5 Great Players in NBA History
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Larry Bird
- Michael Jordan
- Lebron James
- Tim Duncan
There are plenty of great athletes that have made their claim to fame through basketball but only a handful of them are considered to be legendary players. The following men have truly earned their spot among the greatest basketball players in history.
1. Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain
Any discussion about legendary basketball players will likely include Wilt Chamberlain because he was a true trailblazer that paved the way for NBA stars today. Due to college restrictions, he was part of the infamous Harlem Globetrotters for a year before beginning his career in the NBA. He stood over seven feet tall and dominated the NBA when he was in his prime. He marked his place in history as the only player to score 100 points in a single game. He was also the first person to ever score 30,000 points in the NBA.
2. Larry Bird
Larry Bird led his team to three NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP honors. He was the sixth overall draft pick to the Boston Celtics in 1978 and many fans consider him to be the greatest Celtic of all time. According to ESPN, he played alongside Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in the 1992 Olympics Dream Team and brought home the gold medal for the United States of America. He became known as Larry Legend which definitely earns him a spot among these legendary players in basketball history.
3. Michael Jordan
As a child, Michael Jordan wanted to follow in his fathers’ footsteps and become a baseball player but his future turned out to be embedded in basketball. As a rookie in the NBA, he made a quick impact on the league and managed to impress his peers with his lavish style of play while earning their respect and admiration. From his iconic performance in the 1988 Slam Dunk Competition to his numerous victories in NBA final championships, Micheal Jordan has truly done it all. Many people consider Michael Jordan to be the greatest of all time and continues to be an inspiration to all who love the sport.
4. Lebron James
From the start, LeBron James has dazzled the fans and encouraged everyone to live out their dreams no matter what. Lebron James was considered a top priority to all NBA teams entering the draft from high school. He has led both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers to victory in several championships and is often compared to Michael Jordan as the greatest. Lebron James has proven himself to be a humanitarian by opening up a school for at-risk students, which ultimately solidified his status as one of the legendary players in basketball history both on and off the court.
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5. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan was the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft and he was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs. He withstood the test of time and remained loyal to the Spurs for his entire career. Over a period of 19 seasons with this same team, he managed to bring home five NBA championship titles. Tim Duncan is one of only five players in NBA history to earn over 25,000 points and 15,000 rebounds.
These legendary men have all greatly impacted the NBA and basketball as a whole. Whether they’re setting unbreakable records or performing unforgettable stunts, these men will always be considered as some of the most legendary players in basketball history.
