The NBA Top 75 List
When putting together an NBA top 75 list, it is important to consider the longevity and peak of each player. Players like Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal had great peak seasons and solid careers, but we also have to factor in longevity and skill. Dikembe Mutombo is another player we have to consider, but his offensive abilities weren’t enough to make him an all-time great. Mutombo was a defensive powerhouse who tied Ben Wallace for the most defensive player in NBA history.
Bill Russell
Bill Russell is one of the best players in NBA history. He won two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, and he also coached the team after its 1966 championship. He played 963 games, averaging 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game. After retiring from the NBA, Bill Russell spent four seasons as the head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics. He then spent one season with the Sacramento Kings. His No. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics in his honor.
Karl Malone
Karl Malone is among the greatest power forwards in NBA history. He played for 19 seasons and averaged 25.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He is also considered to be the most durable superstar of all time. He never missed more than two games during his first eighteen seasons. He was also named the NBA MVP twice and made 14 All-Star teams. Malone was a first team All-Star for 11 straight seasons (1988-99) and reached the NBA Finals three times. Unfortunately, he never won the championship.
Paul Westbrook
The NBA’s 75th anniversary season has seen many players make the all-time list. Five Oklahoma City Thunder alumni have made the list, including Paul Westbrook. Although the Thunder have been around for just a few seasons, their success has been evident. The Top 75 players will be a topic of discussion throughout the season, and a lot of Twitter debates are sure to ensue.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal was recently named to the NBA’s Top 75 Players list. The list recognizes the best players in the league and was announced at the NBA All-Star Game. The NBA 75th anniversary edition of the list includes many players who have made an impact on the game. O’Neal thanked those who helped him along the way. The list also includes Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Miami Heat greats such as Jerry West and Phillip Harrison.
Jerry West
For years, West was a stalwart on the Lakers’ front office and was considered one of the game’s top talent evaluators. He was a key part of the team’s success during the ‘Showtime’ era and the Kobe-Shaq years. After retiring as an executive, he took the bench as coach for three seasons. His record was 145-101 during his tenure, and his team reached the Western Conference semifinals in 1977.
Sam Jones
Listed among the greatest players in NBA history, Sam Jones is considered one of the best shooting guards of all time. He was a key part of the Celtics’ dynasty, winning 10 championships in his career and averaging 17.7 points per game. However, his legacy does not end there. His career has spanned five decades and he remains one of the most popular players of all time.
LeBron James
The NBA has announced its top 75 players of all time, and LeBron James is no stranger to the list. With 17 All-Star appearances and four NBA championships, James is clearly one of the best players of all time. His peers on this list include Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, and others. However, there are a couple of notable players who were left off the list, including Kyrie Irving and Vince Carter.
Kawhi Leonard
In honor of its 75th season, the NBA has announced the top 75 players of all time. These players weren’t ranked, but rather were recognized as the best. Leonard, a two-time NBA Champion and Defensive Player of the Year, was included on the list.
Bob McAdoo
McAdoo is one of the greatest shooting big men in NBA history. In the 1970s, he led the league in field-goal percentage. He led the league in scoring in the same year. But his career is not yet over. Despite a remarkable resume, McAdoo has not always been given the recognition he deserves.
