50 Greatest Players in NBA History

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The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, were chosen in 1996 to honor the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was the third anniversary team in the league. [1] Fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of media members, former players and coaches, and current and former general managers. In addition, the top ten head coaches and top ten single-season teams in NBA history were selected by media members as part of the celebration. [2] The 50 players had to have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective of position played.

Contents

The list was announced by NBA commissioner David Stern on October 29, 1996, at the hotel Grand Hyatt New York, the site of the Commodore Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed in 1946. The announcement marked the beginning of a season-long celebration of the league's anniversary. [2] Forty-seven of the fifty players were later assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 1997 All-Star Game. [2] [nb 1] At the time of the announcement, 11 players were active; all have subsequently retired.

Players selected

List

Eleven players (Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and John Stockton) were active in the 1996–97 season, during which the list was announced. [4] All have since retired. O'Neal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the 2010–11 season. All of the selected players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. At the time of the list, only Pete Maravich was deceased. [5]

All 11 members from the 35th anniversary team were selected. [5] Eight of the 10 players from the 25th anniversary team were chosen, with Bob Davies and Joe Fulks—who both last played in the 1950s—being omitted. [6]

Key
ItalicsDenotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction
All StarDenotes number of All-Star appearances
HOF YearDenotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction
G Guard F Forward C Center
Pos Position Pts Points Reb Rebounds
Ast Assists MVP Most Valuable Player
NameTeam(s) played for (years) [a] Pos Pts Reb Ast Championships won [b] MVP won Finals MVP wonAll Star HOF YearRef.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)		C38,38717,4405,660191995 [7]
Nate Archibald Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City Kings (1970–1976)
New York Nets (1976–1977)
Boston Celtics (1978–1983)
Milwaukee Bucks (1983–1984)		G16,4812,0466,47661991 [8]
Paul Arizin Philadelphia Warriors (1950–1952, 1954–1962)F16,2666,1291,665101978 [9]
Charles Barkley Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000)		F23,75712,5464,215112006 [10]
Rick Barry San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1965–1967, 1972–1978)
Houston Rockets (1978–1980)		F18,3955,1684,01781987 [11]
Elgin Baylor Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers (1958–1971)F23,14911,4633,650111977 [12]
Dave Bing Detroit Pistons (1966–1975)
Washington Bullets (1975–1977)
Boston Celtics (1977–1978)		G18,3273,4205,39771990 [13]
Larry Bird Boston Celtics (1979–1992)F21,7918,9745,695121998 [14]
Wilt Chamberlain Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973)		C31,41923,9244,643131979 [15]
Bob Cousy Boston Celtics (1950–1963)
Cincinnati Royals (1969–1970)		G16,9604,7866,955131971 [16]
Dave Cowens Boston Celtics (1970–1980)
Milwaukee Bucks (1982–1983)		C13,51610,4442,91071991 [17]
Billy Cunningham Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1972, 1974–1976)F13,6266,6382,62541986 [18]
Dave DeBusschere Detroit Pistons (1962–1968)
New York Knicks (1968–1974)		F14,0539,6182,49781983 [19]
Clyde Drexler Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998)		G22,1956,6776,125102004 [20]
Julius Erving Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987)F18,3645,6013,224111993 [21]
Patrick Ewing New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002)		C24,81511,6072,215112008 [22]
Walt Frazier New York Knicks (1967–1977)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1977–1979)		G15,5814,8305,04071987 [23]
George Gervin San Antonio Spurs (1976–1985)
Chicago Bulls (1985–1986)		G20,7083,6072,21491996 [24]
Hal Greer Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1958–1973)G21,5865,6654,540101982 [25]
John Havlicek Boston Celtics (1962–1978)F/G26,3958,0076,114131984 [26]
Elvin Hayes San Diego / Houston Rockets (1968–1972, 1981–1984)
Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1972–1981)		F/C27,31316,2792,398121990 [27]
Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996)G17,7076,55910,141122002 [28]
Sam Jones Boston Celtics (1957–1969)G15,4114,3052,20951984 [29]
Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003)		G32,2926,6725,633142009 [30]
Jerry Lucas Cincinnati Royals (1963–1969)
San Francisco Warriors (1969–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1974)		F14,05312,9422,73271980 [31]
Karl Malone Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)		F36,92814,9685,248142010 [32]
Moses Malone Buffalo Braves (1976)
Houston Rockets (1976–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994)
Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)		C27,40916,2121,796122001 [33]
Pete Maravich Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974)
New Orleans / Utah Jazz (1974–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980)		G15,9482,7473,56351987 [34]
Kevin McHale Boston Celtics (1980–1993)F17,3357,1221,67071999 [35]
George Mikan Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1954, 1956)C10,1564,1671,24541959 [36]
Earl Monroe Baltimore Bullets (1967–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1980)		G17,4542,7963,59441990 [37]
Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)		C26,94613,7483,058122008 [38]
Shaquille O'Neal Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011)		C28,59613,0993,026152016 [39]
Robert Parish Golden State Warriors (1976–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997)		C23,33414,7152,18092003 [40]
Bob Pettit Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965)F20,88012,8492,369111971 [41]
Scottie Pippen Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003)		F18,9407,4946,13572010 [42]
Willis Reed New York Knicks (1964–1974)C/F12,1838,4141,18671982 [43]
Oscar Robertson Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974)		G26,7107,8049,887121980 [44]
David Robinson San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003)C20,79010,4972,441102009 [45]
Bill Russell Boston Celtics (1956–1969)C14,52221,6204,100121975 [46]
Dolph Schayes Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1949–1964)F18,43811,2563,072121973 [47]
Bill Sharman Washington Capitols (1950–1951)
Boston Celtics (1951–1961)		G12,6652,7792,10181976 [48]
John Stockton Utah Jazz (1984–2003)G19,7114,05115,806102009 [49]
Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons (1981–1994)G18,8223,4789,061122000 [50]
Nate Thurmond San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1963–1974)
Chicago Bulls (1974–1975)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1975–1977)		C14,43714,4642,57571985 [51]
Wes Unseld Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1968–1981)C10,62413,7693,82251988 [52]
Bill Walton Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979)
San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1979–1985)
Boston Celtics (1985–1988)		C6,2154,9231,59021993 [53]
Jerry West Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974)G25,1925,3666,238141980 [54]
Lenny Wilkens St. Louis Hawks (1960−1968)
Seattle SuperSonics (1968–1972)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1972–1974)
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1975)		G17,7725,0307,21191989 [55]
James Worthy Los Angeles Lakers (1982–1994)F16,3204,7082,79172003 [56]
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who voted as a player, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar Lipofsky.jpg
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who voted as a player, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Larry Bird, who voted as a team representative, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Larry Bird Lipofsky.jpg
Larry Bird, who voted as a team representative, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Bill Russell (left) and Wilt Chamberlain (center), who voted as players, were selected as two of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell.jpg
Bill Russell (left) and Wilt Chamberlain (center), who voted as players, were selected as two of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Michael Jordan was active at the time of the announcement of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Jordan by Lipofsky 16577.jpg
Michael Jordan was active at the time of the announcement of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Shaquille O'Neal was the last active member of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Lipofsky Shaquille O'Neal.jpg
Shaquille O'Neal was the last active member of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Selection process

The list was made through unranked voting completed by 50 selected panelists. Sixteen of the panelists were former players voting in their roles as players, 13 were members of the print and broadcast news media, and 21 were team representatives: contemporary and former general managers, head coaches, and executives. Of the last group, 13 were former NBA players. Players were prohibited from voting for themselves. Only three voting former players (Bill Bradley, Johnny Kerr, and Bob Lanier) were not selected to the team.

Voters

*Denotes voter who was selected to the 50 Greatest Players list
Voter categoryAs categorized by the NBA
NameVoter category
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar *Player
Marv Albert Media member
Al Attles Team
Red Auerbach Team
Elgin Baylor *Team
Dave Bing *Player
Larry Bird *Team
Marty Blake Team
Fran Blinebury Media member
Bill Bradley Player
Hubie Brown Team
Wilt Chamberlain *Player
Mitch Chortkoff Media member
Bob Cousy *Player
Billy Cunningham *Team
Chuck Daly Team
David DuPree Media member
Wayne Embry Team
Julius Erving *Player
Joe Gilmartin Media member
Sam Goldaper Media member
Alex Hannum Team
Lester Harrison Team
John Havlicek *Player
Chick Hearn Media member
Red Holzman Team
Phil Jasner Media member
Magic Johnson *Player
Johnny Kerr Player
Leonard Koppett Media member
Bob Lanier Player
Frank Layden Team
Leonard Lewin Media member
Jack McCallum Media member
Dick McGuire Team
George Mikan *Player
Bob Pettit *Player
Harvey Pollack Team
Jack Ramsay Team
Willis Reed *Team
Oscar Robertson *Player
Bill Russell *Player
Bob Ryan Media member
Dolph Schayes *Player
Bill Sharman *Player
Gene Shue Team
Isiah Thomas *Team
Wes Unseld *Team
Peter Vecsey Media member
Jerry West *Team

Top 10 Coaches in NBA History

Phil Jackson 3 cropped.jpg
Auerbach Lipofsky.jpg
Phil Jackson (left) and Red Auerbach (right) both made the 1996 list of the top ten coaches in NBA history.

Alongside the selection of the 50 greatest players was the selection of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print and broadcast media who regularly cover the NBA. All 10 coaches named were alive at the time of the list's announcement, and five of them—Bill Fitch, Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Pat Riley, and Lenny Wilkens—were then active. Six have since died: Red Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, Chuck Daly in 2009, Jack Ramsay in 2014, John Kundla in 2017, and Bill Fitch in 2022. Jackson was the last of the ten to coach in the NBA; he announced his retirement after the 2010–11 season. Nelson was the only member to have never won a championship as a coach, even though he won five as a player. Wilkens was the only member of the coaches list to have been selected as a member of the players list. All ten coaches are also members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with Fitch the last member inducted in 2019.

Key
ItalicsDenotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction
CoachTeam(s) coached (years) [a] Coaching record Championships won as coach [b] Coach of the Year award(s) wonYear of Basketball Hall of Fame inductionRef.
Red Auerbach Washington Capitols (1946–1949)
Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
Boston Celtics (1950–1966)		1969 [57]
Chuck Daly Cleveland Cavaliers (1982)
Detroit Pistons (1983–1992)
New Jersey Nets (1992–1994)
Orlando Magic (1997–1999)		1994 [58]
Bill Fitch Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)
Boston Celtics (1979–1983)
Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)		2019 [59]
Red Holzman Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1956)
New York Knicks (1967–1982)		1986 [60]
Phil Jackson Chicago Bulls (1989–1998)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)		2007 [61]
John Kundla Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1959)1995 [62]
Don Nelson Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)
Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)
New York Knicks (1995–1996)
Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)		2012 [63] [64]
Jack Ramsay Philadelphia 76ers (1968–1972)
Buffalo Braves (1972–1976)
Portland Trail Blazers (1976–1986)
Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)		1992 [65]
Pat Riley Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)
New York Knicks (1991–1995)
Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)		2008 [66]
Lenny Wilkens Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985)
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993)
Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000)
Toronto Raptors (2000–2003)
New York Knicks (2004–2005)		1998 [67]

Top 10 Teams in NBA History

Also included in the NBA's 50th-anniversary celebration was the selection of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print and broadcast media who regularly cover the NBA. Teams were chosen from among all single-season individual teams. Each team won the NBA championship, and they combined to average 66 wins per season. The 1995–96 Chicago Bulls had, at the moment, the best single-season record in NBA history with 72 wins.

Six out of the 30 NBA franchises (29 franchises at the time of announcement) had a team named to the list; the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers had two teams selected.

Six players were on the roster of two teams on the list—Wilt Chamberlain with the 1966–67 Sixers and 1971–72 Lakers; James Edwards, Dennis Rodman, and John Salley with the 1988–89 Pistons and 1995–96 Bulls; and Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen with the Bulls in both 1991–92 and 1995–96. Three other individuals both played for and coached honored teams, all of whom completed this "double" with a single franchise—K. C. Jones with the Celtics as a player in 1964–65 and coach in 1985–86, Billy Cunningham with the Sixers as a player in 1966–67 and coach in 1982–83, and Pat Riley with the Lakers as a player in 1971–72 and coach in 1986–87. Phil Jackson, head coach of the Bulls from 1989 to 1998, was the only man to coach two teams that made the list. Although Jackson was under contract to the Knicks as a player in their 1969–70 championship season, he did not play that season as he was recovering from spinal fusion surgery. [68]

The Hall of Famers listed for each individual team are solely those inducted as players, and do not include those inducted in other roles. Players whose names are italicized were inducted after the announcement of the ten best teams.

Season TeamRecordRoster and head coach Players in the
Hall of Fame 		Players on the
50 Greatest Players list 		Ref.
1964–65 Boston Celtics Ron Bonham, Mel Counts, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K. C. Jones, Sam Jones, Willie Naulls, Bevo Nordmann, Bill Russell, Tom Sanders, Larry Siegfried, John Thompson, Gerry Ward, coach Red Auerbach [d] [69]
1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Costello, Billy Cunningham, Dave Gambee, Hal Greer, Matt Guokas, Luke Jackson, Wali Jones, Bill Melchionni, Chet Walker, Bob Weiss, coach Alex Hannum [d] [70]
1969–70 New York Knicks Dick Barnett, Nate Bowman, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Bill Hosket, Don May, Willis Reed, Mike Riordan, Cazzie Russell, Dave Stallworth, John Warren, coach Red Holzman [d] [71]
1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Cleamons, LeRoy Ellis, Keith Erickson, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Jim McMillian, Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, John Trapp, Jerry West, coach Bill Sharman [d] [72]
1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers J. J. Anderson, Maurice Cheeks, Earl Cureton, Franklin Edwards, Julius Erving, Marc Iavaroni, Clemon Johnson, Reggie Johnson, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, Mark McNamara, Clint Richardson, Russ Schoene, Andrew Toney, coach Billy Cunningham 4 (Erving, Malone, Cheeks, Jones) [73]
1985–86 Boston Celtics Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Rick Carlisle, Dennis Johnson, Greg Kite, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Jerry Sichting, David Thirdkill, Sam Vincent, Bill Walton, Scott Wedman, Sly Williams, coach K. C. Jones [74]
1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Adrian Branch, Frank Brickowski, Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Magic Johnson, Wes Matthews, Kurt Rambis, Mike Smrek, Byron Scott, Billy Thompson, Mychal Thompson, James Worthy, coach Pat Riley [d] [75]
1988–89 Detroit Pistons Mark Aguirre, Adrian Dantley, Darryl Dawkins, Fennis Dembo, Joe Dumars, James Edwards, Steve Harris, Vinnie Johnson, Bill Laimbeer, John Long, Rick Mahorn, Pace Mannion, Dennis Rodman, Jim Rowinski, John Salley, Isiah Thomas, Micheal Williams, coach Chuck Daly [d] [76]
1991–92 Chicago Bulls B. J. Armstrong, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Bob Hansen, Craig Hodges, Dennis Hopson, Michael Jordan, Stacey King, Cliff Levingston, Chuck Nevitt, John Paxson, Will Perdue, Scottie Pippen, Mark Randall, Rory Sparrow, Scott Williams, coach Phil Jackson [d] [77]
1995–96 Chicago Bulls Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, Jason Caffey, James Edwards, Jack Haley, Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Toni Kukoč, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Wennington, coach Phil Jackson [d] [78]

Notes

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Three players were absent: Pete Maravich, who had died in 1988; Shaquille O'Neal, who was recovering from a knee injury; and Jerry West, who was scheduled to have surgery and could not fly. [3]

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The 1964 NBA draft was the 18th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 4, 1964, before the 1964–65 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection. If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated. In each round, the teams select in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. Before the draft, a team could forfeit its first-round draft pick and then select any player from within a 50-mile (80 km) radius of its home arena as their territorial pick. The draft consisted of 15 rounds comprising 101 players selected.

The 1960 NBA draft was the 14th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on April 11, 1960, before the 1960–61 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection. If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated. In each round, the teams select in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. Before the draft, a team could forfeit its first-round draft pick and then select any player from within a 50-mile radius of its home arena as their territorial pick. The Minneapolis Lakers participated in the draft, but relocated to Los Angeles and became the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the start of the season. The draft consisted of 21 rounds comprising 100 players selected.

The 1970 NBA expansion draft was the fifth expansion draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 11, 1970, so that the newly founded Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers could acquire players for the 1970–71 season. Buffalo, Cleveland, and Portland were awarded the expansion teams on February 6, 1970. Houston was also awarded a franchise, but the group backing the team was unable to come up with the US$750,000 down payment on the US$3.7 million entrance fee that was required before the 1970 NBA draft. The Braves later underwent two relocations, moving to San Diego in 1978 and changing their name from the Braves to the Clippers, and then relocating to Los Angeles in 1984. They are currently known as the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 1966 NBA expansion draft was the second expansion draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held from April 30 to May 1, 1966, so that the newly founded Chicago Bulls could acquire players for the upcoming 1966–67 season. Chicago had been awarded the expansion team on January 16, 1966. The Bulls were the third NBA franchise to play in Chicago, following the Chicago Stags, which folded in 1950, and the Chicago Packers–Zephyrs, which moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Bullets in 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Trail Blazers accomplishments and records</span>

The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise entered the NBA in 1970, and is one of two major league franchise in Oregon. The Trail Blazers sold out 814 consecutive home games from 1977 through 1995, the second longest such streak for American professional sports teams which was broken July 9, 2011, by the Dayton Dragons. The team has played their home games at the Moda Center, since the 1995–96 NBA season. The Trail Blazers are owned by the Paul G. Allen Trust chaired by Jody Allen, since the passing of owner Paul Allen in 2018. Since the team joined the NBA in 1970, it has won one NBA championship, three conference championships, six division championships, and has appeared in the NBA playoffs 34 times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NBA 75th Anniversary Team</span> Top 75 NBA players in the history of the NBA

The NBA 75th Anniversary Team, also referred to as the NBA 75, was chosen in 2021 to honor the 75th anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was the fourth and most recent anniversary team in the league. Similar to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History named in 1996, a panel of reporters, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives selected the greatest players in league history. Tasked with compiling a list of 75 players, the committee named an additional 76th member due to a tie in voting. It was built as part of the league's anniversary celebration during the 2021–22 NBA season. Forty-five of the seventy-six players were later assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 2022 All-Star Game.

References

General

  • "The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
  • "Top 10 Coaches in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  • "Top 10 Teams in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2009.

Specific

  1. ↑ Jackson, James (October 22, 2021). "James Harden, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony among greats celebrating place on NBA's Top 75 list". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
  3. ↑ Banks, Lacy (February 10, 1997). "Real dream team steals show". Chicago Sun-Times . p. 96.
  4. ↑ Bembry, Jerry (October 29, 1996). "Unseld gets NBA top 50 tip Former Bullets great takes honor in stride". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Aschburner, Steve (October 23, 2021). "How I voted players to NBA's 75th Anniversary Team". Sporting News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  6. ↑ Aboy, Agustín (September 3, 2021). "NBA 75: Taking a trip down memory lane to revisit the NBA 50 years ago". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Nate Archibald Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Paul Arizin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Charles Barkley Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Rick Barry Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Elgin Baylor Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Dave Bing Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Larry Bird Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Wilt Chamberlain Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Bob Cousy Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Dave Cowens Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Billy Cunningham Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Dave DeBusschere Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Clyde Drexler Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Julius Erving Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  22. ↑ "Patrick Ewing Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Walt Frazier Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  24. ↑ "George Gervin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Hal Greer Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  26. ↑ "John Havlicek Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Elvin Hayes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Magic Johnson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Sam Jones Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Michael Jordan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
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  32. ↑ "Karl Malone Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Moses Malone Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Pete Maravich Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Kevin McHale Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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  37. ↑ "Earl Monroe Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  38. ↑ "Hakeem Olajuwon Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  39. ↑ "Shaquille O'Neal Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  40. ↑ "Robert Parish Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  41. ↑ "Bob Pettit Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  42. ↑ "Scottie Pippen Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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  44. ↑ "Oscar Robertson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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  47. ↑ "Dolph Schayes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  48. ↑ "Bill Sharman Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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  50. ↑ "Isiah Thomas Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  51. ↑ "Nate Thurmond Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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  53. ↑ "Bill Walton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  54. ↑ "Jerry West Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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  56. ↑ "James Worthy Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  57. ↑ "Red Auerbach Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  58. ↑ "Chuck Daly Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  59. ↑ "Bill Fitch Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  60. ↑ "Red Holzman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  61. ↑ "Phil Jackson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  62. ↑ "John Kundla Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  63. ↑ "Don Nelson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  64. ↑ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2012" (Press release). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. April 2, 2012. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  65. ↑ "Jack Ramsay Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  66. ↑ "Pat Riley Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  67. ↑ "Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  68. ↑ Lawrence, Mitch (February 27, 2010). "Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson amazes Knick legends with his hoops longevity". New York Daily News . Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  69. ↑ "1964–65 Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  70. ↑ "1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  71. ↑ "1969–70 New York Knicks Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  72. ↑ "1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  73. ↑ "1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  74. ↑ "1985–86 Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  75. ↑ "1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  76. ↑ "1988–89 Detroit Pistons Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  77. ↑ "1991–92 Chicago Bulls Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  78. ↑ "1995–96 Chicago Bulls Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  79. ↑ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2011 – Mullin, Rodman, Gilmore and VanDerveer Headline Distinguished Group" (Press release). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  80. ↑ "Elgin Baylor Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2009.

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