Top 20 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

When considering the Goats you’ve got to consider accomplishments, statistics, emotional appeal, and of course.....RINGS.

I’ve always tried to make sure my arguments are legit so here’s how I’m breaking down the Tiers of Greatness.

Tier 1 - Torch Holders - if you’re in the top tier it’s because you were the best player(s) in the game with no debate. Things went through you and everybody knew it.

Tier 2 - You’re All Timers. These guys have rings and we’re dominant presences in the game for over a decade. 

Tier 3 - These guys have the rings, but their names don’t carry the same pizazz as the names in tier 2. 

Tier 4 - Close but no cigar. Most of these guys don’t have a championship, but their names are all over the all time statistics.

Stats are accurate up to 2/10/2020

4th Tier

20. John Stockton 

Top all time in assists and top 3 in steals, for 20 years Stockton wore out opponents with his persistence and absolute toughness.

Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Steals: 3,265
Blocks: 315
All Stars: 10X

19. Allen Iverson

The answer was the truth. The toughest player 6ft and under, Iverson left his heart on the floor every night.

Points: 24,368

Rebounds: 3,394

Assists: 5,624
Steals: 1,983
Blocks: 164
All Stars: 11X
2001-02 MVP

18. Steph Curry

2 time champion and the first ever unanimous MVP winner. Has changed the game forever, but his lack of clutchness and Finals MVPs holds him back.

Points: 16,419

Rebounds: 3,158 

Assists: 4,621
Steals: 1,205
Blocks: 156
All Stars: 6X
MVP: 2014-15, 2015-16

17. Karl Malone 

Malone's one of the greatest scorers ever. Dominant in the pick and roll and dominant on the block, The Mail Man is a legend.

Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Steals: 2,085
Blocks: 1,145
All Stars: 14X
2X MVP: 1997, 1999

16. Kawhi Leonard 

The Silent Assassin has spoken more since his San Antonio days, but so has his game. 2 finals MVPs in 3 appearances, Kawhi’s on his way up.

Points: 9,793

Rebounds: 3,352
Assists: 1,403

Steals: 932
Blocks: 346
All Stars: 4X
2X Finals MVP: 2014, 2019

3rd Tier

15. Oscar Robertson

The original Mr. Triple Double. His era keeps him out of the top 10, but he and Kareem formed one of the toughest duos ever in Milwaulkee.

Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Steals: 77*
Blocks: 4*
All Stars: 12X
MVP: 1963-64 

14. Jerry West

The Logo. Harder to tell which career was better, the team builder or the player. Around for some of the better turn arounds in sport, Memphis, the Clippers and oh yeah..... Golden State.

Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Steals: 81*
Blocks: 23*
All Stars: 14X
1968-69 Finals MVP

*Blocks and Steals were not counted until 1973. *

13. Kevin Durant

Quite possibly the greatest offensive weapon ever. His rings feel cheap as he joined the best regular season team ever, but his game is undeniable. He also shot the most deadly three pointer to put a series out of reach, not once but twice. 

Points: 22,940
Rebounds: 5,992
Assists: 3,486
Steals: 948
Blocks: 941
All Stars: 10X
2013-2014 NBA MVP
2016-17, 2017-18 Finals MVP. 

12. Bill Russell

The 11x champion and pioneer of basketball. His rings feel cheap as he was one of the few black faces in the league, and routinely was 4,5 inches taller than everyone else.

Points: 14,552
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
All Stars: 12X
5X NBA MVP

11. Hakeem Olajuwon 

2x champ, smoothest low post player ever. Dominant rim protector, but his 2 rings have invisible asterisks with Jordan being retired. 

Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Steals: 2,162
Blocks: 3,830
All Stars: 12X
NBA MVP: 1993-94
2X Finals MVP: 1993-94, 1994-95

2nd Tier 

10. Moses Malone 

Rebound God. Moses Malone a champion with Philly, was unstoppable on the block. 

Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Steals: 1,199
Blocks: 1,889
All Stars: 13X
3X NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP 1982-83

9. Wilt Chamberlain

The first shit talker in basketball. Wilt is the most dominant scorer ever, still flexing the most points ever scored in a game.

Points: 31,419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
All Stars: 13X
4X NBA MVP
1971-72 NBA Finals MVP

8. Shaquille O’Neal

4x Champ. Easily the most dominant force to ever play. If only he would’ve stayed in shape.

Points: 28,596
Rebounds: 13,099
Assists: 3,026
Steals: 739
Blocks: 2,732
All Stars: 15X
1999-00 MVP
3X Finals MVP

7. Tim Duncan 

Mr. Fundamental. 5x champ, but his boring personality and game keeps him from being considered the ultimate.

Points: 26,496
Rebounds: 15,091
Assists: 4,225
Steals: 1,025
Blocks: 3,020
All Stars: 15x
2X NBA MVP
3X Finals MVP

Top Tier

6. Larry Bird 

The coldest white boy of all time. 3x champion.  

Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Steals: 1,556
Blocks: 755
All Stars: 12X
3X NBA MVP
2X Finals MVP

5. Magic Johnson

Showtime himself. The most dramatic player with the most dramatic passes ever seen. 5 time champion, who could’ve easily had 8 rings.
Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Steals: 1,724
Blocks: 374
All Stars: 12X
3X MVP
3X Finals MVP

4. Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan 2.0. 5x champ, but his selfish stigma keeps him out of the torch holders. 

Points: 33,643
Rebounds: 7,047
Assists: 6,306
Steals: 1,944
Blocks: 640
All Stars: 18X

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar

6 rings in 20 years and is the game’s greatest scorer. An unstoppable force with the most unstoppable shot of all time.

Points: 38,387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Steals: 1,160*
Blocks: 3,183*
All Stars: 19X
6X MVP
2X Finals MVP

2. LeBron James

4 rings and the ultimate stat sheet stuffer. The most controversial superstar, no one feels indifferent. You either love or hate The King. 

Points: 34,241
Rebounds: 9,405
Assists: 9,346

Steals: 2,015
Blocks: 957
All Stars: 16X
4X MVP
4X Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)

1. Michael Jordan

6 rings in 15 years. Two 3 peats in a row and without a doubt the most feared competitor in all sports.

Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Steals: 2,515
Blocks: 893
All Stars: 14X
5x MVP
6X Finals MVP