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Brad Daugherty

In the NBA, the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-centers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NBA centers</a> from the 80s were the missing&nbsp;piece&nbsp;of the puzzle on any team. The&nbsp;&quot;big man&quot; is normally the tallest man on the team, with a lot of strength and body mass. It's a necessary component for a successful team, so naturally, the greatest NBA centers from the 80s makes for a great list to look through! Vote for your favorites among the best 80s NBA centers and vote down the ones you don't think are among the best NBA centers!When discussing the top 1980s NBA centers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has got to be in the conversation. Patrick Ewing and Hakeem &quot;The Dream&quot; are also considered some of the best NBA Centers of the 1980s.So take a look at this best NBA centers 80s and vote for your favorites!&nbsp;

1960s

Zelmo Beaty

In the NBA, the best 60s centers were the most important part of their respective teams. The &quot;big man&quot; was even more important back in the 60s than it is today because the NBA used to be a distinctly less athletic league. If you had a true force in the middle, there was really no stopping you. It was a necessary component for a successful team, so naturally, the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-centers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NBA centers</a> from the 60s makes for a great list to look through! Vote for your favorites on this list of the best 60s NBA centers and vote down the ones you don't think are among the greatest NBA centers from the 60s!When discussing the top 1960s NBA centers, Wilt &quot;The Stilt&quot; has to be in the conversation. Connie Hawkins and Bill Russell are considered some of the best NBA Centers of the 1960s, and many more are in this list! If you don't think Bill Russell should be on this list then you probably shouldn't even be looking at this list. Seriously.So take a look at this best NBA centers of the 60s list and vote for your favorites!&nbsp;

Connie Hawkins

Power forward, or &quot;the post,&quot; requires a strong, tall player to stand with their backs to the basket. They're a critical position, so here is a list of the best 70s power forwards for you to peruse! Check out this list of 1970s power forwards&nbsp;to find some of the toughest players in the game! Vote for your favorite top 70s power forwards, and down vote the ones you don't think make the grade.&nbsp;When thinking about the greatest NBA power forwards from the 70s, people like Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, and Connie Hawkins are always in the conversation. The&nbsp;best 70s NBA power forwards&nbsp;were greatly influential in how the game is played today and this list of the best 70s NBA PFs, like Dave Debusschere, remind you that these were some truly tremendous players.So take a look at this top 1970s NBA power forwards and vote for your favorites!

Basketball

The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-2010s-centers/ranker-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best NBA players of the 2010s</a> feature an array of legends continuing to write their legacies along with new stars breaking out on the scene. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan were already greats starting the decade, but they continued adding to their stories. New stars like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo started taking over the game as the sport evolved.

The decade showcased the top basketball players of the 2010s, almost all making All-Star Game appearances, receiving All-NBA votes, and contending in the postseason. Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers had the biggest impact going to the most NBA Finals, and all featured superstars who would be major factors on any list like this.

But which player deserves to be voted the best of them all? All the best NBA players of the decade a rebe featured here, along with their accomplishments from just the 2010s. Vote up&nbsp;the best players of the 2010s to help decide the true top superstar!

Slick Watts

The greatest NBA&nbsp;point guards of the 1970s&nbsp;were certainly a diverse group. From Walt &quot;Clyde&quot; Frazier, to &quot;Big O&quot;, Lenny Wilkens to &quot;Pistol&quot; Pete. The top 70s point guards&nbsp;of the&nbsp;NBA played the game with a unique style that fans loved. It was an era of silky smooth point guard play. Please look at any of Walt Frazier's fur coats to confirm this. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-point-guards-in-nba-history?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest point guards</a> of the 70s&nbsp;definitely had an impact on the NBA that many still feel today.&nbsp;While many of the best <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-point-guards-currently-in-the-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">NBA point guards</a> of the 70s didn't win a championship, they still achieved legendary status.&nbsp;The 70s NBA point guard helped set the stage for the game's explosion in popularity the following decade. With that, here's a list of the&nbsp;greatest point guards of the 1970s.&nbsp;Truly&nbsp;a&nbsp;group that is&nbsp;among the best PGs to ever play basketball.

Billy Knight

The&nbsp;top&nbsp;shooting guards of the 70s include some of the most legendary players in NBA history. And that is really saying something. From 'Pistol' Pete to the logo himself, Jerry West.&nbsp;The&nbsp;greatest&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;shooting guards&nbsp;from the 1970s were also among the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen. Take the Ice Man George Gervin for example. The best NBA shooting guards from the 70s certainly made their mark on the game. Some of the top 70s shooting guards won NBA championships while other 70s SGs were known more their signature styles like Earl &quot;The Pearl&quot; and &quot;The Pistol.&quot; The best&nbsp;NBA shooting guards from the 1970s were a truly diverse group that came from different backgrounds. Vote for your favorites now!

1980s

Maurice Cheeks

The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-point-guards-in-nba-history?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest point guards</a> of the 80s had a diverse background with many having success at the college level before making the jump to the NBA. After success at Michigan State, Magic Johnson, for example, ran point for the Showtime Lakers during the&nbsp;80s&nbsp;- winning five championships in a span of nine seasons (which certainly qualifies him as a top 80s point guard).&nbsp;But the&nbsp;former&nbsp;Spartan legend had company. Isiah Thomas, also on this list of great 80s point guards, helped Indiana win the NCAA title in 1981. Several other players who laced it up&nbsp;during the decade&nbsp;were considered to be among the greatest point guards in NBA history. These&nbsp;athletes played during a transformative and transitional time in league history. So with that, here's a list of the&nbsp;greatest point guards of the 1980s. Definitely some of the best PGs to ever play basketball.

Sam Perkins

In the NBA, the&nbsp;best NBA Centers of the 1990s&nbsp;were the linchpin of the team. The &quot;big man&quot; is normally the tallest man on the team, with a lot of strength and body mass. It's a necessary component for a successful team, so naturally, the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-centers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NBA centers</a> from the '90s makes for a great list to look through! Vote for your favorites among the best '90s NBA centers and down vote the ones you don't think are among the best NBA centers!&nbsp;When discussing the top 1990s NBA centers, Shaq has to be in the conversation. In fact, he is probably one of the best NBA centers of the 2000s as well. Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson are also considered some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-nba-centers/ranker-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best NBA centers</a> of the '90s and many more great players are on this list as well! For the modern era, you'll want to check out this list of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-nba-centers/ranker-nba">best Centers currently playing in the NBA</a>.So if you and friend are about to come to blows on whether Shaq or Hakeem was the best Center of the 90s, then you'll want to see what other fans think. On the other hand, if you think the best NBA Center of the 90s is missing, then please add him to the list.&nbsp;

Adrian Dantley

Small forward is arguably the most challenging position in all of basketball. It Requires the speed of a shooting guard with the power of a power forward. It requires brains and brawn in order to become one of the greats. When you're looking for the best 70s small forwards, this list has a bunch for you to look through! Check out this list of best 70s NBA small forwards and vote for your favorites, and vote down the forwards from the 70s you don't think stack up.&nbsp;Whether looking at the great Connie Hawkins, Bernard King or the fantastic Bill Bradley, there are plenty of the top 1970s NBA small forwards for you to look through! Many of these greatest NBA small forwards of the 1970s have gone on to enter the hall of fame, and it's easy to see why!So take a look at this list of the best 1970s SFs from the NBA and vote for your favorites! Then check out some of our other sports lists to see where your favorite players stack up!&nbsp;

Horace Grant

Power forward, or &quot;the post,&quot; requires a strong, tall player to stand with their backs to the basket. They're a critical position, so this is a list of the best 80s power forwards for you to peruse! Check out this list of&nbsp;1980s power forwards&nbsp;to find some of the toughest players in the game! Vote for your favorite top 80s power forwards, and down vote the ones you don't think make the grade.&nbsp;&nbsp;When &nbsp;thinking about the greatest NBA power forwards from the 80s, people like Larry Nance, Charles Oakley and Kevin Willis are always in the conversation. And, of course, you can't talk about the&nbsp;best 80s NBA power forwards&nbsp;without bringing up Larry Bird, and this list of the best NBA PFs 80s, like Otis Thorpe, will remind you that these were some truly great players.&nbsp;So take a look at this top 1980s NBA power forwards and vote for your favorites! Then take a look at some of our other sports lists to see the best of the best!

90s Sports

Allan Houston

The&nbsp;top&nbsp;90s NBA shooting guards enjoyed illustrious careers in the league and are part of (arguably) the NBA's golden age. That's not a proper nickname for the decade but with all of these stars it is hard to really argue.&nbsp;The&nbsp;greatest&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;shooting guards&nbsp;from the 1990s were also a&nbsp;memorable group of players that became icons. More than icons. Michael Jordan everybody. Michael Jordan.Some of the best shooting guards of the 90s were known as pure scorers while other top SGs of the 90s were lockdown defenders.&nbsp;Some&nbsp;of the top 90s NBA shooting guards&nbsp;had success in the previous decade while others were just starting their career and dominated later. The best&nbsp;NBA shooting guards from the 1990s were also one-man corporations with portfolios that included numerous endorsement deals.&nbsp;Here's a list of the&nbsp;greatest NBA&nbsp;shooting guards of the 1990s. Definitely some of the best SGs in NBA history.

Jeff Hornacek

The&nbsp;top&nbsp;shooting guards of the 80s are some very, very familiar names and are without question some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-top-nba-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NBA players</a> to ever take the court. It is important to note that the&nbsp;best&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;shooting guards&nbsp;from the 1980s were a&nbsp;dynamic group of athletes that truly changed the game. True trendsetters. The greatest NBA shooting guards from the 80s came into the league with tremendous pedigrees.&nbsp;Some&nbsp;of the top 80s shooting guards&nbsp;dominated the&nbsp;college game and carried that success into the NBA. The best&nbsp;NBA shooting guards from the 1980s also helped strengthen the league's global brand and inspired today's international stars.&nbsp;With that,&nbsp;here's a list of the&nbsp;greatest NBA&nbsp;shooting guards of the 1980s.

Johnny Kerr

Power forward, or &quot;the post,&quot; requires a strong, tall player to stand with their backs to the basket. They're a critical position, so here is a list of the best 60s power forwards for you to peruse! Check out this list of the best 60s NBA power forwards to find some of the toughest players to ever play the game! Vote for your favorite top 60s power forwards, and vote down the ones you don't think make the grade. Back in the 60s, the NBA was a different place than it is today. Back then it was truly a &quot;man's game&quot; and the players on this list exemplify that perfectly.When thinking about the greatest NBA power forwards from the 60s, people like Bob Boozer and Paul Silas are always in the conversation. Tough, gritty, 1960s power forwards were greatly influential in how the game is played today.So take a look at these top 1960s NBA power forwards and see who might be your favorite. Don't forget to vote for who you think the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-power-forwards-in-nba-history?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best power forwards</a> of the 60s are!

Jerry West

The top <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-point-guards-currently-in-the-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">NBA point guards</a>&nbsp;of the 1960s played during a time when the league was still finding its identity. And subsequently, they helped mold the NBA into what is today. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-point-guards-in-nba-history?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest point guards</a> of the 60s were still exciting in their own way even though the game back then was a lot more based on, well, &quot;fundementals.&quot; Of course, the Boston Celtics dominated the NBA during the decade. But there were still plenty of great NBA point guards during the 1960s. While the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-minnesota-timberwolves-point-guards/ranker-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best point guards</a> of the 60s were scattered throughout the NBA, Red Auerbach's team had several on its roster. The 60s NBA point guard may not have garnered the headlines that big men like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain did but the top NBA PGs from the decade were impressive in their own way. With that, here's a list of the&nbsp;greatest point guards of the 1960s. Definitely some of the best PGs to ever play basketball.

Tim Duncan

In the NBA, the&nbsp;best NBA Centers of the 2000s&nbsp;were the linchpin of the team. The &quot;big man&quot; is normally the tallest man on the team, with a lot of strength and body mass. It's a necessary component for a successful team, so naturally, the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-centers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NBA centers</a> from the 2000s makes for a great list to look through! Vote for your favorites among the best 2000s NBA centers and down vote the ones you don't think are among the best NBA centers!&nbsp;&nbsp;When discussing the top 2000s NBA centers, Chris Bosh has got to be in the conversation. Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard are considered some of the best NBA centers 2000s and many more are in this list!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So take a look at this best NBA centers 2000s and vote for your favorites! Check out Ranker for some other sports lists to see your next favorite player!

80s Sports

David Thompson

Small forward is arguably the most challenging positions in all of basketball. Requiring the speed of a shooting guard with the power of a power forward, it requires brains and brawn in order to become one of the greats. If&nbsp;you're looking for the best 80s small forwards, this list is perfect for you! Take a look at this list of the top 1980s <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-nba-small-forwards/ranker-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">NBA small forwards</a> and vote for the ones you like! Don't think someone should be on this best NBA SFs 1980s list? Vote them down!One can't talk about the best SFs of the 80s and 90s without bringing up the legend, Larry Bird. but there are plenty of others as well! Clyde Drexler is considered to be one of the greatest NBA small forwards of the 1980s, as is the estimable Detlef Schrempf. With this list of NBA small forwards from the 80s, you really can't go wrong.So take a look at this list of 1980s small forwards and vote for your favorites! Then take a look at some of our other lists across the decades and see how your favorites stack up!&nbsp;

Point Guards

Kenny Anderson

While the greatest '90s <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-point-guards-currently-in-the-nba?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">NBA point guards</a> may not be as memorable as the current roster of talent at the position, there are still a number of stars that were at the top of their game during the time. These top NBA point guards of the 1990s put on a display of basketball IQ and fundamental soundness on the court. The 90s saw Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls&nbsp;dominate&nbsp;pro basketball. The Bulls used a variety of point guards, including John Paxson, B.J. Armstrong, Randy Brown, Steve Kerr and Ron Harper, to win six titles in eight seasons. That's not to say the decade was completely devoid of exciting point guard play. However, those manning the position&nbsp;just didn't necessarily lead their respective teams to winning&nbsp;an NBA title. So with that, here's a list of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-point-guards-in-nba-history?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest point guards</a> of the 1990s. These 90s PGs are some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-point-guards-in-nba-history?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best point guards of all time</a>. Who do you think is the top NBA point guard of the nineties? A Decade that changed basketball forever.

Kevin Durant

There have been some pretty outstanding <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-10-current-nba-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">professional basketball players</a> in the past couple of decades. But, what the basketball world has witnessed during the 2010s is nothing short of extraordinary. These are the best 2010s small forwards. The very best NBA small forwards of the 2010s. Take a look at this list of the best SFs from the 2010s and see if you agree.These are the guys who truly make the game of basketball fun and entertaining. They are some of the most versatile players on the court. From Lebron James, to Kevin Durant, to Carmelo Anthony, this list is jam packed with mega-stars. Make sure to vote for who you think best SFs of the 2010s are. A lot of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-10-small-forwards?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">top NBA small forwards</a> of the 2010s are some of the NBA's top stars. Period. So you have your work cut out for you while voting.

Detlef Schrempf

Small forward is arguably the most challenging position in all of basketball. It Requires the speed of a shooting guard with the power of a power forward. It requires brains and brawn in order to become one of the greats. When you're looking for the best 2000s small forwards, this list has a bunch for you to look through! Check out this list of best 2000s <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-10-small-forwards?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">NBA small forwards</a> and vote up your favorites, and vote down the forwards from the 2000s you don't think stack up. From all time greats like Carmello Anthony and Lebron James, to great position players like Luol Deng, there are plenty of the top 2000s NBA small forwards for you to look through! Many of the greatest NBA small forwards of the 2000s have gone on to become some of the most popular players in the history of the NBA.So take a look at this list of the best 2000s SFs from the NBA and vote up your favorites! These are the greatest NBA small forwards of the 2000s!

Earl Monroe

The greatest&nbsp;shooting guards of the 60s were a talented group of athletes that really are who anyone who wants to learn how to play basketball should watch. These men knew how to play the game the right way, and wouldn't you know it, score at the same time.&nbsp;The top NBA&nbsp;shooting guards&nbsp;of the 1960s played during an era dominated by big men like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell but still managed to make their mark on the league. The best NBA shooting guards from the 60s were also versatile, with many of them playing the point or sliding over to small forward as well. The best&nbsp;NBA SGs from the decade included guys that had great success after their playing careers were over and icludes several absolute legends of basketball.&nbsp;

NBA Players Over the Decades

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In the NBA, the&nbsp;top 1970s NBA centers&nbsp;were the most important part of the team. The man in the middle dominated that particular era of basketball. The &quot;big man&quot; is normally the tallest man on the team, with a lot of strength and body mass. It's a necessary component for a successful team, so naturally, the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-centers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NBA centers</a> from the 70s makes for a great list to look through! Vote for your favorites among the best 70s NBA centers and vote down the players you don't think are among the greatest NBA centers from the 70s!When discussing the best 70s centers, Wilt &quot;The Stilt&quot; will never be far from people's thoughts. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton are considered some of the best NBA centers of the 1970s, and many more are in this list!&nbsp;So take a look at this best NBA centers 70s and vote for your favorites!&nbsp;

Best NBA Centers of the 1970s, Ranked by Votes

The Best Centers of the 70s

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947) is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. During his career as a center, Abdul-Jabbar was a record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), a record 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA selection, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. A member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach, Abdul-Jabbar twice was voted NBA Finals MVP. In 1996, he was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. NBA coach Pat Riley and players Isiah Thomas and Julius Erving have called him the greatest basketball player of all time.After winning 71 consecutive basketball games on his high school team in New York City, Alcindor was recruited by Jerry Norman, the assistant coach of UCLA, where he played for coach John Wooden on three consecutive national championship teams and was a record three-time MVP of the NCAA Tournament. Drafted with the first overall pick by the one-season-old Bucks franchise in the 1969 NBA draft, Alcindor spent six seasons in Milwaukee. After leading the Bucks to its first NBA championship at age 24 in 1971, he took the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using his trademark "skyhook" shot, he established himself as one of the league's top scorers. In 1975, he was traded to the Lakers, with whom he played the final 14 seasons of his career and won five additional NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were a key component in the "Showtime" era of Lakers basketball. Over his 20-year NBA career, his teams succeeded in making the playoffs 18 times and got past the first round 14 times; his teams reached the NBA Finals on 10 occasions.
At the time of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's all-time leader in points scored (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes played (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), defensive rebounds (9,394), career wins (1,074), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader in points scored and career wins. He is ranked third all-time in both rebounds and blocked shots. In 2007, ESPN voted him the greatest center of all time, in 2008, they named him the "greatest player in college basketball history", and in 2016, they named him the second best player in NBA history (behind Michael Jordan). Abdul-Jabbar has also been an actor, a basketball coach, and a best-selling author. In 2012, he was selected by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to be a U.S. global cultural ambassador. In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Wilt Chamberlain

Wilton Norman Chamberlain (; August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was an American basketball player who played as a center and is considered one of the greatest players in history. He played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the University of Kansas and also for the Harlem Globetrotters before playing in the NBA.  Chamberlain stood 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall, and weighed 250 pounds (110 kg) as a rookie before bulking up to 275 and eventually to over 300 pounds (140 kg) with the Lakers.
Chamberlain holds numerous NBA records in scoring, rebounding, and durability categories. He is the only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game or average more than 40 and 50 points in a season. He won seven scoring, eleven rebounding, nine field goal percentage titles and led the league in assists once. Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history to average at least 30 points and 20 rebounds per game in a season, which he accomplished seven times. He is also the only player to average at least 30 points and 20 rebounds per game over the entire course of his NBA career. Although he suffered a long string of losses in the playoffs, Chamberlain had a successful career, winning two NBA championships, earning four regular-season Most Valuable Player awards, the Rookie of the Year award, one NBA Finals MVP award, and was selected to 13 All-Star Games and ten All-NBA First and Second teams. He was subsequently enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978, elected into the NBA's 35th Anniversary Team of 1980, and in 1996 he was chosen as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.Chamberlain was known by several nicknames during his basketball playing career. He hated the ones that called attention to his height, such as "Goliath" and "Wilt the Stilt". A Philadelphia sportswriter coined the nicknames during Chamberlain's high school days. He preferred "The Big Dipper", which was inspired by his friends who saw him dip his head as he walked through doorways. After his professional basketball career ended, Chamberlain played volleyball in the short-lived International Volleyball Association, was president of that organization, and is enshrined in the IVA Hall of Fame for his contributions. He was a successful businessman, authored several books, and appeared in the movie Conan the Destroyer. He was a lifelong bachelor and became notorious for his claim of having had sexual relations with as many as 20,000 women.

Moses Malone

Moses Eugene Malone (March 23, 1955 – September 13, 2015) was an American basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1974 through 1995. A center, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA Team selection. Malone led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA championship in 1983, winning both the league and Finals MVP. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001.
Malone began his professional career out of high school after he was selected in the third round of the 1974 ABA Draft by the Utah Stars. He was named an ABA All-Star as a rookie and played two seasons in the league until it merged with the NBA in 1976. He landed in the NBA with the Buffalo Braves, who traded him after two games to the Houston Rockets. Malone became a five-time All-Star in six seasons with the Rockets. After leading the NBA in rebounding in 1979, he was named league MVP for the first time. He led the Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981, and won his second MVP award in 1982. Traded to Philadelphia the following season,  he repeated as MVP and led the 76ers to the 1983 championship. In his first of two stints with Philadelphia, he was an All-Star in each of his four seasons. Following another trade, Malone was an All-Star in his only two seasons with the then Washington Bullets (today's Wizards). He signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks, earning his 12th straight and final NBA All-Star selection in his first season. In his later years, he played with the Milwaukee Bucks before returning to the 76ers and completing his career with the San Antonio Spurs.
Malone was a tireless and physical player who led the NBA in rebounding six times, including a then-record five straight seasons (1981–1985).  Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Boards" for his rebounding prowess, he finished his career as the all-time leader in offensive rebounds after leading both the ABA and NBA in the category a combined nine times. Combining his ABA and NBA statistics, Malone ranks ninth all-time in career points (29,580) and third in total rebounds (17,834). He was named to both the ABA All-Time Team and the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Bill Walton

William Theodore Walton III (born November 5, 1952) is an American retired basketball player and television sportscaster. Walton played for John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins in the early 1970s, winning three successive College Player of the Year Awards. He led the UCLA  Bruins to two NCAA Championships in 1972 and 1973. He had a prominent career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning an NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and two NBA championships. His professional career was significantly hampered by multiple foot injuries, requiring numerous surgeries. Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993

Artis Gilmore

Artis Gilmore (born September 21, 1949) is an American retired basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Gilmore was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, 2011.
A star center during his two collegiate years at Jacksonville University, Gilmore led the Dolphins to the NCAA Division I championship game in 1970, where his team was beaten 80–69 by the UCLA Bruins. Gilmore remains the top player in rebounds per game in the history of NCAA Division I basketball.
Gilmore followed five All-Star seasons with the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA by becoming the first overall pick in the 1976 ABA Dispersal draft, which dispersed the players in the ABA clubs, such as the Colonels, that did not join the NBA. During his career, Gilmore was an 11-time All-Star, the ABA Rookie of the Year, and an ABA MVP. Nicknamed "The A-Train", the 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) Gilmore once played in 670 consecutive games.

Wes Unseld

Westley Sissel Unseld (born March 14, 1946) is an American former basketball player. He spent his entire NBA career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

Bob McAdoo

Robert Allen McAdoo (born September 25, 1951) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played 14 seasons in the  National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a five-time NBA All-Star and named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1975. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime era in the 1980s. In 2000, McAdoo was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
McAdoo played at the center and power forward positions. In his 21-season playing career, he spent 14 seasons in the NBA and his final seven in the Lega Basket Serie A in Italy. McAdoo is one of the few players who have won both NBA and the FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) titles as a player. He later won three more NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013 as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat.

Dave Cowens

David William Cowens (born October 25, 1948) is an American retired professional basketball player and NBA head coach. At 6'9", he played the center position and occasionally played power forward. Cowens spent most of his playing career with the Boston Celtics. He was the 1971 NBA Rookie of the Year and the 1973 NBA Most Valuable Player. Cowens won NBA championships as a member of the Celtics in 1974 and 1976. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Cowens has held numerous NBA head coaching positions. Most recently, Cowens served as an assistant coach and then as a special assistant to Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars.

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Bob Lanier

Robert Jerry Lanier, Jr. (born September 10, 1948) is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lanier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
In his 14 NBA seasons, Lanier averaged 20.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.4 percent from the field. He played in eight NBA All-Star Games, and was named Most Valuable Player of the 1974 game. He has had his #16 jersey retired by both the Pistons and the Bucks and his #31 jersey retired by St. Bonaventure University. Lanier is an NBA ambassador.

Willis Reed

Willis Reed Jr. (born June 25, 1942) is an American retired basketball player, coach and general manager. He spent his entire professional playing career (1964–1974) with the New York Knicks. In 1982, Reed was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was voted one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History".After retiring as a player, Reed served as assistant and head coach with several teams for nearly a decade, then was promoted to general manager and vice president of basketball operations (1989 to 1996) for the New Jersey Nets. As senior vice president of basketball operations, he led them to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.

Bill Russell

William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is an American retired professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA championships during his thirteen-year career. Russell and Henri Richard of the National Hockey League are tied for the record of the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league. Russell led the University of San Francisco to two consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, and he captained the gold-medal winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics.Bill Russell is regarded by many as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall, with a 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) wingspan. His shot-blocking and man-to-man defense were major reasons for the Celtics' domination of the NBA during his career. Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities. He led the NBA in rebounds four times, had a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds, and remains second all-time in both total rebounds and rebounds per game. He is one of just two NBA players (the other being prominent rival Wilt Chamberlain) to have grabbed more than 50 rebounds in a game. Russell was never the focal point of the Celtics' offense, but he did score 14,522 career points and provided effective passing.
Russell played in the wake of black pioneers Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Sweetwater Clifton, and he was the first black player to achieve superstar status in the NBA. He also served a three-season (1966–69) stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in North American professional sports and the first to win a championship. In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments on the court and in the Civil Rights Movement.Russell is one of seven players in history to win an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship, and an Olympic gold medal. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He was selected into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971 and the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980, and named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, one of only four players to receive all three honors. In 2007, he was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame. In Russell's honor the NBA renamed the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy in 2009: it is now the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

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Jack Sikma

Jack Wayne Sikma (born November 14, 1955) is an American retired basketball center. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star with the Seattle SuperSonics, who drafted him in the first round with the eighth overall pick of the 1977 NBA draft. In 1979, he won an NBA championship with Seattle. Sikma finished his playing career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. 
He was known for his distinctive curly, blond hair along with his trademark step back behind the head jumper during his playing days. During his thirteen-year career, he reached the playoffs eleven times and anomalously established himself as accurate-shooting center. His style of play would become significantly influential for centers at both the amateur and professional levels. Sikma scored 17,287 points in his NBA career.

Alvan Adams

Alvan Leigh Adams (born July 19, 1954) is an American retired professional basketball player. After starring at the University of Oklahoma, the 6'9" (2.06 m) power forward/center was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 4th pick of the 1975 NBA draft. Adams was a rookie on a Suns team whose season included an improbable playoff run that took them all the way to the 1976 NBA Finals. In the same year, he was selected to play in the All-Star Game and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award as well as being named to the All-NBA Rookie Team. Adams spent his entire career with the Suns and retired in 1988 as the second all-time Suns scorer with 13,910 career points.

Sam Lacey

Samuel Lacey (March 8, 1948 – March 14, 2014) was an American basketball player.

Walt Bellamy

Walter Jones Bellamy (July 24, 1939 – November 2, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. A four-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Tom Boerwinkle

Thomas F. Boerwinkle (August 23, 1945 – March 26, 2013) was an American National Basketball Association center who spent his entire career with the Chicago Bulls.

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Darryl Dawkins

Darryl Dawkins (January 11, 1957 – August 27, 2015) was an American professional basketball player, most noted for his days with the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, although he also played briefly for the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz late in his career. His nickname, "Chocolate Thunder", was bestowed upon him by Stevie Wonder. He was known for his powerful dunks, which led to the NBA adopting breakaway rims due to his shattering the backboard on two occasions in 1979.Dawkins averaged double figures in scoring nine times in his 14 years in the NBA, often ranking among the league leaders in field-goal percentage. He also played in the NBA Finals three times as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Dawkins set an NBA record for fouls in a season (386 in 1983–84).

Cornelius "Connie" Lance Hawkins (July 17, 1942 – October 6, 2017) was an American basketball player in the American Basketball League (ABL), American Basketball Association(ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA), Harlem Globetrotters, and Harlem Wizards, as well as being a New York City playground legend. It was on the New York City courts that he earned his nickname, The Hawk. Hawkins was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Swen Nater

Swen Erick Nater (born January 14, 1950) is a retired Dutch professional basketball player, primarily in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the only player to have led both the NBA and ABA in rebounding. Nater was a two-time ABA All-Star and was the 1974 ABA Rookie of the Year. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles.

Spencer Haywood

Spencer Haywood (born April 22, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player and Olympic Gold Medalist. Haywood is a member of the Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2015.

Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (; Yoruba: [olaɟuwɔ̃]; born January 21, 1963), formerly spelled (& still pronounced as) Akeem Olajuwon, is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. Listed at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m),  Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game. He was nicknamed "The Dream" during his basketball career after he dunked so effortlessly that his college coach said it "looked like a dream."Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon traveled from his home country to play for the University of Houston under head coach Guy Lewis. His college career for the Cougars included three trips to the Final Four. Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft, a draft that included Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. He combined with the 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) Ralph Sampson to form a duo dubbed the "Twin Towers". The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. After Sampson was traded to the Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. He led the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993).
Despite very nearly being traded during a bitter contract dispute before the 1992–93 season, he remained in Houston where in 1993–94, he became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. His Rockets won back-to-back championships against the New York Knicks (avenging his college championship loss to Patrick Ewing), and Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic. In 1996, Olajuwon was a member of the Olympic gold-medal-winning United States national team, and was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He ended his career as the league's all-time leader in blocks (3,830) and is one of four NBA players to record a quadruple-double.

Sidney Wicks

Sidney Wicks (born September 19, 1949) is an American retired professional basketball player. A native of California, he played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins and played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1971 to 1981. In the NBA he played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, and San Diego Clippers, earning NBA Rookie of the Year in 1972 as well as four all-star selections. He played for the Trail Blazers from (1971-1976), and had a total of 4 selections as an All-Star From 1972 to 1975.

Tree Rollins

Wayne Monte "Tree" Rollins (born June 16, 1955) is an American retired professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic.

Gus Johnson

Gus Johnson Jr. (December 13, 1938 – April 29, 1987) was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 235-pound (107 kg) forward–center, he spent nine seasons with the Baltimore Bullets, and his final season was split between the Phoenix Suns and the Indiana Pacers of the ABA.
One of the first forwards to frequently play above the rim, Johnson combined an unusual blend of strength, jumping ability, and speed; he was one of the first dunk shot artists in the NBA. His nickname "Honeycomb" was given to him by his college coach. He had a gold star set into one of his front teeth and shattered three backboards during his career.As a member of the Baltimore Bullets, Johnson was voted to the All-Rookie Team for 1963–64, averaging over 17 points and twelve rebounds per game. He played in five NBA All-Star Games, was named to four All-NBA Second Teams, and was twice named to the All-NBA Defense First Team.  His number 25 jersey was retired by the Baltimore Bullets franchise. With the Pacers, he was a member of the 1973 ABA championship team.
Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Bill Bridges

William C. Bridges (April 4, 1939 – September 25, 2015) was an American basketball player.
A 6'6" power forward from Hobbs, New Mexico, Bridges played collegiately for the University of Kansas.  At Kansas, he averaged 13.2 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, was chosen All-Big Eight three seasons, and was an All-American in 1961.Bridges played for the Kansas City Steers of the American Basketball League prior to entering the NBA.  Bridges led the ABL in rebounding during both seasons he played for the Steers, and led the league in scoring during his second season.  He set the ABL single-game scoring record with 55 points on December 9, 1962.  The league folded at the end of 1962, and the Steers were declared ABL champions.
Bridges then entered the National Basketball Association and spent 13 seasons (1962–1975) as a member of the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors.  Bridges won an NBA Championship with the Warriors in 1975 and appeared in three All-Star Games during the course of his career.  Though somewhat undersized for his position, Bridges was a strong rebounder and averaged a double-double (11.9 points, 11.9 rebounds) over the course of his NBA career. He is also the only player besides Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Willis Reed to record more than 35 rebounds in a playoff game. Bridges' league leading 366 personal fouls during the 1967–68 season was, at the time, an NBA record.Bridges died in Los Angeles, California at the age of 76  following a battle with cancer.

In the NBA, the&nbsp;top 1970s NBA centers&nbsp;were the most important part of the team. The man in the middle dominated that particular era of basketball.