It seems like players today are lacking an appreciation for the history of the game. Often time they don't even know who players were, thinking Kevin Durant is among the top players of all time. Maybe he will be some day, but not yet. I look forward to receiving emails at mrbsilk@gmail.com hearing who your players top 15 list includes. Please back up your thoughts.
I've included some video footage at the end and some statistics so you can get a little better understanding of why I chose these 15 guys. Good stuff! Check it out.
I've included some video footage at the end and some statistics so you can get a little better understanding of why I chose these 15 guys. Good stuff! Check it out.
Everyone has their opinion on who’s the best. Here’s mine…
15- LeBron James: Yeah, yeah, I can hear ya now, “You've got to put LBJ higher on your list!." Well, he's not, yet. Back to back MVP’s, which saw LBJ drop 30 per game, pull down 7.3 rebounds and hand out 8.6 assists each night out. His career stats? How about 27.8 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game! Plus, I still can’t forget about the 25 straight points he put on the Pistons in game 5 of the play-offs in 2007. Impressive beginning of the year, but no rings yet!
14- Elgin Baylor: He never won a title and when he left the Lakers they went on to win 33 straight games. But the guy could play and play very well! 27 points and 13.4 rebounds per game over his career. In 1962 while in the National Guard, he would get a pass to play in Lakers games on weekends and still go off. This without practice all week. That season Baylor scored 38 points and 18 rebounds per game to be exact. Dude was first team all-NBA 10 times!
13- Karl Malone: In 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz Malone only, and I mean only, missed 10 games! LOL. Hence, the nickname, ‘The Mailman”. He always destroyed my T-Wolves. Second all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Made 1st team all-NBA 11 different seasons. 25 points and 10 rebounds per game over his career.
12- Tim Duncan: "The Big Fundamental". 4 NBA rings and was named MVP 3 times. Probably one of the most underrated athletes of all-time. Never needed to bring attention to himself by self-promoting. 9 time all-NBA first team. 21 points and 11 rebounds over his 13 year career in San Antonio.
11- Hakeem Olajuwon: "The Dream". 2 rings with the Houston Rockets, MVP both times. One of only 4 players in NBA history to record a quadruple double in 1990 vs the Milwaukee Bucks – 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and blocked 11 shots. 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game over his career.
10- Jerry West: Mr. Clutch or call him "The Logo". He’s the only player to be named MVP of a NBA Finals series…despite his team losing the series. Career 27 points per game and 6.7 assists. Has the record for scoring average in a play-off series; 46 PPG. He's also the guy you see on the NBA logo.
9- Shaquille O’Neal: One of the most dominating big men the game has ever seen. Has played in 15 all-star games. Finals MVP 3 times. Has 4 rings. Will try to get his 5th this year in Boston. Career numbers; 24 points and 11 rebounds per game. What you see now is not what he once was.
8- Oscar Robertson: "Mr. Triple Double". How can you argue with that? Each night in 1962 Oscar was unreal! He averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game for an entire season! He recorded 181 triple doubles for his career. LBJ has 19 career triple doubles.
7- Kobe Bryant: Scored 81 points in one game back in 2005. Has 5 championship rings on his resume. 25 points and 5 rebounds per game his first 14 years. Moving up the chart.
6- Wilt Chamberlain: Once scored 100 points in one game! His attention to individual achievements over ‘team’ goals are a big reason why he is at 6 and not higher. 30 points and 22 rebounds per game over his career. Nobody will EVER have numbers like that again!
5- Bill Russell: 11 championship rings with the Boston Celtics. Russell cared more about winning than individual awards. He was the ultimate team player. 15 points and 22 rebounds per game over his career.
4- Larry Bird: Greatest forward ever, hands down. Could pass, shoot and most of all, worked his tail off. Was very serious about preparation. Was a killer on the floor. Won 3 titles with Celtics. Career stats. 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game over his career.
3- Kareem Abdul-Jabber: He is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. His sky hook was the most unstoppable shot the game has ever seen. 6 NBA titles. 6 regular season MVP awards. 2 NBA Finals MVP’s and 24 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists per game over his career.
2- Magic Johnson: Greatest point guard ever. 6’10″ guy pushing the ball up the floor making guys better; always hitting the open man. Won 5 rings and played in 9 total finals during his stint in LA. 19 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists per game over his career.
1- Michael Jordan: G.O.A.T. 6 for 6 in NBA titles. In those 6 series’ he captured the MVP award each time. 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game over his career.
