Here Are the Best NBA Players Of All Time

Since its inception over six decades ago, the NBA has seen its fair share of extraordinary talent. Countless players have played the game, winning several individual and team accolades, but who is the greatest of all time? Looking at statistics and what they have won, these are the best NBA players the sport has ever seen. 
Chicago Bulls v Portland Trail Blazers
Chicago Bulls v Portland Trail Blazers / Amanda Loman/GettyImages

1. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time in basketball, and with his impressive stats, it’s easy to see why. The player has raked in six NBA titles and six Finals MVPs, a feat no one else has achieved.


Apart from that, he also took home five regular season MVP titles as the Chicago Bulls reigned supreme during his stint with the team. Jordan might have had a massively successful career, but his best season was in 1988 when he won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the NBA's scoring title. That cemented his status as an all-time legend in the sport.

2. Bill Russell

Many people might not know Bill Russell owing to the fact that he didn’t have an impressive offensive record, but he was a beast in defense during his playing days. The defender led the Boston Celtics to a record 11 championships while maintaining a decent defensive record. 

While he has only won 5 regular season MVPs, Russell might have won more if blocks and final MVP trophies were awarded throughout his career. The former player’s record of a whopping 11 NBA titles is the best so far, and we don't think anyone will surpass it anytime soon. 

3. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson established himself in basketball in game 6 of the 1980 NBA finals when he replaced the prolific Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was injured. Johnson started in the center position, where he dominated the proceedings, and he won the Finals MVP as a rookie, and that’s how his journey to greatness began. 

Since his solid showing at the finals, Johnson went on to win 5 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, and three regular season MVP accolades. As if that wasn't enough, his 12.3 assists are the highest in playoff history. The star enjoyed a massively successful career that spanned 14 years which also saw him selected for 10 All-NBA teams. 

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The all-time basketball greats list won't be complete without the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The oh-so-efficient player was known for his consistency, and he showed his grit, playing for 20 consecutive seasons without suffering a dip in his performances.

Kareem’s 6 NBA titles are a testament to his talent, but that’s not all. The towering star set some extraordinary records during his illustrious career, including having 19 All-Star appearances, 15 All-NBA selections, 11 All-Defense selections, and most regular season MVP awards (six), and he is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Talk about basketball greatness. 

5. Larry Bird

Larry Bird might not have been the strongest, most athletic player on the basketball court, but he was always assertive. The star was known for his accurate jump shot, and what he did not have in litheness, he compensated with basketball intelligence and insane skill. 

Bird’s competitiveness saw him lead the Boston Celtics to 3 NBA championships while also collecting 2 Finals MVPs and three regular season MVP titles. Aptly nicknamed “Larry the Legend,” the star capped his distinguished career spanning 13 years with three All-Defense Teams and 10 All-NBA team selections. 

The NBA has seen many incredible players come and go, and it’s not easy to select the best players ever to grace the sport. Yet, these lads overcame all odds and set records that would take a while to be broken, and they did it with flair, passion, and grit. These five players epitomize basketball greatness, and we think we can all agree they’re the G.O.A.Ts.