Sunday, December 9, 2012

The ten greatest basketball players of all-time. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell had the greatest impact on the game. Special rules were implemented to help Michael Jordan.


Article 7  Volume 2                              December 9, 2012
                                           

                                         10 Greatest NBA Basketball  Players of All-Time

Everybody has an opinion about who is the 10 greatest NBA basketball players of all- time. Opinions may vary on the order, but our body of selections are solid. One of my criteria is that the players selected, accomplishments is compelling enough to keep them on the top 50 all- time list for the next 50 years.
I believe my top 4 selections (Wilt, Bill, Michael and Kareem) will be on the top 100 list for another 100 years.

My selections are:

1. Wilt Chamberlain ......................(1959-73) He won 2 NBA championships rings. but had a great impact on the way the game is played.  The only man to avg. 50/50 for a season (points/rebounds), 10 All-NBA teams, 4 MVP awards. Played with Globetrotters for two years (they didn't lose a game when he played with them).

2. Bill Russell ................................ (1956 -69) 11 times All-NBA, 5 MVP awards. His presence made it possible for Boston to win 11 championships in the 13 years he played. He is one of only two players to win 11 championships (Sam Jones, Russell's teammate, is the other). I can't foresee another player topping this accomplishment in the next 100 years. A born winner, led tiny college in California to two NCAA Championships and the United States to the 1956 Gold Medal.

3. Michael Jordan.........................(1984 - 2003 (breaks in between)), 11 times All-NBA, 5 times MVP, won 6 NBA Championships. Great defensive player. But if I am choosing sides I would select Wilt and Bill first and second.  Big men win games, little men sell tickets. Number 3 All-time scorer with 32,292 points.

4. Kareen Addul-Jabbar..............(1969-1989), 15 times all NBA, 6 MVP awards.  A born winner.  Nobody could block his sky hook. Won championships everywhere he played. Remember how he led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Championship.#1 all time scorer with 38,387 points.

5. Ervin "Magic" Johnson..............(1979 - 1991 (briefly in 1996) 10 times All-NBA. 3 times MVP. 5 NBA Championships. Changed the way we look at point guards. At 6'9" most teams didn't have an answer for how to stop him. He could play every position on the floor. Led  Michigan State to NCAA as Freshman, and then entered the draft, and was selected No. 1 overall.  In first year, led Lakers to championship playing center.

6. Oscar Robertson....................... (1960 - 1974) Won only one championship, but his greatest was evident every game he played.  Spent most of his career with Cincy. The only player to avg 20/20 in a season. (points/assists).11 times All-NBA, l time MVP

7.  Larry Bird ..............................(1979 -1992) Played hard. 3 NBA championships.  Great all around player. Inspired his teammates to play harder. 10 times All-NBA, 3 times league MVP

8. Karl Malone............................  (1985-2003) Team went to finals 2years,   MVP award 2 conseuticut years, 11 times All NBA team .Number 2 all time leader in points scored, 32,292. Never won NBA championship.

9. Shaquille O'Neill...........    (1992-2011) 4 NBA Championships 14 All-NBA, l MVP

                             (Tie until career ends)
10.. Tim Duncan.......................(1997-Present) 13 All-NBA; 2 MVP

10a. Kobe Bryant................. (1997-present)  l3 All-NBA; won 1 MVP, fifth on All-Time scoring list with over 30,000 points 

Note: Kobe and Tim are still playing. When their career ends, they will move up in the rank

                      Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved.

                                                                                                                                                 

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