So this whole Rick Carlisle comment about Dirk Nowitzki being one of the top ten best player ever to play the game has alot of people asking why? I mean I know Dirk is a great player, will be a hall of famer, one of a kind, but really? top 10? He doesn't make my top ten, maybe top 50 greatest but no where near my top ten. I decided to put together my list of the top ten players to ever play the game. Let me know what you think? if you agree, who you would add or delete. (The list will be in descending order from 10 to 1.)
10. Hakeem Olajuwon:
Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwon is arguably one of the most skilled big mans the game has ever seem. The dream was able to post you up, shoot the jumper, take you on the dribble and drive to the whole. His signature move "the dream shake" which was a combination of a dribble/spin move that he executed like a science torching defenders in his path. Olajuwon was a 12 time all-star, a two-time champion, two-time finals MVP, an NBA league MVP, and an Olympic gold medalist. He retired in the top-ten in blocks, scoring, rebounding, and steals.
9. Jerry West:
Also known as "Mr. Clutch", West, the face of the NBA emblem, was known for his big shot abilities coming up with big shot after big shot in the big games. West was also a superb defender and one of the best this league has ever seen, an all around good player. West was a four-time all-defensive first team selection and also finished in the top 10 in scoring in five consecutive seasons.
8. Tim Duncan
"The Big Fundamental" will go down as one, if not, the best power forward to ever play the game. In my opinion he will be which makes it hard to only have him at 8. A future Hall of Famer, Duncan has been one of the most consistent players on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball in the past decade. He was a back to back MVP, a four time champion, and a finals MVP, as well as, on the NBA first team all defense seven times.
7. Oscar Robertson
One of the best all around offensive players we've seen in the league. Not only could he score but he had a knack for finding the open man and squeezing the ball in to tight spots. Robertson led the league in assists seven different times, and is the only player in history to average a triple double in a single season. I'm pretty sure that alone gets him a spot on this list.
6. Julius Erving
"Dr. J", one of the first players to introduce the high flying, play above the rim style we see today, is known for his unique style of play and one of the pioneers of the game, helping lead the ABA to turn into the NBA. Erving was a three time MVP,slam dunk champion, and led the league in scoring on three separate occasions.
5. Wilt Chamberlain
One of the most dominating centers to play the game is Wilt Chamberlain. His 100 point game will probably never be beat and his unstoppable offensive game may never be matched by another center. In his rookie season alone he averaged 37.6 PPG and 27 RPG!! He is also tied for first all-time in career PPG with 30.1 PPG. Wilt was a two-time champion, four time MVP, a seven time all-NBA, and the rookie of the year in 1960.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar(Lew Alcindor)
One of the greatest Lakers of all time, comes in second on my list, the first you will see here shortly. His signature move the "sky hook" is probably one of the most popular moves ever to grace the game of basketball. Kareem is the NBA's all-time points leader, was a six time champion, and a six time MVP.
3. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is in my opinion the greatest Laker of all-time. I mean come on the guy is 6'9" and is arguably the greatest point guard to play the game. He could virtually play any position on the court but thrived at the point guard position making miraculous passes and really revolutionized the run and gun style of offense. A pass first player who cared more about the team and winning than being the leading scorer, one of the first to regularly use the behind the back and no look passes. Magic averaged double-digit assists nine straight seasons, was a five time champion, won three MVPs, and was a three time finals MVP.
2. Bill Russell
Bill Russell is my number two just because he is probably the best shot blocker of all time and one of the best low post defenders we've ever seen. Not only his incredible defense was amazing but also was the ability to win, the Celtics won 11 championships in 13 seasons with Russell. His amazing 22 rebounds per game career average is something we may never see again, an 11 time champ and a five time MVP is an easy number 2 on my list.
1. Michael Jordan
We may never seen a person ever love the game of basketball as much as MJ. His stats are incredible which we all know, but the way MJ played the game will never be matched. He loved the pressure, he loved the atmosphere, and his "confidence" (many will term cockiness) is something no other player has ever possessed. MJ made you appreciate the game for what it was and because of that it's hard to ever say that there will ever be another Jordan, there may be some who come close but his passion and competitiveness will never be matched. Now for the list of never ending accomplishments... a six time champion, five time league MVP, 10 time all-NBA first team, nine-time All-Defensive team, Defensive player of the year, Rookie of the year, and numerous scoring titles.
This is a hard list to come up with there are so many great players out there, 10 players does not do justice to the amount of "Great" players that have played in the NBA. Here is a list of honorable mentions I can add.
Elgin Baylor
Shaquille O'Neal
Moses Malone
Larry Bird
Elvin Hayes
