Top 10 Greatest Basketball Players Of All Time

10: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

The late Kobe Bryant was the NBA's closest resemblance to Michael Jordan. Bryant won five NBA championships but only two finals MVP awards, whereas Jordan won six finals MVP awards out of six.

9: Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan

Duncan was the MVP of the finals in three of those championships, as well as the league MVP twice. During his career, he was named to the NBA's first team ten times and was a 15-time All-Star.

8: Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq never scored less than 20 points a game throughout his first 15 years in the league, and he shot 55% or better from the field each year. In Los Angeles, O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won three titles.

7: Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Larry Bird was a 12-time All-Star in 13 seasons and was chosen to the All-NBA First Team nine times. Bird led the Celtics to five finals visits, three of which they won, and two finals MVP awards.

6: Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain

He averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game over his career. Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points per game in 1962, including 100 points in one contest.

5: Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

He also defeated Bird in the 1979 college championship. Under Magic's leadership, the Lakers reached nine finals in all, and he won three championship MVP awards. With an average of 11.2 assists per game, Magic set a new career high in the NBA.

4: Bill Russell

Bill Russell

Russell was also a two-time NCAA champion with the San Francisco Dons. With five NBA MVP trophies, he is tied for second place with Michael Jordan.

3: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Abdul-Jabbar was also a champion, capturing six NBA titles throughout his career, the first and last of which were 17 years apart. While at UCLA, he also won three NCAA championships.

2: LeBron James

2: LeBron James

LeBron James

LeBron James has the most career playoff points, averaging 25 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. In his career, LeBron averages 19.5 shots per game.

1: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Jordan was a 10-time scoring champion and holds the NBA records for highest career average of 30.1 points per game and highest playoff average of 33.4 points per game.