NBA Top 100 Players 29-11
- Jordan Ennis
- Jul 28, 2020
- 16 min read
This is probably going to be the most controversial group yet. Remember impact on the league is super important for me not just stats, or who I want on my team. Accolades alone don’t keep you high as I try to find a balance. With that out of the way here we go.
29- James Harden
6’5 Combo Guard Rockets (Thunder)
MVP 8x All Star, 6x All NBA, 2x Scoring Title, Assist Title, 6th Man.
Career Stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists 2 steals, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. (400 flops and 80 missed defensive assignments)
The Beard is an interesting player, he has had so many MVPs “stolen” from him because people “don’t like to watch his play style” I personally don’t have a problem watching Harden. He’s definitely the second best guard of the 10s, I do think he would do better if he went back to being the facilitator instead of having another point guard with him. I think that while his teams are built to make him look good they aren’t built to win in the playoffs. They play one style and don’t adjust. Harden is a singularly unique talent, he bends the rules to his advantage which is usually something we celebrate for Manu, Luka and Larry Bird but for some reason Harden gets knocked for this. The joke earlier about how bad his defense is was definitely a joke. I think he’s average and when he tries he can be good he just spends all his energy on offense. Harden is 29 because of regular season brilliance, if he ever finishes out in the playoffs he is definitely going to rise higher.
28- Dwyane Wade
6’4 Combo Guard Heat (Bulls, Cavs)
3x Champion, FMVP, 13x All Star, 8x All NBA, 3x All Defense, Scoring Title.
Career Stats: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
This is the point where Jordan, professional Dwyane Wade hater looks desperately for a way to keep him off this list. Searching frantically through my criteria for a way to make it so I don’t have to say good things about Flash. Maybe I can point out his stupid idea that he deserved the farewell tour that Kobe got? Or how to over inflate his ego he basically forced Dirk to retire with him? Or how he Froze LeBron out against the Mavs in 11? (That one I’m super thankful for) Or maybe how he cheated to get his first ring? That he was a relic guard who was a liability from three?... But, I believe in honesty, alas for this poor Mavs Fan, there is no way to keep him any lower, so I must unfortunately allow him his due. D-Wade was good. Really Good. He should have more All Defense teams but I can only assume Kobe Bryant had illicit photo of voters he used to black mail his way on and therefore Wade off the last 5 years he made it. He was nice as the number one guy and for 2 years with LeBron he was the second best Robin ever. Wade was really good, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Now that I forced myself to do that I’m gonna go throw up.
27- Karl Malone
6’9 Hall of Fame Power Forward Jazz (Lakers)
2x MVP, 14x All Star, 14x All NBA, 4x All Defense, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 25 points, 10 Rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. (1 Stolen MVP)
Prime Stats: 28 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
I’m gonna start with a story. My wife’s cousin lives in Louisiana, his church was needing to sell land and his dad had a friend interested in the land. That friend came to the church to meet the pastor about the sell and the pastor looked at him saying, “Wow, you sure are tall, you should’ve played basketball.” Now, this pastor probably didn’t know he was talking to the second all time scoring leader in NBA history so maybe we should give him a pass. Malone was really good at screening then rolling or popping. He was the perfect partner for John Stockton, the better player. A lot has been made about the terrible allegations of what Malone did off court. I’m not going to touch on that. On court Malone was a legend and worthy of his spot on this list.
26- John Stockton
6’1 Hall of Fame Pure Point Jazz.
10x All Star, 11x All NBA, 5x All Defense, 9x Assists Title, 2x Steals Title. 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals.
Prime Stats: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 13 assists, 3 steals, 1 walk off shot to send the rockets home from the playoffs.
Karl Malone wouldn’t be the player he was without Stockton. Stock could pass like crazy, shoot with the best of them, and Gonzaga probably didn’t need a real mascot in the early 80s because he was a real bulldog on defense. One thing watching Stockton is not only how he bends his defender to his will but how he uses the threat of the pass or shot to bend the second and third defenders into creating gaps for him to exploit. It amazes me that he never won a championship but pass first point guards rarely make it as the best player on a championship team. In my opinion Stockton was the best player on the 90s Jazz and the best player in Jazz history. For those of you keeping track of my positions Stockton is the best Pure Point in NBA history.
25- Scottie Pippen
6’8 Hall of Fame Point Forward Bulls (Rockets, Blazers)
6x Champion, 7x All Star, 7x All NBA, 10x All Defense, Steal Champion, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
Pip was the best number 2 in NBA history. Hands down, not even close. His all around game, great ability to set up teammates, his other worldly help defense. That’s something I want to touch on. If Kawhi is the best perimeter defender ever, Pippen is number 2, he also might have been better on help defense. Pippen deserved a DPOY. Probably one of Dekembe’s 47 they gave him. A lot can be said about Pippen who had to walk on at a barely Division-I school in Arkansas and actually started out as the manager to becoming my 25th best player of all time. I’m not going to get into it but he was so much fun to watch dominate opponents. The defense of MJ, Grant and Pippen was insane, and with Rodman it was also good. Scottie was someone every single fan wanted on their team, a glue guy who was also a superstar.
24- Charles Barkley
6’6 (Liar!) Hall of Fame Power Forward 6ers, Suns, Rockets
MVP, 11x All Star, 11x All NBA, Rebound Title, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 22 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 steals, 1 block.
Sir Charles, The Round Mound of Rebound, The Chuckster, The Chuck Wagon, The Prince of Pizza, The Incredible Bulk, The Leaning Tower of Pizza, Bread Truck, Boy Gorge. Barkley is the only Non-MJ/Hakeem/Shaq MVP that should have happened in the 90s. His athletic ability was incredible for someone his size, his size was incredible for someone his size. His dunks are awesome his passing is fun and he’s the master of the one man fast break. You can’t watch him and not think “I really, really hope Zion is like him!” Because nothing. No. Thing. Compared to how fun prime Barkley is fun to watch. His off court personality is notable but his on court impact was greatly felt. He should have won a ring. He should have beat Jordan. The 93 finals, months before I was born, is probably Jordan’s greatest accomplishment because he beat Charles when he had no business beating him.
23- Rick Barry
6’7 Hall of Fame Point Forward, Warriors, Oaks, Capitals, Nets, (Rockets)
2x Champion, FMVP, 12x All Star, 10x All NBA/ABA, ROY, Scoring Title, Steals Title, ABA All Time Team, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Staff: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
The Miami Greyhound was a great all around forward. He could do a little bit of everything and his shooting made it to where his off ball gravity created open driving lanes for himself and others. His passing was incredible. The only player to lead the NCAA, NBA and ABA in scoring he was individually brilliant, on court a fantastic team player. Off court kinda a jerk. In the 78-79 season Barry averaged 5 free throws a game, he missed 9... in 80 games... 160/169... That’s incredible. He averaged, AVERAGED, 40 points a game in a finals. Barry is one of the forgotten greats of the past.
22- John Havlicek
6’5 Hall of Fame Wing, Celtics
8x Champion, Finals MVP, 12x All Star, 11x All NBA, 8x All Defense, 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal.
Prime Stats: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal.
Hondo had more stamina than most players do in a lifetime. He just kept going and never, ever slowed down. The all time best scorer for Boston had actually been a 3 sport athlete in high school, in fact the Browns drafted him even though he didn’t play football in college— having given up his QB career to focus on Baseball, Basketball and his studies— which is the most Brown’s thing I’ve ever read. Hondo actually reported to the browns camp and was the last cut from the team, something the city of Boston probably should be extremely grateful for. The slowly aging Celtic needed John to come off the bench and provide a spark so for Sharman, Ramsey and Jones on the wing. He filled this role even being second on the team in minutes till he became the starter and slowly began to improve into a starter, than a star, then the best player on the Celtics who were still winning titles. Hondo just didn’t quit. Hondo is known for many things but one moment stands out the most. 5 seconds left game 7 of the eastern conference finals. Celtics up one, Hal Greer tried to inbound the ball when Jonny Most begins to scream, “Havlicek steals it. Over to Sam Jones. Havlicek stole the ball! It's all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball!”
21- Moses Malone
6’10 Combo Big Rockets, Sixers (Stars, Spirit, Braves, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs)
Champion, FMVP, 3x MVP, 13x All Star, 8x All NBA, 2x All Defense, 6x Rebound Champ, ABA All Time Team, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 20 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks.
Big Mo is a really hard one to rank. He hoarded rebounds like a Robber Barron hoarded land along the rail roads. He stole accolades from better people like socialist steal other people’s money. He was loved by coaches for his extra efforts. But, basically, analytics HATE him. His defense is terrible and makes you wonder how those all defensive teams happened, his on off numbers aren’t great, the year he wins his title he’s the second worst starter and the 5th guy on the team overall. I asked my dad a child of the 70s and 80s, and a Rockets fan, why he was so beloved, his assessment was “everyone thought he worked harder than everyone else and that’s why.” Due to impact on the league I don’t feel I can keep him any lower but he seems to me to be the Allan Iverson of the 70s and 80s.
20- David Robinson
7’1 Hall of Fame Combo Big, Spurs.
2x Champion, MVP, 10x All Star, 10x All NBA, 8x All Defense, DPOY, ROY, Scoring Title, Rebound Title, 2x Blocks Title, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks.
Prime Stats: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks.
The Admiral was incredible. Think KAT’s offense with Marc Gasol’s defense IQ in Gobert’s body, with the strength of Embiid, and the athleticism of BAM. That is D-Rob. While he didn’t win a ring before Duncan got to San Antonio he probably would have been top 20 without the rings, he was that good. I have a signed David Robinson picture in my room and it’s awesome. A great passer and one man offense, the second best defender of the 90s. The best big man on the dream team. Robinson was awesome and probably didn’t even live up to his full potential.
19- George Mikan
6’10 Hall of Fame Pivot, Lakers, Gears.
7 Champion (2x NBL), NBL MVP, 4x All Star, 8x All NBA/BAA/NBL, 4x Scoring Champ, 2 Rebound Champ. Greatest Player of the Half Century, 25th Anniversary Team, 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 23 Points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists.
Prime Stats: 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists.
From Impact alone I don’t think any single player effected the league as much as Big Mike. The first true Superstar, his Lakers leaving the NBL after his first year with the team (His first year had been with the Chicago All American Gears) forced the NBL to seek merger with the BAA, creating the NBA. Mr. Basketball in his prime averaged 33% of his team points, 14% of his team assists, and 25% of his teams rebounds. Winning 78% of the Championships he played for. He did all of this while basically inventing the fundamentals while he went along. Until Mikan the Magnificent size was considered a liability in Basketball. At one point MSG’s marquee read “Geo Mikan vs. Knicks” he was that singularly dominant. Pairing with Jim Pollard, who barely missed this list and Vern Mekkelson, number 96, he dominated the first decade of professional basketball. Mikan was cut from his basketball team before being allowed to try out because he was too tall and wore glasses, he eventually made the team and in college his coach made him run side to side and up and down till his speed and footwork were better than the guards. His coach even made him dance with “the shortest and smallest” girls at school dances to improve his footwork. His hook shot was basically impossible to guard and the fact that goal tending wasn’t a rule till The Monster proved how much he changed the game. The paint moved from just 6ft to 12ft because of Mikan. The Sky Hook is based off his footwork. Mikan Drills are taught to every big man. The Ft. Wayne Pistons held the ball the entire game to keep Mikan from scoring leading to the creation of the Shot Clock. Mikan has his fingerprints on the league more than any other individual player. 19 might be too low for this all time great.
18- Kevin Garnett
6’11 Hall of Fame Front Court Wolves, Celtics (Nets)
Champion, MVP, 15x All Star, 9x All NBA, 12x All Defense, DPOY.
Career Stats: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks.
The Big Ticket is extremely overrated from a “Tough Guy” aspect. No player in history was better at starting fights, running away then pretending he won. HOWEVER, he is probably underrated as a player at this point. He was the best player, and heart and soul of the worst Celtics Big 3. Honestly he probably deserved the FMVP over Pierce. One of the most versatile defenders ever he should have won more in Minnesota, but it’s Minnesota and they apparently sent all the good championship vibes to LA. The best player KG played with in Minnesota? Marbury? Szcerbiak? Sprewell? Cassell? That’s a GIANT problem. Him, Dirk, Robinson, Kobe, Kareem they all could have been better if they had better teammates.
17- Dirk Nowitzki
7’0 Power Forward Mavericks
Champion, FMVP, MVP, 14x All Star, 12x All NBA, Jordan’s Favorite Player All Time.
Career Stats: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 assists.
Dirty Dirk was one of the single best offensive engines in NBA history. If David Stern didn’t force the refs to keep Cuban from getting his first championship Dirk would have 2 rings and 2 FMVPs. If Avery Johnson was a competent coach he would have more. Dirk’s playoff battles are awesome, he was the best midrange player ever. His defense while not good wasn’t near as bad in his prime as some people say. Dirk could hit any shot at any time, he was a decent rebounder but not elite, a good passer, a great teammate and a passionate leader. Dirks Playoff run in 2011 is the single greatest run in history, The fantastic Blazers team, the OKC big 3, championship defending Lakers, The Heatles. Dirk is the best shooting big ever. His one legged fade-away, a move that will be a statue soon, was unguardable. I grew up in Africa as the only white guy and being the tallest of my age group. Dirk was who I wanted to be, I didn’t ever learn to shoot well, but I tried. Dirk was the second best power forward of the 00s by traditional positions and using my 10 position formula he is the best Power Forward ever. He and Curry are the ones who invented the 3 heavy NBA. Without Dirk the NBA looks very, very different in 2020.
16- Jerry West
6’2 Hall of Fame Combo Guard Lakers
Champion, FMVP, 14x All Star, 12x All NBA, 5x All Defense, Scoring Champ, Assist Champ, 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists. Steals and Blocks were only counted his last year.
The only FMVP to lose the finals. Mr Clutch would have had another ring if his 75 foot heave would have been counted for 3 instead of the 2 points it was worth at the time. His shooting is incredible even today he can drill free throws like a machine. One of the greatest defenders ever, The Logo, literally the NBA logo is designed to look like him, was the first person to lead the league in scoring and assists. West in a finals game had 44 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 10 blocks (not officially counted as a stat) his team lost. His relentless hustle led to him breaking his nose 9 times. As a kid his only outlet was a homemade hoop on his neighbor’s wall. He would practice on the dirt court, even in the mud, playing in the snow with gloves, shooting till his hands bled. West was relentless. Mr Outside was the best guard of the 60s. As impressive as West’s career as a player is, and for this list only playing careers count, West was also the greatest executive the NBA has ever seen. Showtime, he was a part of, Shaq and Kobe, West, Grit n’ Grind Grizzlies, also the work of The Cabin Creek Comet, the Warriors dynasty, yep, Kawhi and PG13 on the Clippers, also him. West is one of the all time greats.
15- Kevin Durant
6’10 Front Court, Thunder, Warriors (Nets)
2x Champion, 2x FMVP, MVP, 10x All Star, 8x All NBA, ROY, 4x Scoring Title,
Career Stats: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.
The Slim Reaper is probably the greatest single offensive player in NBA history. His size, shooting, passing and length make him unstoppable. His defense is underrated and he probably deserved at least one All defensive team if not more. KD is known for leaving more champion competing teams than actors leave marriages. Yet, you can’t tell the story of the NBA without one of the greatest players of all time.
14- Oscar Robertson
6’5 Hall of Fame Combo Guard Royals, Bucks
Champion, MVP, 12x All Star, 11x All NBA, ROY, 6x Assist Title, 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 26 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal.
Prime Stats: 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists. Steals and blocks not recorded.
The Big O was an all around marvel of the early NBA. He was sometimes listed as a forward in some games because of his size and rebounding. Ozzie had gaudy assist numbers even in an era where assists were handed out much more conservatively. He was demanding on teammates and even caused a few to regress because of the tongue lashing’s he would hand out for mistakes. His midrange almost one handed jumper was lights out and his determination was well known. He didn’t have a championship until parred with Kareem which is strange because Lucas was also a top 100 guy. Without Oscar’s example Magic, LeBron, Westbrook and Bird probably don’t have a prototype to follow.
13- Steph Curry
6’3 Combo Guard Warriors
3x Champion, 2x MVP, 6x All Star, 6x All NBA, Scoring Title, Steals Title.
Career Stats: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals,
Prime Stats: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals.
Chef Curry is someone every player should be familiar with, probably one of the top 10 most influential players in the history of the league The Baby Faced Assassin shot his way into the public consciousness with back to back MVPs becoming the awards only unanimous winner ever. His ability to lead some of the best offenses ever and his on court leadership are easy to see. He takes advantage of off ball movement and gravity better than any player in history (it also helps that Bogut and Draymond never set a legal screen in their career). His defense is like Dirk is not as bad as people say, and his rebounding is solid for a guard. Curry is one of the most influential players to ever grace the hardwood. Coming at the perfect time for medical science to save his ankles, Curry set the world on fire and captured the imaginations of an entire generation coming up. In two and a half decades from now when the NBA celebrates its centennial the NBA will be shaped by several players. Steph Curry will be high up on that list.
12- Hakeem Olajuwon
7’0 Hall of Fame Combo Big Rockets (Raptors)
2x Champion, 2x FMVP, MVP, 12x All Star, 12x All NBA, 9x All Defense, 2x DPOY, 3x Blocks Title, 2x Rebounds Title, 50th Anniversary Team.
Career Stats: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks,
Prime Stats: 25 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks.
Hakeem The Dream Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria a city I have spent considerable time in as it is the largest city in Africa and I grew up a 15 hour drive away. Hakeem made basketball the Nations second favorite sport. If this was simply a list of who I want on my team in 2020 I might have Hakeem way closer to 1 than 12, and he sure would be above Kobe. 4 players can claim to be the best player on a championship team in the 90s Duncan, Zeke, MJ and Hakeem. His low post scoring was masterful, the best in history with his post moves and incredible touch, screen settings was solid, passing is underrated, and his offense is basically 70x worse than his defense. Hakeem is one of the top 5 best defenders ever. If his draft buddy Michael Jordan didn’t exist there would be a generation of people arguing he was the GOAT. Hakeem is one of the best players ever, a true champion, and a master at both offense and defense.
11- Kobe Bryant
6’6 Hall of Fame Wing Lakers
5x Champion, 2x FMVP, MVP, 18x All Star, 15x All NBA, 12x All Defense lol, 2x Scoring Title.
Career Stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.
Prime Stats: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.
The Black Mamba... ok full disclosure, I hated Kobe Bryant. I was a Mavs fan in the 2000s Kobe was the enemy. He methodically eviscerated defenses like a master chef cleaning fish for a special. He twisted the best defenders in the world into knots then laughed in their faces while hitting shots no human being had the right to make. His defense was really good (for like a 7 year span this 12 all defense thing is a joke) where he would take on the best player from the other team, shut him down, drop 30 on him, and hit the buzzer beater guarded by all 12 of the opponents active players. The myth of Kobe Bean Bryant was larger than life. His Vino years were great as well, he still had the ability to shut someone down for a game, but not every night. He could still go off on any defense at any time. His last game encapsulated everything good about Kobe, and also most of the bad. 60 points on 50 shots, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, the game winning free throws after coming up huge in the clutch. He sometimes drove teammates insane, he sometimes was a ball hog, he had way more influence on the game than someone who didn’t bring anything new to the sport should, Kobe was never the best player in the world, but for 18 years he was top 5. Kobe just misses the top 10 but he was fantastic in many ways.
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