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Image credit: Fadeaway World
Shaquille O’Neal shared a very funny Instagram post in which he specifically mentioned how he didn’t name some of the greatest players of all time to rank. His post sparked quite a debate as there are some superstar players who are divided into 5 different tiers. While some different levels of players can be debated, it’s unlikely anyone has a problem with level 1 inclusion. Likewise, Shaq’s post is so intriguing that it has to be debated to get a clearer picture of NBA history.
With the NBA’s 75th Anniversary roster finalized and Shaquille O’Neal’s job as ammunition, it’s time for Fadeaway World to rank 5 of the greatest players of all time. As usual, there is only one person at the top of the list and he will be declared the goat. Without further ado, here are the rankings of the best players of all time in their respective classes.
level 5
Iverson, John Havlicek, Isiah Thomas, Scottie Pippen, Kawhi Leonard, Bob Pettit, John Stockton, Steve Nash, Elvin Hayes , Patrick Ewing, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, James Harden, Rick Barry, Clyde Drexler, Dominique Wilkins
Iverson is one of the most admired and recognized athletes of all time. Even though he didn’t win an NBA title, he led an underperforming team to the 2001 NBA Finals, where they defeated prime Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in Game 1 The very popular Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson, the greatest little man of all time, is without a doubt one of the best scorers of all time, winning an astounding 4 scoring titles despite being only 6 feet tall.
Considering his longevity and consistency of scoring numbers, John Havlicek is one of the Celtics’ all-time greats, and quite possibly one of the top five small forwards of all time. During his tenure with the Celtics, Havlicek averaged 20.8 points per game, was named to 13 All-Star teams, 8 All-Defensive teams, 11 All-NBA teams and won an incredible 8 NBA championship. When discussing the best strikers of all time, Havlicek has to be among the best because he is a special talent.
Isiah Thomas is a point guard with a competitive attitude and winning qualities. In two NBA seasons in 1989 and 1990, Thomas led the Pistons to back-to-back championships and won the Finals MVP in 1990. Thomas was one of the best small players ever and a leader everyone admired and respected. It’s not easy for a point guard to dominate the court in an elite game, but Isiah outplayed him to do the Hall of Fame work.
The most accomplished athlete at this level is Scottie Pippen, who won six NBA championships with Michael Jordan in Chicago. Without Scottie Pippen, there is no question that neither Michael nor the Bulls would have won a championship. Scottie Pippen is one of the best defenders of all time, he can guard three positions and pretty much shut opponents out. The best team of all time was also forged by his relationship with Michael Jordan, as the Chicago Bulls are widely regarded as the most dominant team of all time.
Kawhi Leonard is in Tier 5 because he won 2 NBA titles and 2 Finals MVPs with two different teams and is the best two-way player in the game. Leonard is a rare talent because he has the size to be a dominant force on the court, but he’s also highly skilled in every aspect of his game. Kawhi is never in a hurry and is always methodical in the way he plays his offensive game, which means he has similarities to Michael Jordan in the way he controls the perimeter. If Leonard can win one or two more championships, Leonard will continue to climb.
Pettit is an honorable selection for the fifth tier because of his accomplishments and statistics that rank among the top power forwards of all time. During his 11-year career, Pettit had a storied Hall of Fame career, never averaging less than 20 points per game. The fact that Pettit is an NBA champion and named to 11 All-NBA teams may be the most important achievement. One of the greatest big men of all time, the big man basically dominated the 1950s, although most viewers today obviously won’t remember that.
Despite not winning an NBA championship, John Stockton may be the best playmaker in history. With Stockton leading all players in assists and steals, the Utah Jazz never missed the playoffs during his tenure as floor leader. The team formed by Stockton and Karl Malone can be called the best team in history, and Stockton is also mainly responsible for helping Malone score more than 36,000 points. The pick-and-roll master is also one of the top five point guards of all time.
Steve Nash, a two-time MVP and Basketball Hall of Famer, is one of the greatest shooters of all time, capable of hitting a 50-40-90 field goal average in a single season. In fact, Nash and Larry Bird are the only two players to ever have two 50-40-90 seasons. Nash was a brilliant playmaker who led the league in assists five times during his tenure with the exciting Phoenix Suns. Can anyone name a more exciting team than the “7 seconds or less” Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni? Steve Nash was the heart of that team.
Elvin Hayes is truly one of the most gifted power forwards of all time. Hayes has the ability to finish with his turnaround jumper and shut down opposing bigs with his aggressive defense. Winning an NBA championship, leading scorer and making six All-NBA teams, Hayes had a sensational career. He was an All-Star in each of his first 12 seasons and missed just nine games in 16 years in the league.
Patrick Ewing, arguably the best player the New York Knicks have ever had, was a force for years in his prime. In a career that included 11 All-Star teams, seven All-NBA teams and averages of 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, Ewing was a New York Knicks legend. The center was unfortunate enough not to have an NBA championship to his name. He’s a superstar big man with the character and skill set of a pure leader on the court.
If only Chris Paul won the NBA title in 2021, because his legacy would take a different turn. It doesn’t matter because he’s an important member of Tier 5. Chris Paul, known as the “God of the Ball,” pretty much does everything a point guard can do in a single game. Paul is an excellent passer, defender and leader who helped the team reach a completely different level.
As an excellent organizer, Jason Kidd is a magician who can help his teammates successfully shoot. Kidd is a triple-double threat in his position as well as a great rebounder, tough competitor and defender. In addition to leading the Nets to the NBA Finals against the Lakers and winning an NBA title while playing with the Mavericks, Kidd is second all-time in assists and must be a top 6 or 7 point guard of all time one.
Gary Payton belongs in Tier 5 simply because he is arguably the best defensive point guard in history. Glove was a fierce contender who became one of basketball’s most recognizable legends as he continued to improve his game on both ends of the court on the way to becoming an All-Star point guard. Payton, who won Defensive Player of the Year and is one of two point guards ever to receive the award, is a one-of-a-kind player and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
James Harden is a polarizing figure because of the way he plays even close to his teammates, but there is no doubt that he is a different offensive player. Beard can hit the basket at any time, and can also hit the step-back three-pointer, which makes him possibly the best isolation scorer in history. Not to mention, Harden is adept at finding teammates to make pinpoint passes time and time again.
There is no doubt that Rick Barry was a superstar in his prime. He made an astonishing 12 All-Star teams, was named to the All-NBA Team six times, won the 1965-1966 Rookie of the Year Award, and won the 1974-1975 Warriors Finals MVP. As the team’s best player, Barry has what it takes to win an NBA championship and has one of the best resumes of any player at his position. Barry may also be underrated as an offensive superstar, as he is without a doubt a top 50 player of all time.
If it weren’t for Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler would be considered a better player than he is remembered for. During his years with the Trail Blazers, Drexler was the league’s brightest player, most dominant lob passer and capable scorer. If it weren’t for Michael, Drexler would be second only to Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Jerry West as a shooting guard. The 10-time All-Star won the NBA Championship with the Rockets in 1994-1995, which greatly enhanced his Hall of Fame status.
One of the greatest dunkers in the history of the game, Dominque Wilkins was more than just a great athlete. A nine-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA selection, Wilkins has scored better than most players at his position throughout history and has nine seasons with at least 26 points. Had Wilkins been drafted to a different team along with other star players, he would likely have won an NBA title to elevate his status. Still, he entered the Hall of Fame with a scoring title.
layer 4
Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Julius Erwin, Dirk Nowitzki, Elgin Baylor, David Robinson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Charles Barkley
Original triple-double king Oscar Robertson is a once-in-a-lifetime talent because he has an impressive physique with all the skills. A 12-time All-Star and six-time assists leader, Oscar dominated every time he stepped on the court with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. The 6-foot-5 point guard made the game look too easy as he was the first player to average a triple-double for a full season.
An iconic figure in the NBA and one of the greatest shooting guards of all time, Jerry West deservedly made it to the 4th tier. West was a top scorer, passer and shooter who made 14 consecutive All-Star games, was named to the All-NBA team 12 times and won the NBA Championship in 1972. West is also the only player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP award with 37.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists in a loss. The incredible basketball mind also managed to become an NBA executive after retirement.
Next up is Karl Malone, perhaps the most skilled player to never win an NBA championship. Postman won 2 MVP awards, was a 14-time All-Star and is the second-highest scorer in NBA history with 36,928 total points. He’s the man who helped the Utah Jazz get to the NBA Finals twice, and if it wasn’t for Michael Jordan, he could have won the NBA Championship and potentially made it to the third tier. Still, even without a championship, Karl Malone is a top 2 power forward with one of the best pick and roll games in NBA history.
Moses Malone is another all-time great big man who has accomplished so much in his career, winning 3 MVPs, an NBA championship, a Finals MVP award, and being named to 13 All-Star teams team. One of the best rebounders ever, Moses dominated the paint with power and aggression. A gifted big man with great hands and boundless determination, Malone was one of the best players of the ’80s, and an even greater player when considering his ABA dominance. Moses knows how to impact the game and is a strong leader, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see him break into the 4th tier.
A top 5 shooting guard of all time, Dwyane Wade is often considered the best shooting guard after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and he is an extremely good two-way player. The greatest shot-blocking guard of all time and one of the best driving guards we’ve ever seen, Wade won 3 NBA Championships and was named Finals MVP for one of his best performances in the 2006 Finals. A key player with a total of 13 All-Star selections, Dwyane Wade, is easily a key addition to the Tier…
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