50 Greatest Players in NBA History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The 50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History (also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team or NBA's Top 50) were chosen in 1996 to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). These 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.[1] The fifty players had to have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective of position played.

The list was announced by NBA commissioner David Stern on October 29, 1996, at the hotel Grand Hyatt New York, the former site of the Commodore Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed on June 6, 1946. The announcement marked the beginning of a season-long celebration of the league's anniversary.[1] Forty-seven of the fifty players were later assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 1997 All-Star Game.[1] Three players were absent: Pete Maravich, who had died in 1988, at forty;[2] Shaquille O'Neal, who was recovering from a knee injury; and Jerry West, who was scheduled to have surgery for an ear infection and could not fly.[3] At the time of the announcement, eleven players were active; all have subsequently retired. O'Neal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the 2010–11 season.[4]

Players selected[edit]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who voted as a player, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
A white person with brown hair, wearing a gray suit and a blue shirt, smiles.
Larry Bird, who voted as a team representative, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
A basketball player, wearing a light-colored jersey with the number "13", is holding a basketball in front of another basketball player who is wearing a dark-colored jersey with the number "6".
Bill Russell (left) and Wilt Chamberlain (center), who voted as players, were selected as two of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
A black mustached player who is bald, wearing an earring on his left ear, looks toward the left.
Michael Jordan was active at the time of the announcement of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
A bald, bearded black person looks toward the left, his mouth open.
Shaquille O'Neal was the last active member of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Selection process[edit]

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

Voters[edit]

* Denotes voter who was selected to the 50 Greatest Players list
Voter category As categorized by the NBA
Name Voter 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

List[edit]

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 team was announced. 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. Lenny Wilkens was the only member of the players list to have been selected as a member of the coaches list. At the time of the list, only Pete Maravich was deceased. As of 2019, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave DeBusschere, Paul Arizin, Hal Greer, John Havlicek, George Mikan, Bill Sharman, Moses Malone, Dolph Schayes and Nate Thurmond have all died.

Italics Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction
All Star Denotes number of All-Star appearances
Year Denotes 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

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2010–11 season, the last in which any player on the 50 Greatest list was active.

Name Team(s) played for (years)[a] Pos Pts Reb Ast Championships won[b] MVP won Finals MVP won All Star Year Ref.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989) 		C 38,387 17,440 5,660 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) 6 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) 2 (1971, 1985) 19 1995 [5]
Nate Archibald Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City Kings (1970–1976)
New York Nets (1976–1977)
Boston Celtics (1977–1983)
Milwaukee Bucks (1983–1984) 		G 16,481 2,046 6,476 1 (1981) None None 6 1991 [6]
Paul Arizin Philadelphia Warriors (1950–1952, 1954–1962) F 16,266 6,129 1,665 1 (1956) None None 10 1978 [7]
Charles Barkley Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000) 		F 23,757 12,546 4,215 None 1 (1993) None 11 2006 [8]
Rick Barry San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1965–1967, 1972–1978)
Houston Rockets (1978–1980) 		F 18,395 5,168 4,017 1 (1975) None 1 (1975) 8 1987 [9]
Elgin Baylor Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers (1958–1971) F 23,149 11,463 3,650 None None None 11 1977 [10]
Dave Bing Detroit Pistons (1966–1975)
Washington Bullets (1975–1977)
Boston Celtics (1977–1978) 		G 18,327 3,420 5,397 None None None 7 1990 [11]
Larry Bird Boston Celtics (1979–1992) F 21,791 8,974 5,695 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) 3 (1984, 1985, 1986) 2 (1984, 1986) 12 1998 [12]
Wilt Chamberlain Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973) 		C 31,419 23,924 4,643 2 (1967, 1972) 4 (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) 1 (1972) 13 1979 [13]
Bob Cousy Boston Celtics (1950–1963)
Cincinnati Royals (1969–1970) 		G 16,960 4,786 6,955 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963) 1 (1957) None 13 1971 [14]
Dave Cowens Boston Celtics (1970–1980)
Milwaukee Bucks (1982–1983) 		C 13,516 10,444 2,910 2 (1974, 1976) 1 (1973) None 7 1991 [15]
Billy Cunningham Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1972, 1974–1976) F 13,626 6,638 2,625 2 (1967, 1983) None None 4 1986 [16]
Dave DeBusschere Detroit Pistons (1962–1968)
New York Knicks (1968–1974) 		F 14,053 9,618 2,497 2 (1970, 1973) None None 8 1983 [17]
Clyde Drexler Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998) 		G 22,195 6,677 6,125 1 (1995) None None 10 2004 [18]
Julius Erving Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987) F 18,364 5,601 3,224 1 (1983) 1 (1981) None 11 1993 [19]
Patrick Ewing New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002) 		C 24,815 11,607 2,215 None None None 11 2008 [20]
Walt Frazier New York Knicks (1967–1977)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1977–1980) 		G 15,581 4,830 5,040 2 (1970, 1973) None None 7 1987 [21]
George Gervin San Antonio Spurs (1976–1985)
Chicago Bulls (1985–1986) 		G 20,708 3,607 2,214 None None None 9 1996 [22]
Hal Greer Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1958–1973) G 21,586 5,665 4,540 1 (1967) None None 10 1982 [23]
John Havlicek Boston Celtics (1962–1978) F/G 26,395 8,007 6,114 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) None 1 (1974) 13 1984 [24]
Elvin Hayes San Diego / Houston Rockets (1968–1972, 1981–1984)
Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1972–1981) 		F/C 27,313 16,279 2,398 1 (1978) None None 12 1990 [25]
Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) G 17,707 6,559 10,141 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) 3 (1987, 1989, 1990) 3 (1980, 1982, 1987) 12 2002 [26]
Sam Jones Boston Celtics (1957–1969) G 15,411 4,305 2,209 10 (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) None None 5 1984 [27]
Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003) 		G 32,292 6,672 5,633 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) 5 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) 14 2009 [28]
Jerry Lucas Cincinnati Royals (1963–1969)
San Francisco Warriors (1969–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1974) 		F 14,053 12,942 2,732 1 (1973) None None 7 1980 [29]
Karl Malone Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) 		F 36,928 14,968 5,248 None 2 (1997, 1999) None 14 2010 [30]
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) 		C 27,409 16,212 1,796 1 (1983) 3 (1979, 1982, 1983) 1 (1983) 12 2001 [31]
Pete Maravich Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974)
New Orleans / Utah Jazz (1974–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980) 		G 15,948 2,747 3,563 None None None 5 1987 [32]
Kevin McHale Boston Celtics (1980–1993) F 17,335 7,122 1,670 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) None None 7 1999 [33]
George Mikan Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1956) C 10,156 4,167 1,245 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) None None 4 1959 [34]
Earl Monroe Baltimore Bullets (1967–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1980) 		G 17,454 2,796 3,594 1 (1973) None None 4 1990 [35]
Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002) 		C 26,946 13,748 3,058 2 (1994, 1995) 1 (1994) 2 (1994, 1995) 12 2008 [36]
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) 		C 28,596 13,099 3,026 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) 1 (2000) 3 (2000, 2001, 2002) 15 2016 [37]
Robert Parish Golden State Warriors (1976–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997) 		C 23,334 14,715 2,180 4 (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997) None None 9 2003 [38]
Bob Pettit Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965) F 20,880 12,849 2,369 1 (1958) 2 (1956, 1959) None 11 1971 [39]
Scottie Pippen Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets (1998–1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003) 		F 18,940 7,494 6,135 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) None None 7 2010 [40]
Willis Reed New York Knicks (1964–1974) C/F 12,183 8,414 1,186 2 (1970, 1973) 1 (1970) 2 (1970, 1973) 7 1982 [41]
Oscar Robertson Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974) 		G 26,710 7,804 9,887 1 (1971) 1 (1964) None 12 1980 [42]
David Robinson San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003) C 20,790 10,497 2,441 2 (1999, 2003) 1 (1995) None 10 2009 [43]
Bill Russell Boston Celtics (1956–1969) C 14,522 21,620 4,100 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) 5 (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) None 12 1975 [44]
Dolph Schayes Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1949–1964) F 18,438 11,256 3,072 1 (1955) None None 12 1973 [45]
Bill Sharman Washington Capitols (1950–1951)
Boston Celtics (1951–1961) 		G 12,665 2,779 2,101 4 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961) None None 8 1976 [46]
John Stockton Utah Jazz (1984–2003) G 19,711 4,051 15,806 None None None 10 2009 [47]
Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) G 18,822 3,478 9,061 2 (1989, 1990) None 1 (1990) 12 2000 [48]
Nate Thurmond San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1963–1974)
Chicago Bulls (1974–1975)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1975–1977) 		C 14,437 14,464 2,575 None None None 7 1985 [49]
Wes Unseld Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1968–1981) C 10,624 13,769 3,822 1 (1978) 1 (1969) 1 (1978) 5 1988 [50]
Bill Walton Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979)
San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1979,1983–1985)
Boston Celtics (1985–1987) 		C 6,215 4,923 1,590 2 (1977, 1986) 1 (1978) 1 (1977) 2 1993 [51]
Jerry West Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974) G 25,192 5,366 6,238 1 (1972) None 1 (1969) 14 1980 [52]
Lenny Wilkens St. Louis Hawks (1960−1968)
Seattle SuperSonics (1968–1972)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1972–1974)
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1975) 		G 17,772 5,030 7,211 1 (1979) None None 9 1989 [53]
James Worthy Los Angeles Lakers (1982–1994) F 16,320 4,708 2,791 3 (1985, 1987, 1988) None 1 (1988) 7 2003 [54]

Top 10 Coaches in NBA History[edit]

A man sitting down, flanked by two men dressed in military uniform. He is wearing a suit and bowtie, with a peach-colored scarf draped around his neck.
A man looking ahead. He is wearing a jacket and tie.
Red Auerbach (left) and Phil Jackson (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 four of them—Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Pat Riley, and Lenny Wilkens—were then active. Five have since died: Red Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, Chuck Daly in 2009, Jack Ramsay in 2014, and John Kundla in 2017. 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.

* Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Year Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction
Coach Team(s) coached (years)[a] Coaching record Championships won as coach[b] Coach of the Year award(s) won Year Ref.
Red Auerbach* Washington Capitols (1946–1949)
Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
Boston Celtics (1950–1966)		 938–479 (.662) 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) 1 (1965) 1969 [55]
Chuck Daly* Cleveland Cavaliers (1982)
Detroit Pistons (1983–1992)
New Jersey Nets (1992–1994)
Orlando Magic (1997–1999)		 564–379 (.598)
638–437 (.593)[c]		 2 (1989, 1990) None 1994 [56]
Bill Fitch* Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)
Boston Celtics (1979–1983)
Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)		 944–1106 (.460) 1 (1981) 2 (1976, 1980) 2019 [57]
Red Holzman* Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1956)
New York Knicks (1967–1982)		 696–604 (.535) 2 (1970, 1973) 1 (1970) 1986 [58]
Phil Jackson* Chicago Bulls (1989–1998)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)		 414–160 (.721)
1155–485 (.704)[c]		 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) 1 (1996) 2007 [59]
John Kundla* Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1959) 423–302 (.583) 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) None 1995 [60]
Don Nelson* Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)
Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)
New York Knicks (1995–1996)
Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)		 851–629 (.575)
1335–1063 (.557)[c]		 None 3 (1983, 1985, 1992) 2012 [61][62]
Jack Ramsay* Philadelphia 76ers (1968–1972)
Buffalo Braves (1972–1976)
Portland Trail Blazers (1976–1986)
Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)		 864–783 (.525) 1 (1977) None 1992 [63]
Pat Riley* Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)
New York Knicks (1991–1995)
Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)		 798–339 (.702)
1210–694 (.636)[c]		 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) 3 (1990, 1993, 1997) 2008 [64]
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)		 1014–850 (.544)
1332–1155 (.536)[c]		 1 (1979) 1 (1994) 1998 [65]

Top 10 Teams in NBA History[edit]

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 thirty NBA franchises (twenty-nine 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.[66]

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

Season Team Record Roster and head coach Players in the
Hall of Fame 		Players on the
50 Greatest Players list 		Ref.
1964–65 Boston Celtics 62–18 (.775) 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] 5 (K. Jones, S. Jones, Heinsohn, Russell, Havlicek)[e] 3 (S. Jones, Russell, Havlicek) [67]
1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers 68–13 (.840) 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] 4 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham, Walker) 3 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham) [68]
1969–70 New York Knicks 60–22 (.732) 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] 4 (Frazier, Bradley, DeBusschere, Reed) 3 (Frazier, DeBusschere, Reed) [69]
1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers 69–13 (.841) 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] 4 (Goodrich, West, Chamberlain, Baylor[f]) 3 (West, Chamberlain, Baylor) [70]
1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers 65–17 (.793) 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) 2 (Erving, Malone) [71]
1985–86 Boston Celtics 67–15 (.817) 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 5 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton, Johnson) 4 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton) [72]
1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers 65–17 (.793) 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] 3 (Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar) 3 (Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar) [73]
1988–89 Detroit Pistons 63–19 (.768) 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] 4 (Thomas, Dumars, Dantley, Rodman) 1 (Thomas) [74]
1991–92 Chicago Bulls 67–15 (.817) 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] 2 (Jordan, Pippen) 2 (Jordan, Pippen) [75]
1995–96 Chicago Bulls 72–10 (.878) 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] 3 (Jordan, Pippen, Rodman) 2 (Jordan, Pippen) [76]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

General
  • "The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
  • "Top 10 Coaches in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  • "Top 10 Teams in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
Specific
  1. ^ a b c "The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
  2. ^ Rogers, Thomas (January 6, 1988). "Pete Maravich, a Hall of Famer Who Set Basketball Marks, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  3. ^ Banks, Lacy (February 10, 1997). "Real dream team steals show". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 96.
  4. ^ MacMullan, Jackie (June 1, 2011). "Shaquille O'Neal announces retirement". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  5. ^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  6. ^ "Nate Archibald Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  7. ^ "Paul Arizin Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  8. ^ "Charles Barkley Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  9. ^ "Rick Barry Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  10. ^ "Elgin Baylor Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  11. ^ "Dave Bing Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  12. ^ "Larry Bird Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  13. ^ "Wilt Chamberlain Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  14. ^ "Bob Cousy Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  15. ^ "Dave Cowens Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  16. ^ "Billy Cunningham Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  17. ^ "Dave DeBusschere Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  18. ^ "Clyde Drexler Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  19. ^ "Julius Erving Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  20. ^ "Patrick Ewing Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  21. ^ "Walt Frazier Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  22. ^ "George Gervin Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  23. ^ "Hal Greer Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  24. ^ "John Havlicek Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  25. ^ "Elvin Hayes Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  26. ^ "Magic Johnson Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  27. ^ "Sam Jones Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  28. ^ "Michael Jordan Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  29. ^ "Jerry Lucas Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  30. ^ "Karl Malone Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  31. ^ "Moses Malone Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  32. ^ "Pete Maravich Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  33. ^ "Kevin McHale Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  34. ^ "George Mikan Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  35. ^ "Earl Monroe Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  36. ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  37. ^ "Shaquille O'Neal Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  38. ^ "Robert Parish Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  39. ^ "Bob Pettit Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  40. ^ "Scottie Pippen Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  41. ^ "Willis Reed Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  42. ^ "Oscar Robertson Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  43. ^ "David Robinson Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  44. ^ "Bill Russell Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  45. ^ "Dolph Schayes Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  46. ^ "Bill Sharman Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  47. ^ "John Stockton Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  48. ^ "Isiah Thomas Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  49. ^ "Nate Thurmond Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  50. ^ "Wes Unseld Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  51. ^ "Bill Walton Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  52. ^ "Jerry West Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  53. ^ "Lenny Wilkens Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  54. ^ "James Worthy Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  55. ^ "Red Auerbach Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  56. ^ "Chuck Daly Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  57. ^ "Bill Fitch Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  58. ^ "Red Holzman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  59. ^ "Phil Jackson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  60. ^ "John Kundla Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  61. ^ "Don Nelson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  62. ^ "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.
  63. ^ "Jack Ramsay Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  64. ^ "Pat Riley Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  65. ^ "Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  66. ^ 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 2 March 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  67. ^ "1964–65 Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  68. ^ "1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  69. ^ "1969–70 New York Knicks Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  70. ^ "1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  71. ^ "1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  72. ^ "1985–86 Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  73. ^ "1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  74. ^ "1988–89 Detroit Pistons Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  75. ^ "1991–92 Chicago Bulls Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  76. ^ "1995–96 Chicago Bulls Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  77. ^ "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.
  78. ^ "Elgin Baylor Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved September 20, 2009.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=50_Greatest_Players_in_NBA_History&oldid=896934080"