I guess you could also call this the best NBA player of my era until now. Because honestly, that’s what this boils down to. Most sports fans are probably fonder of the players and events of their childhood and beyond. Therefore, this list is much different than an all-time list that may include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Oscar Robertson. Most of us have never seen Bill Russell play, but it becomes almost unanimous that he was one of the greatest based on his stats and track record of winning.
Keep in mind this is not my annual top ten NBA players list. I know I am super late in putting out that list and apologize for the delay. I promise I will be writing and releasing that soon. Now let me to this current list of the five best NBA players I have seen.
5. Stephen Curry
I could be a prisoner of the moment, but let’s be real, have you seen a player like Stephen Curry? I know have never seen a player who could shoot the ball like Curry. He just isn’t the best shooter of all time, but he has revolutionized the game. The way today’s game is being played can be directly credited to Curry. The three-pointers and how it is almost necessary for every player to be able to possess the ability to be able to shoot jumpers is all a part of the Curry effect. There is basketball before Steph and then there is basketball after Steph.
4. Tim Duncan
One thing these players have in common on this list is that they were franchise players. This means that they can get on any team and regardless of who their teammates were, they still can make that team successful. Based on that type of impact, I have to include Duncan on this list. Regardless of how boring you think his game was, he was probably the most effective NBA player I have seen. He dominated on the offensive and defensive end of the court.
3. Shaquille O’Neal
With that said, I have to put big Shaq at this number three spot. It should be noted that these top three players changed the way I watch basketball. Meaning that their skills were so unique that it stretched the possibility of what athletes could do on the basketball court. People may have forgotten how different Shaq was. Before him, I have never seen a player his size who could grab a rebound, dribble up the court and dunk on someone. I have never seen a player tear down the entire rim on multiple occasions. His dominance and power were one of a kind.
2. Lebron James
If I had a chance to create a player like you are able to do in a video game but in real life. It would be Lebron James or something very similar to him. Height: 6’8, give or take. Weight: 250 pounds give or take. Runs like a deer, and can jump and dunk on people. Has a court vision like Magic Johnson, and can rebound and defend all five positions.
In regards to talent, basketball IQ, and overall God-given attributes, Lebron is the total package. I can see why some people regard him as number one on their list of best NBA players, especially if they didn’t get a chance to see MJ play.
However, for me, Jordan was more skilled, more entertaining, and more exciting. Jordan was more dominant and had more determination to win than any other player I have seen. Bottom line MJ was must-see TV.
Analyzing these two players at the top of the list gave me clarity on how to rank the players on this list. I looked at how they performed on the court, and how their play impacted their team’s success.
1. Michael Jordan
Even though I was seven years old when Jordan first came into the league in 1984, I had the privilege to watch and remember most of his games. I think my most vivid memory of Jordan was the buzzer-beater against Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1989 playoffs.
Throughout the 90s was when Jordan did most of his damage and won all of his championships. On the court, MJ was the most dominant player I have seen. Which is the primary reason why he is number one. Excluding his impact on popular culture off the court, MJ was the most dominant player I have seen.
Honorable Mentions:
6. Magic Johnson
7. Kobe Bryant
8. Kevin Garnett
9. Kevin Durant
10. Derrick Rose