# The greatest NBA players of all time

ESPN's all-time NBA ranking (September 2023), voted by its expert panel on peak and career value. Top 30, in ESPN's order; championships and MVPs as of the end of the 2022-23 season.

- 118 votes · 30 items
- May 22, 2025 · Austin T.
- https://even.best/en/l/383/the-greatest-nba-players-of-all-time

## Top 25

1. **LeBron James** (7 · ▲8 ▼1) — Became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in February 2023; four titles with three teams.
2. **Magic Johnson** (7 · ▲8 ▼1) — Showtime Lakers: five titles and three MVPs as a 6-foot-9 point guard.
3. **Michael Jordan** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — Chicago Bulls. Six titles in six Finals, six Finals MVPs and five MVPs.
4. **Bill Russell** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — Eleven championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics.
5. **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar** (6 · ▲6 ▼0) — Six titles, a record six MVPs and the unstoppable skyhook.
6. **Jerry West** (6 · ▲6 ▼0) — Lakers. 'The Logo': the NBA logo's silhouette is based on him.
7. **Oscar Robertson** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — Averaged a triple-double for the whole 1961-62 season.
8. **Kevin Garnett** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — 2004 MVP and 2008 champion with Boston.
9. **Charles Barkley** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — 1993 MVP with Phoenix, and an Olympic gold with the 1992 Dream Team.
10. **Hakeem Olajuwon** (4 · ▲5 ▼1) — Houston Rockets. Back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995; the 'Dream Shake'.
11. **Tim Duncan** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — San Antonio Spurs. Five titles across three decades and two MVPs.
12. **Moses Malone** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Three MVPs and the 1983 title with the 76ers.
13. **Kobe Bryant** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Los Angeles Lakers. Five titles and 81 points in one game in 2006.
14. **Karl Malone** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — 'The Mailman': two MVPs and one of the top scorers in history.
15. **David Robinson** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — San Antonio Spurs. 1995 MVP and two titles alongside Tim Duncan.
16. **George Mikan** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — The league's first superstar, with five titles for the Minneapolis Lakers.
17. **Dwyane Wade** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Miami Heat. Three titles and the 2006 Finals MVP.
18. **Shaquille O'Neal** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Four titles and three straight Finals MVPs with the Lakers (2000-02).
19. **Julius Erving** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — 'Dr. J', star of the ABA and the NBA; 1981 MVP and 1983 champion.
20. **Stephen Curry** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Golden State Warriors. Four titles, the only unanimous MVP (2016) and the man who changed the three-pointer.
21. **Giannis Antetokounmpo** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Milwaukee Bucks. Two MVPs (2019, 2020) and the 2021 title.
22. **Elgin Baylor** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Lakers. Scored 71 points in a game in 1960 and averaged 38.3 in 1961-62.
23. **Wilt Chamberlain** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Scored 100 points in a single game in 1962 and averaged 50.4 that season.
24. **Kevin Durant** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Two titles and two Finals MVPs with Golden State; 2014 MVP.
25. **Dirk Nowitzki** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Dallas Mavericks. 2007 MVP and the 2011 title, with his one-legged fadeaway.
26. **Isiah Thomas** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Leader of the 'Bad Boys' Pistons, champions in 1989 and 1990.
27. **Chris Paul** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 'Point God', one of the best passers and floor generals ever.
28. **John Havlicek** (-1 · ▲1 ▼2) — Eight titles with the Boston Celtics.
29. **Larry Bird** (-2 · ▲0 ▼2) — Boston Celtics. Three straight MVPs (1984-86) and three titles.
30. **John Stockton** (-2 · ▲0 ▼2) — Utah Jazz. The NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.