The NBA 75 greatest players list
Kabayan, the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team was chosen in 2021. A voting tie produced 76 players, and the panel did not rank them. So the “top 75 NBA players” is an honour group, not a 1-to-75 ranking, and it doesn’t change when active players keep improving.
All 76 players
| Group | Players |
|---|---|
| A–B | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ray Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant |
| C–D | Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Dave DeBusschere, Clyde Drexler, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant |
| E–H | Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Kevin Garnett, George Gervin, Hal Greer, James Harden, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes |
| I–L | Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Sam Jones, Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Jerry Lucas |
| M–O | Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Pete Maravich, Bob McAdoo, Kevin McHale, George Mikan, Reggie Miller, Earl Monroe, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| P–R | Robert Parish, Chris Paul, Gary Payton, Bob Pettit, Paul Pierce, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, Dennis Rodman, Bill Russell |
| S–W | Dolph Schayes, Bill Sharman, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Dwyane Wade, Bill Walton, Jerry West, Russell Westbrook, Lenny Wilkens, Dominique Wilkins, James Worthy |
The list is alphabetical for finding names. Kareem being first doesn’t mean he’s number one.
Best players in NBA history: there’s no official number one
A selection says who belongs; a ranking says who is higher. The NBA did the first. Any numbered list of the greatest NBA players of all time comes from a writer or fan, not from the NBA ballot. That’s fine, as long as the method is clear.
NBA greatest of all time: how to argue fairly
First decide what “greatest” means:
- Peak: the best single season or three-year stretch.
- Career: longevity and total value.
- Titles and Finals: championships and big-game performance.
- Era: how much a player stood out against his own competition.
Michael Jordan vs LeBron James can have different answers under different criteria, and nobody has to be wrong. Kaya bago mag-debate, pag-usapan muna ang criteria. Season stats and records are on our NBA stats page.
Tallest NBA player of all time
Fans also look for the tallest NBA player ever or the tallest player in NBA history. Height isn’t a selection criterion for the NBA 75, and the record holder isn’t on it. The full answer, Gheorghe Mureșan at 2.31 m per Guinness, is on our tallest NBA player page, along with tallest NBA player history and today’s tallest.
Highest paid NBA player
Salary isn’t greatness either. Contracts change every season, so we don’t publish a salary ranking; see the note on our tallest NBA player page.
Pinoy connection
No Filipino player is on the NBA 75, but Pinoy fans have their own NBA story, starting with Jordan Clarkson of Gilas Pilipinas.
Legends and odds (21+)
History doesn’t decide tomorrow’s game. If you’re 21 or older, see our NBA odds guide and read our responsible gambling page.
Quick answers
Why does the NBA 75 have 76 players?
Because of a tie in the 2021 vote.
Who is number one on the NBA 75?
Nobody. The list isn’t ranked.
Tara, pick your GOAT, and explain why. Laban, Pinoy fan!