Basketball fans often discuss about the best basketball players in the history of the game. Well, let’s talk about them. However, I am going to categorize the players by position to make it easier to read.
So here goes, the best basketball players ever by position
Best Point Guards in the NBA
Magic Johnson
Isiah Thomas
John Stockton
Jason Kidd
Gary Payton
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook
Stephen Curry
Chauncey Billups
Kyrie Irving
Magic Johnson is without a doubt one of the best point guards in the NBA history. He won 5 NBA titles with the Lakers.
Russell Westbrook made history in 2016-2017 NBA season where he averaged triple double for the whole season. Only one other person in the NBA history that has ever averaged triple double in a season (Oscar Robertson, 1961-1962).
Best Shooting Guards in the NBA
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Reggie Miller
Jerry West
Ray Allen
Allen Iverson
Oscar Robertson
Clyde Drexler
Dwyane Wade
Klay Thompson
Michael Jordan is considered to be the best basketball player in history and many consider Kobe comes in close second. However, there are big names like Reggie Miller, Jerry West, Allen Iverson, and more.
During his professional basketball career, Michael Jordan won six NBA titles and Kobe Bryant won five.
Oscar Robertson is the only person, other than Russell Westbrook, who averages triple double in a season. Oscar won one championship with the Bucks.
Best Small Forwards in the NBA
Lebron James
Larry Bird
Julius Erving
Scottie Pippen
Kevin Durant
James Worthy
Kawhi Leonard
Dominique Wilkins
Paul Pierce
Elgin Baylor
Lebron James is probably the best and most athletic small forward in NBA history and Larry Bird is at second place. There are a lot of champions in this position. Lebron James, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, and James Worthy, each won three NBA championships.
Julius Erving won three championships but only one NBA championship (2 -time ABA Champions). Paul Pierce, Elgin Baylor, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant all has one ring.
However, Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant are still playing basketball. So let’s see how many more they can win before their career is over.
Related Post: The Best NBA Pro Talk Show
Best Power Forwards in the NBA
Tim Duncan
Charles Barkley
Kevin Garnett
Karl Malone
Dennis Rodman
Dirk Nowitzky
Kevin McHale
Elvin Hayes
Pau Gasol
Robert Horry
Tim Duncan is a 5-time NBA Champion with the San Antonio Spurs and that achievement really puts him on top of everyone else in the list. Even though Charles Barkley and Karl Malone never wins an NBA ring, their game is well-respected by their peers.
Dennis Rodman is known for being one of the best rebounders in the league. Dennis also won five NBA Championships, however, he was not the “go-to guy” while he was playing.
Robert Horry’s career is very interesting because he is able to win seven NBA titles with three different teams. A player that comes close is John Salley who has four NBA rings with three teams.
Best Centers in the NBA
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Shaquille O’Neal
Hakeem Olajuwon
David Robinson
Patrick Ewing
Robert Parish
Ben Wallace
Moses Malone
Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the best big men in NBA history. Wilt is the leading rebounder in NBA history, Bill Russell has the most rings, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores the most points in the NBA.
Shaquille O’Neal is a 4-time NBA Champion and is one of the most dominating players in the game. The reason was because Shaq just too big for one person to guard. To his credit, Shaq’s movements were quick in his prime. He also came into the league in the 90’s where television coverage was really growing.
Do you agree with the list above? Who am I missing? Please let me know what you think and thank you for reading.
