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The 150 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Through 2021-22.

This list supersedes all prior lists.

The inputs for this list (1) WS, regular season, playoff, ABA all included (2) VORP, same inclusions; there are projections/adjustments made for era; the primary distinction between this and prior lists is a greater adjustment made for post-season value.  The Total Value number is a mash up of per game (rate) and career value.The floor for consideration is 75 regular season WS (NBA+ABA) through the 2021-22 season that means the pool contains 198 players.  Note, because a rate stat is part of the TV, it is possible for a player's TV to fall in post-peak seasons.  

75th Anniversary team members who did not make list
Tiny Archibald (182nd, through 2021-22)
Dave Bing (68.8 regular season Win Shares)
Billy Cunningham (169th through 2021-22)
Dave DeBusschere (60.8 regular season Win Shares)
Pete Maravich (46.7 regular season Win Shares)
Nate Thurmond (179th through 2021-22)
Bill Walton (39.3 regular season Win Shares)

Through 2021-22, here's where active players who are nearing the WS cut off stand:

Serge Ibaka 72.76
Kyrie Irving 72
Brook Lopez 71.48
George Hill 69.12
Thaddeus Young 68.88
Andre Drummond 67.69
Jonas Valanciunas 67.39
Karl Anthony Towns 66.08
Lou Williams 65.75



Through 2021-22 there are 193 players with TV of 200+.  Here are the last 10 out:

(Teams playes/positions played are those for which the player had 5 yrs tenure)

151. Earl Monroe SG 1968-80 Knicks/Bullets 243.1
152. Harry Gallatin PF 1949-48 Knicks           243
153. Rod Strickland PG 1989-05 Blazers/Wizards 242.2
154. Lamar Odom PF 2000-13 Lakers/Clips    240.5
155. Michael Finley SF 1996-10 Mavs/Spurs  240.5
156. Otis Thorpe PF 1985-01 Rockets/Kings   240.4
157. Tyson Chandler C 2002-20 Bulls              239.6
158. Carlos Boozer PF 2003-15 Jazz                239.5
159. Glen Rice SF 1990-04 Heat                      235.8
160. Bernard King SF 1978-93 Bullets/Knicks 233.9

150. ANDRE MILLER       PG 2000-16 Nuggets            244.1
149. DEREK HARPER     PG 1984-89 Mavs                 245.7
148. MARCUS CAMBY    C 1997-13 Nuggets/Knicks  246.1
147. SHAWN KEMP          PF 1990-03 Sonics                246.4
146. DENNIS JOHNSON  PG/SG 1977-90 Celtics        246.7
145. DAVID WEST            PF 2004-18 Hornets              247.3
144. SAM CASSELL         PG 1994-08 Bucks                249.9

Here are the players in the 240s, note the last half dozen guys to miss the list are also in the 240s, so if you liked Earl Monroe more than Sam Cassell, for ex., that wouldn't hurt my feelings. Per game, the best player here is Camby, the most valuable post season performer is DJ.  

143. NEIL JOHNSTON    C 1952-59 Warriors              250.6
142. DeANDRE JORDAN C 2009-    Clippers               251.4
141. CLIFF HAGAN         SF 1957-70 Hawks                251.5
140. STEVE SMITH         SG 1992-05 Hawks/Heat      251.5
139. LENNY WILKENS  PG 1961-75 Hawks               253.1
138. DAN MAJERLE       SG/SF 1989-02 Suns/Heat    253.7
137. JOE DUMARS          SG 1986-99 Pistons               255.3
136. MARK JACKSON    PG 1988-04 Knicks/Pacers  255.4
135. CEDRIC MAXWELL SF 1978-88 Celtics              255.7
134. DERON WILLIAMS PG 2006-17 Jazz/Nets          255.8
133. ANTHONY MASON  PF 1990-03 Knicks               257.2

The first (through 2021-22) active player on the list is Jordan, you should expect he will drop a little bit in Total Value given the per game component.  We also get the first players from the 50s - we also see a wide disparity in games played - Williams was a substantially better player game for game than Jackson, but Jackson played in nearly 500 more NBA games, regular season+postseason. Combine those things and they're virtually identical in TV. Williams/Maxwell are the best per game players in this group, Hagan has the most postseason value.  

132. PAUL MILLSAP PF 2007-22 Jazz                          261.9
131. DENNIS RODMAN PF/SF 1987-00 Pistons           262
130. JASON TERRY SG/PG 2000-18 Mavs/Hawks      263.1
129. RASHARD LEWIS SF/PF 1999-14 Sonics             263.4
128. PEJA STOJAKOVIC SF 1999-11 Kings/Hornets  263.7
127. BOB DANDRIDGE SF 1970-82 Bucks                   265.3
126. BOB McADOO C/PF 1973-86 Braves                     268.5
125. SAM PERKINS PF 1985-01 Mavs                          269.8

Peja is the best game for game player in the 260s (and the first one as good as Gallatin, who just missed the list) Rodman's the most valuable postseason player (DJ is the most valuable postseason player we've seen so far - and none of the players with 200 TV not in the top 150 match him). Per game, Terry has the least value of anyone on the list since Miller.  Terry played in over 1500 NBA games - there's value in longevity; balancing career with per game - balancing regular season and postseason, looking to consider a players entire career, that's the premise of the Total Value number computed for each player; there's no storyline here - no "let's group X next to Y" - it's math.  

124. MIKE CONLEY PG 2008- Grizzlies                     271.7
123. ANDREI KIRILENKO SF 2002-15 Jazz            272.1
122. BUCK WILLIAMS PF 1982-98 Nets/Blazers    272.3
121. AMAR'E STOUDEMIRE PF/C 2003-17 Suns/Knicks  275
120. BILL SHARMAN SG 1951-61 Celtics                275.4
119. HERSEY HAWKINS SG 1989-01 Sixers            276.1
118. VERN MIKKELSEN PF 1950-59 Lakers           276.8
117. TIM HARDAWAY PG 1990-03 Warriors/Heat  276.9 
116. VLADE DIVAC C 1990-05 Lakers/Kings           277.1
115. ALEX ENGLISH SF 1977-91 Nuggets                277.7
114. TERRY PORTER PG 1986-02 Blazers                278.4
113. CARMELO ANTHONY SF/PF 2004-22 Nuggets/Knicks 278.8

Another active player, Conley moving up should be expected. The best per game player on the list is now Bill Sharman and he's also has the most postseason value in the 270s.  

112. ALONZO MOURNING C 1993-08 Heat            280.2
111. CHRIS MULLIN SF 1986-01 Warriors              281.3
110. DETLEF SCHREMPF SF/PF 1986-01 Sonics/Pacers  283.5  
109. JAMES WORTHY SF 1983-94 Lakers               283.5
108. BOB COUSY PG 1951-70 Celtics                        284.3
107. WILLIS REED C 1965-75 Knicks                       284.7
106. HAL GREER SG 1959-73 Sixers                         286.1
105. ZELMO BEATY C 1963-75 Hawks                     288.3

T was in the last group, C is in this one (M did not make it). Willis Reed becomes the top per game player on the list; his entire NBA career was less than 600 games, less than half of Hal Greer's. The new top playoff performer is James Worthy. 

104. BLAKE GRIFFIN PF 2011- Clips                       290
103. TONY PARKER PG 2002-19 Spurs                   290.1
102. KEVIN LOVE PF 2009 - Cavs/Wolves               290.6
101. GRANT HILL SF 1995-13 Pistons                    291.5
100. ANDRE IGUODALA SF 2005 - Sixers/Warriors 294.7 
99. BILL LAIMBEER C 1981-94 Pistons               294.8
98. MARC GASOL C 2009-21 Grizzlies                   296.1
97. CHRIS WEBBER PF 1994-08 Kings                  296.3
96. JERRY LUCAS PF 1964-74 Royals                    296.7
95. SAM JONES SG 1958-69 Celtics                         297.2
94. ISIAH THOMAS PG 1982-94 Pistons                 298.8
93. ELTON BRAND PF/C 2000-16 Clips/Sixers       299.7
92. MARQUES JOHNSON SF 1978-90 Bucks          299.9

Presumbly, Iguodala is unaware he is jeopardizing his top 100 ranking by coming back to play for another season.   Griffin also is likely to be bumped back into the 280s following the 2022-23 season.  Johnson is the best per game player in this section, still behind Reed in the overall list - and Sam Jones moves past Worthy to become the top playoff performer. Lot of Pistons here in the 290s.  

91 players with Total Value of 300 +.

91. BAILEY HOWELL PF 1959-71 Pistons                           303.2
90. LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE PF/C 2007-22 Blazers/Spurs 303.4
89. BEN WALLACE C/PF 1997-12 Pistons                            304
88. DAVE COWENS C 1971-83 Celtics                                  304.1
87. JACK SIKMA C 1978-91 Sonics                                       306.5
86. SIDNEY MONCRIEF SG 1980-91 Bucks                        308.5
85. DIKEMBE MUTOMBO C 1992-09 Nuggets/Hawks/Rockets  309.5

Moncrief's the best per game player here, still trailing Reed - and Ben Wallace is now the top playoff performer on the list.  

84. PAUL GEORGE SF 2011 - Pacers                                     310.1
83. KYLE LOWRY PG 2007 - Raptors                                     312.8
82. EDDIE JONES SG 1995-08 Heat/Lakers                        317.1

Super small group here including 2 players likely to keep accumulating value.  George both best per game and in postseason here, Reed/Wallace still tops overall.  

81. RASHEED WALLACE PF/C 1996-13 Blazers/Pistons   320.6
80. CHRIS BOSH C 2004-14 Raptors/Heat                            320.9
79. BOBBY JONES PF 1975-86 Sixers                                    322
78. ELVIN HAYES PF 1969-84 Bullets/Rockets                     322.1
77. ED MACAULEY C 1950-59 Celtics                                   322.2
76. MAURICE CHEEKS PG 1979-93 Sixers                          323.4
75. RUDY GOBERT C 2014 - Jazz                                            323.5
74. CHET WALKER SF 1963-75 Sixers                                  325
73. VINCE CARTER SG/SF 1999-20 Raptors/Nets               326.1

Gobert's the top per game player on the list to date and likely to keep adding overall value; Rasheed has the most postseason value here and trails just Ben at the top of that list - Wallace/Wallace, the top postseason players of all time, with just 72 remaining to be heard from.

72. AL HORFORD C 2008 - Hawks                                         333.9
71. TRACY McGRADY SF/SF 1998-12 Rockets                   334
70. DOMINIQUE WILKINS SF 1983-99 Hawks                  334.8
69. KEVIN JOHNSON PG 1988-00 Suns                               337
68. JEFF HORNACEK SG 1987-00 Jazz/Suns                      339
67. GEORGE GERVIN SG/SF 1972-86 Spurs                       339
66. ALLEN IVERSON PG/SG 1997-10 Sixers                       339.7

Al Horford's way up here, one of the top 75 players of all time and likely to climb.  KJ has the most per game value here, Gobert still leads that group - Horford's got the postseason value for this group, he's behind the Wallaces, but that may not be the case in a year.  

65. LARRY NANCE PF 1982-94 Suns/Cavs                           344.1
64. HORACE GRANT PF 1988-04 Bulls/Magic                    346.1
63. SHAWN MARION SF/PF 2000-15 Suns/Mavs                347.5
62. ROBERT PARISH C 1977-97 Celtics                                348.6 
61. WALT BELLAMY C 1962-75 Hawks/Bullets                   348.9

Nance is the top per game player here, still behind Gobert - the two new top playoff performers on the list are the Chief - and then right ahead of the Chief is Horace Grant. 

60. DAMIAN LILLARD PG 2013 -   Blazers                            351.2
59. RICK BARRY SF 1966-80 Warriors                                  352.5
58. ELGIN BAYLOR SF 1959-72 Lakers                                354
57. PAUL ARIZIN SF 1951-62 Warriors                                  355.6
56. RUSSELL WESTBROOK PG 2009 - Thunder                 358.2

2 active point guards are in the 350s, Lillard's headed up - Westbrook probably moving the other way.  Paul Arizin's now the best per game player on the list (we get the two Warriors small forwards here, we also get Baylor next to Barry, and generally think of them together historically; as do I Worthy and Mullin, who we saw near each other earlier in the list). Baylor's the best postseason player in this group, but still solidly behind Horace Grant (everyone so far is solidly behind Horace Grant).  

55. DAN ISSEL C 1971-85 Nuggets/Colonels                          361.8
54. STEVE NASH PG 1977-2014 Suns/Mavs                          362.3
53. KEVIN McHALE PF 1981-93 Celtics                                368.5
52. DWIGHT HOWARD C 2005-22 Magic                             369.1

Nearing the top 50; McHale is both the top per game and the top playoff performer in this block - Arizin remains the best per game player on the list - but McHale takes over as the most valuable in the postseason.  

51. BOB LANIER C 1971-84 Pistons/Bucks                            370.8
50. PATRICK EWING C 1986-02 Knicks                                371.4
49. WES UNSELD C 1969-81 Bullets                                       372.5
48. DOLPH SCHAYES PF 1950-64 Nationals                         374.4
47. GEORGE MIKAN C 1949-56 Lakers                                375.7
46. JIMMY BUTLER SF/SG 2012 - Bulls                                 376.8
45. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO 2014 - Bucks                   379.4

Bigs and actives fill the 370s. Giannis is now the top per game player we've seen on the list; Mikan's the top postseason player in this block, McHale retains the overall lead.  We will see Giannis and Butler continue to climb.  

44. MANU GINOBLI  SG 2003 - 18 Spurs                                   385
43. WALT FRAZIER PG 1968-80 Knicks                                      385.8
42. ANTHONY DAVIS PF 2013 - Pelicans                                     385.8
41. ADRIAN DANTLEY SF 1977-91 Jazz                                     393
40. GARY PAYTON PG  1991-07 Sonics                                       393.5
39. NIKOLA JOKIC C 2016 - Nuggets                                          393.6
38. CHAUNCEY BILLUPS PG/SG 1998-2014 Pistons/Nuggets  394

Davis goes by Giannis for per game value and then Jokic goes by both of them - Jokic is worth 1/4 of a win in every NBA game he's ever played in.  Billups has the top postseason value here - or would, except here's Ginobli, who goes right by him and goes by McHale to become the top playoff performer.

And now - the 37 players with 400+ Total Value.

37. JOHN HAVLICEK SF 1963-78 Celtics                                    400.3

Hondo is the only guy in the 400s, We're getting into some deep water.  36 guys left.  

36. JASON KIDD PG 1995-13 Mavs/Nets/Suns                            412.8
35. RAY ALLEN SG 1997-14 Bucks/Celtics/Sonics                       414.6
34. PAU GASOL C/PF 2002-19 Grizzlies/Lakers                          416
33. ARTIS GILMORE C 1972-88 Bulls/Spurs/Colonels                   417.3

The most underrated basketball player who ever lived is probably Artis Gilmore, one of the 10 best centers of all time. Gasol is the top per game here; Allen the best in the playoffs - for the overall list, it's still Jokic/Ginobli.  

32. MOSES MALONE C 1975-95 Rockets/Sixers                          422
31. PAUL PIERCE SF 1999-17 Celtics                                             425.2
30. SCOTTIE PIPPEN SF 1988-04 Bulls                                         429.7

Pippen's the top per game player in the group - and the top playoff performer we've seen so far.  

29. DWYANE WADE SG 2004-19 Heat                                           433
28. KAWHI LEONARD SF SF 2012 - Spurs                                   434.9
27. BOB PETTIT PF 1955-65 Hawks                                               436.4

Kawhi's got more to go - right now he's the top per game player so far; he's also the top playoff performer in this group, trailing Pippen overall.  

26. CLYDE DREXLER SG 1984-98 Blazers                                  448.5

The only member of this group - and no one is in the 450s or the 460s.  

The top 25 players in NBA history.  

25. STEPH CURRY PG 2010 - Warriors                                        476.1
24. REGGIE MILLER SG 1988-05 Pacers                                  478.7

Steph's got the per game and the playoff advantage here - he's near the top overall in both lists - but Kawhi/Pippen continue their leads.  

We've hit the 23 players with 500+ TV.

23. HAKEEM OLAJUWON C 1985-02 Rockets                         508.1

The Dream falls just a tick behind Pippen for the most valuable postseason player. 

22. JULIUS ERVING SF 1972-87 Sixers                                      518.2

Erving and Olajuwon are identical per game and nearly so in the playoffs; Erving's got more games played and it helps him slip by.

21. JAMES HARDEN  SG/PG  2010 - Rockets                              521

Harden's got 30 more regular season WS than Curry - the list isn't about who changed the game or who won more titles, it's just performance on the floor for every minute of your career.  

Top 20.

20. KOBE BRYANT SG 1997-2016 Lakers                                    533.6
19. KEVIN GARNETT PF 1996-16 TWolves/Celtics                    536.2

Contemporaries - Kobe rolls into the top postseason player spot.  It's still Kawhi who is the top per game player.  

18. DIRK NOWITZKI PF 1999-19 Mavs                                      558.1
17. JERRY WEST PG 1961-71 Lakers                                          559
16. OSCAR ROBERTSON PG 1961-74 Royals                            559
15. LARRY BIRD SF 1980-92 Celtics                                            559
14. BILL RUSSELL C 1957-69 Celtics                                          559.6

Super elite here and that is the company that Nowitzki keeps. The 4 new top per game players are here, Bird, then West, then a tie with Oscar and Russell.  Russell is second in the postseason, just behind Kobe.  Dirk's the first guy we've seen with 200 regular season Win Shares.  

13. CHARLES BARKLEY PF 1985-99 Sixers                             562.8
12. KEVIN DURANT SF 2008 - Thunder                                    567.1
11. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL C 1993-11 Lakers                              569.1

You should expect KD to retire inside the top 10.  He matches Bird at the top of the per game value list, and Shaq passes Kobe as the top playoff performer.  

The Top 10.

10. DAVID ROBINSON C 1990-03 Spurs                                   578.3

The Admiral is now the top per game player on the list.  

9. JOHN STOCKTON PG 1985-03 Jazz                                     588.9

Stockton has 200+ WS and is the first player we've seen with 100+ VORP.  That total 200/100 group in NBA history is 4 guys.  

8 players left in the 600+ Total Value club.

8. MAGIC JOHNSON PG 1980-96 Lakers                                610
7. CHRIS PAUL PG 2006 - Hornets/Clips                                  613.1

Magic is now top of both lists we've been tracking - the top per game player and the the top player in the postseason.  CP3 has already played in 200+ more NBA games than Magic; he'll cross 200 WS this season and will eventually hit the 100 VORP mark as well.  

6. KARL MALONE PF 1986-04 Jazz                                        626.7
5. TIM DUNCAN PF 1998-16 Spurs                                          629.7

Duncan roars into the top postseason player spot. 

In every single version of this list, regardless of inputs, weights, over several years - the top 4 players have been, in some order, the top 4 players.  

4. KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR  C 1970-89 Lakers/Bucks    729.4

Kareem's got the most regular season win shares in history and, to this point in the list, trails just Duncan for playoff value.  

3. WILT CHAMBERLAIN C 1960-73 Warriors/Lakers        741.3

The Dipper is now the top per game player on the list and second in WS.  

2. MICHAEL JORDAN SG  1985-03 Bulls                              781.4

Jordan's the best game for game player in NBA history; Wilt finishes second. To this point in the list, Jordan's also the top playoff performer ever and top in VORP.  

There's one guy in the 800 Total Value club.  He's the best basketball player who ever lived.

1. LEBRON JAMES SF 2004 - Cavs/Lakers                          865.9

LeBron's got the most postseason value, he's third per game, first in VORP, second in regular season Win Shares - he's played in nearly 400 more NBA games than Jordan; nearly 600 more than Magic or Bird. And it continues.  The King is the King.  There is no denying it.  










 





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