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Top 20 greatest NBA players by position + other NBA rankings

Now that the NBA season has ended (and what a season it was!) now comes to time to revisit the top 100 greatest players of all time, as well as the top NBA players by position. I’ve decided to discard my old post on this since that post was made back in 2013, and this one has been updated through the new NBA season, with top 20 per position making a total of 100 players here.

These are all gleaned by my composite score for each player, all ranked by tallying their stats and awards together. You can download it here

I’ve also agreed with Rick Barry’s assertion that we should judge NBA players by position, because how can you compare Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain and definitively say one is better than the other when they play totally different positions? You can’t. So let’s go by position. Here’s the new list:

Point Guard

1. Magic Johnson
19.5 PPG/7.2 RPG/11.2 APG, 5x Champion, 3x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 10x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 9x Finals Appearances (1980, 1982-1985, 1987-1989, 1991)

2. Oscar Robertson
25.7 PPG/7.5 RPG/9.5 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 11x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1971, 1974)

3. John Stockton
13.1 PPG/2.7 RPG/10.5 APG, 11x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1997-1998)

4. Bob Cousy
18.4 PPG/5.2 RPG/7.5 APG, 6x Champion, 1x MVP, 12x All-NBA, 13x All Star, 7x Finals Appearances (1957-1963)

5. Chris Paul
18.7 PPG/4.4 RPG/9.9 APG, 7x All-NBA, 9x All Star

6. Stephen Curry
20.9 PPG/4.4 RPG/6.8 APG, 2x Champion, 2x MVP, 3x All-NBA, 4x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (2015-2017)

7. Steve Nash
14.3 PPG/3.0 RPG/8.5 APG, 2x MVP, 7x All-NBA, 8x All Star

8. Isiah Thomas
19.2 PPG/3.6 RPG/9.3 APG, 2x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 12x All-Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1988-1990)

9. Jason Kidd
12.6 PPG/6.3 RPG/8.7 APG, 1x Champion, 6x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (2002-2003, 2011)

10. Russell Westbrook
22.7 PPG/6.2 RPG/7.9 APG, 1x MVP, 6x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (2012)

11. Walt Frazier
18.9 PPG/5.9 RPG/6.1 APG, 2x Champion, 6x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1970, 1972-1973)

12. Tiny Archibald
18.8 PPG/2.3 RPG/7.4 APG, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1981)

13. Gary Payton
16.3 PPG/3.9 RPG/6.7 APG, 1x Champion, 9x All-NBA, 9x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1996, 2004, 2006)

14. Jo Jo White
17.2 PPG/4.0 RPG/4.9 APG, 2x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1974, 1976)

15. Dennis Johnson
14.9 PPG/3.9 RPG/5.0 APG, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1978-1979, 1984-1987)

16. Tony Parker
16.2 PPG/2.8 RPG/5.8 APG, 4x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (2003, 2005, 2007, 2013-2014)

17. Chauncey Billups
15.2 PPG/2.9 RPG/5.4 APG, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (2004, 2005)

18. Lenny Wilkens
16.5 PPG/4.7 RPG/6.7 APG, 9x All Star

19. Kevin Johnson
17.9 PPG/3.3 RPG/9.1 APG, 5x All-NBA, 3x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1993)

20. Tim Hardaway
17.7 PPG/3.3 RPG/8.2 APG, 5x All-NBA, 5x All Star

Shooting Guard

1. Michael Jordan
30.1 PPG/6.2 RPG/5.3 APG, 6x Champion, 5x MVP, 6x Finals MVP, 11x All-NBA, 14x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1991-1993, 1996-1998)

2. Kobe Bryant
25.5 PPG/5.3 RPG/4.8 APG, 5x Champion, 1x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 15x All-NBA, 18x All Star, 7x Finals Appearances (2000-2002, 2004, 2008-2010)

3. Jerry West
27.0 PPG/5.8 RPG/6.7 APG, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 12x All-NBA, 14x All Star, 9x Finals Appearances (1962-1963, 1965-1966, 1968-1970, 1972-1973)

4. Dwyane Wade
24.3 PPG/5.0 RPG/6.0 APG, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (2006, 2011-2014)

5. Allen Iverson
26.7 PPG/3.7 RPG/6.2 APG, 1x MVP, 7x All-NBA, 11x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (2001)

6. George Gervin
25.1 PPG/5.2 RPG/2.5 APG, 9x All-NBA, 12x All Star

7. Clyde Drexler
20.4 PPG/6.1 RPG/5.6 APG, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1990, 1992, 1995)

8. Sam Jones
17.7 PPG/4.9 RPG/2.5 APG, 10x Champion, 3x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 11x Finals Appearances (1958-1966, 1968-1969)

9. Bill Sharman
17.8 PPG/3.9 RPG/3.0 APG, 4x Champion, 7x All-NBA, 8x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (1957-1961)

10. Hal Greer
19.2 PPG/5.0 RPG/4.0 APG, 1x Champion, 7x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1967)

11. Tracy McGrady
19.6 PPG/5.6 RPG/4.4 APG, 7x All-NBA, 7x All Star

12. James Harden
22.1 PPG/5.0 RPG/5.7 APG, 4x All-NBA, 5x All Star

13. David Thompson
22.1 PPG/4.1 RPG/3.3 APG, 2x All-NBA, 5x All Star

14. Mitch Richmond
21.0 PPG/3.9 RPG/3.5 APG, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (2002)

15. Dave Bing
20.3 PPG/3.8 RPG/6.0 APG, 3x All-NBA, 7x All-Star

16. Ray Allen
18.9 PPG/4.1 RPG/3.4 APG, 2x Champion, 2x All-NBA, 10x All-Star, 4x Finals Appearances (2008, 2010, 2013-2014)

17. Pete Maravich
24.2 PPG/4.2 RPG/5.4 APG, 4x All-ABA, 5x All Star

18. Vince Carter
18.2 PPG/4.6 RPG/3.3 APG, 2x All-NBA, 8x All-Star

19. Joe Dumars
16.1 PPG/2.2 RPG/4.5 APG, 2x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1988-1990)

20. Sidney Moncrief
15.6 PPG/4.7 RPG/3.6 APG, 5x All-NBA, 5x All Star

Small Forwards

1. Lebron James
27.5 PPG/7.2 RPG/6.9 APG, 2x Champion, 4x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 11x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 8x Finals Appearances (2007, 2011-2017)

2. Larry Bird
24.3 PPG/10.0 RPG/6.3 APG, 3x Champion, 3x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 10x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (1981, 1984-1987)

3. Julius Erving
24.2 PPG/6.7 RPG/4.2 APG, 3x Champion, 4x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 12x All-NBA, 17x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1972, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1982-1983)

4. Elgin Baylor
27.4 PPG/13.5 RPG/4.6 APG, 10x All-NBA, 11x All Star, 8x Finals Appearances (1959, 1962-1963, 1965-1966, 1968-1970)

5. Kevin Durant
27.4 PPG/6.9 RPG/3.5 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (2012, 2017)

6. Rick Barry
24.8 PPG/6.7 RPG/4.9 APG, 2x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 6x All-NBA, 8x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1967, 1969, 1975)

7. John Havlicek
20.8 PPG/6.3 RPG/4.8 APG, 8x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 11x All-NBA, 13x All Star, 8x Finals Appearances (1963-1966, 1968-1969, 1974, 1976)

8. Scottie Pippen
16.1 PPG/6.4 RPG/5.2 APG, 6x Champion, 7x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1991-1993, 1996-1998)

9. Paul Arizin
22.8 PPG/8.6 RPG/2.3 APG, 1x Champion, 4x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1956)

10. Connie Hawkins
18.7 PPG/8.8 RPG/4.1 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1968)

11. Billy Cunningham
21.2 PPG/10.4 RPG/4.3 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1967)

12. Dominique Wilkins
24.8 PPG/6.7 RPG/2.5 APG, 7x All-NBA, 9x All Star

13. Paul Pierce
19.7 PPG/5.6 RPG/3.5 APG, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (2008, 2010)

14. Adrian Dantley
24.3 PPG/5.7 RPG/3.0 APG, 2x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1988)

15. Carmelo Anthony
24.8 PPG/6.6 RPG/3.1 APG, 6x All-NBA, 10x All Star

16. Alex English
21.5 PPG/5.5 RPG/3.6 APG, 3x All-NBA, 8x All Star

17. Roger Brown
17.4 PPG/6.2 RPG/3.8 APG, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 3x All-ABA, 4x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (1969-1970, 1972-1973, 1975)

18. James Worthy
17.6 PPG/5.1 RPG/3.0 APG, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 7x Finals Appearances (1983-1985, 1987-1989, 1991)

19. Kawhi Leonard
16.4 PPG/6.2 RPG/2.3 APG, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 2x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (2013, 2014)

20. George Yardley
19.2 PPG/8.9 RPG/1.7 APG, 2x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1955, 1956)

Power Forward

1. Tim Duncan
19.9 PPG/11.1 RPG/3.1 APG, 5x Champion, 2x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 15x All-NBA, 15x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013-2014)

2. Karl Malone
25.0 PPG/10.1 RPG/3.6 APG, 2x MVP, 14x All-NBA, 14x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1997-1998)

3. Bob Pettit
26.4 PPG/16.2 RPG/3.0 APG, 1x Champion, 2x MVP, 11x All-NBA, 11x All Star, 4x Finals Appearances (1957-1958, 1960-1961)

4. Kevin Garnett
18.6 PPG/10.3 RPG/3.9 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 15x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (2008, 2010)

5. Charles Barkley
22.1 PPG/11.7 RPG/3.9 APG, 1x MVP, 11x All-NBA, 11x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1993)

6. Dirk Nowitzki
22.5 PPG/8.1 RPG/2.6 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 12x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (2006, 2011)

7. Dolph Schayes
18.2 PPG/12.1 RPG/3.1 APG, 1x Champion, 12x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1955)

8. Elvin Hayes
21.0 PPG/12.5 RPG/1.8 APG, 1x Champion, 6x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1975, 1978-1979)

9. Bob McAdoo
22.1 PPG/9.4 RPG/2.3 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 2x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 4x Finals Appearances (1982-1985)

10. George McGinnis
20.2 PPG/11.0 RPG/3.7 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1972-1973, 1975)

11. Spencer Haywood
20.3 PPG/10.3 RPG/1.8 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 5x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1980)

12. Dan Issel
22.6 PPG/9.1 RPG/2.4 APG, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1971, 1973, 1975)

13. Kevin McHale
17.9 PPG/7.3 RPG/1.7 APG, 3x Champion, 1x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (1981, 1984-1987)

14. Jerry Lucas
17.0 PPG/15.6 RPG/3.3 APG, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1972-1973)

15. Pau Gasol
17.9 PPG/9.4 RPG/3.2 APG, 2x Champion, 4x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (2008-2010)

16. Chris Webber
20.7 PPG/9.8 RPG/4.2 APG, 5x All-NBA, 5x All Star

17. Tom Heinsohn
18.6 PPG/8.8 RPG/2.0 APG, 8x Champion, 4x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 9x Finals Appearances (1957-1965)

18. Amare Stoudemire
18.9 PPG/7.8 RPG/1.2 APG, 5x All-NBA, 6x All Star

19. Dave DeBusschere
16.1 PPG/11.0 RPG/2.9 APG, 2x Champion, 1x All-NBA, 8x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1970, 1972-1973)

20. Bailey Howell
18.7 PPG/9.9 RPG/2.0 APG, 2x Champion, 1x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1968, 1969)

Center

1. Wilt Chamberlain
30.1 PPG/22.9 RPG/4.4 APG, 2x Champion, 4x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 10x All-NBA, 13x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1964, 1967, 1969-1970, 1972-1973)

2. Bill Russell
15.1 PPG/22.5 RPG/4.3 APG, 11x Champion, 5x MVP, 11x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 12x Finals Appearances (1957-1966, 1968-1969)

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
24.6 PPG/11.2 RPG/3.6 APG, 6x Champion, 6x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 15x All-NBA, 19x All Star, 10x Finals Appearances (1971, 1974, 1980, 1982-1985, 1987-1989)

4. Shaquille O’Neal
23.7 PPG/10.9 RPG/2.5 APG, 4x Champion, 1x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 14x All-NBA, 15x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1995, 2000-2002, 2004, 2006)

5. Hakeem Olajuwon
21.8 PPG/11.1 RPG/2.5 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 12x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1986, 1994-1995)

6. Moses Malone
20.6 PPG/12.2 RPG/1.4 APG, 1x Champion, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 12x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1981, 1983)

7. George Mikan
22.6 PPG/13.4 RPG/2.8 APG, 7x Champion, 1x MVP, 6x All-NBA, 4x All Star, 7x Finals Appearances (1947-1950, 1952-1954)

8. Artis Gilmore
18.8 PPG/12.3 RPG/2.3 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-ABA, 11x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1971, 1973, 1975)

9. Mel Daniels
18.4 PPG/14.9 RPG/1.8 APG, 3x Champion, 2x MVP, 5x All-ABA, 7x All Star, 5x Finals Appearances (1969-1970, 1972-1973, 1975)

10. David Robinson
21.1 PPG/10.6 RPG/2.5 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 10x All-NBA, 10x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1999, 2003)

11. Dwight Howard
17.5 PPG/12.7 RPG/1.5 APG, 8x All-NBA, 8x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (2009)

12. Willis Reed
18.7 PPG/12.9 RPG/1.8 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 5x All-NBA, 7x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1970, 1972-1973)

13. Neil Johnston
19.4 PPG/11.3 RPG/2.5 APG, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA, 6x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1956)

14. Dave Cowens
17.6 PPG/13.6 RPG/3.8 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 3x All-NBA, 8x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1974, 1976)

15. Patrick Ewing
21.0 PPG/9.8 RPG/2.0 APG, 7x All-NBA, 11x All Star, 1x Finals Appearance (1994)

16. Wes Unseld
10.8 PPG/14.0 RPG/3.9 APG, 1x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1x All-NBA, 5x All Star, 3x Finals Appearances (1975, 1978-1979)

17. Bill Walton
13.3 PPG/10.5 RPG/3.4 APG, 2x Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA, 2x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1977, 1986)

18. Robert Parish
14.5 PPG/9.1 RPG/1.4 APG, 4x Champion, 2x All-NBA, 9x All Star, 6x Finals Appearances (1981, 1984-1987, 1997)

19. Nate Thurmond
15.0 PPG/15.0 RPG/2.7 APG, 7x All Star, 2x Finals Appearances (1964, 1967)

20. Bob Lanier
20.1 PPG/10.1 RPG/3.1 APG, 8x All Star

Greatest white players in NBA history
1. Larry Bird
2. Jerry West
3. John Havlicek
4. Bob Pettit
5. Bob Cousy
6. John Stockton
7. Rick Barry
8. Dirk Nowitzki
9. Steve Nash
10. Bill Walton
11. George Mikan
12. Dolph Schayes
13. Paul Arizin
14. Dave Cowens
15. Dan Issel
16. Kevin McHale
17. Billy Cunningham
18. Jerry Lucas
19. Pete Maravich
20. Neil Johnston

All-NBA team for each decade
1950s:
PG: Bob Cousy/Slater Martin
SG: Bill Sharman/Richie Guerin
SF: Paul Arizin/George Yardley
PF: Dolph Schayes/Tom Heinsohn
C: George Mikan/Neil Johnston

1960s:
PG: Oscar Robertson/Lenny Wilkens
SG: Jerry West/Hal Greer
SF: Elgin Baylor/Billy Cunningham
PF: Bob Pettit/Jerry Lucas
C: Bill Russell/Wilt Chamberlain

1970s:
PG: Walt Frazier/Tiny Archibald
SG: George Gervin/David Thompson
SF: Rick Barry/John Havlicek
PF: Elvin Hayes/George McGinnis
C: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Artis Gilmore

1980s:
PG: Magic Johnson/Isiah Thomas
SG: Sidney Moncrief/Joe Dumars
SF: Larry Bird/Julius Erving
PF: Kevin McHale/Bob McAdoo
C: Moses Malone/Patrick Ewing

1990s:
PG: John Stockton/Gary Payton
SG: Michael Jordan/Clyde Drexler
SF: Scottie Pippen/Grant Hill
PF: Karl Malone/Charles Barkley
C: Hakeem Olajuwon/David Robinson

2000s:
PG: Jason Kidd/Steve Nash
SG: Kobe Bryant/Allen Iverson
SF: Paul Pierce/Carmelo Anthony
PF: Tim Duncan/Kevin Garnett
C: Shaquille O’Neal/Dwight Howard

2010s:
PG: Chris Paul/Stephen Curry
SG: Dwayne Wade/James Harden
SF: Lebron James/Kevin Durant
PF: Dirk Nowitzki/Blake Griffin
C: Anthony Davis/Kevin Love

Greatest players for each NBA team
Boston Celtics – Bill Russell
Brooklyn Nets – Jason Kidd (New York Nets)
New York Knicks – Patrick Ewing
Philadelphia 76ers – Dolph Schayes (Nationals)
Toronto Raptors – Vince Carter
Dallas Mavericks – Dirk Nowitzki
Houston Rockets – Hakeem Olajuwon
Memphis Grizzlies – Marc Gasol
New Orleans Pelicans – Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan
Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers – Lebron James
Detroit Pistons – Isiah Thomas
Indiana Pacers – Reggie Miller
Milwaukee Bucks – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Denver Nuggets – Alex English
Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett
Oklahoma City Thunder – Gary Payton (Supersonics)
Portland Trail Blazers – Clyde Drexler
Utah Jazz – Karl Malone
Atlanta Hawks – Bob Pettit (St Louis Hawks)
Charlotte Hornets – Alonzo Mourning
Miami Heat – Dwyane Wade
Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard
Washington Wizards – Wes Unseld (Baltimore Bullets)
Golden State Warriors – Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia Warriors)
Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Paul
Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant
Phoenix Suns – Steve Nash
Sacramento Kings – Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals)

Top 10 what if? careers in NBA history
1. Bill Walton (ankle injuries limited him, but when healthy was MVP, Finals MVP and champion)
2. Arvydas Sabonis (came into NBA post prime but was supposedly one of the most skilled big men ever like a 7’3 foot Hakeem)
3. Maurice Stokes (averaged 16 points and 17 rebounds a game before hitting his head on the floor and becoming a quadriplegic for the rest of his life 🙁 )
4. David Thompson (was pre-Michael Jordan basically before he got into coke problems in the late 70s; scored 73 points in a game before)
5. Grant Hill (was pre-Lebron James before ankle injuries)
6. Drazen Petrovic (a rising all star shooting guard before he died in a car accident only 28 years old)
7. Bernard King (averaged 33 points a game and was on his way becoming a top forward in the 80s before he tore his ACL and wasnt the same again)
8. Penny Hardaway (a Magic-like player who was one of the top point guards before injuries got to him)
9. Derrick Rose (former MVP who was going to be one of the top point guards of his generation but tore his ACL and wasnt the same again)
10.Tracy McGrady (could have been better than Kobe and Iverson if he didn’t have so many back injuries)
Honorable mentions: Yao Ming, Len Bias (never played in NBA but died of cocaine overdose before he could have), Pete Maravich (at his peak before suffering knee injuries), Ralph Sampson

Top 10 #1 draft picks all time

1. Kareem Abdul Jabbar (1969)
2. Lebron James (2003)
3. Magic Johnson (1979)
4. Tim Duncan (1997)
5. Shaquille O’Neal (1992)
6. Hakeem Olajuwon (1984)
7. David Robinson (1987)
8. Allen Iverson (1996)
9. Elgin Baylor (1958)
10. Dwight Howard (2004)

Top 20 greatest offensive players of all time

1. Michael Jordan (10x scoring titles, 12x seasons 25pts+)
2. Wilt Chamberlain (7x scoring titles, 10x seasons 25pts+)
3. Kobe Bryant (2x scoring titles, 12x seasons 25pts+)
4. Jerry West (1x scoring title, 11x seasons 25pts+)
5. Allen Iverson (4x scoring titles, 11x seasons 25pts+)
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2x scoring titles, 10x seasons 25pts+)
7. Karl Malone (12x seasons 25pts+)
8. Kevin Durant (4x scoring titles, 9x seasons 25pts+)
9. Dominique Wilkins (1x scoring title, 10x seasons 25pts+)
10. George Gervin (4x scoring titles, 8x seasons 25pts+)
11. Lebron James (1x scoring title, 13x seasons 25pts+)
12. Shaquille O’Neal (2x scoring titles, 10x seasons 25pts+)
13. Elgin Baylor (8x seasons 25pts+)
14. Oscar Robertson (9x seasons 25pts+)
15. Rick Barry (2x scoring titles, 8x seasons 25pts+)
16. Bob Pettit (2x scoring titles, 7x seasons 25pts+)
17. Bob McAdoo (3x scoring titles, 7x seasons 25pts+)
18. Adrian Dantley (2x scoring titles, 8x seasons 25pts+)
19 Carmelo Anthony (1x scoring title, 9x seasons 25pts+)
20. Alex English (1x scoring title, 8x seasons 25pts+)

Top 20 greatest defensive players of all time
1. Bill Russell (4x rebounding leader, 1x All-D 1st team)
2. Wilt Chamberlain (11x rebounding leader, 2x All-D 1st team)
3. Hakeem Olajuwon (2x rebounding leader, 3x blocks leader, 2x DPOY, 5x All-D 1st team)
4. Dikembe Mutombo (2x rebounding leader, 3x blocks leader, 4x DPOY, 3x All-D 1st team)
5. Nate Thurmond (2x All-D 1st team)
6. Ben Wallace (2x rebounding leader, 1x blocks leader, 4x DPOY, 5x All-D 1st team)
7. David Robinson (1x rebounding leader, 1x blocks leader, 1x DPOY, 4x All-D 1st team)
8. Kevin Garnett (4x rebounding leader, 1x DPOY, 9x All-D 1st team)
9. Dennis Rodman (7x rebounding leader, 2x DPOY, 7x All-D 1st team)
10. Scottie Pippen (1x steals leader, 8x All-D 1st team)
11. Michael Jordan (3x steals leader, 1x DPOY, 9x All-D 1st team)
12. Dwight Howard (5x rebounding leader, 2x blocks leader, 3x DPOY, 4x All-D 1st team)
13. Gary Payton (1x steals leader, 1x DPOY, 9x All-D 1st team)
14. Sidney Moncrief (2x DPOY, 4x All-D 1st team)
15. Tim Duncan (8x All-D 1st team)
16. Walt Frazier (7x All-D 1st team)
17. Kawhi Leonard (1x steals leader, 2x DPOY, 3x All-D 1st team)
18. Bobby Jones (8x All-D 1st team)
19. Mark Eaton (4x blocks leader, 2x DPOY, 3x All-D 1st team)
20. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1x rebounding leader, 4x blocks leader, 5x All-D 1st team)

Top 20 Greatest NBA teams of all time
1. 1996 Chicago Bulls (72-10, 15-3, HOFers: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman)
2. 2017 Golden State Warriors (67-15, 16-1, HOFers: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green)
3. 1997 Chicago Bulls (69-13, 15-4, HOFers: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman)
4. 1967 Philadelphia 76ers (68-13, 15-4, HOFers: Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, Hal Greer, Chet Walker)
5. 1972 LA Lakers (69-13, 12-3, HOFers: Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor)
6. 1986 Boston Celtics (67-15, 15-3, HOFers: Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Bill Walton)
7. 1971 Milwaukee Bucks (66-16, 12-2, HOFers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson) 60
8. 1987 LA Lakers (65-17, 15-3, HOFers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy) 60
9. 1992 Chicago Bulls (67-15, 15-7, HOFers: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen)60
10. 1983 Philadelphia 76ers (65-17, 12-1, HOFers: Julius Erving, Moses Malone) 59
11. 2013 Miami Heat (66-16, 16-7, HOFers: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen) 59
12. 2009 LA Lakers (65-15, 16-7, HOFers: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol)59
13. 1989 Detroit Pistons (63-19, 15-2, HOFers: Adrian Dantley, Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman)57
14. 2008 Boston Celtics (66-16, 16-10, HOFers: Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce) 56
15. 1985 LA Lakers (62-20, 15-4, HOFers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Bob McAdoo, Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy) 53
16. 1999 San Antonio Spurs (37-13, 15-2, HOFers: Tim Duncan, David Robinson) 53
17. 1965 Boston Celtics (62-18, 8-4, HOFers: John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, Bill Russell)
18. 2001 LA Lakers (56-26, 15-1, HOFers: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal)
19. 1970 New York Knicks (60-22, 12-7, HOFers: Bill Bradley, Dave Debusschere, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed)
20. 1961 Boston Celtics (57-22, 8-2, HOFers: Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones, Sam Jones, Frank Ramsey, Bill Russell, Satch Sanders, Bill Sharman)

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Top 20 greatest offensive players + Top 20 greatest defensive players in NBA history

I wrote a post a while back about the greatest offensive scorers in NBA history using criteria as the # of seasons scoring over 25 points a game, number of scoring titles, best season scoring average, etc.

Now today, I want to go back and revise that and also give you the top defensive players in NBA history, using criteria as # of seasons with more than 3 blocks + steals a game (stocks), number of defensive player of the year awards, number of all defensive 1st team selections, etc. Of course I know this isn’t fair to old players who didn’t have blocks, steals or DPOY but I will rank them accordingly to what their contemporaries said about them.

Top 20 greatest offensive players of all time

1. Michael Jordan
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 12/15
Number of scoring titles: 10
Best season scoring average: 37.1 (1987)

Doesn’t get better than Jordan. 10 scoring titles, most ever. 37 points a game at his peak. He has the single game playoff record of 63 points. A whopping 80% of his career he scored over 25ppg. His 33 points per game in the playoffs is the best playoff scoring average all time. The GOAT.

2. Wilt Chamberlain
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 9/13
Number of scoring titles: 7
Best season scoring average: 50.4 (1962)

The Big Dipper. 70% of his career he scored over 25 ppg, but 7 scoring titles is second most all time. And a peak of a whopping 50 ppg is the highest scoring average in NBA history. He also holds the single game scoring record at 100 points.

3. Kobe Bryant
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 12/20
Number of scoring titles: 2
Best season scoring average: 35.4 (2006)

The Black Mamba. 60% of his career scored more than 25 ppg. 2 scoring titles, and a beastly 35 points a game at his peak, he was one of the most dominant scorers of all time. Also holds the second greatest scoring game at 81 points.

4. Jerry West
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 11/14
Number of scoring titles: 1
Best season scoring average: 31.3 (1966)

The Logo. A whopping 78% of his career he scored over 25 points a game while also dishing out 7 assists a game. He was truly one of the most versatile players ever. A peak scoring average of 31 points a game, and holds the playoff scoring record for a series at 44 points a game.

5. Allen Iverson
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 11/17
Number of scoring titles: 4
Best season scoring average: 33.0 (2006)

The Answer might have been the best small shooting guard ever, scoring over 25ppg, 65% of his career. He has 4 scoring titles, tied with Gervin and Durant for third most all time, and topped out at 33 points a game in 2006. He has the second highest playoff scoring average all time at 30 points a game.

6. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 10/20
Number of scoring titles: 2
Best season scoring average: 34.8 (1972)

The NBA’s all time leading scorer has 2 scoring titles, scored over 25ppg over 50% of his career, had the most unstoppable move in basketball, and topped out at a pretty impressive 35 points a game back in 72.

7. Karl Malone
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 12/19
Number of scoring titles: 0
Best season scoring average: 31.0 (1990)

The Mailman doesn’t have any scoring titles thanks to MJ, but he is the second all time leading scorer in NBA history, and 63% of his career averaged over 25ppg. He topped out at 31 ppg back in 1990.

8. Kevin Durant
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 9/10
Number of scoring titles: 4
Best season scoring average: 32.0 (2014)

Durant has the third most scoring titles of all time, tied with some other guys I mentioned earlier, and 88% of his career he scored over 25 ppg, topping out at 32ppg back in 2014.

9. Dominique Wilkins
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 11/16
Number of scoring titles: 1
Best season scoring average: 30.3 (1986)

In an era of lots of scoring SFs like Adrian Dantley, Alex English and Bernard King, Dominique Wilkins scored more than all of them. 69% of his career he scored over 25ppg, and his best season average is 30ppg back in 86.

10. George Gervin
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 8/15
Number of scoring titles: 4
Best season scoring average: 33.1 (1980)

Tied for third most scoring titles all time. 53% of his career scored over 25ppg, and his best ppg average coming at 33 points a game back in 1980.

11. Lebron James
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 13/14
Number of scoring titles: 1
Best season scoring average: 31.4 (2006)

People might not think of Lebron James as a scorer, but he’s scored over 25ppg over 92% of his career. There’s only one season where he averaged less than that. He does this while also being a great rebounder and assister as well. He won the scoring title once, and he topped out at 31ppg back in 2006.

12. Shaquille O’Neal
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 10/19
Number of scoring titles: 2
Best season scoring average: 29.7 (2000)

Shaq is the most dominant force since Wilt, and has muscled his way to the rim for arrays of dunks and layups, which leads him to be one of the greatest scorers ever.

13. Elgin Baylor
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 8/14
Number of scoring titles: 0
Best season scoring average: 38.3 (1962)

Elgin Baylor doesn’t have any scoring titles, but he does have the third highest career scoring average of all time at 27.4 points a game. And his peak is just ridiculous. 57% of his career he scored over 25ppg, his best season being a whopping 38 points a game back in 62. He scored over 71 points in a game before, and his 61 points in a Finals is still a record that stands today.

14. Oscar Robertson
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 9/14
Number of scoring titles: 0
Best season scoring average: 31.4 (1964)

The Big O could do everything, including score. 64% of his career he averaged over 25ppg, with his best coming in 1964 at 31 points a game. He was basically Lebron back in the 60s, able to score, rebound and assist as well as anyone.

15. Rick Barry
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 8/14
Number of scoring titles: 1
Best season scoring average: 35.6 (1967)

Rick Barry was one of the most lethal scorers back in the day. 57% of his career he scored over 25ppg, and in just his second season in the league he topped out at 36 points a game. He has one of the highest playoff scoring averages at 27 points per game.

16. Bob Pettit
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 7/12
Number of scoring titles: 2
Best season scoring average: 31.1 (1962)

Big Bob Pettit was one of the most lethal scoring and rebounding big men back in the day, along with Wilt. 58% of his career her averaged over 25ppg, and he never averaged under 20 points a game in his whole career. He has 2 scoring titles, and his best scoring average at 31 points a game back in 62.

17. Bob McAdoo
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 7/13
Number of scoring titles: 3
Best season scoring average: 34.5 (1975)

Bob McAdoo was the precursor to today’s shooting big man, being a PF that can shoot from nearly anywhere in the floor. This versatility made him one of the most dangerous scorers in NBA history.

18. Adrian Dantley
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 8/14
Number of scoring titles: 2
Best season scoring average: 30.7 (1981)

Adrian Dantley was not only a great scorer, he was highly efficient too, and led the league in scoring during a decade dominated by scoring forwards.

19. Alex English
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 8/14
Number of scoring titles: 1
Best season scoring average: 28.4 (1983)

Alex English might not have had the peak of someone like Rick Barry or Bob McAdoo, but he was consistent, outscoring all other players during the 1980s.

20. Carmelo Anthony
Number of scoring seasons of 25 points or greater: 9/13
Number of scoring titles: 1
Best season scoring average: 28.9 (2007)

If Durant is the modern day Dominique Wilkins, then Carmelo is the modern day Alex English. A reliable consistent scorer that doesn’t quite reach Durant’s peak or Lebron’s dominance but is nonetheless one of the greatest scorers of his generation.

Top 20 greatest defensive players of all time

1. Bill Russell
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: N/A
Number of DPOY titles: N/A
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 4
All defensive 1st team selections: 1

How could it not be? Russell is acknowledged by many as the greatest defensive presence ever, even if blocks and steals weren’t tracked back in the day. But you can see from available archive footage how great a defensive player he was. He blocks the ball to start fast breaks, and many times in the footage he would block over 10 shots a game. That’s just incredible. No one made a more defensive impact than Russell did.

2. Wilt Chamberlain
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: N/A
Number of DPOY titles: N/A
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 11
All defensive 1st team selections: 2

The NBA’s all time rebounding leader, and also the second greatest offensive player is also the second greatest defensive player, proving how great Wilt was on both ends of the floor. Like Russell, blocks and steals weren’t tracked back in his time, but from archival footage that exists, you can see how many games he blocked over 10 shots, and even one game he blocked over 20 shots! Possibly the greatest all around player not named Michael Jordan.

3. Hakeem Olajuwon
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 15
Number of DPOY titles: 2
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 5
All defensive 1st team selections: 5

The Dream was a defensive beast. He’s the NBA’s all time leader in blocked shots, he had over 3 steals + blocks 15 seasons in his career. He’s also a 2 time defensive player of the year. One of the greatest two way players ever along with Wilt and Jordan.

4. Dikembe Mutombo
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 11
Number of DPOY titles: 4
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 5
All defensive 1st team selections: 3

Tied for the most number of DPOY awards at 4, and 11 seasons in his career he had over 3 steals+blocks a game. He’s also second all time in blocked shots.

5. Nate Thurmond
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 2
Number of DPOY titles: 0
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 0
All defensive 1st team selections: 2

Nate Thurmond is considered one of the all time great defensive centers, with Wilt and Kareem considering him on par with Russell on defense.

6. Ben Wallace
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 9
Number of DPOY titles: 4
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 3
All defensive 1st team selections: 5

Ben Wallace coming up this high might be a surprise to some of you, but don’t be. He was a 4x DPOY, tied for most all time. 9 seasons he had over 3 steals+blocks a game. He’s the reason why the Pistons were a powerhouse in the mid 2000s.

7. David Robinson
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 11
Number of DPOY titles: 1
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 2
All defensive 1st team selections: 4

David Robinson is an all time great two way player, kind of like a lesser but still great version of Hakeem. He had 11 seasons with over 3 steals+blocks a game.

8. Kevin Garnett
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 6
Number of DPOY titles: 1
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 4
All defensive 1st team selections: 9

Kevin Garnett has a DPOY award unlike Duncan, and he was just a great a defender, but I put him below because he has just 6 seasons with over 3 steals/blocks compared to Duncan and unlike Duncan is not playing at a high level into his old age. But he is still one of the greatest defenders especially at the PF position.

9. Dennis Rodman
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 0
Number of DPOY titles: 2
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 7
All defensive 1st team selections: 7

I debated over whether Pippen or Rodman was a better defender but went with Rodman. He’s a 2x DPOY, and could defend any position. He’s one of the greatest rebounders of all time. He doesn’t have any seasons with over 3 steals and blocks, but he didn’t need to, he was one of those players that had defensive intangibles.

10. Scottie Pippen
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 6
Number of DPOY titles: 0
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 1
All defensive 1st team selections: 8

Even though Pippen didn’t have any DPOY awards, he had 6 seasons with over 6 steals+blocks and just like Rodman, could defend any position. His 8 time defensive 1st team selections is a testament to that.

11. Michael Jordan
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 9
Number of DPOY titles: 1
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 3
All defensive 1st team selections: 9

One of the greatest two way players in NBA history not only was Jordan the best offensive player of all time, he’s a top 10 defensive player all time as well. 9 time All-Defensive 1st team + 9 seasons with over 3 steals+blocks a game. He’s one of the best defensive guards of all time.

12. Dwight Howard
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 6
Number of DPOY titles: 3
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 7
All defensive 1st team selections: 4

Dwight Howard was a dominant defensive presence for most of the 2000s. He is a 3x DPOY, that’s second most all time, and one of the great rebounders in recent history. He has 6 seasons with over 6 steals+blocks.

13. Gary Payton
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 1
Number of DPOY titles: 1
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 1
All defensive 1st team selections: 9

Payton is considered one of the best defensive guards of all time and one of the only ones to win DPOY.

14. Sidney Moncrief
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 0
Number of DPOY titles: 2
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 0
All defensive 1st team selections: 4

Moncrief is considered one of the best defensive guards of all time and one of the only ones to win DPOY.

15. Tim Duncan
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 10
Number of DPOY titles: 0
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 0
All defensive 1st team selections: 8

Tim Duncan doesn’t need a DPOY award to prove how great defensively he was. He was an 8 time all defensive team selection, and is still blocking shots at a high level into his 40s. He has 10 seasons with over 3 steals+blocks, and 1 of those seasons came when he was 36 years old, which is crazy.

16. Walt Frazier
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 0
Number of DPOY titles: 0
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 0
All defensive 1st team selections: 7

That he only had 1 season of over 3 steals+blocks is misleading. Most of his career, blocks and steals weren’t tracked, and Frazier was one of the best defenders in the guard position in NBA history. He would have a lot more career steals if they had been tracked back in the day. His 7 time defensive 1st team selection proves that.

17. Kawhi Leonard
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 1
Number of DPOY titles: 2
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 1
All defensive 1st team selections: 3

Leonard is the best defender of his generation and along with Lebron among the best defensive forwards ever.

18. Bobby Jones
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 4
Number of DPOY titles: 0
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 0
All defensive 1st team selections: 8

Jones even though he didn’t win a DPOY award like his contemporaries Michael Cooper, Alvin Robertson and Sidney Moncrief, is still among the greatest wing defenders of all time.

19. Mark Eaton
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 7
Number of DPOY titles: 2
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 4
All defensive 1st team selections: 3

Mark Eaton averaged the most blocks in NBA history with 3.5 blocks a game. That’s every game of his career. 3.5 blocks.

20. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Number of seasons with over 3 stocks a game: 10
Number of DPOY titles: 0
Number of rebound/blocks/steal titles: 5
All defensive 1st team selections: 5

Kareem was like Wilt, a great defensive player in addition to being a great offensive player. 10 times he had over 3 steals/blocks a game which is very impressive when you consider for the first 4 seasons of his career steals/blocks weren’t even tracked. Plus the 5 time all defensive 1st team, Kareem was a great all around player, though not to the same level Hakeem or Wilt was.

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Kobe Bryant is overrated, period. And Lebron/Duncan > Kobe

Alot of people got butthurt when ESPN came out with their rankings and Kobe was *gasp* only #12. I’m not surprised at all, and I mentioned this before, but hey people like to flame me because I have facts and their only response to me not having Kobe top 5 all time is “you don’t know basketball”. So here’s my basketball knowledge:

Kobe bryant is overrated:
-career average: 25/5/5 45% 2P FG 33% FG 3P
-record lowest FG % in Finals: 38% in 2000, and highest: 51% in 2009
-81 point game yes but also against the raptors and took 46 shots
-Kobe in general takes a lot of FGA, 9 times in a game took over 40 shots
-selfish player, ball hog, drove shaq and d-howard away from LA as well as other free agents, wouldn’t take a pay cut in his later years
-1 MVP only, and 2 Finals MVPs if you take off his rings thats his only other hardware
-had good teams for most of his career despite what people say: only 2005-2007 and 2013-present he has crap teams
-5 championships but he won all 5 coached by Phil Jackson and his first 3 rings with Shaq who dominated the playoffs with 30/14 averages
-Lebron has never played with a team as good as Kobe had except when he was in Miami. Duncan played with a washed up Robinson and some late round picks. -He had good role players but so did Kobe. Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry. Plus hall of famers like Pau Gasol, Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Shaq, D-howard, Nash. Neither Lebron nor Duncan has had the arguably greatest coach of all time, Phil Jackson.
-closest to MJ but very far away from MJ still in terms of everything, stats, awards etc 8 less scoring titles 1 less ring 4 less MVPs/FMVPs lower career stats in every category
-not a good team player, ego drove away Shaq + Howard, took 25 mil salary, prevents young stars from being developed.
-no other top 10 player was a second option or a role player ever in their career.
-lost 2 finals, one on a team full of hall of famers against detroit and one against the celtics losing by the biggest margin in NBA finals history.
-statistically not clutch despite the popular perception that he is

Why is Lebron hated so much?
-because he left to go a team full of other stars? In the salary cap era its hard to start on a team already full of good players like Magic and Bird did. Furthermore, only a few championship teams have ever had only one hall of famer. the 77 Blazers with Walton, 79 supersonics with Dennis Johnson and 94 Rockets with Hakeem come to mind. You could make a case for the 75 Warriors, 04 Pistons and 11 Mavericks as well.
-Kobe and Duncan didn’t have to do this because Kobe did start on a very good team with Shaq and Duncan started on a team with Robinson. Lebron started with nothing and had nothing in the years to come. The cavaliers management gave him nothing.
-His 2-4 record in the finals. first of all, we don’t count finals losses. Jerry West had 8 finals losses and no one calls him out for that. Wilt Chamberlain has the same 2-4 record as Lebron and no one cares about those losses. Second of all, only one of those finals is really Lebrons fault. the 2011 finals he should have won and came up short. That was his fault. But the 07 Cavaliers he carried that team to the finals, remember when he scored 29 of the last 30 points against Detroit that year? and the ’14 Finals D-wade was injured and the Spurs team was just superior that year. Same with last finals, Kyrie irving and kevin love were injured and Lebron took the Warriors to 6 games with averages of 36/14/9. We can’t really say Lebron didn’t try in the finals, cause he did. (except in 2011)
-statistically beats Kobe in every way, FG%, points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, except for FT% the only area where he trails Kobe.
-Kobe has more rings but I already covered that it wasn’t Lebrons fault he lost 3 of those Finals. And he never had anyone like Prime Shaq or Phil Jackson to help him. He does have 3 more MVPs than Kobe does. There are those people who say that MVPs mean nothing and Kobe was robbed of MVPs when I say this, and imo thats just trying really really hard to be a Kobe fanboy. Kobe never was top 3 in MVP votes except in 2008. Kobe never even deserved the 2008 MVP; it should have gone to CP3. At no point in his career was Kobe actually the best player in the game if we look at WP48 and win shares. Duncan, Shaq and Lebron have held that title throughout Kobes career and arguably even Tmac and Dwade were better than Kobe at some point in their careers.
-more clutch than kobe; stats bear this out
-finally, Lebron attracts free agents to play with him (ray allen mike miller etc) whereas Kobe drives away free agents (melo,aldridge, etc) and took a huge salary increase despite the fact that he was injured which gave the Lakers less salary cap to sign free agents; conversely Lebron took a pay cut while in Miami to play with Chris bosh and D-wade

As a side note, here’s what Kobetards usually say when I compare him to Lebron:
1) Kobe has 5 rings.
2) Kobe’s scoring achivements including 81 point game, and scoring 60 points 5+ times in a row etc
3) Kobe is clutch and has killer instinct
4) Kobe is 5-2 in the finals and Lebron is 2-4.
5) Kobe bled purple and gold
6) Kobe was robbed of MVPs
7) Kobe didn’t need another superstar to win
8) Kobe carried his franchise

1) so what? Russell, Sam Jones, Havlicek, Heinsohn, Kareem, Jordan, Duncan all have 5+ rings no one ever brings up rings as much for them. Why do people always mention Kobe’s rings? Because he has every little other hardware, only 1 MVP and 2 finals mvps are probably not going to be as mentioned as much. And despite that fact that Kobe won 3 out of his 5 rings riding with Shaq. No other top 10 player in NBA rankings has ever been a second option or a role player in their career. Kobe has only been a first option for 8 years of his career and people bring up Kobe’s rings the most out of any player even though he has the least reason to brag about them
2) Kobe’s scoring achievements – he also missed the most shots in NBA history what does that tell you? How many shots did Kobe have to take on 45% efficiency in regular season and 40% in the Finals to get to where he is? What does it tell you about the basketball IQ of a player if he purposely takes difficult shots when easier shots are available or when he could pass to an open player?
3) Kobe is not clutch and has missed the most clutch shots out of any top 10 player. I already mentioned this in my other video, go take a look if you want detailed stats, but you can also google Kobe crunchtime stats if you don’t believe me. Kobe has averaged 40% FG during his Finals performances.
4) Again this is related to Kobe’s rings again, but as I said no one cares about finals losses. Wilt chamberlain has the same record as Lebron, 2-4 in the Finals, are you going to argue that Kobe is better than Wilt? John Havlicek is 8-0 in finals and Jordan is 6-0 you wanna argue that Havlicek was better than Jordan? its ridiculous. And Kobe has more first round losses than Lebron I guess that doesn’t count? Since when is losing in the Finals worse than losing in the first round? You make it to the Finals, you have a chance to win, and thats strictly better than having 0% chance to win. That simple.
5) No he wasn’t. When Kobe had a bad team from 2005-2007 (which was his own doing cause he drove Shaq out), he wanted to be traded, including to the Clippers! how soon people forget.
Kobe has probably the most ignorant fan base out of all sports.
6) Kobe was never robbed of MVPs, he was never top 3 in voting except for the year he did win MVP. If anything, Nash robbed Shaq of MVPs not Kobe.
7) sure he did. Ever heard of Shaq? and Pau Gasol? And without those guys, Kobe has never gotten out of the first round of the playoffs. And he also had Phil Jackson as well
8) Kobe led 4 out of the 6 worst Lakers teams in NBA history, took the leagues highest salary, shot the most bricks in NBA history, the lowest FG% out of any player in the NBA during the last 2 years and his farewell tour prevents young stars from developing.

I’ve already explained why Lebron and Duncan are better in pretty much every way, from stats to efficiency to being less selfish, so I’m done with that. Kobe is ranked fairly here. He is not top 10 all time. I’m ok with Oscar Robertson being higher. I’m assuming ESPN was using advanced metrics like PER and win shares to rank him, which arent favorable to him, which is why he’s ranked even lower than I expected. It also explains why Iverson and Isiah are ranked lower because those are 2 other players that are very overrated by the public because of the ‘eye’ test, leading you to believe a player was better than they actually were.