In honor of the 74th NBA season and knowing that we all crave basketball content during the lockdown during the pandemic, ESPN has decided to release one of themLists of "Greatest Players of All Time"featuring all your favorite NBA GOATs, ranked legends, and superstars.
The 20 NBA players with the most...
As with previous rankings, ESPN unveiled them in blocks,starting at 74-41,the players in positions 40-11and then the top ten.
Interbasket ends the ESPN charts at 75-100
I mean what else do we have? There is so much Netflix to watch and house cleaning that many of us have happy hours on Zoom,bet on virtual sports games againas we have no live sports to watch or bet and bodyweight exercises.
Before we reveal the full list, we'd like to say that, as we've discussed endlessly, these kinds of lists will always piss people off, but we have a feeling this latest list isn't going to make anyone happy: especially notKobe BryantSupporter (although he went up three spots).
The difference between the 2020 list and ESPN'sfour years ago, is that this seems much more controversial, almost to the point where we get trolled. We recorded the ratings from 2016 and how many ratings players went up, down or stayed the same.
| Area | player | 2016 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Lebron James | 3 | +1 |
| 3 | Kareem Abdul Jabbar | 2 | -1 |
| 4 | Bill Russell | 7 | +3 |
| 5 | Magic Johnson | 4 | -1 |
| 6 | Wilt Chamberlain | 5 | -1 |
| 7 | Larry Vogel | 6 | -1 |
| 8 | Tim Duncan | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | Kobe Bryant | 12 | +3 |
| 10 | Shaquille O'Neal | 9 | -1 |
| 11 | Oscar Robertson | 11 | 0 |
| 12 | Hakeem Olajuwon | 10 | -2 |
| 13 | Stefan Curry | 23 | +10 |
| 14 | Kevin Durant | 22 | +8 |
| 15 | Julius Erving | 14 | -1 |
| sixteen | Jerry West | 13 | -3 |
| 17 | Karl Malone | sixteen | -1 |
| 18 | Moises Malone | 15 | -3 |
| 19 | Dirk Nowitzki | 17 | -2 |
| 20 | Kevin Garnett | 21 | +1 |
| 21 | Scottie Pippen | 25 | +4 |
| 22 | Elgin Baylor | 24 | +2 |
| 23 | Charles Barkley | 18 | -5 |
| 24 | David Robinson | 20 | -4 |
| 25 | kawhi leonard | NR | THE |
| 26 | Dwyane Wade | 27 | +1 |
| 27 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | NR | THE |
| 28 | Juan Stockon | 19 | -9 |
| 29 | Allen Iverson | 46 | +17 |
| 30 | Steve uns | 30 | 0 |
| 31 | isiah tomas | 26 | -5 |
| 32 | James stiffen | 97 | +65 |
| 33 | Juan Havlicek | 28 | -5 |
| 34 | Jörg Mikan | 33 | -1 |
| 35 | Jason Kidd | 35 | 0 |
| 36 | Kevin McHale | 31 | -5 |
| 37 | patrician ewing | 32 | -5 |
| 38 | Little Bob | 34 | -4 |
| 39 | Walt Frazier | 38 | -1 |
| 40 | cry paul | 29 | -11 |
| 41 | Bob Cousy | 39 | -2 |
| 42 | Russell Westbrook | 49 | +7 |
| 43 | Rick Barry | 37 | -6 |
| 44 | Elvin Hayes | 40 | -4 |
| 45 | Anthony Davis | NR | THE |
| 46 | Dominik Wilkins | 44 | -2 |
| 47 | George Gerwin | 47 | 0 |
| 48 | Bill Walton | 42 | -6 |
| 49 | Reggie Miller | 51 | +2 |
| 50 | we don't sell | 53 | +3 |
| 51 | worthy Jacob | 43 | -8 |
| 52 | Tracy McGrady | 63 | +11 |
| 53 | Gary Payton | 41 | -12 |
| 54 | Paul Pierz | 45 | -9 |
| 55 | Vince Carter | 69 | +14 |
| 56 | Ray Allen | 50 | -6 |
| 57 | Clyde Drexler | 36 | -21 |
| 58 | Manu Ginobili | 61 | +3 |
| 59 | Bob McAdoo | 52 | -7 |
| 60 | Willis Flare | 48 | -12 |
| 61 | Robert's community | 57 | -4 |
| 62 | Dennis Rodmann | 64 | +2 |
| 63 | Bring an Alonso | Sixty-five | +2 |
| 64 | Conde Monroe | 60 | -4 |
| Sixty-five | Out of Gasoline | 56 | -9 |
| 66 | David Cowens | 55 | -11 |
| 67 | alex ingles | 62 | -5 |
| 68 | Peter Maravich | 71 | +3 |
| 69 | Bernhard König | 54 | -15 |
| 70 | Tony Parker | 58 | -12 |
| 71 | Bob Lanier | 68 | -3 |
| 72 | Damian Lillard | NR | THE |
| 73 | Dikembe Mutombo | 73 | 0 |
| 74 | Artis Gilmore | 70 | -4 |
| NR | Carmelo Anthony | 59 | -sixteen |
The only part ESPN seems to get right is the top 12. Most of the time, it would be hard to argue with thatMichael Jordan,Lebron James, OfKareem Abdul-JabbarThey're not the top three players in NBA history. In addition, we could have an intensive discussion on howBill Russell,Magic Johnson,Wilt Chamberlain, OfLarry VogelThey're rated from 4 to 7, but that's okay too.
An even stronger argument could be made in #8-12 and ifTim Duncan,Kobe Bryant,Shaquille O'Neal,Oscar RobertsonjHakeem Olajuwonthey were either too high or too low in that range. However, everything seems meticulous (and it is at this point).
Despite the problems of n. 13th and up, it's a really solid list of the biggest dozen in the NBA, and if you ask me there's no shortage of flashy names among those twelve. Since you are here reading this, ask me.
Topicality, media and other prejudices
Now here is the section where everyone is complaining. All refer to me for writing this.
Beyond the top 12, problems arise immediately. I have great respect for youStefan CurryjKevin Durantand they certainly should be on the list, but I'm uncomfortable with them being 13th and 14th respectively. It seems topical to curry about talented legends like Dr. J(15) andJerry West(16) and Durant no mouseMoises Malone(18) zKevin Garnett(20).
Two of the worst crimes areGiannis Antetokounmpoat #27 andAnthony Davisin #45. While these are just a few examples, those voters didn't just vote for those two players, they voted for the entire list. To me, this shows a very clear recency bias. Both players are great players in today's game but Giannis is above the raceJuan Havlicek(33),Jörg Mikan(34),Jason Kidd(35),Kevin McHale(36), zpatrician ewing(37) feels totally disrespected even if Antetokounmpo already has an MVP.
Davis is undoubtedly a dominant player in today's game, but if he were to retire tomorrow, he wouldn't even be in this discussion the next time ESPN releases a list, let alone the NBA greats.Dominik Wilkins(46)George Gerwin(47),Bill Walton(48),Reggie Miller(49) ,we don't sell(50), zworthy Jacob(51).
It seems silly that he has to say that, considering they are so-called basketball experts.
Prerequisite: A proven manager
Lastly, and I'm not trying to be a hater here, but it's great to seeJuan Stockondown nine positions from 2016.
Anyway, your review aboveisiah tomasÖSteve unsÖAllen Iversonshows a clear lack of true basketball knowledge. Why? I'm sure Stockon has numbers and it isIsIron Man of the NBA, but any list that ranks the greatest players in league history has a premise.
This qualification is that you are one of the players who would choose to start your franchise.
We're not just talking numbers, we're talking about less quantifiable qualities like leadership, courage, killer instincts and a willingness to hit the big time. Essentially, we're talking about a player who can create his own shot, make difficult shots, and can and will lead his team to the playoffs.
I would say the sameScottie Pippen. A great player, an apparent Hall of Famer, and a great defensive player of all time, but is Pippen really the 21st greatest player in NBA history? That's a rhetorical question, with all due respect, no.
Aside from Curry and Durant, who are active players, Pippen had the biggest jump among the top 25 players. He jumped four spots on the 2016 list. That's remarkable considering we're featuring the best of the best players speak to the league. NBA History.
One explanation is the recent release of the Chicago Bulls document, so there will likely be onethe last Danceeffect happens.
The fact is, if that were the criteria, Stockton wouldn't be drafted because he's not a player you carry or how you would run a team.primaryPlayer. Would you prefer Stockton Kidd?cry paul,Gary PaytonÖClyde Drexlerif you had the opportunity to create a team? Naturally.
To see a much more accurate list, we recommendthis list of SLAM magazine 2018. Or if you want to see what the list would look like if ESPN filled the remaining spots for a top 100 list,Click here.
If you want to know more about whyJerry Westand Isiah are relatively at the bottom of the list and why are Davis, Stockton and Giannis at the top? We recommend listeningthe lastRhyme Collectivepodcast episodewho spends an hour discussing the topics on this list with true basketball fans Brian Windhorst, Jackie MacMullan and Tim MacMahon.
(I love this team and definitely the best basketball podcast.)