Among the greatest players in NBA history are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19 All-Star games, 15 All-NBA selections, and 11 All-Defensive Teams). Earvin “Magic” Johnson is arguably the greatest point guard in NBA history. Listed at six-foot-nine, he was the first true big point guard.
LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his career statistics are unparalleled. He has more career points and rebounds than any other player in the league’s history. He is also one of the most prolific passers in the league. His high-percentage shooting and excellent passing make him one of the best all-around players ever.
In the playoffs, James is a constant threat to score. LeBron has averaged more than forty points in four different postseason games. His record for most 30-point double-doubles and triple-doubles in postseason play matches only Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. James also has the highest career scoring average in Game 7s and elimination games. In addition to this, James has the second-highest total of assists and steals.
In the finals, James averaged 29.8 points and 11.8 rebounds, which were all career highs for a star. He also averaged 8.5 assists and shot 41.7% from beyond the arc. He also averaged a triple-double in two of the Finals games. LeBron James has been ranked as one of the greatest NBA players of all time by several experts.
LeBron James has played for three different NBA teams. He won two championships with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also won the Finals MVP three times. This makes him the only player in NBA history to win the MVP award three times with three different teams.
Currently, James ranks third in the NBA’s all-time scoring list, but he could easily surpass Michael Jordan when his career is over. Currently, he is the only player in the top-100 in every major category. He is only two championships and two Finals MVPs away from tying Jordan. Then again, he may never catch Jordan.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal was one of the best players in NBA history, winning 4 NBA championships and being named an All-Star. He averaged over forty points per game and grabbed eleven rebounds per game. This is one of the most impressive career stats of any player in the league’s history. This incredible stat line earned O’Neal a place in the NBA’s top 50 all-time list.
Shaq was not widely regarded as the greatest player in NBA history, but he was the most dominant force in the league during his prime. He played against Olajuwon, who was still only 22 years old, and was unstoppable. The two were rivals on the court, and Shaq was smoother and faster than Olajuwon. Shaq averaged a career rating of 23/10.
While most NBA fans would consider Michael Jordan the GOAT, Shaquille O’Neal deserves a place on this list. His dominance on the court made him the most disruptive player in NBA history. His statistics and physical strength were unparalleled, and no center in the league could stop him. In addition to being the most dominant player of all time, Shaquille O’Neal was also a highly influential player in society.
Shaq O’Neal has been an outstanding player in the NBA for over 20 years. In 2003-04, he led the NBA in field-goal percentage for the sixth time in seven years, and averaged over 14 points per game. He also won two NBA Finals MVP awards. In addition to being a Hall of Famer, Shaq also became a pitchman for Adidas and the Miami Heat after his retirement.
Shaq O’Neal was selected to host an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1998. He was replaced by Kelsey Grammer, but O’Neal was part of two sketches during the episode. He also had a reality show, Shaq’s Big Challenge, on ABC. In it, Shaq challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor is one of the best-known basketball players of all time. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to eight NBA Finals during his illustrious career. The Lakers lost to the legendary Boston Celtics seven times and to the New York Knicks once. The Lakers’ legendary dynasty featured four future Hall of Famers including Baylor. His father named him Elgin in honor of his gold pocket watch.
Many consider Baylor the greatest small forward in NBA history. His legendary career spans over three decades and saw him play for the Minneapolis Lakers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor is also considered to be a pioneer in the game, paving the way for other basketball legends. He played a vital role for the development of the NBA, and even influenced future All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
In his prime, Baylor averaged more than 30 points a game, but his career has been marred by injury. In his final season, Baylor averaged only 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, but his best seasons, when he averaged thirty points and fifteen rebounds per game, saw him average an average of 15 rebounds per game. His remarkable performances in the NBA made him one of the greatest players of all time, and he was even named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959.
Baylor was a pioneer in acrobatics in basketball. His acrobatic moves were so impressive that many of them were never captured on film. His dazzling plays have drawn comparisons with the acrobatic plays of Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan. In addition to his acrobatic ability, Baylor was also the first NBA player to change position while floating towards the basket. Baylor, who was born in Washington, D.C., grew up playing basketball in local recreational leagues.
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most accomplished players in the history of the game. His career included seven seasons in which he averaged at least 30 points and 20 rebounds. In addition, he played over 48 minutes per game. He also holds 72 NBA records. He is best known for his ability to score and rebound without needing a break.
Wilt Chamberlain was one of the fastest players in NBA history, and his strength was unmatched. At his prime, he could bench 500 pounds and do tricep extensions while weighing 180 pounds. He also had tremendous stamina. During his 14-year NBA career, he never fouled out. His career highlights include winning two NBA titles, one with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967 and one with the Lakers in 1972. He also holds the record for most rebounds in NBA history.
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most celebrated players of all time. He holds many records and is considered the greatest scorer and rebounder in NBA history. His playing career was a classic, and he is considered the “GOAT” of the game.
As far as rivalries go, Wilt and Russell had a great rivalry on the court. However, they were close friends off the court. Although they didn’t speak to each other for nearly twenty years after a heated dispute, they reconciled and remained good friends. Wilt Chamberlain’s impact on the game was immense on and off the court.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is one of the greatest NBA players ever to grace the court. He was voted the MVP three times and has won six championships. He played in the NBA Finals in six different seasons, winning four and losing only once. He also racked up the most career scoring totals and has scored over forty-five points in six different playoff games.
In the 1987-88 season, Jordan averaged 35.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. His averages for the entire career are astounding. The two seasons that Jordan averaged over thirty points per game are the highest for a single player. In addition, he had the highest scoring average in both the postseason and the regular season. He was with the Chicago Bulls for his entire NBA career. He was drafted No. 3 overall in 1984, one spot behind Sam Bowie. He outperformed expectations during his rookie season, scoring 28.2 points per game on 51 percent of his shots. He also finished sixth in MVP voting and won the Rookie of the Year award.
Jordan had a great team around him, including a talented supporting cast. He was a supreme ball handler and was often the center of the offense for the Bulls. His defense was simple and efficient, which allowed him to excel as a guard in the era when hand-checking was legal.
Aside from his basketball prowess, Michael Jordan is also considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles and won two Olympic gold medals. He was also twice named Male Athlete of the Year. His stardom made him the face of the NBA for over a decade.