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ESPN ranks the greatest NBA players of all time. Do you agree?

by:Jack Pilgrim05/14/20

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

To celebrate the NBA’s 74-year history, ESPN has decided to set the world on fire by ranking the best 74 players in league history, combining both current and past players.

And as expected, basketball fans are tearing the list apart from top to bottom, pick by pick.

According to ESPN, the expert panel “voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, taking into consideration both total career value and peak performance.” Several current players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis were included specifically for current value and production, along with specific long-term potential caveats.

So what did they come up with? Here’s the entire list, 1-74:

  1. Michael Jordan
  2. LeBron James
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Bill Russell
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. Wilt Chamberlain
  7. Larry Bird
  8. Tim Duncan
  9. Kobe Bryant
  10. Shaquille O’Neal
  11. Oscar Robertson
  12. Hakeem Olajuwon
  13. Stephen Curry
  14. Kevin Durant
  15. Julius Erving
  16. Jerry West
  17. Karl Malone
  18. Moses Malone
  19. Dirk Nowitzki
  20. Kevin Garnett
  21. Scottie Pippen
  22. Elgin Baylor
  23. Charles Barkley
  24. David Robinson
  25. Kawhi Leonard
  26. Dwyane Wade
  27. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  28. John Stockton
  29. Allen Iverson
  30. Steve Nash
  31. Isiah Thomas
  32. James Harden
  33. John Havlicek
  34. George Mikan
  35. Jason Kidd
  36. Kevin McHale
  37. Patrick Ewing
  38. Bob Pettit
  39. Walt Frazier
  40. Chris Paul
  41. Bob Cousy
  42. Russell Westbrook
  43. Rick Barry
  44. Elvin Hayes
  45. Anthony Davis
  46. Dominique Wilkins
  47. George Gervin
  48. Bill Walton
  49. Reggie Miller
  50. Wes Unseld
  51. James Worthy
  52. Tracy McGrady
  53. Gary Payton
  54. Paul Pierce
  55. Vince Carter
  56. Ray Allen
  57. Clyde Drexler
  58. Manu Ginobili
  59. Bob McAdoo
  60. Willis Reed
  61. Robert Parish
  62. Dennis Rodman
  63. Alonzo Mourning
  64. Earl Monroe
  65. Pau Gasol
  66. Dave Cowens
  67. Alex English
  68. Pete Maravich
  69. Bernard King
  70. Tony Parker
  71. Bob Lanier
  72. Damian Lillard
  73. Dikembe Mutombo
  74. Artis Gilmore

Now is where the fans come in. After reading the list, let us know in the comment section what you think of the list, specific rankings you agree/disagree with, and your age.

If you saw, say, Bob Cousy or Bob Pettit play and believe they’re criminally underrated, why? If you’re younger and feel, say, Jason Kidd or Russell Westbrook should be higher on the list, give your reasoning.

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2024-06-01