If you’re to ask basketball fans who the greatest players of all time are, you’ll get hundreds of different answers, all passionately defended. Some will argue based on rings, others on scoring, longevity, peak dominance, or simply which player made them fall in love with the game. And that debate is often fuelled by personal bias. It could be loyalty to a team, a region, or an era, but subjective preferences will always rule the conversation.
But what happens if the bias is removed entirely? When you feed in nothing but the numbers, the accolades, the influence, and the lasting impact? That’s where AI comes in. Designed to evaluate players through objective criteria, be that statistical dominance to historical legacy, this ranking could be the closest we’ve come to a neutral take on the greatest players in NBA history.
10 Oscar Robertson
1x NBA Champion
Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals
Oscar Robertson was the first player to dominate basketball’s three main individual stat-lines. Long before triple-doubles became an everyday part of NBA highlight reels, Robertson made them his trademark. In fact, he was the first player in league history to average a triple-double across an entire season (1961–62), a feat that was unmatched for over 50 years. Known as “The Big O”, he combined size, skill, and court vision in ways the league had never seen. He finished his career with over 26,000 points, 9,800 assists, and 7,800 rebounds, and was a 12-time All-Star and MVP in 1964. Beyond stats, Robertson played a major role in the players’ union, advocating for athletes’ rights and paving the way for future generations. His blend of production, influence, and legacy earns him a rightful place in the all-time top 10.
9 Kobe Bryant
5x NBA Champion
NBA__Kobe Bryant's Respect
One of the all-time fiercest competitors in sporting history. Kobe Bryant defined the modern era of basketball through sheer will and work ethic. His “Mamba Mentality” became a cultural mantra, inspiring a generation of athletes across multiple sports. Throughout his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe racked up five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star selections. His scoring prowess was unmatched at times, none more so than the unforgettable 81-point game against Toronto in 2006. But Kobe was more than a scorer. He was an elite defender, a cold-blooded closer, and a basketball purist obsessed with greatness. His tragic passing only further cemented his legendary status, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire some of the NBA’s best today.
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8 Shaquille O’Neal
4x NBA Champion
Shaquille O’Neal
There aren’t many players that have ever combined sheer physical dominance and charisma like Shaquille O’Neal. At his peak, Shaq was virtually unstoppable. A 7-foot-1, 325-pound monster who bullied defenders in the paint and shattered backboards with ease. His run from 2000 to 2002 with the Lakers was one of the most dominant stretches in league history, resulting in three straight titles and a trio of Finals MVPs. Over his career, he tallied over 28,000 points, 15 All-Star appearances, and an MVP in 2000. But it wasn’t just his stats; Shaq's presence changed the way teams defended, drafted, and built their rosters. Off the court, he became a global icon, starring in films and taking up many successful business ventures, showing a more personal side to such an imposing figure. When it came to controlling a game physically and psychologically, few ever did it like Shaq.
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7 Wilt Chamberlain
2x NBA Champion
Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Lakers
Statistically, Wilt Chamberlain is in a category of his own. He once averaged over 50 points per game for an entire season and is still the only player to score 100 points in a single game, a record that may never be broken. A two-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, Wilt's resume is filled with jaw-dropping achievements. He led the league in scoring seven times, and 11 times in rebounding. While critics often point to the era he played in, Chamberlain’s dominance was so complete that the league had to change rules just to make it more competitive. He was a physical marvel, standing over seven feet tall with the agility of a guard. Wilt didn’t just play basketball, he reinvented it.
6 Larry Bird
3x NBA Champion
Larry Bird, Boston Celtics
Larry Bird brought personality, IQ, and a laser-accurate shot to the NBA. As the face of the Boston Celtics in the 1980s, Bird won three MVPs in a row, something that can only be matched by Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. He claimed a trio of NBA championships and is remembered as one of the most clutch performers in league history. Bird's fierce rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Lakers revitalised the NBA, bringing in new fans and transforming it into a global spectacle. Beyond the accolades, Bird was a master of fundamentals, a ruthless trash-talker, and a player who made every teammate better. His blend of basketball intellect, skill, and competitive fire made him a legend that nobody can recreate.
5 Magic Johnson
5x NBA Champion
Magic Johnson
At 6-foot-9, Magic Johnson defied point guard stereotypes. His court vision was unmatched, a basketball scholar who saw passes before anyone else realised they were possible. Magic won five championships with the Lakers in the 1980s and claimed three league MVPs and three Finals MVPs. Whether it was playing all five positions in the 1980 Finals as a rookie, or leading the famed “Showtime” offence, Magic’s charisma and creativity transformed the way the game was played. He was a leader, a winner, and a pioneer, both on and off the court. Few players in history combined joy, flair, and dominance quite like him.
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4 Bill Russell
11x NBA Champion
Bill Russell
Winning is one of the ultimate metrics, and no one won like Bill Russell. With 11 championships in 13 seasons, Russell is the most-decorated player in NBA history, the only player to have more rings than fingers. But his greatness wasn’t just about the rings. He was the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty, a defensive genius who changed the game with his shot-blocking, positioning, and leadership. Russell was a five-time MVP and became the league’s first black head coach even though he was still playing. In an era where statistics weren’t as dominant, Russell’s impact came from intangibles, toughness, intelligence, and the ability to anchor a team through every challenge. His influence on the game’s culture and his stand for racial equality off the court also elevated his legacy beyond basketball.
3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
6x NBA Champion
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar combined elite longevity with unstoppable skill. “The Dream” was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer for nearly four decades (until LeBron James passed him in early 2023). Kareem’s trademark skyhook remains the most un-guardable shot in basketball history, leading to a career 55.6% in field goals. A six-time MVP and six-time champion, he dominated in both the 1970s and 1980s, transitioning from the Bucks to the Lakers and maintaining his excellence. He amassed over 38,000 points, 19 All-Star appearances and 15 All-NBA selections, which speaks to his enduring excellence. Off the court, Kareem was a thoughtful activist and author, using his platform to speak out on social issues. He was the complete package: talent, discipline, and social consciousness all rolled into one.
2 LeBron James
4x NBA Champion
LeBron James
LeBron James is the ultimate modern basketball force, a blend of size, speed, skill, and basketball IQ rarely seen in one athlete. For over two decades, LeBron has shattered records, won four championships, and appeared in 10 NBA Finals. He became the league’s all-time leading scorer in 2023, a nod to his remarkable durability and consistency. But numbers alone don’t capture his impact. LeBron elevated every team he played on, from the Cavaliers (twice) to the Heat, to the Lakers. Lebron is, for many fans, the greatest of all time. He’s been the face of the NBA for an entire generation. He’s a four-time MVP, a global icon, and a role model whose off-court activism matches his on-court brilliance. The fact that he's still performing at an elite level in his 40s only strengthens the argument that he might one day overtake the top spot.
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1 Michael Jordan
6x NBA Champion
Who else? Michael Jordan is the standard by which all greatness in sport, not just basketball, is measured. Six championships. Six Finals MVPs. Five regular-season MVPs. 10 scoring titles. And an aura of invincibility that still has a presence in the league today. Jordan's blend of elite scoring, defensive excellence, and an unmatched killer instinct made him the most-feared player of all time. Whether it was the flu game, his last-second shots, or his 1996 return to lead the Bulls to a 72-win season, Jordan built a legacy of moments that appear impossible to do in just one career. Beyond the court, he transformed athlete marketing, increased the NBA’s global popularity, and inspired millions, with his iconic 23 donned by many sporting superstars over the years.
For many, MJ is not just the greatest basketball player ever, he's the greatest athlete in history.
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