Who are your top 10 all-time NBA greats? I'm trying to see who makes the list by consensus.

[HiDef]

Jordan
LeBron
Russell
Duncan
Shaq
Magic
Bird
Curry
West
Kareem

In order with the exception of Kareem, not sure where to put him and almost forgot about him.

[drchaos]

Kareem
Wilt
Jordan
Magic
Bird
Dream
Russell
Shaq
Duncan
Kobe

[NbaAllDay]

Kareem
Wilt
Jordan
Magic
Bird
Dream
Russell
Shaq
Duncan
Kobe

Is this an order?

All for different opinions but if it is, I can't think of any consistent criteria that would these accordingly.

Also one obvious name missing which makes any top 10 list without it clearly biased.

Even his biggest haters have him in there.

[NbaAllDay]

1. Jordan
2. Russell
3. Kareem
4. Magic
5. Bird
6. Duncan
7. Wilt
8. Shaq
9. Lebron
10. Olajuwon

What's your criteria?

1. Winning
2. Stats
3. Accolades

Jordan has the best combination of winning, stats and accolades. Also, everyone on my list won more Finals than they lost with the exception of Wilt (2-4) and Lebron (4-6). That’s why they rank on the low end of my top 10 list. Wilt gets the nod over Lebron because his stats crush every player who’s ever lived and his accolades exceed Lebron (3 consecutive MVP’s, 7 scoring titles, 11 rebounding titles, 1 assist title, a bunch of blocks titles if they existed at the time, played on two of the best teams ever (1966-67 76ers and 1971-72 Lakers), 33 game winning streak, averaged 30/22 for his entire career etc.

Julius Erving would have a strong argument for a top 10 spot on my list if you combine his ABA and NBA careers which I believe should be done since the NBA absorbed ABA teams into the league with the merger in 1976 and also adopted the 3 point shot which now rules the modern NBA. Consider this: Erving played 16 total seasons in the ABA (1971-76) and NBA (1977-87), accumulating a career total of 30,026 points, 10,525 rebounds, and 5,176 assists. He won three championships, four MVP awards, and three scoring titles. Food for thought.

Can I clarify, is losing before making the Finals better for you than making the Finals and losing? I would assume yes, because it's the only way a 'losing record in the finals' would be held against someone. Unless you can show that the player was the main reason they lost most of those Finals, even then it's likely they still played better than X player who never even made it. Very strange indeed.

Bird is at 5th with 3 Rings, 2 Finals MVPs, less years, lower stats and less overall accolades than a number of players below him (1 more clearly than others) so this seems to go completely against your criteria too.

[Maf]

MJ, Kareem, Wilt. Magic, Bird, Russell, Maravich. Korver, Shaq aaand... IDC, Oscar. Yes, I take my all time list very seriously.

Bro, did you just sneak Kyle Korver into your top 10 of all time list?

Granted, your list is totally up to you so there's no wrong....


You sneaky son of a gun!

Yeah I feel pretty bad ranking him 8th, I think that might be too low for him. Don´t never forget this is a guy who taught LeBron to shoot threes and saved his declining career. His clutch shooting made Bulls fan forget about MJ. His dunks were more awesome than Nique´s, say Hawks fans. His precision passing topped Stockton, they know in Utah. He taught Giannis how to defend, leading to his DPOY and MVP season. And in Philly they built him a statue, however they totally messed his look and from strange reason sculpted him with boxing gloves and shorts.

Due to his incredible look voters felt so ashamed by themself Korver holds NBA record for being 17x MVP snubbed.

Yeah he deserves to be much higher on that list.

[Dr Aki]

Kareem
MJ
Lebron
Magic
Russell
Wilt
Duncan
Shaq
Kobe
Bird

[Hair Jordan]

What's your criteria?

1. Winning
2. Stats
3. Accolades

Jordan has the best combination of winning, stats and accolades. Also, everyone on my list won more Finals than they lost with the exception of Wilt (2-4) and Lebron (4-6). That’s why they rank on the low end of my top 10 list. Wilt gets the nod over Lebron because his stats crush every player who’s ever lived and his accolades exceed Lebron (3 consecutive MVP’s, 7 scoring titles, 11 rebounding titles, 1 assist title, a bunch of blocks titles if they existed at the time, played on two of the best teams ever (1966-67 76ers and 1971-72 Lakers), 33 game winning streak, averaged 30/22 for his entire career etc.

Julius Erving would have a strong argument for a top 10 spot on my list if you combine his ABA and NBA careers which I believe should be done since the NBA absorbed ABA teams into the league with the merger in 1976 and also adopted the 3 point shot which now rules the modern NBA. Consider this: Erving played 16 total seasons in the ABA (1971-76) and NBA (1977-87), accumulating a career total of 30,026 points, 10,525 rebounds, and 5,176 assists. He won three championships, four MVP awards, and three scoring titles. Food for thought.

Can I clarify, is losing before making the Finals better for you than making the Finals and losing? I would assume yes, because it's the only way a 'losing record in the finals' would be held against someone. Unless you can show that the player was the main reason they lost most of those Finals, even then it's likely they still played better than X player who never even made it. Very strange indeed.

Bird is at 5th with 3 Rings, 2 Finals MVPs, less years, lower stats and less overall accolades than a number of players below him (1 more clearly than others) so this seems to go completely against your criteria too.

Bird won 3 titles in a 13 year career which is better than Lebron (4 titles in 22 years and counting), won more than he lost (3-2) vs Lebron (4-6), won 3 consecutive MVP’s, 2 FMVP’s, ROTY, 50/40/90 club multiple times, he’s a better shooter than Lebron from anywhere on the court, a better rebounder, a better passer and has better overall stats than Lebron with much lower usage. Thats why I rank him higher overall.

Lebron is a better scorer and averages more assists because he’s much more ball dominant. Bird has him everywhere else. Also, I prefer per games averages vs cumulative totals. Otherwise, Karl Malone would be in my top 10 list.

[Joao Saraiva]

Now tell us what conclusions you are trying to draw by posting this. Jason Kidd as a top 10 player of all time is a new one.

I simply mentioned his record vs the talents mentioned in the thread. That includes Jason Kidd

Since CP3 was mentioned.

Lebron vs Chris Paul
Regular season: 19-22
Playoffs: 2-4

*Edit: Kevin Durant was mentioned in a top 10.

Lebron vs Kevin Durant
Regular season: 24-19
Playoffs: 5-9

So what? It all needs context. Bron faced Shaq in the playoffs too when he was with the Celtics.

For example the "bad record" vs Shaq is actually good, given when he started Cleveland was terrible and Shaq was still with LA and then with contenders Heat.

[Anderson Hunt]

In ALPHABETICAL order:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Larry Bird
Kobe Bryant
Wilt Chamberlain
Lebron James
Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Oscar Robertson
Bill Russell

For #10 for me: it's between Shaq and Tim Duncan

Which NBA players make your all-time top 10?

How many playoff runs have you seen of Oscar Robertson?

[john4psu]

How many players from the Cincinnati Royals that he played with can you name? A guard didn't dominate in the '60s like tall centers did either.

[drchaos]

Kareem
Wilt
Jordan
Magic
Bird
Dream
Russell
Shaq
Duncan
Kobe

Is this an order?

All for different opinions but if it is, I can't think of any consistent criteria that would these accordingly.

Also one obvious name missing which makes any top 10 list without it clearly biased.

Even his biggest haters have him in there.

Pretty much in order.

I know Dream over Russell is not the usual opinion but Hakeem had very quick feet, he could steal the ball from guards.

I was tempted to put Magic over Jordan but you really could make a case for either of them at # 3 or even that they were the greatest.

I also don't think there is all that much separating Kobe from West for that # 10 spot.

You really can't teach seven feet tall and I think my rankings reflect my belief that this cheat code is unmatched when men are trying to put the ball through a net so high up.

Most rankings are overrating modern players.

I still challenge anyone with Curry on their list to tell me how he is any better that James Worthy.

[bledredwine]

MJ, Kareem, Wilt. Magic, Bird, Russell, Maravich. Korver, Shaq aaand... IDC, Oscar. Yes, I take my all time list very seriously.

Bro, did you just sneak Kyle Korver into your top 10 of all time list?

Granted, your list is totally up to you so there's no wrong....


You sneaky son of a gun!

Yeah I feel pretty bad ranking him 8th, I think that might be too low for him. Don´t never forget this is a guy who taught LeBron to shoot threes and saved his declining career. His clutch shooting made Bulls fan forget about MJ. His dunks were more awesome than Nique´s, say Hawks fans. His precision passing topped Stockton, they know in Utah. He taught Giannis how to defend, leading to his DPOY and MVP season. And in Philly they built him a statue, however they totally messed his look and from strange reason sculpted him with boxing gloves and shorts.

Due to his incredible look voters felt so ashamed by themself Korver holds NBA record for being 17x MVP snubbed.

Yeah he deserves to be much higher on that list.

You know, you took the words right out of my mouth.

[Iwasawitness]

1. Winning
2. Stats
3. Accolades

Jordan has the best combination of winning, stats and accolades. Also, everyone on my list won more Finals than they lost with the exception of Wilt (2-4) and Lebron (4-6). That’s why they rank on the low end of my top 10 list. Wilt gets the nod over Lebron because his stats crush every player who’s ever lived and his accolades exceed Lebron (3 consecutive MVP’s, 7 scoring titles, 11 rebounding titles, 1 assist title, a bunch of blocks titles if they existed at the time, played on two of the best teams ever (1966-67 76ers and 1971-72 Lakers), 33 game winning streak, averaged 30/22 for his entire career etc.

Julius Erving would have a strong argument for a top 10 spot on my list if you combine his ABA and NBA careers which I believe should be done since the NBA absorbed ABA teams into the league with the merger in 1976 and also adopted the 3 point shot which now rules the modern NBA. Consider this: Erving played 16 total seasons in the ABA (1971-76) and NBA (1977-87), accumulating a career total of 30,026 points, 10,525 rebounds, and 5,176 assists. He won three championships, four MVP awards, and three scoring titles. Food for thought.

Can I clarify, is losing before making the Finals better for you than making the Finals and losing? I would assume yes, because it's the only way a 'losing record in the finals' would be held against someone. Unless you can show that the player was the main reason they lost most of those Finals, even then it's likely they still played better than X player who never even made it. Very strange indeed.

Bird is at 5th with 3 Rings, 2 Finals MVPs, less years, lower stats and less overall accolades than a number of players below him (1 more clearly than others) so this seems to go completely against your criteria too.

Bird won 3 titles in a 13 year career which is better than Lebron (4 titles in 22 years and counting), won more than he lost (3-2) vs Lebron (4-6), won 3 consecutive MVP’s, 2 FMVP’s, ROTY, 50/40/90 club multiple times, he’s a better shooter than Lebron from anywhere on the court, a better rebounder, a better passer and has better overall stats than Lebron with much lower usage. Thats why I rank him higher overall.

Lebron is a better scorer and averages more assists because he’s much more ball dominant. Bird has him everywhere else. Also, I prefer per games averages vs cumulative totals. Otherwise, Karl Malone would be in my top 10 list.

[shotsquatch]

Steph has to be on the list

[syrus3]

In no order:

Jordan
Kareem
Bird
Magic
Hakeem
Shaq
Duncan
Wilt
Russell

[Curmudgeon]

No love for Elgin Baylor in these discussions? He might not be top 10, but I'd put him ahead of quite a few players who have been mentioned, e.g. Barkley and even West.

The ones who have to be on the list are Russell, Chamberlain, MJ, LeBron, Bird and Magic. After that they are 10-15 guys with a good claim to be top 10.

[Elpolo_14]

My top 10 would be :
Tier GOATS
1. LeBron
2. KAREEM
3. M.Jordan
4. B.Russel
TIER 1( Definitive TOP 10 )
5. Tim Duncan
6. Shaquille O'Neal's
7. HAKEEM
8. Wilt Chamberlain
9. Stephen curry
10. Magic Johnson

If no 60s I would definitely put JoKic and Kobe into the list

[Zadeh]

Must-haves (any list that does not have these is null and void) (in order)

Tim Duncan
Karrem Abdul-Jabbar
Larry Bird
Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Lebron James
Bill Russell


Debatable ones (after ten not in order)

Nikola Jokic
Hakeem Olajuwon
Stephen Curry


Wilt Chamberlain
Oscar Robertson
Moses Malone
Shaquille O'Neal

Jerry West
John Havlicek
Dirk Nowitzki
Julius Erving


They definitely won't make it onto this list. (any list that does have these is null and void)

Kobe Bryant
Kevin Garnett
Karl Malone
Giannis Antetokounmpo

[The Big O]

1. Winning
2. Stats
3. Accolades

Jordan has the best combination of winning, stats and accolades. Also, everyone on my list won more Finals than they lost with the exception of Wilt (2-4) and Lebron (4-6). That’s why they rank on the low end of my top 10 list. Wilt gets the nod over Lebron because his stats crush every player who’s ever lived and his accolades exceed Lebron (3 consecutive MVP’s, 7 scoring titles, 11 rebounding titles, 1 assist title, a bunch of blocks titles if they existed at the time, played on two of the best teams ever (1966-67 76ers and 1971-72 Lakers), 33 game winning streak, averaged 30/22 for his entire career etc.

Julius Erving would have a strong argument for a top 10 spot on my list if you combine his ABA and NBA careers which I believe should be done since the NBA absorbed ABA teams into the league with the merger in 1976 and also adopted the 3 point shot which now rules the modern NBA. Consider this: Erving played 16 total seasons in the ABA (1971-76) and NBA (1977-87), accumulating a career total of 30,026 points, 10,525 rebounds, and 5,176 assists. He won three championships, four MVP awards, and three scoring titles. Food for thought.

Can I clarify, is losing before making the Finals better for you than making the Finals and losing? I would assume yes, because it's the only way a 'losing record in the finals' would be held against someone. Unless you can show that the player was the main reason they lost most of those Finals, even then it's likely they still played better than X player who never even made it. Very strange indeed.

Bird is at 5th with 3 Rings, 2 Finals MVPs, less years, lower stats and less overall accolades than a number of players below him (1 more clearly than others) so this seems to go completely against your criteria too.

Bird won 3 titles in a 13 year career which is better than Lebron (4 titles in 22 years and counting), won more than he lost (3-2) vs Lebron (4-6), won 3 consecutive MVP’s, 2 FMVP’s, ROTY, 50/40/90 club multiple times, he’s a better shooter than Lebron from anywhere on the court, a better rebounder, a better passer and has better overall stats than Lebron with much lower usage. Thats why I rank him higher overall.

Lebron is a better scorer and averages more assists because he’s much more ball dominant. Bird has him everywhere else. Also, I prefer per games averages vs cumulative totals. Otherwise, Karl Malone would be in my top 10 list.

Bird does not have "better stats" than LeBron. LeBron destroys him on almost every metric- and did it for almost twice as long.

LeBron is a better scorer because he simply has more ability as a scorer (transition, slashing, in the paint). LeBron is also a massively better defender and similar playmaker.

[iggymcfrack]

1. Bron
2. MJ
3. Hakeem
4. Duncan
5. Kareem
6. KG
7. Shaq
8. Jokic
9. Steph
10. Russell