The Definitive List of the Top 20 Players in NBA History Ranked
As I sit down to compile this definitive list of the top 20 NBA players in history, I can't help but reflect on how the league's landscape keeps evolving even as we celebrate its legends. Just this week, we saw MERALCO extending Raymond Almazan's tenure with the team - a reminder that basketball excellence manifests at every level of the game. Having followed the NBA for over two decades as both a fan and analyst, I've developed my own criteria for greatness that goes beyond championship rings and statistics. For me, it's about impact, innovation, and that intangible quality that separates the good from the truly legendary.
When we talk about the absolute pinnacle of basketball achievement, Michael Jordan stands alone at number one. His six championships with the Bulls, combined with five MVP awards and ten scoring titles, create a resume that's simply untouchable. I've watched his 1998 "Last Shot" against Utah probably a hundred times, and it still gives me chills. Right behind him, LeBron James occupies the second spot - his longevity is just staggering. Think about this: the man has been dominant for nearly two decades, and he's still putting up 25 points per game in his late thirties. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar rounds out my top three, largely because of his unstoppable skyhook and the fact that he remains the league's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points.
The middle portion of my list is where things get really interesting and where I might differ from conventional wisdom. I've got Tim Duncan at number five, higher than some would place him, because I believe his fundamental excellence and five championships with the Spurs represent the purest form of basketball. Meanwhile, I've positioned Kobe Bryant at number seven - his "Mamba Mentality" transformed how an entire generation approached the game. I'll never forget his 81-point game against Toronto in 2006; I was watching it live and knew I was witnessing something that would become instant legend. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird come in at eight and nine respectively, their rivalry having literally saved the NBA during the 1980s. The league's television ratings increased by 31% during their peak years, proof of their cultural impact.
As we move further down the list, players like Hakeem Olajuwon at number twelve and Kevin Durant at fifteen might spark some debate. Olajuwon's 1994 season, where he won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP, remains one of the most complete individual campaigns I've ever witnessed. Durant's scoring efficiency, particularly his 53-45-88 shooting splits during his 2013 MVP season, represents offensive perfection in my view. Modern greats like Stephen Curry at sixteen revolutionized the game with his three-point shooting - he didn't just break records, he changed how basketball is played at every level. Seeing teams now attempt 35+ threes per game compared to just 18 when Curry entered the league shows his profound influence.
What strikes me about compiling such a list is how it reflects basketball's ongoing evolution. The recent news about Raymond Almazan's contract extension with MERALCO reminds us that while we debate historical rankings, the game continues to grow globally. My final five spots include international pioneers like Dirk Nowitzki, whose one-legged fadeaway became as iconic as any American-born player's signature move. Ultimately, these rankings represent my personal perspective shaped by years of study and passion for the game. They're not just about numbers but about moments, memories, and the undeniable impact these athletes had on the sport we love. The beauty of basketball is that such lists will always be debated, and that's exactly how it should be.