired in ’98, following two 3-peats, the new sheriffs came to town. Kobe and Shaq ran things from 1999-2002 with the Lakers, then the Spurs and Pistons took their turns at the cown. Only that was just the beginning, the new millennium would eventually bring us the famed ’04 draft class that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. The talent continued to get richer.
We’d end up with Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin and Steph Curry. The old guard clashed with the new order, battling for supremacy atop a league that saw the Lakers and Spurs win 10 combined NBA championships post Jordan. A league that has had LeBron win four titles and make it there 10 times, winning with three different franchises. A league that produced a Warriors team that broke the league for half a decade, cementing themselves as one of the greatest teams to ever assemble after they acquired KD, following a 73-win season.
I could go on forever, but this piece is about the players–the top 50 greatest player post MJ. Where they rank and why they’re placed there. I have also created the player distinction groups, rules and grade levels to measure players in their tiers. So without further ado, here’s the 50 greatest players divided into 10 tiers.
Dominant– these players dominate their position by a wide margin. For example, Jordan in 87’ averaged 12 more points than the next player at his position that year (Dale Ellis 24.9). Anything 5+ in any category (points, rebounds, assists, blocks, etc.) is dominant.
Gun Slinger– these are the super scorers. The guys who lead the league in points, points per game, or 3-pointers made. For example, in 1961-62 Wilt led the league in field goals made (1,597), total points (4029) and points per game (50.4).
Floor General- these are the assists leaders. To earn this, you MUST lead the league in assist categories; total and average. Stockton led the league in both for nine seasons straight.
Sniper– these are the marksmen, 50/40/90 guys, and tops in FT%. For example, Larry Bird was 52/41/91 from ‘85-88, being sure to sustain that bar in each of the three seasons. This designation can also be assigned through being top-5 in FG% at position and/or top-10 in 3pt %.
All-Around– these are the guys who do a little bit of everything. Scoring, rebounding, and assists. They score at least 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and top 10 in defensive win shares. For example, in 1994-95, Scottie Pippen averaged 21/8/5 with 6.73 DWS (2nd).
Stalwart – these are the ultra consistent, reliable players on either end of the ball. This is consecutive marks. 5+ seasons straight as one of the top players in that category makes you one of these. In some cases it’s a rare designation. From ‘86-91 Charles Barkley led the league in 2-point FG% (63%). But for this, it’ll be top-10 in 3 categories for at least 2 seasons or top-5 seven straight seasons in a category.
These are consistently great markings. How many years do you accomplish your marks over the course of your career?
Grade A– this is for player who have achieved their designation 10 times in their career
Grade B- this is for players who have achieved their designation 5 times in their career
Grade C– this is for players who have achieved their designation 3 times in their career
Rule #1: If a player goes to 8 straight All-NBA First teams, he’s an All-time great. See: Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson.
Rule #2: This isn’t just about numbers. What a player does in crunch time, down in a series, closing a series out or with difficult matchups will be weighed in performance. WINNING MATTERS, but HOW you do it does too.
Rule #3 (MOMENTS BADGE): All great players define their greatness in the postseason. Many of them have stretches in games that magnify them. Any big shot, big play, or big game within context is considered a moment and gains a (star *). For example, Isiah Thomas scoring 25 points in the 4th quarter of game 6 of the ‘88 NBA Finals is a moment.
1. LeBron James (A)(S)(G)– 3 titles (10 trips)*, 3rd all-time in scoring, 8th in assists, 30/11/9 in ‘16 NBA Finals, “The Block”, 35/9/7 w/ 37.4 PER!! In ‘08-09 playoffs (14 games). 16X All-Star, 16X All-NBA, 4X MVP / Finals MVP, and 6X All-Defense.
2. Kobe Bryant (D)(GS)(S)— 5 titles (7 trips), 4th all-time in scoring, 3rd in shots made, 32/6/7 1.4 blocks/steals in 2009 NBA Finals, a champion in 2 decades, 2 HOF career lines, 2nd highest scoring game ever (81), only player from era w/ 8 straight All-NBA & 6 straight 1st team All-Defense. MVP, 18X All-Star, 12X All-Defense, 2X Scoring champ, 2X Finals MVP.
3.Tim Duncan (S)– 5 titles (6 trips), 7th in rebounds all-time, 6th in blocks, 24/17/5 & 5 blocks in 2003 NBA Finals, a champ in 2 decades, ‘99-04 he avg. 23/13/3 blocks. 2X MVP, 15X All-Star, 15 All-NBA, and 15X All-Defense.
4.Shaquille O’Neal (D)(S)(GS) 4 titles (6 trips), 28/12/3 from ‘99-’03, 33/16/3 blocks in 2001 NBA Finals, 32/17/3 for first 8 games of ‘00 playoffs (38/17/3 blocks in ‘00 NBA Finals). MVP, 15X All-Star, 14X All-NBA, 3X All-Defense, and 2X Scoring champ.
5. Kevin Durant (GS)(SN)(A) 2 titles (4 trips), 4X scoring champ, 35/8/5 on 56/47/93 in ’17 NBA Finals b2b deep three point daggers, including over LBJ. After the “I’m Kevin Durant” line (8 games): 39/5/5 on 51/43/90 in ‘19 playoffs. MVP, 2X Finals MVP, 10X All-Star, 9X All-NBA, and 4X Scoring champ.
*LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Shaq, Kevin Durant (Bron, Kobe and Tim went to 8+ straight All-NBA First teams — everyone on list has at least 5+ straight All-NBA First teams)
6. Steph Curry (3 titles; 0 finals MVPs)(GS)(D)(SN)– Broke the league for two seasons (back-to-back MVPs 1 of 11 to do it; unanimous MVP 2016) , greatest shooter ever, 3rd all-time in 3-point made, 50/40/90 MVP season where he led league in steals (2.1), points (30.1), and 3-pointers made (402). 2X MVP, 6X All-Star, 6X All-NBA, steals champ.
7. Dwyane Wade (3 titles; 1 Finals MVP) (GS)(S) – 3rd highest ppg average by a shooting guard in NBA Finals (highest of era 34.7), Most blocks by a guard ever (1,052 regular + postseason). From ‘05-09 he avg. 28/5/7 2 steals & 1 block on 49% FG. 13X All-Star, 8X All-NBA, 3X All-Defense, and Finals MVP.
8. Dirk Nowitzki (1 title; Finals MVP) (SN) – 50/40/90 MVP season, two NBA Finals trips, 2011 28 & 8 on 49/46/94 in 21 games, 25 & 9 on 48/38/88 from ‘01-’10. MVP, Finals MVP, 14X All-Star, and 12X All-NBA.
9. Kevin Garnett (1 Title; 0 finals MVPs) (S)– MVP, DPOY, led T-Wolves to WCF, (9th all-time in win shares), 24/14/5 & 2 in MVP season — 3 30/20 games in the playoffs that year. MVP, 15X All-Star, 9X All-NBA, 12X All-Defense, DPOY, 4X Rebound champ.
10.Allen Iverson (GS)(D) #7 all-time in ppg average in regular season (26.6) and #2 in playoff ppg (29.7). From 98-06 he was 30/4/6 with 2.4 steals (led league in steals for 3 straight seasons within that span. MVP, 11X All-Star, 7X All-NBA, and 4X Scoring champ.
11. Kawhi Leonard (2 titles; 2 Finals MVPs)- 2X DPOY, rings in two conferences, 30/9/4 in 24 games in playoffs, 35/10/4 vs. Philly in EC Semis. 2X Finals MVP, 4X All-Star, 4X All-NBA, 6X All-Defense, 2X DPOY, and Steals champ.
12. Jason Kidd (G)(S)— He’s #2 all-time in steals and assists. He took the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals (2002/2003). He averaged 15/7/10 with at least 2 steals from 97-04. 10X All-Star, 6X All-NBA, 9X All-Defense, and 5X Assist champ.
13.Chris Paul (G)(S)– led the league in steals 6 different seasons & led the league in assists in 3 of them, highest PER among point guards post MJ era (25.1). 10X All-Star, 9X All-NBA, 9X All-Defense, 6X Steal champ, and 4X Assists champ.
14. Steve Nash (G)(Sn)(S)— He’s #3 all-time in assists, b2b League MVP (‘04-’06), led league in assists 5X, 5 50/40/90 seasons. 2X MVP, 8X All-Star, 7X All-NBA, 5X Assists champ.
15. Dwight Howard (S)— led Magic to NBA Finals (1st since 1995), from 2007-2012 he was 21/14/2.5. Led league in rebounds 5 different times. In 2010-11 he won DPOY and finished 2nd in MVP voting. 8X All-Star, 8X All-NBA, 5X All-Defense, 5X Rebound champ, and 3X DPOY.
16. Paul Pierce (GS) – 26/7/5 at peak, NBA Finals MVP, 25/7/4 from 2000-2007, 46/4/6 in game 5 closeout vs. Sixers in 2002. 10X All-Star, 4X All-NBA, 7th on MVP voting in ’80-09.
17. Anthony Davis (S)(D)- 4th all-time in playoff ppg, had a 59/20 game vs. Detroit in 2016, 33/18/4 steals vs. Warriors in lone game 3 victory in 2018, 28/9/4 in ‘20 Playoffs, and game winner in game 2 vs. Nuggets in WCF. NBA champ. Averaged 25/11/2 blocks on 57/42/94 shooting. 7X All-Star, 4X All-NBA, 4X All-Defense, 3X Block champ.
18. James Harden (GS)(D)(G)– led the league in scoring 3 straight seasons, matching KD for most in a row since MJ in ‘93 did it 7X, 45/9/5 vs. Warriors in game 4 ‘15 is the best stat game. 2018 MVP. MVP, 6MOY, 8X All-Star, 7X All-NBA, 3X Scoring champ, and Assists champ.
19. Chris Webber (A)– 23/11/5 from ‘97-’04. Best year 2000-01: 27/11/4 1.3 steals,1.7 blocks. Averaged at least 1 steal/block for 7 straight seasons. 5X All-Star, 5X All-NBA, and rebound champ. Finished top-10 in MVP voting 5 times, including 4th in ’01.
20. Giannis Antetokounmpo (A)– b2b MVP, first MVP/DPOY since Hakeem ‘94, highest PER season EVER 31.9, 2016-2020 he’s 28/12/6, 1.6 blocks, 1.4 steals. 2X MVP, 4X All-Star, 4X All-NBA, DPOY, and 3X All-Defense.
21. Ben Wallace (D)– 4 straight DPOY awards, 2004 NBA champ, 13th in blocked shots all-time. 4X All-Star, 5X All-NBA, 6X All-Defense, 2X Rebound champ, Block champ, and 4X DPOY.
22. Russell Westbrook (A) (GS) 2X scoring champ, b2b seasons averaging triple double, 37/11/12 vs. Rockets in 2017 playoffs. League MVP 2017. 27/6/7 in the ’12 NBA Finals vs. Miami. 43/7/5 in game 4. MVP, 9X All-Star, 9X All-NBA, 2X Scoring champ, and 2X Assists champ.
23. Carmelo Anthony (GS) – 26/7/3 from 2005-14. Took Nuggets to 2009 WCF. 42/17/6 in game 2 loss to Boston in 2011. 10X All-Star, 6X All-NBA, Scoring champ.
24. Tracy McGrady (GS)– 31/7/6 in 4 playoff trips from 2000-05. 2X scoring champ. Had 151 blocks in 99-00, at least 25/5/5 from 2000-2005, including 28/7/5 from 2000-2003. 7X All-NBA, 7X All-NBA, 2X Scoring champ, MIP, and finished top-10 in MVP voting 10X, including 2X in top-5.
25. Blake Griffin – 21/9/4 first 7 years in the league, in 8 of 9 games in the 2015 playoffs he had at least 20/10/5, he averaged 26/13/6 in that playoffs. 6X All-Star, 5X All-NBA, top-10 in MVP voting 3X, including 3rd in ’14.
26. Tony Parker – 6X all-star, 4X champ, Finals MVP (2007) 21 & 6 (20 games) during run. Top-10 in MVP voting 4X, including 5th in ’12.
27. Ray Allen (GS)(SN)– 2X champ, 2013 clutch trey in game 6, All-time leader in 3-pointers made, led 2000-01 Bucks to ECF (13.7 Win shares, only Kareem and Giannis had higher). Iconic game 6 triple to save series in 2014′ NBA Finals vs. Spurs. 2X champ. 10X All-Star, 2X All-NBA, and finished in the top-10 in 3-pointers made 8X, currently no.1 all-time.
28. Chauncey Billups – 7X All-Star, 3X All-NBA, 2004 Finals MVP, helped Nuggets get to 1st WCF since ‘85, 2005-10 he was 18 & 7 on 40% 3pt / 90% FT. Billups is 41-30 in the regular season and playoffs versus Jason Kidd, 28-24 versus LeBron, 30-26 versus Kobe, and 6-4 versus MJ. Finals MVP, 5X All-Star, 3X All-NBA, 2X All-Defense and 2 finishes in the top-6 in MVP voting.
29. Klay Thompson (GS) – 3X champ, 41 points (11 3s) in game 6 vs. OKC in ‘16, game 6 Klay semis+: 32 points on 58% from 3-point range. 18th in 3-pointers made. 5X All-Star, 2X All-NBA, All-Defense, and 6 straight finishes in the top-5 in 3-pointers made (4 straight 2nd place finishes).
30. Kyrie Irving – 27ppg on 47% shooting in NBA Finals, iconic game 7 shot, 29ppg on 47% shooting the following NBA Finals. One of the most iconic shots in NBA Finals history (game 7 ’16). 6X All-Star and 2X All-NBA.
31. Vince Carter– 25/5/4 on 38% from 3-pt range from ‘99-07, 30/6/6 & 2 blocks in EC semis vs. Philly in ‘00, 50 w/ 9 threes in game 3. 8X All-Star, 2X All-NBA, 21st all-time in field goals, 6th in 3-pointers made and 7th in free throws made (active).
32. Pau Gasol – 18/10/1.4 from 2008-12, 2X champ, 19/9/2 blocks in 2008 NBA Finals, and 19/12/3 blocks in 2009 NBA Finals. 6X All-Star, 4X All-NBA, and 4th in feild goals made all-time (active).
33. Draymond Green– 2017 DPOY, 3X champ, 3 straight All-Defensive teams, 15/10/6 & 1.8, 1.6 blocks/steals in 2016 playoffs. 12/7/8 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals from 2016-2018. 5X All-Defense and 3X All-NBA.
34. Yao Ming – 25/9/2 blocks in ‘06-07, 25 &10 in 2007 series vs. Jazz, 8X AS, 5X All-NBA.
35. Chris Bosh – 2X champ, 23 & 10 from ‘05-10 in Toronto and 11 straight AS appearances.
36. Rajon Rondo (G) – led league in assists 3X (15th all-times), ‘08 NBA champ, ‘12 vs. Heat in WCF, 21/11/7, including 44/10/8 in game 2. 4X All-Star, AX All-Defense, 3X Steal champ, and Assists champ.
37. Damian Lillard – from ‘15-20 he’s 27/5/7, 5X AS, 5X All-NBA, WCF birth, series ending GW over Rockets and Thunder. 42/5/9 during 10 game span in ‘19-20. 5X All-Star, 5X All-NBA and finished top-10 in MVP voting 4X.
38. Manu Ginobilli – 2X All-NBA, 6th man, 4X champ, 39 points vs. Seattle in game 5 of 2005, 19/6/4 on 49/39/85 in NBA Finals. Led the playoffs in steals 2X.
39. LaMarcus Aldridge– 22/10 from ‘10-15, 26/11/1.6 blocks in ‘14 playoffs (11 games), including 45/13/2.5 blocks on 59% FG in first 2 games vs. Rockets. 7X All-Star and 5X All-NBA.
40. Kevin Love– From 2010-14 he was 24 & 14 on 45/37/82, 6th in ‘11-12 MVP voting, 5X AS, ‘16 NBA champ. 5X All-Star, 2X All-NBA, and Rebound champ.
41.Kyle Lowry – ‘14-20 he’s 18 & 7, 6X AS, NBA champ, 35/7/9 & 4 steals in closeout vs. Heat in ‘16 semis. 6X All-Star and All-NBA.
42. Jimmy Butler – 5X AS, 4X All-Defense, 21/6/5 2 steals ‘14-20, 40/11/13 on 70% fg in ‘20 NBA Finals game 3. Then he had 35/12/11 on 58 percent shooting in game 5. 22/7/6 with 2 steals on 49 percent shooting for playoffs. 5X All-Star, 3X All-NBA, 4X All-Defense and MIP.
43. Jermaine O’Neal – 3rd in MVP ‘04, 22/18/3 blocks in 2002-03 playoffs (6 games) and 25/9/2 blocks in ‘04-05. 6X All-Star and 3X All-NBA.
44. Paul George – 2015-20 he’s 24/7/4 2 steals, 3rd in MVP ‘18-19, 37 points and 6 steals vs. Heat in ‘14 ECF game 5. 6X All-Star, 5X All-NBA, 4X All-Defense. Finished 3rd in MVP in ’19.
45. Amar’e Stoudemire– 37 & 10 vs. Spurs in ‘05 WCF [30 & 11 whole playoffs], 6X All-Star, 5X All-NBA, and top-10 in MVP voting 4X. 6X All-Star and 5X All-NBA.
46. Gilbert Arenas – In Arenas 3 straight AS seasons: 28/4/5 & 2 steals, ‘06 vs. Bron, 34/5/5. 3X All-Star and 3X All-NBA.
46 B. — I goofed leaving D-Will out so his numbers weren’t added to the totals. 19 & 10 from ’06-12. Led the playoffs three straight years in assists per game. 3X All-Star and 2X All-NBA.
47. John Wall– 20/10/2 steals from ‘13-19, 27/4/10 1.7 steals/1.2 blocks in ‘17 playoffs (13 games), 25/10/1.7 steals/1.6 blocks vs. Boston in semis. 5X All-Star, All-Defense, and All-NBA.
48. Marc Gasol– ‘13 DPOY, ‘19 NBA Champ, 3X AS, and 2X All-NBA. 16/8/4, shooting 34 percent from 3-point range with 1.5 blocks from ’12-18.
49. DeMar Derozan– From 2014-18 he averaged 23/5/4, a 4X All-Sta,r and 2X All-NBA. 27/5/4 in 2017 (8th in MVP voting).
50. Derrick Rose – youngest MVP ever (22 yrs 191 days), 23/3/7 ‘09-12, 29/5/8 in first 11 games of ‘11 playoffs. MVP, 3X All-Star, and All-NBA.
Using my own method for grouping and establishing placement for where players sit amongst the greatest of this millennium, this is my top-50 greatest NBA players. I took into account winning, statistical resume, accolades and significance to the league during their time playing.
22 no doubt potential HOF
11 current HOF
All numbers are points recorded from ’96-20 plus Shaq, C-Webb, Jason Kidd and KG.
They also totaled 202,390 assists, 51,871 steals and 38,715 blocks total.
Context here, the top-50 greatest list scored 923,791 points and 410,327 rebounds, accumulating 107 titles, 447 All-Star selections, 36 scoring titles, and 49 MVP Awards, spanning through 50 years of the best players in the NBA to that point.
There were only nine active players when that list was made: Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler and Patrick Ewing, who all except Shaq, were nearing the ends of their careers.
So all of the numbers and accolades were over the course of a finished career.
However, this list of 50 players has scored 882,576 points and 309,705 rebounds, amassing 62 titles, 385 All-Stars, 24 scoring titles, and 23 MVP awards, spanning about 24 years.
And there is currently 26 active players on this list, meaning by the time this group reaches 50 years, the numbers will be even more robust and flushed with the new wave of talent also.
'20 season: 29/9/9 - 31/10/9 playoffs
'20 season: 30 & 9 w/ 205 threes
Jokic career Playoffs: 25/11/7 on 42/55/84 Murray career playoffs: 24/6/5 on 41% 3pt
31/5/6 in 8-0 Bubble tournament; '20 season: 27/4/7
18 & 7 on 48% fg shooting, Rookie of the year
entire'20 Playoffs: 36/5/5 on 52/54/95 splits entire Playoff career: 27/5/4 on 37/47/88 splits
22/6/2 in 28 minutes. 29/8/3 per 36 minutes.
23/7/3 on 45/40/81. '20 Playoffs: 26/10/5.
#LilLakerBoy #LeBronJames #KobeBryant #Shaq #Michael Jordan #TimDuncan #KevinDurant #Top50 #greatestever #GOAT #StephCurry #Dirk #Lakers #Warriors #Pistons
