The greatest NBA players of all time
The top 3 according to 118 votes from people: LeBron James · Magic Johnson · Michael Jordan. (Updated May 22, 2025.)
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.
Top 25
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1
LeBron James
Became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in February 2023; four titles with three teams.
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2
Magic Johnson
Showtime Lakers: five titles and three MVPs as a 6-foot-9 point guard.
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3
Michael Jordan
Chicago Bulls. Six titles in six Finals, six Finals MVPs and five MVPs.
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4
Bill Russell
Eleven championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics.
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5
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Six titles, a record six MVPs and the unstoppable skyhook.
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6
Jerry West
Lakers. 'The Logo': the NBA logo's silhouette is based on him.
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7
Oscar Robertson
Averaged a triple-double for the whole 1961-62 season.
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8
Kevin Garnett
2004 MVP and 2008 champion with Boston.
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9
Charles Barkley
1993 MVP with Phoenix, and an Olympic gold with the 1992 Dream Team.
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10
Hakeem Olajuwon
Houston Rockets. Back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995; the 'Dream Shake'.
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11
Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs. Five titles across three decades and two MVPs.
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12
Moses Malone
Three MVPs and the 1983 title with the 76ers.
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13
Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers. Five titles and 81 points in one game in 2006.
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14
Karl Malone
'The Mailman': two MVPs and one of the top scorers in history.
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15
David Robinson
San Antonio Spurs. 1995 MVP and two titles alongside Tim Duncan.
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16
George Mikan
The league's first superstar, with five titles for the Minneapolis Lakers.
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17
Dwyane Wade
Miami Heat. Three titles and the 2006 Finals MVP.
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18
Shaquille O'Neal
Four titles and three straight Finals MVPs with the Lakers (2000-02).
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19
Julius Erving
'Dr. J', star of the ABA and the NBA; 1981 MVP and 1983 champion.
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20
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors. Four titles, the only unanimous MVP (2016) and the man who changed the three-pointer.
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21
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks. Two MVPs (2019, 2020) and the 2021 title.
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22
Elgin Baylor
Lakers. Scored 71 points in a game in 1960 and averaged 38.3 in 1961-62.
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23
Wilt Chamberlain
Scored 100 points in a single game in 1962 and averaged 50.4 that season.
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24
Kevin Durant
Two titles and two Finals MVPs with Golden State; 2014 MVP.
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25
Dirk Nowitzki
Dallas Mavericks. 2007 MVP and the 2011 title, with his one-legged fadeaway.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 25… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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26
Isiah Thomas
Leader of the 'Bad Boys' Pistons, champions in 1989 and 1990.
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27
Chris Paul
'Point God', one of the best passers and floor generals ever.
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28
John Havlicek
Eight titles with the Boston Celtics.
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29
Larry Bird
Boston Celtics. Three straight MVPs (1984-86) and three titles.
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30
John Stockton
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.
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Comments (3)
Kareem at #3 is right, the all-time scoring leader for 39 years.
Bill Russell with 11 rings deserves top 3.
MJ at #1, 6-0 in the Finals. LeBron is close though.