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186.1k voters

The Top NBA Players Of All Time

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated March 30, 2021 2.0m votes 186.1k voters 1.7m views269 items

List RulesVote up the best pro basketball players to ever compete in the NBA.

When it comes to the top NBA players of all time, there's plenty of speculation and room for debate, though many may not think so. Though Michael Jordan is easily considered the greatest player ever, some may say players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Kevin Durant give him a run for his money. Who are the best NBA players? This list includes the best basketball players in NBA history, along with the top basketball players today.

Anyone can vote on the best NBA players here, which means these players are truly fan favorites. NBA fans can even add their own rankings to this list. Whether they have a famous jumper that just won't quit or ball-handling skills that leave their opponents spinning, these top 100 NBA players rule the hoop and the hardwood, and this list is a celebration of those skills. This list should answer who is the top 100, top 10, and best NBA player ever.

If you've ever asked, "Who's the greatest basketball player of all time?", look no further. Ranked by votes from thousands of fans, this list features the all time NBA GOATs, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Vote up the best basketball player ever, and those who follow close behind. Then head over and vote on the best NBA players of the 2010s.

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1
72,784
23,256
Michael Jordan
Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
Position: Shooting guard
6× NBA champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002, 2003)
3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
10× NBA scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
3× NBA steals leader (1988, 1990, 1993)
2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1987, 1988)

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2
63,067
33,153
LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Power forward
4× NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
4× NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
4× NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
17× NBA All-Star (2005–2021)
3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018)
13× All-NBA First Team (2006, 2008–2018, 2020)
5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009–2013)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2004)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)
NBA scoring champion (2008)
NBA assists leader (2020)

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3
42,924
24,554
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Center
6× NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
2× NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985)
6× NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
19× NBA All-Star (1970–1977, 1979–1989)
10× All-NBA First Team (1971–1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)
5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1974, 1975, 1979–1981)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1970)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1970)
2× NBA scoring champion (1971, 1972)
NBA rebounding champion (1976)
4× NBA blocks leader (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)

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4
42,227
21,693
Larry Bird
Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward
3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984–1986)
12× NBA All-Star (1980–1988, 1990–1992)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982)
9× All-NBA First Team (1980–1988)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1980)
NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
3× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986–1988)
2× 50–40–90 club (1987, 1988)

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5
38,317
21,960
Wilt Chamberlain
Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Center
2× NBA champion (1967, 1972)
NBA Finals MVP (1972)
4× NBA Most Valuable Player (1960, 1966–1968)
13× NBA All-Star (1960–1969, 1971–1973)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960)
7× All-NBA First Team (1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1972, 1973)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1960)
7× NBA scoring champion (1960–1966)
11× NBA rebounding champion (1960–1963, 1966–1969, 1971–1973)
NBA assists leader (1968)

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6
41,814
23,966
Magic Johnson
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Point guard
5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989, 1990)
12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
4× NBA assists leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987)
2× NBA steals leader (1981, 1982)

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7
52,896
28,049
Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Shooting guard
5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
2× NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
18× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)
4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011)
2× NBA scoring champion (2006, 2007)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)

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8
32,892
19,090
Bill Russell
Boston Celtics
Position: Center
11× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969)
5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963)
3× All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969)
4× NBA rebounding champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965)

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9
35,565
20,559
Shaquille O'Neal
Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat
Position: Center
4× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2006)
3× NBA Finals MVP (2000–2002)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2000)
15× NBA All-Star (1993–1998, 2000–2007, 2009)
3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009)
8× All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000–2006)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1993)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)
2× NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000)

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10
30,701
17,562
Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs
Position: Power forward
5× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
3× NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005)
2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2002, 2003)
15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011, 2013, 2015)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000)
10× All-NBA First Team (1998–2005, 2007, 2013)
8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999–2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1998)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1998)
NBA Teammate of the Year (2015)

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11
28,287
16,481
Hakeem Olajuwon
Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
Position: Center
2× NBA champion (1994, 1995)
2× NBA Finals MVP (1994, 1995)
NBA Most Valuable Player (1994)
12× NBA All-Star (1985–1990, 1992–1997)
6× All-NBA First Team (1987–1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 1994)
5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
2× NBA rebounding leader (1989, 1990)
3× NBA blocks leader (1990, 1991, 1993)

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12
20,776
10,683
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
Position: Point guard
3× NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018)
2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2015, 2016)
7× NBA All-Star (2014–2019, 2021)
3× All-NBA First Team (2015, 2016, 2019)
NBA scoring champion (2016)
NBA steals leader (2016)
50–40–90 club (2016)
2x NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2015, 2021)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2010)

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13
20,617
10,805
Kevin Durant
Brooklyn Nets, Seattle Supersonics
Position: Small forward
2× NBA champion (2017, 2018)
2× NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2014)
11× NBA All-Star (2010–2019, 2021)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019)
6× All-NBA First Team (2010–2014, 2018)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2008)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2008)
4× NBA scoring champion (2010–2012, 2014)
50–40–90 club (2013)

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14
14,568
8,416
Kevin Garnett
Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Power forward
NBA champion (2008)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2004)
15× NBA All-Star (1997, 1998, 2000–2011, 2013)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (2003)
4× All-NBA First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2008)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000–2005, 2008, 2009, 2011)
4× NBA rebounding champion (2004–2007)

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15
17,721
10,743
Karl Malone
Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Power forward
2× NBA Most Valuable Player (1997, 1999)
14× NBA All-Star (1988–1998, 2000–2002)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1989, 1993)
11× All-NBA First Team (1989–1999)
3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1997–1999)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1986)

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16
16,786
9,855
Scottie Pippen
Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Small forward
6× NBA champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
7× NBA All-Star (1990, 1992–1997)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1994)
3× All-NBA First Team (1994–1996)
8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1992–1999)
NBA steals leader (1995)

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17
20,560
12,822
Allen Iverson
Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets
Position: Point guard
NBA Most Valuable Player (2001)
11× NBA All-Star (2000–2010)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2001, 2005)
3× All-NBA First Team (1999, 2001, 2005)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1997)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1997)
NBA Rookie Game MVP (1997)
4× NBA scoring champion (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005)
3× NBA steals leader (2001–2003)

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18
16,273
10,214
Jerry West
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Point Guard
NBA champion (1972)
NBA Finals MVP (1969)
14× NBA All-Star (1961–1974)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1972)
10× All-NBA First Team (1962–1967, 1970–1973)
4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1970–1973)
NBA scoring champion (1970)
NBA assists leader (1972)

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19
16,023
9,501
John Stockton
Utah Jazz
Position: Point guard
10× NBA All-Star (1989–1997, 2000)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1993)
2× All-NBA First Team (1994, 1995)
9× NBA assists leader (1988–1996)
2× NBA steals leader (1989, 1992)

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20
16,086
10,313
Charles Barkley
Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets
Position: Power forward
NBA Most Valuable Player (1993)
11× NBA All-Star (1987–1997)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1991)
5× All-NBA First Team (1988–1991, 1993)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
NBA rebounding leader (1987)

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21
13,142
8,908
David Robinson
San Antonio Spurs
Position: Center
2× NBA champion (1999, 2003)
NBA Most Valuable Player (1995)
10× NBA All-Star (1990–1996, 1998, 2000, 2001)
4× All-NBA First Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1992)
4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996)
NBA scoring champion (1994)
NBA rebounding leader (1991)
NBA blocks leader (1992)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1990)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1990)

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22
16,699
10,062
Dwyane Wade
Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls
Position: Shooting guard
3× NBA champion (2006, 2012, 2013)
NBA Finals MVP (2006)
13× NBA All-Star (2005–2016, 2019)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010)
2× All-NBA First Team (2009, 2010)
NBA scoring champion (2009)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)

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23
19,280
12,265
Dirk Nowitzki
Dallas Mavericks
Position: Power forward
NBA champion (2011)
NBA Finals MVP (2011)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2007)
14× NBA All-Star (2002–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
4× All-NBA First Team (2005–2007, 2009)
50–40–90 club (2007)
NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2006)

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24
12,494
8,767
Steve Nash
Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Point guard
2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2005, 2006)
8× NBA All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005–2008, 2010, 2012)
3× All-NBA First Team (2005–2007)
5× NBA assists leader (2005–2007, 2010, 2011)
4× 50–40–90 club (2006, 2008–2010)

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9,685
6,899
Patrick Ewing
New York Knicks, Orlando Magic
Position: Center
11× NBA All-Star (1986, 1988–1997)
All-NBA First Team (1990)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1986)
NBA All-Rookie Team (1986)

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