The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time: an Introduction

A look at the 10 NBA players and their journeys to greatness.

The National Basketball Association has been around for 68 years. In that time, the world has seen some spectacular displays of athleticism, perseverance, grit and cunning. Most of these players are not new to US gambling news, but helped shape it through their incredible play. The NBA is now a world-wide organization with a talent pool that comes from all corners of the world.

• Kareen Abdul Jabbar has the highest total points in NBA history at 38,387 points
• Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points for the entire 1961-1962 season
• Shaquille O’Neal scored 28,596 points, won four NBA championships

As the NBA ushers in a new era in sport, we will reminisce as well as behold the glory of some of the most influential players to step onto the basketball court. From players like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to Lebron James. We will look at the lives of these players and what existed in them that radiated greatness every time they played.

Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the most beautiful centers to watch in the game leading his Houston Rockets to back to back championships in 1994 and 1995. Moves his “Dream Shake” has attracted admirers such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and LeBron James. He’s the only player to win regular season MVP, Finals MVP and Player of the year in the same season.

Shaquille O’Neal is considered the most dominant player of his era. The 7 foot 1 inch 325 pound Shaq used his strength to muscle his way in the low post to power the dunk. Shaq was led his LA Lakers team, along with Kobe Bryant, to three consecutive NBA championships. In his 19-year career, Shaq scored 28,596 points, won four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs and a regular season MVP.

Tim Duncan is “The Big Fundamental” due to his quality, text book play and his high level of consistency. Leading the San Antonio Spurs to four NBA Championships, Duncan amassed thee Finals MVPs and two regular season MVPs. Duncan was selected to 14 All-NBA and All Defensive Teams with very little variation in his stats over the length of his career.

Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain was one “sick” player. The stories of his feats almost are modern variants of Greek Mythology. What could be more amazing than scoring 100 points in a single game? Maybe averaging 70 points in the last five game prior to that one. Wilt averaged 50.4 points for the entire 1961-1962 season! Unfortunately, Wilt wasn’t as successful in his post season play. For mobile betting, Wilt was probably money in the bank.

Lebron James entered the league as the greatest player in the NBA history before he ever played one game. LeBron was able to withstand that unrealistic expectation and mold himself into a sensational player winning four consecutive championships. He is the only player to go to five consecutive NBA finals with two different teams. With only 10 years under his crown, King James will dazzle us for quite some time.

Larry Bird was “The Hick from French Lick.” Not known for his athleticism, Bird had the heart, will and intelligence that surpassed most. Bird came out of Indiana State University a force to be reckoned with leading his Boston Celtic to three NBA Championships and returning to Boston a glory and pride unseen since the days of Red Auerbach.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar was in the NBA for 20 seasons and has the highest total points in NBA history at 38,387 points. His “sky hook” was considered unstoppable as he helped his LA Lakers achieve five championships. Jabbar’s stats include 15 All-NBA selections, 11 All-Defensive selections and entry into 19 All-Star games.

Erving “Magic” Johnson has been great since high school. Entering LA after a NCAA loss to Bird’s Indiana State team, Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie. He is the embodiment of “showtime” in Los Angeles. Magic was synonymous with the finals as we led his team their nine times and won five titles in the process. His assists average of 12.3 still ranks as number one in the playoff history.

Bill Russell is regarded as the greatest defensive player in the history of the NBA. This fact is supported far more when you take into account his offensive stats. Although, the numbers aren’t impressive, Russell led his Boston Celtic team to 11 NBA titles. It’s a safe bet within US gambling laws that he will hold that title for the rest of everyone else’s lives. Russell’s 21,620 rebounds has only been bested by Wilt Chamberlain.

Michael Jordan has done almost everything you could do including winning all six finals series he was in with the Chicago Bulls; and winning Finals MVP to boot. His “Airness” was a powerful offensive as well as defensive player winning 11 All-NBA selections, nine defensive titles and 10 scoring titles. In 1988, Jordan won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA Scoring title and Slam Dunk title.