The Top 10 All-Time Most Dominant NBA Players

[WillyJakkz]

Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT A BEST EVER LIST.

Whether catching "fire", being an offensive juggernaut on one end, a beast on the other, or being able to control a game w/ out being much of an impact offensively during a game, or being able to run/ control the entire tempo of a game on both sides of the floor is a sign/ mark of a truly dominant player, so w/ out any further ado... here's my Top 10 List of All-Time Most Dominant Players.


No. 10: Julius Erving

The original high flyer, "Dr. J" could score, rebound, defend, and attack the basket like no other in his time period w/ very few able to do so since him.


No.9: Tim Duncan

Silent, deadly killer on the court, and an impossible match up to defend, the "Big Fundamentals" has been one of the best to do it.


No. 8: Wilt Chamberlain

Some may think it's pure blasphemy or insanity to have "The Stilt", a man who scored 100 pts in an NBA game and once averaged 50 pts for a season as well as routinely grabbing 20+ rebs a year at 8 BUT due to the lack of competition during his dominant stint in Philly (and Golden State) I can't put him any higher.


No. 7: Kobe Bryant

Phenomenal player who has the ability to take over games at will w/ his scoring thus transforming into the "Black Mamba" to kill the competition on the court.


No. 6: Charles Barkley

Able to score, rebound, defend, and straight go off on opponents at will, "Sir" Charles was one of the most unstoppable players ever.


No. 5: Larry Bird

Only a handful of players could devastate teams w/ their scoring, rebounding, and playmaking the way Larry "Legend" could and even fewer could actually defeat him on the court.


No. 4: Ervin Johnson

There hasn't been anyone w/ the ability to totally take over the tempo and control a game w/ his shooting, passing, and playmaking abilities the way "Magic" Johnson could.


No. 3: Hakeem Olajuwon

There isn't another C in the NBA who could impact the game the way Hakeem the "Dream" Olajuwon could whose signature "Dream Shake" move led his team to back to back NBA Titles.


No. 2: Michael Jordan

Absolutely otherworldly in his ability to take over a game and be victorious at the end of the game, "Air" Jordan is the ultimate offensive and defensive weapon who is second to none in any aspect of basketball except to this man...


No. 1: Shaquille O'neal

Absolutely, utterly, and undeniably the M.ost D.ominant E.ver to play on a basketball court, the "Big Diesel" is the most unstoppable and most dominant player to ever play NBA basketball. Screw the free throws.

Thoughts or discrepancies?

Let's discuss 'em.

[hayguise]

A lot of people won't agree with Shaq at 1, but I do.

[KGboss]

A lot of people won't agree with Shaq at 1, but I do.

I do as well honestly, and firmly believe if he played out his career in LA instead of leaving a lot of people would have no problem putting him at the top spot.

[EarlTheGoat]

LOL, whats the **** difference between doing a top 10 all-time list and a top-10 most dominant list?

This is (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I presume when you say "dominant" you are actually talking about peak, conditions for playing basketball or what?

If thats the case, take Kobe, Erving and probably Bird of there. Throw in Mcgrady, Oscar Robertson and basicly, all the all-time Centers.

But if we use logic we can realize the best players of all time are also the most dominant. Its an obvious assumption, there is no difference.

All Time top 10 list = All Time top 10 dominant list

[Blackfyre]

You are giving too much credit defensively to Barkley. He was very poor defender even at his peak. I don't understand Dr J as #10 either and not having Russell anywhere is weird (the most dominant defensive player ever).

1. Michael Jordan / Shaquille O'neal
3. Magic Johnson / Larry Bird / Kareem Abdul Jabbar
6. Hakeem Olajuwon / Wilt Chamberlain
8. Tim Duncan / Kobe Bryant
10. Bill Russell

Most of these are too close to call.

HM: Lebron, Barkley, Wade, West

[Waynelu90]

I'd still have MJ first

[hayguise]

LOL, whats the **** difference between doing a top 10 all-time list and a top-10 most dominant list?

This is (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I presume when you say "dominant" you are actually talking about peak, conditions for playing basketball or what?

If thats the case, take Kobe, Erving and probably Bird of there. Throw in Mcgrady, Oscar Robertson and basicly, all the all-time Centers.

Bill Russell.

Undoubtedly top ten all time, but most dominant? not so much.

[EarlTheGoat]

LOL, whats the **** difference between doing a top 10 all-time list and a top-10 most dominant list?

This is (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I presume when you say "dominant" you are actually talking about peak, conditions for playing basketball or what?

If thats the case, take Kobe, Erving and probably Bird of there. Throw in Mcgrady, Oscar Robertson and basicly, all the all-time Centers.

Bill Russell.

Undoubtedly top ten all time, but most dominant? not so much.

Dominated games with his defense.

[WillyJakkz]

LOL, whats the **** difference between doing a top 10 all-time list and a top-10 most dominant list?

This is (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I presume when you say "dominant" you are actually talking about peak, conditions for playing basketball or what?

If thats the case, take Kobe, Erving and probably Bird of there. Throw in Mcgrady, Oscar Robertson and basicly, all the all-time Centers.

But if we use logic we can realize the best players of all time are also the most dominant. Its an obvious assumption, there is no difference.

All Time top 10 list = All Time top 10 dominant list

Let me put it to ya like this:

Being "all time dominant" doesn't make someone "all time best" if you understand the science behind the list.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/ Lew Alcindor was one of the best to ever play the game but was not one the most all time dominant players imo. All time great, YES.

Same w/ Bill Russell to me.

Note... to me.

[Blackfyre]

LOL, whats the **** difference between doing a top 10 all-time list and a top-10 most dominant list?

This is (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I presume when you say "dominant" you are actually talking about peak, conditions for playing basketball or what?

If thats the case, take Kobe, Erving and probably Bird of there. Throw in Mcgrady, Oscar Robertson and basicly, all the all-time Centers.

But if we use logic we can realize the best players of all time are also the most dominant. Its an obvious assumption, there is no difference.

All Time top 10 list = All Time top 10 dominant list

Let me put it to ya like this:

Being "all time dominant" doesn't make someone "all time best" if you understand the science behind the list.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/ Lew Alcindor was one of the best to ever play the game but was not one the most all time dominant players imo. All time great, YES.

Same w/ Bill Russell to me.

Note... to me.

I respect your opinion but to me it doesn't make any sense that you have Erving but not guys like Russell and Jabbar there. Russell and Jabbar dominated at every level - RS, PS, Finals..you name it. They dominated even before they got to NBA.

[hayguise]

LOL, whats the **** difference between doing a top 10 all-time list and a top-10 most dominant list?

This is (Please Use More Appropriate Word). I presume when you say "dominant" you are actually talking about peak, conditions for playing basketball or what?

If thats the case, take Kobe, Erving and probably Bird of there. Throw in Mcgrady, Oscar Robertson and basicly, all the all-time Centers.

Bill Russell.

Undoubtedly top ten all time, but most dominant? not so much.

Dominated games with his defense.

Most people rate Russell as top 3 all time. Is he really more dominant than Shaq, Hakeem, and Jordan? No. Never. So yeah, maybe you shouldn't be calling this (Please Use More Appropriate Word) when you're clearly mistaken.

[DreamShakeFTW]

So Wilt gets knocked down to 8 because he dominated a weak era for Centers but Shaq is number 1?

The 00's were a pretty weak era, too.

In the 90's Shaq didn't 'dominate' anything but getting his azz swept out of the playoffs. Like 5 times I believe.

[hayguise]

So Wilt gets knocked down to 8 because he dominated a weak era for Centers but Shaq is number 1?

The 00's were a pretty weak era, too.

In the 90's Shaq didn't 'dominate' anything but getting his azz swept out of the playoffs. Like 5 times I believe.

Wilt was not a winner, and his numbers consistently dropped in the playoffs. I do agree that 8 is too low for him, however. As weak as his competition was, Wilt WAS dominant.

[WillyJakkz]

Understand please also the old axiom of a C needing someone to get them the ball while some of the greatest C's (Jabbar/ Russell/ Chambelain) had some all time greats getting the ball to them (Robertson, Magic/ Cousy, Havelicek/ West, Baylor) so I also take these things into account.

Dr J was a dominant player (for the poster who's asking).

Also for the poster who's claiming I'm overrating Charles Barkley, evidently you've never played "Bulls Vs Blazers".

[Huuminh]

1. Jordan
2. Russell
3. Wilt
4. Magic
5. Bird
6. Kareem
7. Oscar Robertson
8. Dr. J
9. Hakeem
10. Kobe

[Doormatt]

Understand please also the old axiom of a C needing someone to get them the ball while some of the greatest C's (Jabbar/ Russell/ Chambelain) had some all time greats getting the ball to them (Robertson, Magic/ Cousy, Havelicek/ West, Baylor) so I also take these things into account.

So youre just going to ignore that Shaq had Kobe, Penny and Wade getting him the ball (as if thats even relevant)? every championship center has had an elite or near elite perimeter player on their team, i dont understand why you would take that into account when analyzing a players dominance, and then completely ignore what shaq had. Wade and Kobe are MUCH better than any perimeter player Wilt, Hakeem or Russell had.

[WillyJakkz]

Understand please also the old axiom of a C needing someone to get them the ball while some of the greatest C's (Jabbar/ Russell/ Chambelain) had some all time greats getting the ball to them (Robertson, Magic/ Cousy, Havelicek/ West, Baylor) so I also take these things into account.

So youre just going to ignore that Shaq had Kobe, Penny and Wade getting him the ball (as if thats even relevant)? every championship center has had an elite or near elite perimeter player on their team, i dont understand why you would take that into account when analyzing a players dominance, and then completely ignore what shaq had. Wade and Kobe are MUCH better than any perimeter player Wilt, Hakeem or Russell had.

Yes Shaq had Penny but you do realize:

Getting a player the ball in a position that makes it easier for thm to score is what Magic, Cousy, and West were extremely great at.

Not to mention playing along w/ Magic, Kareem had Worthy as another threat on court, while Russell had Cousy, Havelicek, Jones, etc, and Wilt had West, Goodrich, and Baylor.

Shaq playing w/ Wade, or Kobe/ Horry is hardly the same and if anything Shaq playing w/ Penny, Anderson, Scott, and Horace Grant was a much easier situation for him. Shaq's best LA team threat-wise was Kobe, Eddie Jones, and Nick Van Exel but that didn't last long.

[Optms]

O'Neal won three titles and one MVP in the weakest era of centers arguably of all time. He was dominant but his status is getting unbelievably overblown. Similar to how some Kobe fans delude themselves into thinking he's ever going to approach Jordan, this is reaching really bad.

I like your choices, OP. I just disagree with where you are ranking these players.

[sisibilio]

Dominated games with his defense.

Most people rate Russell as top 3 all time. Is he really more dominant than Shaq, Hakeem, and Jordan? No. Never. So yeah, maybe you shouldn't be calling this (Please Use More Appropriate Word) when you're clearly mistaken.

11 titles in 13 years, and the first loss came when he was injured, how is that not dominance? Sure, he had good teamates but also did his rivals, he won championships being the favourite and the underdog.

[ninjabelly]

1. Jordan
2. Russell
3. Wilt
4. Magic
5. Bird
6. Kareem
7. Oscar Robertson
8. Dr. J
9. Hakeem
10. Kobe

no shaq..?