Who's the best NBA player in history?

Answer 1

i'd have to go with Michael Jordan.

Answer 2

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Not only did he make the playoffs EVERY year of his career and have all the accolades that Mark J cites, but he was the focal point of rule changes of the time. When he was in 8th grade, high schools athletic associations across the US, the NCAA and the NAIA all adopted a "no-dunk" rule. His "sky hook" is the most unstoppable shot in basketball history. Also, his game was complete when he started his NBA career. He played defense, rebounded, shot a high percentage, shot free throws at a good percentage, found open teammates with passes and ran the floor; all from the very beginning of his career.

Wilt Chamberlain would be a close second. The only reason Kareem is better is because he has many championships. Wilt has only one. Wilt was also the focal point of at least 2 rule changes. 1 - The lane was made wider. Before Wilt, the lane actually looked like a large keyhole (thus the phrase "top of the key"). It was widened to it's current width because of Wilt. 2 - Free throws. While Wilt was at Kansas, he usually took two dribbles, rocked back and leapt toward the rim and either dunked or dropped a short layup. The "plane of the free throw shot" was invented because of this. Also, Wilt holds many career, single season and single game records for scoring and rebounding.

Answer 3

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1995); NBA champion (1971, '80, '82, '85, '87, '88); NBA MVP (1971, '72, '74, '76, '77, '80); All-NBA First Team (1971, '72, '73, '74, '76, '77, '80, '81, '84, '86); All-NBA Second Team (1970, '78, '79, '83, '85); All-Defensive First Team (1974, '75, '79, '80, '81); All-Defensive Second Team (1970, '71, '76, '77, '78, '84); Rookie of the Year (1970); 19-time All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Answer 4

It is hard to say who is the best in history because the types of positions and players vary so much, but i can tell you a top 15 or so.
Michael Jordan
Wilt Chamberlin
Oscar Robertson
Magic Johnson
Larry Bird
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Hakeem Olajuwon
Kobe Bryant
Tim Duncan
Shaquille O'Neal
Pete Maravich
Elgin Baylor
Isiah Thomas
Bill Russell

Answer 5

Look Magic Johnson is the greatest player ever. Next is Michael Jordan. Then its Bill Russel. In that order is the 3 greatest players ever. They are the complete package defensively, offensively, team players and hard workers. Wilt Chamberlain is not on the top 3 because he was a horrible free throw shooter and a greedy basketball player. Larry Bird isn't on the top 3 because his defense was suspect.

Answer 6

the best all around player in history of NBA is Magic Johnson who had like 300 career triple-doubles and won 5 NBA titles, and Jordan won 6 NBA Titles, but played more years, and had no competition to go up against, like Magic had to face Bird's Celtics and the Bad Boy Pistons and lots of other excellent teams, and Bill Russell did dominate by winning 9 str8 and 11 of 13, but he also had not much competition in his days and had like 5 hall of famers on his team, so I'd edge Magic over Russell and Jordan, Magic Johnson was like the Willie "Say Hey" Mays of NBA

Answer 7

Arguably Michael Jordan.

Answer 8

Jordan is the best player hands down. He's was a team leader, offensive and defensive threat to all in the league. Most of the time he was unstoppable

Answer 9

Michael Jordan for the sheer fact that he had David Stern in his side and his best years came when the league was globalized and seen from every corner of the world.

Answer 10

There was a man who changed the game forever. He's been forgotten over the years, but anyone who knows the game of basketball will agree...


Daryl Dawkins AKA Chocolate Thunder

In addition to being the best player alive, he named ever single one of his dunks. Now that is a true player.

Answer 11

Larry Bird