Basketball
The Best Basketball Players of All Time: A Data-Driven Ranking
Throughout over 70 years of the NBA, some players have separated themselves from their peers, with a dominance that has transcended eras and defined legacies. These players have etched their names as the greatest to have ever graced the hardwood and they have been instrumental in the growth, development and popularity of the beautiful game of basketball.
Michael Jordan//Getty Images
From the early dominance, these players have carried the league to unchartered waters. It is a generational trail that started in the era of Wilt Chamberlain, to the gliding and sky-hooking time of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and extended into the mesmerizing period of Magic Johnson. Further down the line came the smooth-scoring Larry Bird and the air-walking Michael Jordan. Later, the league encountered the beast incarnate, Shaquille O’Neal, and the Mamba assassin Kobe Bryant, with the other being the unbreakable cerebral mastermind, Tim Duncan, the freak of nature, LeBron James, and the baby-faced executioner, Steph Curry.
These article presents a ranking of the top 10 players ever, based on career stats, championships, and field performance.
Methodology
The rankings are based on the following measurable criteria:
Points (35%): Career points scored, reflecting scoring dominance.
Rebounds (25%): Highlighting the players’ ability to control the boards.
Assists (20%): Contribution to team offense and playmaking.
Field Goal Percentage (10%): Shooting efficiency and accuracy.
Free Throw Percentage (10%): Precision under pressure.
Sources Used:
NBA Official Stats
Verified statistical performance metrics.
Below is the total career tally of points, rebounds and assists of each player on this rank as well as their field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Field Goal % | Free Throw % |
| Michael Jordan | 32,292 | 6,672 | 5,633 | 49.7 | 83.5 |
| LeBron James | 40,964 | 11,359 | 11,208 | 50.6 | 73.6 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabber | 38,387 | 17,440 | 5,660 | 55.9 | 72.1 |
| Magic Johnson | 17,707 | 6,465 | 10,141 | 57.2 | 78.9 |
| Kobe Bryant | 33,643 | 7,047 | 6,306 | 44.7 | 83.7 |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 28,596 | 13,099 | 3,026 | 58.2 | 52.7 |
| Larry Bird | 21,791 | 7,300 | 5,695 | 50.0 | 86.8 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 31,419 | 23,924 | 4,643 | 54.0 | 51.1 |
| Tim Duncan | 26,496 | 15,091 | 4,225 | 50.6 | 69.6 |
| Stephen Curry | 24,029 | 4,598 | 6,225 | 47.3 | 91.0 |
Critical Consensus: Ranking the Best Basketball Players
The Critical consensus takes into account the key accomplishments of each player ranked on this list, while showcasing the rank from the three sources i.e. Britannica, Complex and NBA Official Stats.
Critical Consensus Table
| Rank | Player | Key Accomplishments | Britannica Rank | Complex Rank | NBA Official Stat Rank |
| 1 | Michael Jordan | 6x NBA Champion, 5x MVP, GOAT Scorer | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | LeBron James | 4x NBA Champion, 4x MVP, All-Time Scorer | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6x NBA Champion, All-Time Leading Scorer | 10 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Magic Johnson | 5x NBA Champion, 3x MVP | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Shaquille O’Neal | 4x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Larry Bird | 3x NBA Champion, 3x MVP | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| 7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 2x NBA Champion, 4x MVP, Scoring Legend | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| 8 | Tim Duncan | 5x NBA Champion, 2x MVP | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| 9 | Kobe Bryant | 5x NBA Champion, 1x MVP | 7 | 5 | 9 |
| 10 | Stephen Curry | 4x NBA Champion, 2x MVP, 3P King | N/A | 10 | 10 |
SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Legends
This SportsBoom MetaScale ranking gives an overall picture of a player’s statistical output in comparison to the other legends on this list.
SportsBoom MetaScale Table
| Rank | Player | Points (35%) | Rebounds (25%) | Assists (20%) | FG % (10%) | FT % (10%) | MetaScale Score |
| 1 | Michael Jordan | 35 | 20 | 18 | 9.7 | 8.4 | 91.1 |
| 2 | LeBron James | 34 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 7.4 | 96.4 |
| 3 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 7.2 | 91.2 |
| 4 | Magic Johnson | 25 | 18 | 20 | 10 | 7.9 | 80.9 |
| 5 | Shaquille O’Neal | 28 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5.2 | 83.2 |
| 6 | Larry Bird | 30 | 20 | 19 | 10 | 8.7 | 87.7 |
| 7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 33 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5.1 | 88.1 |
| 8 | Tim Duncan | 26 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 6.9 | 82.9 |
| 9 | Kobe Bryant | 30 | 20 | 15 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 81.6 |
| 10 | Stephen Curry | 24 | 15 | 20 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 77.6 |
Insights from the SportsBoom MetaScale
The SportsBoom MetaScale evaluates these legends on weighted categories such as: points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage and free throw percentage. These metrics total to derive the MetaScale score of each player. However, the MetaScale rank doesn’t affect the overall rank of the top 10 players. It only samples a small statistical total, with other weighted categories such as player efficiency rating (PER), box plus-minus (BPM), blocks, steals etc. not factored in, as well as the longevity, highest peak performance and overall sphere of influence of the player.
Shaquille O'Neal//Getty Images
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan tops the MetaScale with a score of 91.1. Although his score is less than that of LeBron and Kareem, Jordan, one of the best dunkers in league history, is the unanimous greatest player to have ever lived, due to his unmatched accolades and legacy impact on the sport of basketball.
Throughout his career he was the undisputed alpha, equipped with an other-worldly work ethic and competitive spirit that sent fear down the spine of his opponents. Jordan was the first global NBA star to pave way for other athletes to build brands that have dominated sports and pop culture.
2. LeBron James
LeBron James has his sheer dominance and prolonged excellence that has seen him play at the highest level deep into his 22nd NBA season. He has attained the highest MetaScale score of 96.4 due to his sustained longevity that has helped redefine what's possible in professional sports.
LeBron still dwarfs Jordan on the accomplishment charts but who knows, maybe by the time he decides to hang up his boots, he might have passed the ghost that is Jordan. His dismal NBA finals record certainly derails his case as the greatest player, as well as his mentality, which sometimes lacks the killer instinct.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ranks third with a MetaScale score of 91.2. His dominance in the NBA lasted nearly two decades, with his six championships tied for the most of any player on this list. He was part of one of the most electrifying dynasties to have graced the NBA, the “Showtime Lakers”, as one of its centerpiece and captains.
However, his rank at third place is due to him being the second best player on some of his championship-winning Lakers teams, later in his career.
4. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is ranked fourth on this list despite registering a MetaScale score of 80.9. Magic is one of the two greatest point guards to have ever played the game. He revolutionized the position with his dynamic playmaking ability and unique blend of size and skill. His competitive edge was a stuff of legends.
However, he comes in at fourth due to his career being cut short while at the peak of his powers after being diagnosed with the HIV virus. He clearly had a lot left on his tank and could have launched his case as the greatest player ever.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal comes in at fifth with a MetaScale score of 83.2. Shaq is the most dominant and athletic big man to have ever played in the NBA. His combination of size, speed and athleticism was unheard of. O’Neal was a physical behemoth standing at 7'1" and weighing 325 pounds, capable of sprinting coast to coast and finishing with a dunk.
One thing that stood against him in the greatest player debate is his questionable dedication to condition and training. He could have broken endless NBA records if he took the game of basketball a little more seriously.
6. Larry Bird
Larry Bird is ranked sixth with a MetaScale score of 87.7. Larry Bird was an elite unguardable scorer, who stands out as one of the best shooters in NBA history. He was a threat from the half court to the paint. He was one of the greatest trash talkers the NBA has ever seen and his rivalry with Magic was box-office stuff.
Larry could have gone down as the greatest player, but his career was cut short by injuries. He battled career-altering back, knee and ankle injuries that shortened an otherwise legendary career.
7. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain was the pioneer giant of the game. He comes in seventh with a MetaScale score of 88.1. Wilt was a statistical monster that was athletic, fast and skilled. He dominated the early decades of the NBA. Wilt has 72 NBA records to his name including a 100-point game.
However, his accolades and accomplishments such as championships are pale, compared to others on this list. He is often accused of stat-padding instead of sacrificing for the greater good of the team, thus leading to his lack of team championships.
8. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan comes eighth with a MetaScale score of 82.9. Duncan, nicknamed the Big Fundamental, is often considered as the greatest power forward in NBA history. Tim Duncan exemplified leadership, consistency and poise while dominating on the court and had a selfless nature.
His selfless approach to the game has resulted in his rank being this low on this list as he chose team success over individual accolades throughout his 19 seasons in the NBA.
9. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant ranks ninth with a MetaScale score of 81.6. Kobe was one of the fiercest competitors to have ever played in the NBA. A lifelong Laker, the “Black Mamba” was a cerebral nightmare on the court, capable of breaking down even opponents with his sheer will. He had one of the greatest work in NBA history.
However, his lack of accolades and accomplishments affects his ranking as well as him being the second best player on the Lakers’ three championship-winning teams.
10. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry closes this ranking with a tenth place finish after tallying the lowest MetaScale score of 77.6. Steph Curry has revolutionized the game of basketball as evidenced by the rise of three-point shooting by teams and players in the NBA. He is by far the greatest shooter to have ever played in the NBA and one of the most skilled dribblers to have ever played the game.
However, he ranks the lowest due to his low accomplishments and being part of an all-star dominating Golden State Warriors that was miles ahead of its competition at the time of their dominance, yielding two championships.
Michael Jordan is the only player on this list with a perfect 6-0 record in all of his NBA Finals appearances. Jordan has never lost a NBA Finals series.
SportsBoom Suggests
- Michael Jordan and LeBron James dominate the rankings due to their unmatched scoring, playmaking, and championship records as well as their impact on the global growth of the NBA into a juggernaut brand.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson are iconic veterans featuring a perfect blend of longevity and dominance across decades.
- Modern legends like Stephen Curry have revolutionized basketball with his dynamic three-point shots, showcasing new strategies and skills.
Conclusion
Basketball legends are defined by their stats, achievements, and impact on the game. Whether it’s Jordan’s scoring dominance, LeBron’s all-around excellence, or Kareem’s longevity, each player on this list has left an indelible mark on the NBA.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.