Basketball is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. This makes it inarguable that the ones listed here are among the most popular persons on this planet as well. They dribble, they skid, they shoot, and earn points for winning. But who among these basketeers is the best at what he does? Who do you think is the best NBA player?
LeBron James
He is now known as 'The Face of the NBA.' This means that his image and his words do mean a lot to the worldwide structure of basketball. Although it is highly debatable, many fans and critics today believe that he is the best NBA star ever.
Born : December 30, 1984
Height : 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight : 250 lb (113 kg)
Position : Small forward
Career history
2003–2010 : Cleveland Cavaliers
2010–2014 : Miami Heat
2014–2016 : Cleveland Cavaliers
2018 - present : Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Jordan
His nickname 'Air Jordan' wasn't invented if not for it's great significance. He is the most publicized NBA player in history, and was the sole agent that changed the way basketball is viewed forever. Jordan isn't only about publicity and commercialism though, because his skills, leadership and determination in the court are still unparalleled today.
Born : February 17, 1963
Height : 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight : 216 lb (98 kg)
Position : Shooting guard
Career history
1984–1993, 1995–1998 : Chicago Bulls
2001–2003 : Washington Wizards
Wilt Chamberlain
Considered to be one of the biggest and most dominant NBA players in history in a pure literal sense, he has actually garnered massive points in his life to make him both notorious and admirable at the same time, in and out of the court. Aside from earning one of the highest points in basketball history in a single game, he was widely known as a womanizer, having claimed that he had sex with 20,000 women in his lifetime.
Born : August 21, 1936
Died : October 12, 1999 (aged 63)
Height : 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Weight :275 lb (125 kg)
Position : Center
Career History
As player:
1958–1959 :Harlem Globetrotters
1959–1965 : Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors
1965–1968 : Philadelphia 76ers
1968–1973 : Los Angeles Lakers
As coach:
1973–1974 : San Diego Conquistadors (ABA)
Magic Johnson
Having earned the nickname 'magic' while still in high-school, this guy was among the earliest 'Laker-Greats' while Shaq and Kobe were still sucking their thumbs in their cradles. Whenever Johnson plays, the word magic seems to be ever present in the court as he graces us with smart passes and clever assists, pushing his team to great victories.
Born : August 14, 1959
Height : 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight : 220 lb (100 kg)
Position : Point guard
Career History
As player:
1979–1991, 1996 : Los Angeles Lakers
As coach:
1994 : Los Angeles Lakers
Karl Malone
With the most postseason losses in history, it is a wonder why Karl is even on this list. So why is he here? Simple, because he is 'The Mailman' who delivered great obstacles and challenges against the very best of the NBA. The result? He sharpened the skills of those players... and his own in the process.
Born : July 24, 1963
Height : 6 ft 9 (2.06 m)
Weight : 253 lb (115 kg)
Position : Power forward
Career History
As player:
1985–2003 : Utah Jazz
2003–2004 : Los Angeles Lakers
As coach:
2007–2011 : Louisiana Tech (asst.)
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Known for his “Skyhook” nickname, he is a towering figure in basketball and even outside of it. Aside from being a distinguished basketeer, he became a notable martial-arts actor after appearing in the movie Game of Death, where he played the role of a villain against the legendary Bruce Lee.
Born : April 16, 1947
Height :7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Weight : 225 lb (102 kg)
Position : Center
Career History
1969–1975 : Milwaukee Bucks
1975–1989 :Los Angeles Lakers
Larry Bird
Aside from being one of the best three-pointers in the basketball arena, this guy is the only man to be named an MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year in the NBA. Long before basketball became too hyped by the media that we know today, there was a bird that soared the halls of NBA and became one of the best in there. That bird's name was, Larry.
Born : December 7, 1956
Height : 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight : 220 lb (100 kg)
Position : Small forward / Power forward
Career History
As player:
1979–1992 : Boston Celtics
As coach:
1997–2000 : Indiana Pacers
Shaquille O'Neal
With a weight of over 300 lbs., Shaq is one of the heaviest players in existence. Success-wise, he is just as heavily publicized since he easily became an asset player in the various teams he has signed on in his career. Like Jordan and Jabbar, he is also a movie star and a recording artist, having appeared in various movies, and has recorded some albums too.
Born : March 6, 1972
Height : 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Weight : 325 lb (147 kg)
Position : Center
Career history
1992–1996 : Orlando Magic
1996–2004 : Los Angeles Lakers
2004–2008 : Miami Heat
2008–2009 : Phoenix Suns
2009–2010 : Cleveland Cavaliers
2010–2011 : Boston Celtics
Bill Russell
Today, the NBA is nothing without the legendary African-Americans that dominate it, this is an undeniable fact. Jordan and LeBron are very, very famous indeed, but they must never ignore the fact that their kind wouldn't gain the recognition that they're having now if not for Bill Russell – the first black guy to achieve superstar status in the NBA. His teammates would often call him the player with the 'neurotic need to win.' That trait was very helpful indeed, for it enshrined him as a FIBA Hall of Famer.
Born : February 12, 1934
Height : 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight :220 lb (100 kg)
Position : Center
Career history
As player:
1956–1969 : Boston Celtics
As coach:
1966–1969 : Boston Celtics
1973–1977 : Seattle SuperSonics
1987–1988 : Sacramento Kings
Tim Duncan
Widely considered as the greatest power-forward in history, he was one of the best success-bringers in San Antonio Spurs – the only team he has ever professionally played in his entire 19-year career. Outside the ring, he is a philanthropist and psychologist – proofs that even the toughest athletes can have the kindest hearts and smartest brains.
Born : April 25, 1976 (age 40)
Height : 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Weight : 250 lb (113 kg)
Position : Power forward / Center
Career history
1997–2016 : San Antonio Spurs
Who do you think among them should be ranked as number 1?