{"id":3031,"date":"2019-08-03T11:34:29","date_gmt":"2019-08-03T16:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/?p=3031"},"modified":"2021-07-26T13:36:44","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T18:36:44","slug":"best-nba-players-ever-michael-jordan-1-who-is-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/best-nba-players-ever-michael-jordan-1-who-is-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Best NBA Players Ever: Michael Jordan #1, Who Is #2?"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_3037\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3037\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3037 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/best-nba-players-ever.jpg\" alt=\"Best NBA Players Ever: Michael Jordan #1, Who Is #2?\" width=\"650\" height=\"367\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/best-nba-players-ever.jpg 650w, https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/best-nba-players-ever-600x339.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3037 size-full lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/best-nba-players-ever.jpg\" alt=\"Best NBA Players Ever: Michael Jordan #1, Who Is #2?\" width=\"650\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/best-nba-players-ever.jpg 650w, https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/best-nba-players-ever-600x339.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3037\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">3 of the best NBA players ever &#8211; Jordan is the clear #1 but who is second?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>For as much as we hear the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James comparison as the <strong>best NBA players ever<\/strong>, is LeBron even better than Kobe?\u00a0 3 titles vs. 5 is all I have to say about that.<\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;Is LeBron the best basketball player of all-time?&#8221; Thanks to 8 Finals appearances in a row, this question gets asked any time a media outlet needs a boost in pageviews.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED \u2013 Can Michael Jordan STILL DUNK?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Picking the best basketball player of all time is easy &#8211; it&#8217;s Michael Jordan.<\/h2>\n<p>Not only did\u00a0MJ\u00a0change the way the game was played (just like Wilt), but he made an equal impact on popular culture as a whole (like Shaq).<\/p>\n<p>The gold chain. Baggy shorts. The single diamond earring. The bald head. Air Jordan\u2019s. The concept of \u201cbasketball shoes\u201d barely existed and weren\u2019t even seen as a specialty industry.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s the criteria for greatest? Championships? Individual accolades? I think those are two places to start.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED \u2013 Michael Jordan Wizards: Last Season Was Better Than You Remember<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Era has to be considered. Somewhere, there&#8217;s an 80-year old saying George Mikan was the best ever.<\/p>\n<p>A few other reasons why MJ is the best basketball player ever:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Era and timing of arrival in NBA &#8211; Magic and Bird were winding down their careers as Jordan was ascending.<\/li>\n<li>Rise of technology\/internet coincided with his success so more people saw him, or had access to him than any player prior.<\/li>\n<li>Early struggles. He broke his foot and missed almost an entire season. The Bulls were not a great franchise and he made them one.<\/li>\n<li>Success across all disciplines in basketball. Pick a certain skill and he was great at it. A true all around player.<\/li>\n<li>Nike &#8211; cultural impact, great marketing made MJ into a Paul Bunyon type figure.<\/li>\n<li>Performance at the most critical times, biggest stages. Game winning shots, the Flu Game, eradicating the NBA of the Pistons, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Winning titles after baseball experiment. Michael Jordan playing baseball on a whim was incredible.<\/li>\n<li>NEVER a down year, no decline. Even as he aged, his final seasons in Washington as Michael Jordan Wizards were still productive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But what\u2019s\u00a0<i>really<\/i> difficult is picking not only the second best NBA players of all time, but how they rank behind MJ.<\/p>\n<p>Everything from era of play, position, and impact upon the game has to be considered.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>RELATED: Michael Jordan Baseball: MJ\u2019s Only Game In MLB<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Here are the most viable 16 best NBA players ever that could be the second best NBA player of all-time, in no particular order;<\/h2>\n<h2><b>Kobe Bryant<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages:\u00a0\u00a025.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.7\u00a0apg<\/h2>\n<p>Bryant is a 18-time all-star, 11-time All NBA first team, 9-time All NBA Defensive first team, led the league in scoring twice, won the MVP award once, two-time Finals MVP, two-time NBA scoring champ, the All-Star Game MVP four times, 1997 NBA Slam Dunk champion, and won five NBA titles. HIs numbers 8 and 24 have both been retired by the LA Lakers.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Wilt Chamberlain<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages:\u00a0\u00a030.1\u00a0ppg, 22.9\u00a0rpg, 4.4\u00a0apg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Big Dipper\u201d is the only player to ever average 40\u00a0ppg\u00a0or 50\u00a0ppg\u00a0for an entire NBA season. In 14 seasons be played in 13 all-star games, won seven scoring titles, led league in field goal percentage nine times, won 11 rebounding titles, and even led the league in assists in 1967-68. Chamberlain won two NBA titles which weren\u2019t enough for most of his detractors, claiming this proved he as more concerned with individual success. Wilt was on par with\u00a0MJ\u00a0as far as influence felt off the court, becoming a best-selling author and starring in \u201c<i>Conan the Destroyer<\/i>\u201d opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Bill Russell<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages:\u00a0\u00a015.1\u00a0ppg, 22.5\u00a0rpg, 4.3\u00a0apg<\/h2>\n<p>Five time NBA MVP, 12 time all-star and 11 time NBA Champion in 13 NBA seasons. His 11 titles are tied for most ever by an athlete in any North American sports league. Russell is known historically as a defensive specialist and elite shot blocker, but still averaged 15.1\u00a0ppg\u00a0in 963 games.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Tim Duncan<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages:\u00a0\u00a020.6\u00a0ppg, 11.4\u00a0rpg, 3.1\u00a0apg, 1.9\u00a0bpg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Big Fundamental\u201d is a 13 time all-star, has won two MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards and four NBA titles. Has also made the NBA All-Defensive team eight times. Interestingly, Duncan has never led the league in any individual category.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Oscar Robertson<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages:\u00a0\u00a025.7\u00a0ppg, 7.5\u00a0rpg, 9.5\u00a0apg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Big O\u201d as many people know is the only player in NBA history to average a triple double for an entire season as he did in 1961-62. But what\u2019s really interesting is that he almost did it for an additional four seasons. In 1960-61 he was .03 assists per game short. In 1962-63 he was .05 assists per game short. In 1963-64 he was just .001 rebounds per game short. In 1964-65 he fell one rebound per game short. Meanwhile he averaged over 30\u00a0ppg\u00a0per season which to me is maybe the most remarkable five year span an NBA player ever had. Robertson was a 12 time all-star, won one MVP award and one NBA title. Equally important was his lawsuit against the NBA which made free agency possible.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Shaquille\u00a0O\u2019Neal<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 23.7\u00a0ppg, 10.9\u00a0rpg, 2.3\u00a0bpg, 2.5\u00a0apg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Diesel\u201d has been a 15 time all-star. The two time NBA scoring champion has won four NBA titles, three NBA Finals MVP awards, three All Star game MVP awards and the regular season MVP award in 2000. The\u00a0Shaq\u00a0we saw at the end of his career is a far cry from the\u00a0\u201cKazaam\u201d\u00a0era of dominance, but he has had a huge impact on culture as a whole in the vein of\u00a0MJ\u00a0or Wilt thanks to his off the court pursuits (music, movies,\u00a0tv, etc) that was equally important.<\/p>\n<h2><b>&#8220;Dr. J&#8221; Julius Erving<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 24.2\u00a0ppg, 8.5\u00a0rpg, 1.7\u00a0bpg, 4.2\u00a0apg, 2\u00a0spg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cDr. J\u201d was\u00a0MJ\u00a0before\u00a0MJ. At 6-7, 210 lbs he introduced the NBA to a more athletic style of play that centered around his leaping ability. While everyone has seen the highlights of his free throw line dunk in the ABA dunk contest, or \u201crocking the baby\u201d and dunking on Michael Cooper and similar athletic feats,\u00a0Erving\u00a0was about as well rounded as any player of his era.\u00a0\u00a0Between the NBA and ABA,\u00a0Erving\u00a0won three championships, four MVP awards and was a 16 time all-star in 16 professional seasons.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Kareem\u00a0Abdul-Jabbar<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 24.6\u00a0ppg, 11.2\u00a0rpg, 3.6\u00a0apg, 2.6\u00a0bpg<\/h2>\n<p>The NBA\u2019s all-time leading scorer led the league in scoring twice, rebounds once and blocks four times. The 19 time all-star won six NBA titles, was a six time MVP (the NBA record) and a two times Finals MVP. At the time of his retirement\u00a0Abdul-Jabbar\u00a0led the NBA in almost every significant category; points, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and fouls.\u00a0Jabbar\u00a0was also the proprietor of the most devastating and unstoppable offensive move ever; the \u201cSky Hook.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><b>Magic Johnson<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 19.5\u00a0ppg, 11.2\u00a0apg, 7.2\u00a0rpg, 1.9\u00a0spg<\/h2>\n<p>Magic Johnson took the standard that Oscar Robertson set as a big point guard and advanced it even further. At 6-9, it was absurd at the time to think he was running the point when at that height he could\u2019ve played center or power forward for most NBA teams. Magic made it to the Finals nine times in 13 pro seasons, winning five NBA titles. A three time NBA Finals MVP, he was also a three time regular season MVP and 12 time all-star.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Larry Bird<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 24.3\u00a0ppg, 10.0\u00a0rpg, 6.3\u00a0apg<\/h2>\n<p>The thing about \u201cLarry Legend\u201d compared to the other players on this list he never had a bad season even as he aged, averaging 20.2\u00a0ppg\u00a0in his final season. In 13 pro seasons he only averaged under 20\u00a0ppg\u00a0two times (19.3, 19.4). Bird was a three time NBA champion, two time NBA Finals MVP, the MVP of the All-Star game once\u00a0\u00a0and a 12 time all-star.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Hakeem\u00a0Olajuwon<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 21.8\u00a0ppg, 11.1\u00a0rpg, 3.1\u00a0bpg, 2.5\u00a0apg, 1.7\u00a0spg<\/h2>\n<p>Olajuwon\u00a0won two NBA Championships and appeared in a third. In 18 seasons he was a 12 time all-star, two time NBA Finals MVP and two time Defensive Player of the Year. In 1993-94\u00a0Olajuwon\u00a0became the only player in NBA history to win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP all in the same season.\u00a0Olajuwon\u00a0is also the NBA\u2019s all-time leader in blocked shots.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Bob\u00a0Cousy<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 18.4\u00a0ppg, 7.5\u00a0apg, 5.2\u00a0rpg<\/h2>\n<p>Cousy\u00a0led the NBA in assists for eight straight years from 1952 to 1960. The \u201cHoudini of the Hardwood\u201d changed his position in a way that Wilt Chamberlain or Oscar Robertson changed the center or forward positions, respectively. In his 14 year career he was a 13 time all-star, won six NBA titles, one MVP, and two All-Star Game MVP\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0Cousy\u2019s\u00a0ability to dribble the basketball was unprecedented to that point in the NBA\u2019s development. The speed at which he played the game, and success he had, dictated a complete overhaul in the style of play that was dominant at the time. In 1954\u00a0Cousy\u00a0organized and served as president of the NBA Players association until 1958. The NBA was the first of the four major sporting leagues to start a trade union and\u00a0Cousy\u00a0was the instigator.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Karl Malone<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 25.0\u00a0ppg, 10.1\u00a0rpg, 3.6\u00a0apg, 1.4\u00a0spg<\/h2>\n<p>In 19 seasons Malone was an all-star 13 times. A two time MVP of the regular season, he was also the MVP of the All-Star Game twice as well. The greatest knock on Malone is that he never won an NBA titles, though he did appear in the Finals three times. Malone scored the second most points in NBA history. Malone averaged 20+ points a game for 17 straight seasons and retired at the age of 40.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Jerry West<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 27.0\u00a0ppg, 6.7\u00a0apg, 5.8\u00a0rpg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cMr. Clutch\u201d was so valuable to his era that the current NBA logo is modeled after his silhouette. West led the NBA in scoring once and assets one time as well. In 14 seasons he was an all-star every season and was on the NBA All-Defensive team four times. He won one NBA title, one NBA Finals MVP award and one NBA All-Star Game MVP. After retiring as a player he became the\u00a0Lakers\u00a0GM prior to the 1983 season and won three titles in the next six years. But in his most masterful work in the same offseason he traded for Kobe Bryant, signed free agent\u00a0Shaquille\u00a0O\u2019Neal, and signed coach Phil Jackson. The rest is NBA history.<\/p>\n<h2><b>David Robinson<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 21.1\u00a0ppg, 10.6\u00a0rpg, 3.0\u00a0bpg, 2.5\u00a0apg, 1.4\u00a0spg<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Admiral\u201d was an all-star 10 times in 14 seasons led the league in rebounds once, blocks once and won one scoring title. In the 1993-94 season Robinson and\u00a0Shaquille\u00a0O\u2019Neal were going head to head for the scoring title down to the final game of the season. In that game, Robinson scored 71 points to secure the title. Robinson won two NBA titles, an MVP award and an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n<h2><b>LeBron\u00a0James<\/b>&#8211; Career Averages: 27.6\u00a0ppg, 7.2\u00a0rpg, 6.9\u00a0apg, 1.7\u00a0spg, 0.8\u00a0bpg<\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Stephen Curry<\/strong> &#8211; Career Averages: 23.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.2 bpg<\/h2>\n<p>Best shooter ever? Probably. Though his teammate Klay Thompson would have something to say about that. Curry has redefined the game &#8211; traditional shooting form has been torn asunder by kids trying to emulate his style, never understanding that the reason it works for him is because he mastered the fundamentals.<\/p>\n<p>Based on feedback about the best NBA players ever, the consensus for second greatest NBA player ever is its Wilt, then Kareem; do any of these players usurp the title of \u201cSecond Greatest Ever\u201d from Wilt??<\/p>\n<h3>Related NBA:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Muggsy Bogues Height: Would He Be \u201cOverlooked\u201d In Today\u2019s NBA?<\/li>\n<li>Cuttino Mobley Talks Big 3, CBD, Tells Old School MJ\/Barkley\/Pippen Stories<\/li>\n<li>Tallest Player in NBA History: Gheorghe Muresan<\/li>\n<li>Sitting Down With Spider: NBA Champ John Salley Talks All Things Father\u2019s Day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For as much as we hear the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James comparison as the best NBA players ever, is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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