Who are the most powerful NBA players of all time? This question has plagued us since time immemorial, and determining the best athletes in League history is certainly not an easy task, given the evolution of the game and the various eras in which the main champions have dictated their laws on the parquet. How do you figure out who the top 15 players are? Thus, we attempted to provide you with an answer.
15. Julius Erving
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Julius Erving is the first player to return to this position after a career above the iron with the Philadelphia 76ers jersey, with whom he won his first and only NBA championship in 1983.
In 1981, he was named season MVP, but his team was eliminated in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Throughout his career, Erving has averaged more than 20 points per game, except his last two years, when he averaged 18.1 and 16.8 points per game, respectively.
14. Kevin Durant
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Kevin Durant does not require an introduction. The current star of the Brooklyn Nets, ranked 14th, is one of the most noticeable strikers in NBA history. We're talking about a 2.10-meter player who can move around the field like a point guard and finish with a basket in any situation. After a successful career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, KD chose to join the Golden State Warriors, where he joined Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
The 10-time All-Star was also a four-time NBA season top scorer, a two-time League MVP (2013-2014), and a two-time Finals MVP. The future has yet to be written. If he can win a title without the assistance of other top-tier champions, he will undoubtedly aspire to move up the rankings.
13. Steph Curry
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In a team context where the perimeter game reigns supreme, Stephen Curry has unquestionably dominated five years (along with LeBron James) in which he has won three NBA championships, two MVP awards, and six All-Star Game appearances. In addition, the Akron native is one of the best triplers in League history.
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
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Chosen first overall in Michael Jordan's draft, Olajuwon was unquestionably one of the Houston Rockets' brightest legends. In nearly two decades with the Texans, Hakeem 'The Dream' has had the honor and burden of winning two MVP titles in the era of Michael Jordan, one title MVP in 1994, and two Finals MVPs. On three occasions, he was also the League's best blocker. One that occurs every 15 years.
11. Oscar Robertson
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In his 'prime,' Oscar Roberston was unrivaled. On average, the 'Big-O' traveled in triple-double. Robertson finished his rookie season averaging 30.5 points, 9.7 assists, and 10.1 rebounds per game. At the time, it was out of the ordinary. Surprisingly, the Charlotte native won his only NBA championship at the end of his incredible career, at 32 with the Milwaukee Bucks jersey, when he finished the season averaging less than 20 points per game.
In addition to the title mentioned above, 'Mr. Triple Double' has 12 All-Star Game appearances, 6 League-best assist man awards, Rookie of the Year in 1961, and MVP in the 1963-1964 season.
10. Shaquille O'Neal
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Many consider him to be the most dominant center in NBA history. With dunks and titles, the eccentric former Los Angeles Lakers player defined the early 2000s. Between 2000 and 2002, he signed the famous yellow-violet Three-Peat with Kobe Bryant before winning another NBA title on his own, this time with the Miami Heat jersey, in 2006.
What else did he bring home? One MVP award, three NBA Finals MVP awards, two seasons as the league's leading scorer, Rookie of the Year in 1992-93, and 15 All-Star appearances. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
9. Kobe Bryant
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Following Shaq was the late Kobe Bryant. Kobe accomplished everything possible in his nearly 20-year career. Bryant, who was heavily influenced by Michael Jordan's exploits in the 1990s, has set numerous records: 18-time All-Star, 2-time League Scorer, 5-time NBA Champion, 4-time All-Star Game MVP, 2-time Finals MVP, and 1-time season MVP (2007-2008).
8. Tim Duncan
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Tim Duncan was the brightest star on the Gregg Popovich-era San Antonio Spurs. Arriving in the league a year after Kobe, the player from the Virgin Islands wasted no time in winning over everyone. His limitless talent enabled him to win five NBA championships, two regular-season MVPs, and three NBA Finals MVPs.
Furthermore, he is one of only two players in League history (the other being John Salley) to win the title in three different decades. He, like Kobe and Kevin Garnett, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
7. Larry Bird
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Anyone who does not adore Larry Bird is not a fan of basketball. Since his debut in 1980, the Boston Celtics' genius has captured the attention of the League. In 'only' 13 years, he played in 12 All-Star Games, won three NBA championships, and was named MVP three times.
His historic rivalry with Magic Johnson will be remembered as one of the most beautiful and tense rivalries in basketball history. The former number 33 was also an underrated double-double car, particularly in his early career years. The statistics at the end of a career prove it.
6. Wilt Chamberlain
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Wilt Chamberlain is another center featured in this list. Chamberlain, an even more peculiar character than Shaquille O'Neal, is notable for providing one of the most remarkable records in NBA history, namely his famous 100-point performance in a single match.
It was another era, one of under-the-boards basketball, with Wilt dominating in no clear terms. For instance, his 1961-1962 season finished with a per-game average of 50.4 points + 25.7 rebounds of 50.4 points + 25.7 rebounds of 50.4 points + 25.7 rebounds of 50.4 points + 25.7 rebounds of 50.4 points.
Wilt won two NBA championships, four MVP awards, was named the league's best scorer seven times, and was named the league's best assist man once during his 14-year NBA career.
5. Magic Johnson
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He is a 2-meter playmaker who can play with an unusual naturalness while smiling. For more than a decade, Magic Johnson was the League's image man, winning nearly everything: 5 NBA titles, 3 MVP titles, 4 times best assist man of the season, and 12 All-Star appearances.
4. Bill Russell
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Winning is the only way to describe the man who forever changed NBA basketball. Bill Russell's only dogma is victory. 13-year career, 12-time All-Star, 11-time NBA champion, and 5-time season MVP. An inductee into the Hall of Fame. This could easily be a summary of Bill's sporting royalty. The iconic man of the Boston Celtics did not score as much as Wilt, but he dominated from day one on the court until the end.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar receives the bronze medal in this special category. In his 20-year honorable career, he participated in as many as 19 All-Star Games, making him the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He has 6 NBA titles (1 with the Milwaukee Bucks and 5 with the Los Angeles Lakers), 6 MVP titles, 2 seasons as the best scorer, and 4 seasons as the best blocker.
2. LeBron James
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LeBron James, who is one step away from being the greatest of all time, has been at the center of this debate for over a decade. His climax, experienced with the Cleveland Cavaliers shirt, could return if he is successful in bringing the Los Angeles Lakers to glorious victories in the years ahead.
In 17 seasons, James has won three NBA championships, four-season MVPs, three NBA Finals MVPs, and has been named an All-Star 16 times. And there's still time to clean up a few records
1. Michael Jordan
Photo: Michael Jordan (via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan is regarded as the most powerful player in NBA history. Jordan, the protagonist of 'The Last Dance,' a documentary that has captivated all League fans, is regarded as one of the most famous sportsmen of all time. His character is significant on a global scale.
This success, it should be noted, stems from insane numbers and broken records during a time when the NBA boasted active champions such as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, and many others.
Jordan's 15-year career, interspersed with two retirements, saw him win six NBA titles (out of six Finals appearances), win the title of the best scorer of the season for ten years, win five MVPs of the season, six MVPs of the NBA Finals, and end his career with more than 30 points per game.
