The NBA is a league whose history is largely based on its players. With that in mind, it’s important to pay close attention to the all-time greats of the game, and no list captures this more than ESPN’s top 20 nba players of all time.
The best basketball players are the ones that have done it all — won championships, scored a ton of points, led their team to success and been a big part of the game’s growth. So, in honor of the league’s 75th anniversary, we put together a list of the top 20 nba players of all-time ranked by their overall impact on the sport and their enduring influence on the game.
We’ve included both current and retired stars, as well as other notable figures. We’ve also included a few of our favorites who haven’t quite cracked the Top 10 yet, but who we believe will someday be in that top spot.
Jordan, James and Abdul-Jabbar
While the GOAT debates continue, Jordan and James are the two names that most often come to mind when discussing which players are among the greatest in basketball history. They have combined to win more than a dozen championships, and each of them has made it into the all-time top five on at least one list.
Nowitzki, meanwhile, is not only the most prolific scorer in league history, but he also led a lot of teams to the top of the Western Conference and played an integral role in winning 1 ring with the Dallas Mavericks. While he’s missed a few playoffs along the way and his resurgence is still a work in progress, Nowitzki remains an elite player that fans of all ages should be excited about.
Miller, meanwhile, is another great shooter who has yet to win a championship, but he is one of the most dominant three-point shooters in NBA history. His high volume of jumpers and slashing ability allowed him to average more than 25 points per game six times in his career, and he was able to maintain a high level of play throughout his long, illustrious career even with his gangly frame.
Davis, meanwhile, was perhaps the most consistent point guard in the league’s history, scoring a ton of points while also bringing his team plenty of assists and steals. He’s also one of the best defenders in the history of the game, a true force in the defensive end.
West, meanwhile, is a very underrated talent and he is a huge reason why the Golden State Warriors are currently in the top spot in the Western Conference. He’s a deadly shooter who can finish with either hand, and he’s also a very good rebounder and a reliable playmaker on the perimeter.
He’s probably a bit too old to make it in these rankings at this point, but he still has a lot left to give. If he can keep up his current levels of performance, he could be among the top ten in this list at some point in his career.
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